Leaving Party: How to Organise One Successfully
30 September 2026 · 4 min reading time
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A colleague is leaving and the team wants to mark the occasion? A leaving party is one of the simplest ways to get together one last time before they go. Breakfast, drinks or an after-work gathering: the format can be adapted to the company culture and the people attending.
What is a leaving party?
A leaving party usually marks the end of a professional experience in a more relaxed setting than the usual working environment. It can be organised following a resignation, the end of a contract, a mutual termination agreement, a transfer, a dismissal or retirement.
There is no obligation to organise one. In some companies, the person leaving takes the initiative. In others, colleagues organise the event, sometimes with the help of the employer.
The size of the gathering mainly depends on the relationships built over time. After a few months with the company, a small gathering may be enough. After several years, it is more common to invite colleagues from several departments.
How to organise a leaving party
Organising a leaving party mainly involves a few simple choices: the date, the venue, the guest list, the budget and what food and drinks will be served.
There is no need to plan everything weeks in advance. For a small group, a few drinks and snacks may be enough. If several departments are involved, it is better to start organising a little earlier.
Choose a date when the team is available
The employee’s last working day may seem like the most natural choice, but it is not always the most convenient.
If part of the team works remotely or is usually absent on Fridays, organising the party a few days earlier may make it easier to bring more people together.
The main thing is to send the invitation early enough for everyone to make arrangements.
Find the right venue
The venue should above all allow everyone to spend time together comfortably.
At the workplace, a break room or shared space may be suitable if the company allows it. Outside the office, a bar or restaurant can be a good option, especially when the team wants to step away from the work environment.
For larger groups, it is better to book in advance. The goal is not to find an exceptional venue, but somewhere where people can easily talk and spend time together.
Who should you invite to a leaving party?
The most natural choice is to invite the people the employee has actually worked with.
This may include their immediate team, manager, colleagues from other departments or former coworkers. There is no need to invite the entire company automatically.
The longer someone has worked for the company, the more likely the guest list is to expand naturally.
How to invite colleagues to a leaving party
A good invitation only needs a few key details: the date, time, location and, if necessary, a request to confirm attendance.
It can be sent by email or through the company’s internal messaging system.
For example:
After several great years working with you, it is time for me to move on to a new adventure. I would love for us to get together on Thursday from 6 p.m. for one last drink. I hope to see many of you there!
The tone can be more formal, humorous or personal depending on the team culture.
If the number of guests affects the venue or the amount of food required, asking people to confirm attendance can make planning easier.
What food should you serve at a leaving party?
The choice mainly depends on the time of day and the number of people attending.
At the end of the day, easy-to-share food is often the most convenient option: pizza, savoury cakes, tarts, raw vegetables, crisps, cheese, finger food or individual desserts.
In the morning, breakfast works particularly well, with pastries, coffee, tea, fruit juice and fresh fruit.
It is also important to consider dietary requirements, allergies and intolerances. This helps avoid serving a buffet that some colleagues cannot enjoy.
What drinks should you provide?
Non-alcoholic drinks should always have a proper place on the table. Water, fruit juice, soft drinks and sparkling drinks allow everyone to take part.
When it comes to alcohol, it is best to check the company’s rules before buying anything. Alcohol consumption may be restricted or prohibited on company premises.
Even when it is allowed, alcohol does not need to be the main focus. The purpose of the gathering is above all to spend a pleasant moment together.
What budget should you plan for a leaving party?
The budget mainly depends on the number of participants and the type of event.
A breakfast at the office is generally affordable. Going to a restaurant, bar or organising a group activity will naturally cost more.
The main expenses are usually food, drinks, the venue and possibly a gift.
Before paying for everything yourself, it may be worth checking whether the company contributes to leaving events.
Who should pay for a leaving party?
This varies from one company to another.
The employee may provide food and drinks, the employer may cover part of the cost, or colleagues may contribute when an event is organised outside the workplace.
It is better to clarify this before making a reservation or placing a large order.
Leaving party gift and collection: how should you organise it?
A leaving collection is a common way for a team to buy a shared gift.
It can be opened a few days or several weeks before the employee leaves, giving everyone enough time to contribute. Participation should remain optional, both in principle and in terms of the amount contributed.
Gift cards, experiences, tickets to a show, an item linked to a hobby or a photo album can all make suitable gifts.
A group leaving card can also accompany the present. It gives everyone the opportunity to write a few words, share an anecdote or mention a memorable moment.
For a colleague who has been with the company for many years, this type of personal gesture can sometimes mean more than an expensive gift.
How to give a leaving party speech
A few minutes are more than enough for a successful leaving speech.
The employee can thank the team, mention a memorable experience, talk about what they will take away from their time at the company and wish everyone well for the future.
A well-chosen anecdote or a little humour often works better than a speech that is too formal.
However, it is better not to use the occasion to settle personal disagreements or revisit tensions surrounding the departure.
What message should you write for a colleague who is leaving?
A leaving message can be simple and personal.
A few lines are enough to thank a colleague, mention the good times shared and wish them well for the future.
For example:
Thank you for all the great moments we have shared as a team. I wish you every success for the future and all the best for your next adventure.
For colleagues who know each other well, adding an anecdote, a reference to a shared project or an inside joke can make the leaving message for a colleague feel warmer and more personal.
The message can be written in a card, sent by email or included with a group gift.
What are some original leaving party ideas?
Doing something different from the traditional buffet in the break room does not necessarily require a large budget.
Organise a breakfast
Breakfast works well for teams that prefer to get together during the working day.
It can be organised before work starts or during a break.
Have lunch with the team
A restaurant meal gives everyone more time to talk in a quieter setting.
This option is particularly suitable for smaller groups.
Organise an after-work gathering
Going for a drink after work is another easy option.
People can stay for as long as they like and leave according to their own schedule, without having to commit to an entire evening.
Plan an activity
Bowling, karaoke, an escape room, a quiz or a sporting activity can replace a traditional leaving party.
This type of event is particularly suitable for teams that already spend time together outside work.
Create a shared keepsake
A photo album, a video containing messages or a notebook filled with anecdotes can create a lasting memory.
For someone who has been with the company for several years, this type of personal gesture can often feel more meaningful than a last-minute gift.
Do you have to organise a leaving party?
Organising a leaving party is a personal choice, not an obligation.
Some people enjoy bringing their colleagues together one last time, while others prefer a small lunch with a few people or simply saying goodbye before they leave.
If organising an event becomes stressful or feels like an obligation, there is nothing wrong with choosing something much more discreet.
What type of leaving party should you organise depending on the reason for leaving?
The circumstances of the departure naturally influence the event.
After a relatively short time with the company, a small gathering may be appropriate. After several years of working together, it is more common to invite more colleagues and organise a more significant event.
Retirement also has a special place, as it can mark the end of several decades of working life.
When someone leaves in difficult circumstances, a more understated gathering may be preferable to a large celebration.
Mistakes to avoid when organising a leaving party
A successful event does not depend on the cost of the buffet or the number of guests.
Sending invitations too late, choosing an unsuitable venue or forgetting non-alcoholic options are some of the easiest mistakes to avoid.
It is also better to check the company’s rules before organising anything on its premises.
Finally, overly personal anecdotes, embarrassing comments or attempts to settle old disagreements can quickly spoil the atmosphere. The aim is to end the professional experience on a pleasant note.
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