This was a party for the Professor's 16th birthday. I wasn't actually involved in this party since I didn't know him yet at the time, but I've heard the story many times and think it is worth sharing.
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| Image courtesy of Stuart Miles / FreeDigitalPhotos.net |
The Professor's parents decided to throw a surprise birthday party for the Professor when he turned 16.
The challenge for most would be surprise party throwers is how to get the birthday person out of the house while you set up and everyone arrives and then get them back in for the surprise.
The Professor's parents didn't bother.
They sent out the invitations for a party beginning at dinner time telling the guests to come on in without ringing the doorbell.
When all the guests had arrived, the Professor's mom called up the stairs to her son that it was time to come down for dinner. He came down and was utterly shocked to find the house decorated and full of all his friends.
My favorite part of this story is the fact that his parents had great confidence this plan would work. They were so secure in their knowledge that their son would be hanging out in his room doing homework or whatever else it was that he did in there for hours and hours on end that they didn't even bother to get him out of the house. They knew there was next to no chance that he would glance out of his bedroom window and see his friends coming up the walk. They knew it was extremely unlikely that he would wander downstairs before dinner and notice the balloons and birthday cake.
And they were right.
So, here is the 4th and final tip.
Successful Surprise Party Tip #4: Throw the party for someone who gets so absorbed in his own project he won't notice what the world around him is doing.
Love it.
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