Is a Divorce Party Right for You?

If you’ve finally settled a long and stressful divorce, you might want to throw a divorce party. Plenty of people do, but it’s not necessarily the right move for everybody. Celebrating that you’re over with a stressful period of your life is fine. But it’s also okay to be grieving the end of your marriage. Consider where you are emotionally after the divorce. It’s important to take into account your budget, especially after an expensive divorce proceeding. Finally, some might call a divorce “party” tacky, so it might be best not to broadcast it to everybody. You can go as big or as little as you want with your divorce party, whether it’s a small dinner with friends or a weekend in Vegas with the girls. You need to decide what’s right for you without anybody pressuring you one way or the other.

What is a Divorce Party?

A divorce party is a celebration to mark the end of the divorce process. Many people throw a divorce party when they finalize the paperwork. You might throw one, or a friend might offer to throw one for you. Some people choose to simply go out for drinks, while others take elaborate trips. Some divorce parties are on par with bachelorette parties and include lots of friends, traveling, and partying.

Consider Your Emotional State

When deciding if you want a divorce party, think about how you’re going to feel when the divorce is final. If the divorce is contentious, you might indeed feel like celebrating the end of it. However, many people grieve after their divorce is final because it symbolizes the end of their marriage and the future they envisioned for themselves. If you aren’t in a party mood, don’t feel like you need to put on a brave face and have a get-together. Instead, ask a friend to come over for support.

Consider Your Budget

It’s also important to consider your budget when deciding whether or not to have a divorce party. Divorce can be expensive. If it hit you particularly hard in the wallet, you might not need to go blow a bunch of money on a vacation with friends. If this is the case, opt for something smaller. An intimate dinner, or a game night at your house. As long as you surround yourself with supportive people, it will feel like a celebration.

Fun or Tacky?

Finally, a divorce party can seem a little tacky to some people. And in the case of your ex, it might feel hurtful. You wouldn’t want to see them celebrating the end of their relationship to you, would you? It might be best to avoid posting on social media or bashing your ex. Especially if you and your ex will need to work together to co-parent your children in the future. You can still go out with your friends and celebrate, but maybe keep the trash-talking and facebook posts to a minimum.

A divorce party might be just thing you need to feel like you finally are done with a long and stressful breakup. However, it’s not the right move for everybody. Many people feel extremely emotional when their divorce is final, and celebrating is the last thing on their minds. Before you decide to go all-out with your friends, try to gage your emotional state. Maybe keep it low-key if you worry that you’ll be feeling upset. In addition, it’s important to consider your budget before planning a huge event. Especially since you might be paying off legal fees from your divorce. If you do end up having a party, try to keep it somewhat private so that you don’t harm your future relationship with your ex. Especially if you must co-parent with them for many years. Hopefully, you can decide what feels right for you and your situation without feeling pressure from friends or family.