Ideas for Hosting a Moving-Out Party

Great Ideas for Hosting a Moving-Out Party
Saying good-bye to people you love can be bittersweet; it's exciting to see them embark on a new adventure but sad to see them go.  If you're saying bon voyage to a close friend or family member, we've got some great tips and ideas for hosting a moving-out party that's sure to keep everyone in good spirits! 

Choose a theme. 
If the city they're moving to is interesting or fun, try building the theme around it. For example:  If they're moving to Hawaii, have a luau.  If they're moving to Denver, decorate with snow.  If they're moving to Chicago, serve cuisine that Chicago is known for.  If you can't think of a city-related theme, how about this:  I recently read about a "Desserting Us" themed party on another blog— serving a buffet of desserts.  Love it! 

If you're sending a recent high school grad off to college, how about incorporating the new college into the party theme.  Decorate with school colors, hang pennants and serve pizza (the ultimate college food, right).  You can also do the "sending you off in style" theme and gift the guest of honor with some items needed to survive college.  For example:  money, gift cards, food, towels, bed linens and small appliances (just make sure they're allowed in the dorm).  

Create a great invitation.
Whether you make these on your own, or order them online, creating a fun invitation is really easy, and sets the tone for a great moving out party!  How about creating one in the shape of a suitcase?  Maybe use a postcard from the state they're moving to? Or, how about using a map of the city they're moving to?  

Get sentimental. 
Here are some great ideas for activities guaranteed to make the guest of honor feel loved (just keep tissue handy):

• Create a scrapbook that includes photos of the guest of honor with friends and family.  Leave room in the back for party guests to write memories and well-wishes.
• Give each party guest a card that says "I will miss (guest of honor's name) because…" and ask them to complete the card.  You can present the cards during the party.
• If you have a video-savvy person in the family (or know where to find one), create a photo-video chronicle and set it to music.
• Set up a photo area, complete with a background, where the guest of honor can have his/her picture made with the guests.
• Create an impromptu yearbook.  Let me explain:  Prior to the party, buy a blank book and begin by filling a couple of pages with memories of the guest-of-honor, fun facts about yourself, things to remember about the party, etc., then as the night goes on, have each guest do the same.  This will provide a fun favor for the guest of honor to look through once they've reached their new destination.
• Have guests find something interesting to see or do in the guest of honor's new hometown; then, compile a list and challenge them to complete each task once they get there.

Don't forget the gifts!
No party is complete without gifts and party favors.  Give the guest of honor a stack of cd's for the cross-country move, a guidebook of their new town, picture frames, or an item related to their new destination.  For your other guests, create a gift bag with a change of address card, stationary, and other items used for keeping in touch with the person moving away. 

It's true; no one likes saying good-bye to people they love.  But when you have no other choice, why not do everything you can to make it memorable!  Host a moving-out party that puts a smile on everyone's face.  Oh, and don't forget, if the moving-out party is a surprise, be sure to include that tidbit of info on the invite!

Have pics of a great moving-out party you would like to share? We would love to see (and post) them!