okay, so my mom's 42nd birthday is coming up, i want to throw her a surprise party?!

1) What a lovely thing to do for your Mum, whatever you do I'm sure she'll love it!

2) Raid her music collection for inspiration...nothing too embarrassing though! If she's a secret Celine Dion fan don't blow her cover lol

3) Bake a birthday cake, it will mean more if you make it yourself and you won't need to worry about doing another sweet dish.

I agree tea sandwiches look cute, are easy and you can make different fillings to suit everyone.
-Ham and mustard
-cream cheese and cucumber
-egg salad
-tuna
anything you enjoy.

Small easy to cook pastries like sausage rolls (I think they're called pigs in blankets in the US?), mini quiches, anything bite size and easy to prepare that are just as good served at room temp.

Chips/veg sticks/dips are all good and easy.

If you intend to provide knives and forks, you can add a green salad, pasta salad, rice salad?

Provide lots of non-alcholic drinks for young guests and those who will be driving and get an adult to buy beer and wines or ask guests to 'bring a bottle'...that way everyone can be sure they'll be something there that they'll enjoy and saves you lots of money!

4) Decorations like balloons, flowers and a 'happy birthday' banner would look lovely and if you have the time sorting out a few old photos of your Mum (like crazy 80's hair etc) will create a talking point.
There'll be no need for extra entertainment, people will be happiest just having a good old catch-up and a giggle.

5) try to think of a reason for her to be 'dressed up' before hand...there's nothing worse than turning up to find a room full of friends and family all looking party ready and you look like its laundry day!

Hope this helps, just do what you can manage without feeling stressed by it.

Good luck! I really hope it all goes well!

Don't forget - lots of ice!!!

What a wonderful child you are!!
Make it an 80's Theme Party!
Music - that's easy!! Music from the mid 70's thru the 80's.
Duran Duran, Wham, Michael Jackson, Hall & Oats, etc, etc.
I am sure Best Buy or your local Wal-Mart must have a copy of the Ultimate *80's CD for the music.
Think "Breakfast Club, St Elmo's Fire or Pretty in Pink" to set the mood.
Food can be simple: Pizza, Hero's, chips, dips etc.
Don't worry about entertaining them ... just put the music on & the food out & have plenty of seats & the rest will take care of it self.
Maybe even put some of those old videos on the TV (on mute) in the background.
Enlist the help of an adult (if your not over 21) if your planning to serve beer or alcohol.
See if you can find her year book & maybe photos of her to put around from the 80's & her growing up years!
Have a great party!
Wish your Mom a Happy Birthday for me!

my mom is in her late 40's so i understand, see my mom likes current music but you should take her ipod and put some songs onto a cd and play that, that way you know she likes the music because it's hers and for the food that sounds good but really all 40 year olds are different so ya sounds fun :D

me & my best friend had a surprise party for her mom afew years ago, small one, but we were like 13..
just get like sandwiches from like ralphs, and get some flowers, and dont but rap or like heavy metal, rock, or maybe pop would be good, cause you want it to be smooth, but not slow so people wouldnt fall asleep.
& for drinks, have like coffee, tea, and some juices maybe.
:)

help me?

tea sandwiches would be yummy and i'd definately recommend pizza and vegetables with dipping sauce :)

sound good

that sounds great