Should I Throw a Divorce Party?

You’ve signed the papers and everything is done. The divorce is final! It’s time to get on with your life and bring closure to the past. Maybe you’re thinking that you might want to host an event to mark this occasion and celebrate your future. The last few months or even years may have been very tough on you and your family, but now that it’s over, you may feel like celebrating.

Divorce parties are a way to try and mark the occasion positively. These parties not only let you close the door on the past, but they also provide the ritual you need to help you heal. They offer you a way to celebrate a new independence, to thank those who have stood by you, and to announce to the world that you are ready to move on with life.

You can have a divorce party as small or big as you want. Whatever type of event you choose, here are a few pointers to bear in mind:

1. Think carefully about the guest list. Think about the people who have stood by you during the divorce process and invite them.
    
2. Tell your guests not to give you any gifts, but ask them to bring an item of food or drink if they can. This will help to keep the cost down and make preparations easier.
    
3. If you have young children, get a babysitter. You don’t want to expose your children to any negative comments that might come up about your spouse.
    
4. Bake a cake or order one from a bakery. Passing out cake will help make the party festive. There are companies who can make cakes specifically for this type of event.
    
5. Serve something simple like champagne for a toast. Try to keep hard liquor out of the party and be careful of any guests that may become intoxicated, not only for safety reasons, but to keep them from deterring from the positive nature of the party.

Of course, you don’t have to have a big party. Getting together with some friends for dinner may be all you need. Those people who have helped you through this stage may be who you want to mark the occasion with. It can be going out to brunch, going to a comedy club or a night with your friends at home.

However you choose to mark the occasion, make this a positive event. Remember that this is not about badmouthing, trash talking or hurting the person you’re no longer with. This is an occasion to commemorate your personal path of healing and newfound independence. You never know what lies just beyond the horizon for you, but it is time to move on to the next stage.