I didn’t realize that Hallmark does almost literally have a card for everything these days, but I think it’s true. I was at Walmart, in the card aisle, and lo and behold, a “relationship issues” section featuring this beauty:
I guess we should be sending cards for divorce parties, and really, what better time for a little humor?
Divorce ceremonies are an increasingly popular alternative to divorce parties. They are a way of marking the end of a marriage and the beginning of the rest of your life. They do them in Japan, and in North America too! (I’m guessing they do them elsewhere as well, I just haven’t seen as much information on them elsewhere yet.)
They’re more formal than your average divorce party, and involve a celebrant (as you involved a celebrant or minister in your marriage). They aren’t necessarily a celebration (though they can be); they are most definitely a way of marking a major life transition and making it official.
I interviewed two celebrants who perform these divorce ceremonies for my ebook; one of them, Michele Davidson of Modern Celebrant, was recently profiled in the North Shore News. (More on her and what she does in my book.)
I’ve met more people who have thrown or say they would throw a divorce party than a divorce ceremony, but the popularity of the ceremony-style gathering is growing too. I guess some people would find it more satisfying? What about you? Which would you prefer, if you were going to throw one?
Big week around here.
First, I have been profiled on The Thirties Grind’s The “Real” Real Housewives series. Melissa of The Thirties Grind started profiling real Vancouverites (read: real women who aren’t necessarily rich or plastic or nutty) because the TV series Real Housewives of Vancouver was (is) so ridiculous and far from reality, as 99 percent of the population of Vancouver will attest. Also, I think 99 percent of us aren’t nearly as dramatic as the women on those shows. Sure, some of us get divorced and throw parties, but let’s not name names here … let’s just agree that the majority of us don’t create the kind of made-for-TV drama they do.
(Holy … imagine a divorce party on a Real Housewives show!? Now that would be drama. Isn’t Adrienne Maloof on the Beverly Hills version getting divorced? Will she have a party? I admit, I’d probably watch, out of sheer curiosity.)
Second, a divorce party supplier has been trying to send me some fun party supplies for a giveaway, so as soon as that box arrives there will be a contest open to everyone everywhere (divorce parties are being thrown all over the world, so why not include anyone who wants in?)! I’m still figuring out the best way to do this, but if you’re looking at throwing a divorce party for yourself or a friend, this might be a good way to get some free supplies. Follow and stay tuned for updates.
As always, if you’re looking for divorce party ideas, have a look around, there are a ton here. And let me know what you do. Share your ideas or your divorce party stories here, if you like!
Another name for divorce or breakup parties, according to this report by the Vancouver Sun Online: Freedom Party!
To me, Freedom Party sounds almost political, but it’s the right idea. Divorce parties are about newfound (or re-found) freedom!
Agree/disagree? What’s the best divorce party name idea?
In the past year alone, the Web has blown up with articles and posts talking about divorce parties; most of these sites are offering links to party supply stores but no actual ideas. Supplies are great and you may well need them, but maybe first you’d like to figure out what kind of divorce party to throw, right? Because who needs paper plates that say JUST DIVORCED if you’re throwing a divorce party trip to Vegas with your buddies, or a classy restaurant do? Figure out the style of the party first, and whether you want a theme other than “divorce party.”
So, without further ado, some more divorce party ideas (and if this is the first time you’re visiting, then know that you’ll also find divorce party ideas in previous posts such as Your divorce party questions answered: Ideas, themes, more! and Divorce party ideas and of course in the ebook How to Throw the Ultimate Divorce Party, available pretty much wherever you buy ebooks (Kindle, Kobo, Sony, Nook, etc.), or via the book image to the right of this page.
Some slogans:
Some locations for all kinds of budgets:
Some ideas for refreshments (choose items that fit your theme; make it a play on words!)
More divorce party ideas to come. Let me know what you come up with too; share it in the comments or drop me a line!
I get a lot of emails asking me about divorce parties, and ideas or themes for divorce parties.
Then, the other day my publisher’s publicist asked me to compile the five most common questions I get and the answers for her to read, and I thought I’d better share them with you here as undoubtedly they will answer some of your questions too!
Here we go.
1. Divorce parties? Really? Yes! They are huge. Jack White of the White Stripes threw one (with his now-ex-wife — they threw one together to show their friends they wouldn’t need to pick sides after the divorce). Shanna Moakler threw one to mark her divorce from Blink 182′s Travis Barker — without him, to say “hey, I’m moving on to better things, without you!” You know they’ve gone mainstream, too, when someone makes Divorce Party: The Musical, and divorce parties are the themes of episodes of Gossip Girl and Guys with Kids. I’ve even been told that My Fair Wedding with David Tutera was looking to mix it up and cast people throwing divorce parties for an upcoming season.
2. Why a party after a divorce? Why not!? Divorces are stressful and can be traumatic. They can also mark the beginning of the first day of the rest of your life; your new beginning. You mark the end of school-slash-the-beginning-of-the-rest-of-your-life with a graduation party, right? Think of a divorce party as graduating on to the next phase of your life. The divorce itself might be sad, but the future doesn’t need to be.
4. What do you do at a divorce party? Again, it’s as trashy or classy as you want, so what you do is ultimately whatever you want to do. Some people throw lavish, fancy dos with photographers and caterers, some people meet friends at a bar, some have ceremonies. In Japan, there are even ceremonies where the wedding rings are bashed up, kind of undoing the wedding. There are no hard and fast rules.
5. Where do I get more ideas for cakes, games, drinks, themes, etc.? How to Throw the Ultimate Divorce Party, my ebook, available on iTunes, Amazon’s Kindle store, and at Self-Counsel.com will get you started, and you can read through this site for ideas.That said, here are a few thoughts to get your brainstorming started:
The sky is the limit, really … let me know what you come up with!
This is not the first time the producer of a reality show has contacted me, believe it or not. Television producers know that divorce parties are an up-and-coming kind of celebration, and they’re ON IT.
Yesterday, a very nice casting associate named Amy Lee sent me this information about the upcoming season of one already well-known show: My Fair Wedding with David Tutera! If you’re a US citizen in the LA area and you’re planning a divorce party for March through June 2013, read on and you could find yourself smack-dab in the middle of your fifteen minutes of fame.
(If they cast you, let me know!)
(And in a similar vein, hey, Bridezillas producers … imagine DivorceZillas? Bridezillas who get crazy about their divorce parties. The drama … I wouldn’t be able to turn away!)
But I digress. Here’s the information Amy sent me:
Okay, this SNL skit is several months old now but if you’ve ever watched any smidgen of Kardashian stuff, you’ll likely find this hilarious … and it hints at a divorce party, one I’m sure would be THE party to attend, if it were for real. Can you imagine Kanye performing and all the other K’s partying? If only we all had the disposable income to throw the kind of divorce party I’m sure Kim would, if she decided to!
A lot of divorces are filed for in January. It seems people hold on through the holidays, one last time, before committing to de-commit … (or is it that the holidays are stressful enough and a relationship that is on its way out may not be able to last through that kind of tough season)?
If this new year finds you celebrating a new you and a new life post marriage, you may need something to focus on to get through the dark days. Keep your eye on something just for you that you can have when all the I’s are dotted and T’s are crossed, such as a vacation you’ve always wanted to take or something you were never able to do when in the old relationship.
Of course, I suggest a divorce party, as there are an infinite number of inexpensive (or expensive, if you prefer) ways celebrate or just acknowledge your newfound self. Maybe you can’t afford to go to Jamaica, but you could throw a beach picnic in your living room with fake palm trees, leis, and friends in bathing suits, toasting your freedom with margaritas while reggae plays on the stereo. You can be creative and do something you’d never do before divorce!
(I can’t wait to see which celebrities throw divorce parties this year … maybe Jessica Simpson’s mom Tina? Or maybe Kim Kardashian will, when she’s finally free from Kris Humphries and free to marry Kanye West? So many possibilities.)
Happy new year, and I hope your party brings you happiness!
Big news! How to Throw the Ultimate Divorce Party is finally available in the Amazon Kindle store for your Kindle ereader. It’s also available for your iPad, iPhone, etc. from the Apple iTunes Store, and Kobo readers can find it here. It is available for Sony Readers and Barnes & Noble’s Nook in their respective stores.
You can also buy it directly from Self-Counsel Press.
I’m told the print version is to follow in a bit.
