Send invites out letting your guests know that you will be paying tribute to your guest of honor before he/she moves. Send out a card with the invitation that says "I will miss "Mark" when he moves because...". Ask each guest to complete the card & share why they have appreciated having "Mark" close by and why they will miss him after he has moved away. Have them think of funny & heartwarming stories to share at the party and bring the completed card on the special day. At a specified time, possibly before you eat, have each person read the message they have prepared.

Plan a "This is your life" or "Spotlight" segment during the party. Gather old family videos, photo albums, school pictures, artwork, trophies, etc., and take the time to "chronicle" the life of your guest of honor.

Videotape each guest as they deliver the message to your guest of honor, and then present him/her with the videotape as a memento of the party. The guest of honor will be moved by the gesture & you will have a priceless treasure. An alternative to videotaping the messages - collect the cards after they are read & compile them in a scrapbook. Add a photo of each person or family to their message and the scrapbook will serve as a wonderful goodbye gift.

Designate the party spot by hanging a large custom Going Away Party banners outside.

Decorate a special chair for your guest of honor to sit in.

Themes that would work great for a Going Away Party... Click Here

If your budget allows, buy favors for each guest to make the day unforgettable for everyone. Here are a couple of suggestions: glassware, keytags, photo frames, theme-related items. We can help you find any favor you need, imprinted or not.

Set up a photo backdrop area - either a balloon arch or a gold curtain - so that the guest of honor can have his/her picture taken with individuals and groupings of family and friends. You could also use this area to set up a video camera and ask guests to stop by at some point during the evening, and record a more spontaneous message. Have each guest start by saying "I WILL MISS YOU BECAUSE...". This would be a great alternative to the cards mentioned above. Throughout the evening you will create a touching tribute, filled with warm memories, funny stories, and the smiling faces of those who came to say goodbye.

An open house format would be a terrific choice for this type of party. The food need not be complicated or costly. One clever visitor to our site hosted a "Deserting Us" going away party…and served a buffet of "desserts"! Check out our Recipe page for food ideas and free recipes for your party!

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