Have you ever been given a surprise party?

Yes. It was in college, my roommate did it for me. It was definitely a surprise. It was fun. I really appreciated all the work she did to call everyone and organize it. I prefer not to be surprised though.

I have surprised two people with parties and in retrospect I think it wasnt the best idea.

Yes. I can laugh looking back, but: I am very introverted. It probably isn’t possible for me to be more introverted.

Not only was it a surprise party… it was a surprise party on my 21st birthday…

I was mortified.

No. People who know me know that it’d be a bad idea, and a potentially risky one too.

Nope, people nowadays won’t give anything for you if they don’t want anything

No, but I’d love to.

No, thank heavens.

I’ve never been given one.

When my mom turned 50, we gave her one. My aunt (my mom’s sister) came from Las Vegas which was a big surprise. People came from across the country for the party, which was in my parents’ yard. My stepfather had to get her out so he took her to Home Depot. We rented tables, chairs, silverware, plates, napkins, which all had to come after my parents left the house. My mom was really surprised and really happy.

Nope.

Yes, when I was about 24. I almost left, because I hate any party given for me. Several friends had to urge me to stay, so that others could enjoy themselves.
I was miserable most of the evening.

Given them but never got one. But I could roll with it. If there’s fun and laughter I’m good to go. I spend most of my birthdays watching the kids have fun. Or maybe I’m still a big kid? Screw it, I’m going to have fun.

I’ve been a victim too many times not to appreciate what a pain it is to be blindsided. I never initiate them now, and try to discourage (with little success) those gleefully involved with inflicting ambushes on those above the age of 9.

I got one when I was 16—I was surprised and happy, until I realized that I didn’t know most of the people that were invited. Now that was awkward.

Because of that, I’ve given surprise parties, but always make sure it fits the person I’m surprising. I enjoy these parties and enjoy attending parties hosted for others. Just went to a really fun one last weekend.

Ah… just remembered… I had a surprise party that wasn’t a surprise two years ago—some insanely crazy fiasco my ex-husband set up to try to make up for whatever. My Fluther-buddies definitely helped me get through that one with grace.

Nowadays, most bridal showers and baby showers seem to be surprise. Not sure how that tradition came to be.

No, it’s one of the great disappointments of my life.

Yes, barely.

My birthday is at the end of May, so it is always close or on Memorial Day weekend. One year, my best friend and his wife told me they were going to have a Memorial weekend barbecue/party, and asked me to come over, there’d be about fifteen people, most of whom I knew.

So I show, up, drink beer, barbecue meat, chit chat, eat chips. listen to music, tell jokes, laugh. And my friend’s wife has had a German Chocolate cake out for people to see. But all of a sudden, she carries it out, it has a lit candle on it, and she says “Happy Birthday! this party is for your birthday!” and everyone says happy birthday and hands me gifts.

I was surprised, but it was the oddest surprise party I ever went to.

I’m exactly like Marinelife—I’ve never been given one, and I was hopeful that my friends and/or family might do something to honor my 60th, but it didn’t happen (surprise!).

I got a totally unexpected surprise party at my ad agency for my 40th birthday. The entire office staff turned out. I got some cool gifts, probably the best of which was a video my creative staff had made for me: a make-believe day in the life of their creative director as seen through his/my eyes. I still have that video!

No I was lucky if I got a birthday party on my birthday. Usually it was prosponed to the weekend so more can attend. The family always had a black forest cream cake. Also friend we not allowed.

By way of full disclosure, though I said it was totally unexpected, I have to admit that I had been talking and stressing about my 40th for so long I don’t think there’s any way my staff could have neglected to acknowledge it. Still, it’s a fabulous memory. And the video was inspired.

No but I gave one for my mum for her birthday one year. Lots of guests she wasnt expecting. It went really well and was great fun to organise.

No and I’m not unhappy about that. I wouldn’t like it.

My birthday happened to be about 2 weeks after Rick and I got together in July o f02. We did a lot of road tripping, going to the lake and stuff. On my birthday, after work, he took me to the dam and we just sat at talked. We were there about an hour and a half. Then we went home. His daughter’s car was in the drive way. I said, “Your daughter’s car is here! And who’s car is that?” Then I noticed a banner that was hung up on the deck. I said, “It almost looks like a party!”
Rick glanced over at me and said, “Yeeeesss.” It still didn’t dawn on me. Nobody has ever made a fuss over me on my birthday.
It wasn’t until I walked into the house and everyone yelled “Happy Birthday!” that I realized what was happening!
I almost cried.
Since then, however, I’m lucky if he even acknowledges my birthday. But that’s OK. I don’t mind. I told him once that it did hurt a little, but O Well.

The only surprises I get are when cops come to arrest me.

My 16th was the only party that ever took me totally off guard.

We were going out to eat, but my mother insisted that we had to drop something off at my aunt’s house, which was way out in the sticks. They had hidden all the cars, and the whole fan damily was there. I never had a clue.

The highlight was a delicious crab dish. Medallions of king crab as big around was a silver dollar and 1½ inches long. I made over it, and my aunt said, “It’s no big deal. The crab was leftover from dinner the other might and I just made a cream sauce for it.” OMG

No, I’ve never been one to relish a party.

Kind of, in a way. For my 15th birthday my mom surprised us by taking us to Chili’s and doing a little scavenger hunt there. The manager handed us an envelope and inside were tickets to Disneyland! We were leaving 3 days later. So, it was kinda like a surprise birthday vacation.

Yeah, but the new wore off pretty quick, so I gave the party back. Imagine their surprise!