How to plan the ultimate going away party

Are you or is someone you know going away? 

Perhaps you’re moving abroad and therefore won’t return to the country for a while. Or perhaps you’re moving to the other side of the UK. Statistics show that 532,000 people emigrated from the UK in 2023 – and the reasons for this are varied. Either way, it’s only natural to want to throw a going away party with your nearest and dearest before you leave. 

Here’s how to throw a going away party that your friends and family won’t forget.

Curate the guest list

Your guest list should be filled with people you’re keen to say goodbye to – inviting friends you have a genuine connection with is better than filling spaces for the sake of increasing numbers. An intimate gathering with the ones you care about will mean you can properly speak to everyone to say your goodbyes before you leave. Don’t be afraid to keep it small and personal.

Pick a theme

To make the occasion fun and light-hearted, you could pick a theme. Let your guests know what you have in mind with plenty of notice so that people can give their outfits some thought. You could choose something related to the place you’re moving to, the type of job you’ll be doing, or something relating to you and your personality. Of course, you could always go for something completely unrelated for the sake of it. 

Plan activities

To keep your guests engaged, you might want to consider activities. This can help to maintain a good energy throughout the event and can encourage your guests to mingle with one another. Some examples include hiring a photobooth with props relating to your theme or setting up a few rounds of online bingo that everyone can join in with. Make sure you choose games that are accessible and fun, with a simple premise. Other examples include a quiz or a scavenger hunt.

Make time for goodbyes

Perhaps more importantly, you should factor in time with each of your guests so you can say goodbye properly. Parties can be busy and distracting, so it’s important to make a conscious effort to speak to everyone there and thank them for coming. They may have brought a goodbye gift too, so it’s a good opportunity to say thank you and even arrange a time for you to visit one another.

It might be nice to set up a guest book where people can write personal goodbye messages. This way, you’ll have something to treasure when you start your new chapter. Beyond this, factor in some time to make a speech so you can address everyone together and share your thanks.

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