Help- surprise party isn't a surprise

[FieldsOfGoal]

I'm turning 40 this weekend. My parents live about 100 miles from myself and DH and a group of my close friends live in the same town as my parents. Said friends have organised a surprise birthday for me today. My mum has been really annoying and as soon as friends organised this surprise with her told me all the details. She said she did it because I've told her I don't like surprises and she wanted to warn me.

I'm feeling so awkward about this. I'm traveling there now with DH and my poor friends are going to be planning something and expecting me to be really surprised/ shocked and have a big reaction and I don't know how I'm going to fake this, especially since my mum will be there too watching my (fake) reaction.

No one knows I know about this, not even DH. I didn't tell him because he will get annoyed with my mum. How would you do this? Help!

Either pretend you didn't know but began to suspect it on the way, or just wing it - there's bound to be something there that is a genuine surprise to you so your reaction to that will probably cover it.

I’d fake a reaction and have fun. Your DP and friends have obviously put a lot of effort into it, so why spoil it for them? Your mum knows it’s supposed to be a surprise so she’s hardly likely to pull you up on it is she?

I think low-key would be more convincing than a huge pantomime of being shocked. I'd looked surprised and utter one of my usual exclamations of surprise.

I should think many surprise parties aren't really a surprise - people must guess in lots of cases, or catch sight of a message they shouldn't, etc.

You don't need to act shocked. Just smile and say 'Thanks everyone this is lovely! as it IS lovely. Enjoy your party

Just smile and say "oh this is great, oh wow," a lot.

Haha, my DH does this: he has Aspergers and sees surprises as lying. I always have to pretend to be surprised, which is quite fun, actually.

Ok thanks everyone I'm feeling slightly better about this now I'll just have to do a low key "oh wow this is great" as I won't get away with any panto acting.

Hand over mouth (hides half your expression!), turn and give DH a big hug (again no one can see your face!) then when you emerge you won't need to do the big shock expression only smiling and saying how lovely it is to see everybody.

Watch how Karen on Strictly does 'surprise' after getting good marks - and then do the exact opposite and you'll be fine! Go low key, smile & do the whole 'oh you guys' stuff.

“I never expected all this for my birthday!” is presumably true? A year ago you weren’t expecting a surprise party.

She said she did it because I've told her I don't like surprises and she wanted to warn me.

And was she right?

oh come on. Nobody likes surprises! she did you a favour! just fake it!

This really doesn't matter - your friends just want you to have a nice time. Have a nice time and all will be well.

I know a couple of friends that have been surprised and absolutely hated it so I think your mum was right.

I had a surprise party organised by family cancelled at the 11th hour due to a bereavement.
My DM told me a week later and l was so upset - she knows l don't deal well with crowds and surprises.
I think you thank your DM and fake it, forewarned is forearmed

Just show joy and happiness that your friends wanted to do something lovely for you. There's nothing to fake then at all (even if you didn't like surprises and i don't) you are just appreciating them.