Farewell parties are usually held for various occasions. In addition, a farewell party can be a great way to release friends, co-workers, and loved ones with good memories. You can throw a farewell party when someone changes jobs, goes abroad, or starts a new chapter of life in any capacity. Throwing a farewell party involves a lot of preparation. From planning, sending out invitations, setting up the venue, and honoring special guests, there's a lot to be done. Luckily, you can ask friends, coworkers, and so on for help. With a little planning and cooperation, you can give the guest of honor an unforgettable party.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Planning a Party
Step 1. Choose a theme
The best farewell parties usually have a specific theme to honor special guests. Themes generally highlight the guest's next journey and reminisce about the times you spent together.
- If your friend is moving to a new place, think about what a suitable theme would be. You might consider a “goodbye” party with a theme of travel and exploration. Maybe your party can highlight some things that are local and he likes. In addition, you can introduce some local culture and culinary to the place that your friend will be going.
- Maybe the guest of honor will move to another company. You could throw a party highlighting all the accomplishments he has achieved in your office.
- Incorporate the theme into invitations, food, decorations, and so on. For example, if your friend moves to another province or country, you can make cup cakes with colors that represent that province or country. You can even create a topper with a map of the new locations your friend is going to on one side and where he or she is going to leave on the other.
Step 2. Find a good location to have a party that fits the theme
Choose a suitable place to host the party. You can do it at the office, restaurant, or even at home. The location should be a mix of a place that can easily be turned into a party venue and guests will enjoy it.
- If you are hosting a farewell party for a family member who will be moving abroad for some time, home is a good choice. A farewell party for colleagues who are retiring or changing jobs, the office or a favorite local restaurant can be an option.
- Think about what the guest of honor will like. Remember that you are throwing a party for a friend. It was fitting that the party had been held in a place he would remember. For example, if your friend is moving to another city, the party could be held at a bar or restaurant that the two of you frequent. See if you can rent it out for a few hours.
- The location of the party should be special and provide enough privacy. Of course, you want to be able to have fun without being distracted or disturbing other people.
Step 3. Send invitations
Spread out invitations well in advance so that most of the people invited will schedule time to come. When sending out invitations, think about what the guest of honor would want at the party. Prioritize invitations to close friends and family. Don't forget to think about the budget and make sure the guest list includes names of people who are well known or not too big if your budget is tight, or if the guest of honor doesn't want a big party. Unless you're throwing a surprise party, don't forget to invite the guest of honor. You can even send personalized special invitations.
- Sending out physical invitations is a powerful way to get people to attend a farewell party. Decorate the invitations in such a way that they do not deviate from the theme of the party.
- If your friend moves to another city, you can create an invitation that looks like a plane ticket. Print the name of the city of origin and city of destination. Add information about party details such as party time and location on the ticket. Ask guests to let them know whether or not they can come (RSVP) before a certain date, about two or three weeks before the party so you can plan your meal portions accordingly.
- You can also create “events” on Facebook. Social media can be a great way to invite people over and discuss party details. Set up “events” on social media, but send out physical invites too.
- People don't always check invitations if they're only shared through social media. In addition, physical invitations can benefit the party and can be used as parting gifts or memory boards. However, if you don't want to send a physical invitation, you can design a colorful electronic invitation.
Step 4. Invite people to contribute to buying gifts
You must give a memento to the guest of honor. Letting go of a friend or coworker with a sentimental gift will be a sweet memory that will not be forgotten. Invite the people who will be attending the party to contribute as much as they can.
- If you're feeling shy about asking people for donations, that's fine. You can let your guests know that you plan to buy or make a keepsake for the guest of honor. Explain that you would really appreciate it if they could contribute.
- Offer other ways that people can contribute. If you don't want to just ask for a monetary donation, consider asking them to help with decorations, party arrangements, making or bringing food, and so on. Any contribution will be very helpful.
Part 2 of 3: Setting the Party Details
Step 1. Share the task with others
You'll have a hard time throwing a big farewell party alone. However, that's usually not the case. Many people in your group are happy to help.
- Delegate certain tasks to others so that all necessary preparations are ready on time. You can hand over the task of making decorations to one of your friends. Ask someone to take care of the food. Maybe you have a friend who is good at crafts and is willing to help make the perfect memory book or gift.
- Delegating tasks will ensure you get the best party possible. When party time comes, you can focus on the guest of honor.
Step 2. Make the decorations
Make decorations at the party according to the theme. You can create decorations that blend the past and the future. For example:
- Make a small ship or plane decoration for someone who is going abroad. Use colors that represent the colors of the country you're leaving and the country your friend is going to. Or, you can divide the party area into two. Decorate half of the area with colors and things that your friends like from this country, while the other half decorate with colors and things that represent the culture of the destination country.
- Put down a small clock, worksheet, or other office items for someone who is retiring. Also, consider including things that coworkers or friends find enjoyable for someone who is about to retire. Perhaps the person once said he wanted to sit on the terrace reading a book. Why not make a small terrace decoration in one corner of the room? Add a comfortable chair and a small table with a few books. This area can also be a special throne for the guest of honor.
- Little ribbons are always a beautiful decoration. Look for ribbons in the guest of honor's favorite color, or one that has a symbolic meaning and is associated with farewell. You can even create map ribbons that show the old city to be abandoned and the new city to go to.
- Consider setting aside a special place and placing a book or card there so that everyone can sign or write a message. If your friend is going abroad, maybe you can put a bottle and small rolls of paper. Ask everyone to write a message on paper and then put it in a bottle.
Step 3. Arrange the food
If you're not planning a sit-down meal, finger foods aren't a problem. Try to choose foods that the guest of honor will really like.
- Small snacks, sandwiches and desserts are perfect for serving as they allow guests to walk around and mingle.
- On the other hand, a delicious meal eaten while seated may mean more to the guest of honor.
- Use plates and cutlery that match the theme.
- Serve your friend's favorite local food and/or food that describes the signature dish in a new place that has become the destination city. Or, if you're throwing a farewell party for a coworker, consider ordering food from his or her favorite restaurant near the office.
- Provide local beer or the guest of honor's favorite drink if you are old enough to drink. Sometimes, a cold beer from your friend's favorite local brand can cheer him up.
Step 4. Make a plan for the speech
Arrange for people to give speeches if they want.
- The speech delivered can give an idea of how great the guest of honor is. Try to make your speech express how much that person means to you and how much you learn from them. Ask people to deliver short speeches so that other events are not delayed.
- Speeches can highlight a number of topics, from funny stories to touching memories and best wishes.
- Make sure the guest of honor gets a chance to respond. It's best not to ask the guest of honor to make a speech. While the atmosphere of the farewell party is fun and full of fun, it can be an emotional moment for your friend and she may not want to speak in front of everyone.
Step 5. Provide a parting gift
Giving gifts to guests of honor is common in farewell parties.
- Think about the person who will be leaving and in what capacity. Your friend may prefer a memory board or book to something purchased. In addition, think about the place that will be the destination. If your friend is moving abroad, give a small, easy-to-carry gift or even help with the move.
- For a farewell, the company may provide a separate gift to the employee. However, you should also give the guest of honor something that will remind him of the times and relationships that existed at the company.
- For someone who is going to travel, look for something that can help with the journey. Maybe you know that your friend is going backpacking, but doesn't have a good backpack for the trip. You can all work together to buy a good backpack for him. If you want to give something more, fill your backpack with supplies like water bottles, toiletries, and his favorite treats.
- Think about the reasons why the guest of honor had to go and where he was going. Try to make your own or buy a gift that will be useful for him. Don't give her a gift that will be difficult to carry or she won't need.
- Perhaps your friend moved to another province. Instead of giving him extra things to pack and ship, why not give him boxes to pack things in or hire a moving company to help pack everything up. Or maybe you and your friends can make a collage full of keepsakes and practical items like travel backpacks and supplies.
- If your coworker moves to another company, think of something work-related that will remind him of the good memories you had with him, but will also be useful for his new job. You can give him a specially ordered notebook or laptop bag. Or maybe you can give it a decoration that can be displayed on the table.
Part 3 of 3: Honoring the Guest of Honor
Step 1. Take lots of photos to commemorate the farewell party
You can email it or even print your best photo on canvas and send it to him as a memory of the farewell party and everyone else who attended.
You can also make a photo collage of a group of friends or coworkers having fun as an added gift
Step 2. Make a game to honor the guest of honor
Play games that the guest of honor likes and focus on him.
- You can play classic games like Two Truth and a Lie with a bit of a twist. Guests take turns telling three brief anecdotes involving the guest of honor. Two anecdotes are truth while one is fabricated. The guest of honor may say nothing until other guests have had a chance to guess. The guest who can detect the most lies at the end of the game wins.
- You can also play games that make the guest of honor the subject of ridicule. Just make sure all the jokes aren't really insulting and end on a positive note. This game known as “roast” can be fun, but you have to be careful that it is light.
- You can play any game. To make it more interesting, change the game to match the theme. For example, if your friend is moving abroad and everyone present is old enough to drink alcohol, you can have a drinking contest with a bit of regulation. One group represents the current country, and the other group represents the destination country.
- Take out a map of the country/city the guest of honor is going to and ask everyone to pick a fun place to visit or something to do in the new location.
Step 3. Ask everyone to contribute
Give everyone the opportunity to contribute to some aspect of the party. Just because you're in charge of the party doesn't mean all the awards are yours.
Whether you're throwing a farewell party for a coworker who has landed a new job or is retiring, a friend who's moved elsewhere, or someone close to you has to take on a new job, a lot of people care about that person. If you invite everyone to contribute something special, it means that you are not only giving the best farewell party for the guest of honor, but also giving everyone the opportunity to say goodbye in a memorable and unique way
Step 4. Leave the guest of honor well prepared and with best wishes and memories
If you want to give a gift and a great way to say goodbye, you have to give something happy to remind you of the sweet times you shared together.
- Before the party is over, give everyone a chance to speak with the guest of honor to say goodbye in private. Farewell parties can be very festive and it's not easy to spend time alone together. Create activities that involve a large number of people, allowing the guest of honor to take time to have a private conversation.
- Finally, give the guest of honor a gift and toast his luck. While toasting one last time, express your love and admiration to the guest of honor. Tell your friends that even though you won't all be together every day, your friendship will last.
Tips
- In most cases, you will have to let the guest of honor know that you are having a farewell party. There are people who are not comfortable with parties. However, if you know the person well, a surprise party can be an extra touch.
- There's nothing wrong with asking a coworker if he or she would mind if you throw a farewell party. Sometimes, it's possible that your co-workers don't want a fuss.
- Choose themes and gifts that relate to your friends' past and future trips.
- Head to the Ten Thousand Convenience store for cheap party supplies.
- Buy or make a gift that is sentimental and will be useful to the guest of honor.
- Farewell parties can be emotional. You better be prepared. Keep tissues handy and try to keep things cheerful. Play fun songs and play fun games.
- You may want to ask the guest of honor when it is a good time to throw a party. For a coworker, late afternoon might be better, or he might prefer lunch time.
