Dos and Don’ts: Step-by-Step Tips on How to Put Together a Divorce Party
Christine Gallagher has made a career out of planning divorce parties. She is the author of The Divorce Party Planner, which offers step-by-step guidance for throwing a divorce party. Her website includes information about themes, gifts, the guest list, invitations, menus and drinks, entertainment, party games, music ideas, decorations, prizes, and favors. Here are some dos and don’ts from Gallagher about how to put together a divorce party.
DIVORCE PARTY DOS AND DON’TS
1. Do have a good friend host it for you or at least help you.
2. Do consider the tone of the party. Some people like to laugh and have fun, others may want a quieter party.
3. Choose a theme to pull it all together; it will help with the planning.
4. Don’t invite minor children! This should be an adults-only party.
5. Don’t be mean-spirited. Having a party to basically trash the ex is very negative and won’t help at all in helping the person get over the marriage.
6. Do let some time pass between the breakup and the party. Having a party too soon can be a bad idea if the person is emotionally raw. Often divorce parties occur when the divorce is final, as a wrapping up of a difficult prolonged phase.
7. Don’t make it a surprise party. The person has to be in the right state of mind, otherwise, it could be jarring and uncomfortable.
8. Don’t let a toxic spouse throw a party. For example, a terminal philanderer should never throw his or herself a party, especially if their bad behavior caused the marriage to end.
9. Do consider a theme. A Survivor Party could be built around the television Survivor theme: he or she survived the sinking ship of marriage — desert island beach food. Choose music like “I Will Survive”. At a Lemon Party, everything is built around lemons from food to gift ideas to decorations. Hang an “If life gives you lemons, make lemonade” banner.
10. Do bring a gift. Or have a divorce shower replacing all items the ex took with him or her, or pool money together for a splurge gift like a trip.
