| One of my favourite aspects of being the Shot In The | | | | green and orange decorations and order a celebratory |
| Dark Murder Mystery Games Mystery Maiden is | | | | flan cake. I could even pack out her living room with |
| designing personalized games for special events and | | | | guests simply by stealing her address book from its |
| parties. Usually, my clients ask me to design a game to | | | | spot beside her rotary telephone. But how would I |
| surprise a loved one during an event held in their honor. | | | | know that "Big Barry" is actually Aunt Gertrude's |
| A party in someone's honor is much different than the | | | | exterminator, Penny Marshall is the IRS agent who |
| booze-up birthday party to which some of us have | | | | audited her last year, and Hilda Harper was her |
| grown accustomed. A party thrown to honor another | | | | once-best friend who stole her favorite pair of |
| is an opportunity to feature their accomplishments, | | | | peak-toe pumps 30 years ago? The truth is, I won't |
| milestones and interests. | | | | know. When Aunt Gertrude enters the party venue, |
| Hosting a party to honor someone else, be it for a | | | | she'll wonder why her bug guy, auditor and evil ex-best |
| birthday, graduation or anniversary, is something that | | | | friend are all raising glasses to toast her! |
| must be done with care. Here are a few tips to help | | | | Yet, there are always those people who touch our |
| you plan a party in someone's honor. | | | | lives that we would be thrilled to see at a party thrown |
| When I was young, I was delighted to hear my dad | | | | in our honor. A coach, teacher, mentor, or even an old |
| ordered lawn flamingos to celebrate my mom's 40th | | | | boss could be on that list, but aren't in Aunt Gertrude's |
| birthday (to my disappointment, the flamingos turned | | | | address book. Hmmm.... tricky. |
| out to be plastic). Fortunately Mom took the | | | | First, I would make a list of everyone I know Gertrude |
| embarassing prank well (but exacted revenge on our | | | | likes: her next door neighbour; her best childhood friend; |
| 16th birthdays!). When she tried to return my dad the | | | | the women from her skydiving club. Next, I would call |
| favour a few years later, he did not take the idea of a | | | | each of those people and ask them if they can think |
| surprise party well. The difference between my | | | | of anyone else they know who should be on the list, |
| parents was that my mom liked the idea of a surprise | | | | and so on and so forth. I would have to do more than |
| in her honor. My dad felt the opposite. When planning | | | | simply steal her address book, but this is Aunt Gert, |
| your party, you must first determine whether the event | | | | after all - if she's worth a blowout party, she's worth a |
| will be a surprise, or if the guest of honor will know | | | | few phone calls and an afternoon of my time. Inviting |
| about it ahead of time. In the case of my parents, my | | | | mentors, coaches and other people from your |
| dad would have reacted better had he been told | | | | honoree's life means the difference between an |
| about the party ahead of time. Consider everything | | | | everyday party and a true celebration of your guest |
| you know about the person when deciding whether | | | | of honor. |
| the party will be a surprise. I never would have | | | | During the party, keep your honoree in the spotlight. |
| guessed my dad would not love a surprise party, and I | | | | Select around five people on the guest list to write and |
| have known him my whole life! How can you be sure? | | | | deliver a speech about your honored guest. Not sure |
| Bring up the subject of surprise parties casually with | | | | who to chose? Pick one person from each part of |
| your honoree, and gauge their reaction. | | | | your honoree's life. For example: childhood, teen years, |
| The next thing you must do is find out everything you | | | | 20's, 30's etc. If your honoree is young, select from |
| can about the honoree. Regardless of how well you | | | | their work/school/social life, and clubs or activities to |
| know someone, chances are another person knows | | | | which your honoree belongs. |
| something you don't. Last fall I created a personalized | | | | Lastly, create memorabelia. To truly stage a classy |
| murder mystery game centered around my aunt, who | | | | evening, have invitations or programs made up to |
| was turning 60. One night, while she was in the | | | | commemorate the event. The guests, as well as your |
| shower, I had a clandestine phone conversation with | | | | guest of honor, will cherish thekeepsake for years to |
| my uncle, who gave me such great ideas that we | | | | come. Don't know where to get them? We |
| identified the theme immediately. Brainstorm the | | | | recommend: Nicola Jane Originals. |
| information you know along with that which you learn | | | | Anyone should feel honored to have a party thrown |
| to piece together the details of your party. | | | | just for them. Follow our tips to ensure your guests - |
| The guest list will make or break your party. There are | | | | as well as your guest of honor - feel just that: |
| two things to remember when creating a guest list. | | | | Honored. |
| First, don't invite the wrong people, and second, do | | | | For more party hosting tips and to share tips of your |
| invite the right people! Sure, I could probably throw a | | | | own, visit the Shot In The Dark Mystery Games' Dark |
| party for your Aunt Gertrude. I can tack up pretty | | | | Community. |