Going Away Party Etiquette

Sooner or later, you or someone you have come to know and admire will move on. The circumstances may vary, such as starting a new job, a military transfer, graduating from college, relocating to a new town or leaving the neighborhood.

Celebrating a departure is often bittersweet. Sending them off with a commemoration and a few happy memories is a nice gesture and helps express how much you appreciate their friendship. Here are a few suggestions for hosting a fabulous going away event:

Send Out the Invitation Early

This is a special occasion, and you want to make sure you get on people’s calendars. A formal invitation should be sent out 4 to 6 weeks in advance, and a casual invite should be sent out 3 weeks in advance. The invitation is going to dictate the overall theme of the party, to include whether it is an open house, cocktail party, sit down dinner or backyard barbecue. List the venue and dress code so there is no confusion. For a surprise party, include directions with where guests are expected to park their cars.

Request an RSVP

“Regrets only” is flawed. The premise is if the host doesn’t hear from you, you will be in attendance. The problem is, people don’t understand what this term means and often feel less inclined to show up if there isn’t a formal “Yes” to an invitation. No shows are more common when “Regrets only” is the form of accountability.

Get Creative With Your Theme

Dream up a going away party that is fun and serves a purpose. If your friend is moving to another city (i.e., Chicago), you might consider throwing a “Chicago Bound” affair or something similar depending on where they are going. The gifts could all have something to do with the new destination to help them set up and prepare for the move (such as “cold weather” items or things they will need when they settle in).

A friend recently hosted a packing party for her sweet coworker. She was moving to another city from her home state after graduating from college. She didn’t have the budget for movers so a group of friends showed up, packed, put her belongings in a couple of SUVs and moved her into her new apartment themselves. Tons of money saved and an incredible debt of gratitude all around.

Delight with the Details

Elevate the event with simple touches like beautiful cocktail napkins or a tray of delicious afternoon tea treats. Stretch a floral arrangement with fresh blooms and a few bud vases. Trader Joes’ selection is a budget-friendly, social media favorite. Display photo accents of favorite memories and bring a Polaroid to capture candid pics throughout the festivities. Browse my Going Away Party board on Pinterest for inspiration.

Include Unexpected People They Love

This party is for the guest of honor, not you. Stretch your list of invitees to include a few key people you know they would enjoy seeing. It might be someone outside of your immediate group or a family member they are particularly close to. Ask if there is anyone in particular they would like for you to invite. Reach out and let them know what you are planning.

Have an Office Send-Off

If someone in your office or work environment is leaving, do something on a small scale to let them know you will be wishing them well. It can be something as easy as pizza or as elaborate as one of their favorite meals. Plan it around a time frame that doesn’t disrupt the natural flow of the office routine. Include the entire team instead of only a few people so no one feels left out. One heartwarming idea is to ask colleagues to share a favorite memory of their time with the team member. Do so in advance to give everyone time to jot their thoughts down.

Don’t Forget Fun and Games

Incorporate some interaction in the form of a game such as, “How much do we know about Lauren?” Have your guest of honor fill out a sheet of paper and everyone guess the answers.

For example – questions for one of my favorite news anchors who is moving on to a new adventure soon:

1. How many years has Lauren worked at the television station?
2. What is her favorite color?
3. What is her favorite food indulgence?
4. What is her biggest talent?
5. Is she a good singer?
6. What is her fashion obsession?
7. She rolls her eyes when …?
8. What is her favorite celebrity interview?
9. What is she going to miss most about the job?
10. What will she miss the least?
11. What is your best piece of advice?

Send Your Guests Off With a Memento of the Guest of Honor

Wrap up something meaningful and inexpensive to remind them of the day. It doesn’t have to be elaborate. Perhaps a favorite food item or object near and dear to the guest’s heart. Get creative and have some fun! A few cute ideas that recently caught my eye: mini cotton candy pops, 2” potted succulents with a coordinating ribbon and “thanks a hole bunch for coming” printable donut tags.

You may also like How to Throw the Perfect Summer Soiree. For more of Diane’s etiquette tips, “like” The Protocol School of Texas on Facebook, and follow Diane on Pinterest, Instagram and Twitter. Buy her new book, Modern Etiquette for a Better Life.