Throwing a Divorce Party

By: Lisa Bower

A divorce party might be what you need to jumpstart your new beginning and turn a negative into a positive. Gone are the days when divorce meant dressing in black, eating pints of ice cream and putting sad songs on repeat. Today, divorce can be a celebratory event: This ending can signal a new beginning.

Don't think of a divorce party as a chance to dwell in the past. Think of it as a chance to move forward in style. Have fun making creative or fun invitations, and be playful with the party decorations.

Know that the possibilities for a divorce party are limitless. You can have a formal sit-down dinner or you can have a backyard barbecue. You could have a buffet line for a movie night or you could have a costume party. Think about the tone you want to set, and have fun with divorce party planning.

Make sure to explain the purpose and tone of this party because you don't want people to show up looking somber or carrying pints of ice cream if you plan on dancing the night away while drinking cocktails. If you don't want your friends to mention your ex or start a pity party, say so in the invitation.

Plan your guest list carefully. Since you're throwing a divorce party, you might not want to invite anyone who is mutual friends with your ex. It's generally best to invite people with whom you are close and people who have stood by you through this difficult time. Additionally, think about inviting your divorce lawyer: if they have helped you through this difficult time, you may want to include them in the festivities.

If you and your ex have children, it's best to leave them off the divorce party guest list. You don't want to place a wedge between children and their parents. Chances are children will need a long time to process and get over a divorce, and inviting or including them in a divorce party's festivities can open or worsen their wounds.

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Divorce is now not always seen as a tragic or depressing thing; in fact, some people look at divorce as something to celebrate. The divorce party, and consequently, the divorce cake, has become a huge trend. Instead of focusing on the end of a marriage, people can now look at divorce as the beginning of a new phase of their lives.

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