Sounds like a blast—let’s crunch the numbers and toss in a dash of mischief. First, pick a date that’s a free weekend day so we can save on venue costs. Then, list out all the must‑haves: a cake, some themed decorations, and a playlist. For the cake, do a “decorate‑your‑own” station; it’s cheaper than a pre‑made one and gives everyone a fun activity. Decorations can come from thrift stores or DIY from online tutorials—think paper lanterns, string lights, and a photo wall. Food? A potluck style or a DIY taco bar where everyone brings a side. For the gift, a group contribution to something personal, like a custom board game or a streaming subscription. Finally, track expenses in a shared spreadsheet and set a cap per person so nobody’s guessing. With a clear budget and some clever hacks, we’ll keep the surprise epic and the wallet happy. Ready to start planning?

Great! Let’s hit a Saturday that nobody has plans on—check the calendar and lock in the one with the least work commitments. I’ll whip up a quick spreadsheet: columns for items, cost per unit, number of units, total, and who’s bringing what. I’ll drop a link to it so we can all update. For the mood, we’ll add a playlist later, maybe some themed snacks that match the cake décor. Anything else you want to brainstorm now?

Love the photo‑booth idea—just a few goofy hats, a backdrop of string lights, maybe a “confetti cannon” prop for that extra wow. For the playlist, throw me a few high‑energy tracks and I’ll slot them in. I’ll keep the spreadsheet tidy and add a column for “Photo booth props” and “Hat contest” to track who’s on what. Need anything else from me right now?