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If a loved one is about to embark on a journey, whether that’s travelling abroad or moving away, it can be a very emotional time for all involved.
Making such life changing decisions can be tough, so ensuring spirits remain high and knowing the person leaving is reassured that you fully support them is a big deal. One way of wishing your loved one a fond farewell is to throw a going away party.
Wishing them bon voyage and giving them a good sendoff is a great way to let them know how much they mean to you.
But where do you start with a bon voyage party?
If you’re struggling with inspiration, we’ve put together this post which will hopefully offer some useful tips when it comes to giving your loved one a good send off.
One of the hardest things to do is put into words how you feel. It can be a mixed bag of emotions. On the one hand, you’ll no doubt be sad that they won’t be around to connect with at the drop of a hat. On the other hand, you’ll probably be super excited that they’re going on what is likely to be a huge life changing adventure.
If you want to write them a card or a letter with a message wishing them well, knowing what to put can be difficult. So, we’ve put together some tips that will hopefully offer some inspiration:
Don’t be afraid to dredge up old memories, no matter how small and insignificant they might seem. If they make you smile, they’ll like make the person leaving smile, too.
If there’s one thing those that go away worry about, it’s losing touch with their loved ones. Life gets in the way, but remind them that you’re only a phone call or an email away.
Let them know how much you value them and why, it’s likely they’ll need a bit of a confidence boost as they go into the unknown.
Sometimes, when nerves kick in they can hold people back. To combat any apprehension, remind them of why they’re going away and of all the cool things they’ll get to do that they wouldn’t if they stuck around.
You’ll most likely want to leave them with a parting gift, something to remember you by. But there are things to consider when doing this. If they’re travelling abroad, it’s highly probable that they won’t have much space in their luggage, so think small. You may also have to consider things like what the gift is made of and if it would be considered contraband in certain countries.
You want your gift to raise a smile, especially on those days when they might be feeling a little homesick. Photographs and letters are a great way to add a touch of personality to your gift, they’ll have huge sentimental value too.
If you’d like to get them something that’s both small and can be of huge sentimental value, jewellery can be a great way to show your appreciation.
If jewellery isn’t really their sort of thing, why not consider a practical gift that can be used on their travels? If they’re going to a specific country, something to do with the heritage or lifestyle there could also be appropriate.
If you really want to go all out and let someone know how much they mean to you, then you might consider throwing a going away party. And what better way to bring all of their loved ones together to wish them well?
To do this, there are a number of things to consider, here’s our list of what you’ll need to think about:
Nailing down your guest list is important. Speak to as many people as possible who know the person going away, so you can get a good idea of who to invite. Once your guest list is prepared, pick a date. You want it close enough to their departure date, but not too close that it’s going to be extra stressful for them as they make final preparations.
Are you keeping it low key or are you planning to go full party mode? If you need to make formal arrangements and book a venue, you need to do this well in advance. If the plan is to have a house party you can probably get away with a shorter notice period.
Once you have your guest list, date and venue, send out the invites. If you’re planning to keep things small, it’s probably best to do this in person or go digital. If you want to mail invites, you need to do this as early as possible. Always request an RSVP too.
Deciding on decorations can be tricky. If you’re throwing your loved one a party, you’ll probably know what their likes and dislikes are, so you can tailor the decor to that. Alternatively, why not pick a theme based on where they’re going to? If they’re going to a different country, there’s usually lots of inspiration that can be found in that country’s culture and heritage.
Heartfelt words of wisdom with a few anecdotes about your loved one are bound to go down well, it’s something that everyone else can be a part of too… but be prepared for tears!
It can be a confusing time when someone decides to move away, but keeping things as lighthearted as possible will always be appreciated. Whether you choose to write a message to your loved one or go all out with a party, they’re bound to know just how much they mean to you, and we’re certain the feeling is mutual. Just don’t forget the tissues! Lots and lots of tissues!
