Farewell Gift Baskets, Heartfelt Gifts to Say Goodbye, Going Away Gifts, Presents and Party Ideas

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Farewell Gift Baskets, Heartfelt Gifts to Say Goodbye, Going Away Gifts, Presents and Farewell Party Planning Ideas. How to say good-bye in meaningful ways.

Farewell Gifts - It's that time of year again, when the expat community experiences an annual turnover. We must say good-bye to our friends and colleagues and prepare for the newcomers arriving soon.

The last hike on Mount Vitosha, the last dinner with Shopska salad, these are the measurements of time for families leaving Sofia. While they may share excitement about their new location, simultaneously they are forced to face the painful process of saying good-bye. And saying good-bye is very important according to the experts. "Children who left a posting before having the chance to say good-bye, report that those feelings of 'unfinished business' stay with them for a long time" - and maybe a lifetime - according to Notes from a Traveling Childhood: Readings for Internationally Mobile Parents and Children.

Patricia Linderman and Melissa Brayer Hess suggest, "Before your pack out at home, take pictures of your house and the rooms inside. Walk through it to say good-bye one last time before the movers come and box everything up." They are the authors of The Expert Expatriate and say it's just as important to "think about some things you won't be sad to leave..." Good-bye car alarms at 2 a.m., good-bye crazy Balkan drivers, good-bye wild dogs.

Whether you are staying or leaving, say good-bye in meaningful ways. The following are a few creative suggestions to get you started:

Address book - locate a new address book next to the guest sign-in book at the farewell party. After each guest has signed in they can enter their mailing address and email address into the address book. It's a handy and efficient way to stay in touch.

Artwork - anything from a Bulgarian icon to pottery or paintings by a Bulgarian artist. Another popular suggestion is a coffee table book with photos from across the country.

A farewell basket - Filled with treats from the host country; small flags (from host country and destination country), lapel pin, Bulgarian cookbook, postcards and blank notes for thank-you cards, also include an international calling card for each member of the family.

Prescription gag gift - Empty a large container of its contents and cover the previous outside label. Fill it with M & M candies or similar pill-look-a-like candy. Print out a new label from your computer with a "fake" prescription. Something like: Rx no: 1234, Patient: Kathleen Goggin, for pain and suffering associated with an international move, take as needed, phone contact for emergency: list your home phone.

An aerial or elevated view of home - I'm not suggesting you rent a helicopter but climbing a tree is not out of the question! A nice photo shot at sunset or early morning, framed and wrapped will do the trick. Also popular are shots of one's favorite mountain, landmark or activity. Of course the old faithful option is to gather friends for a group photo, sign it and frame it - anything that is a reminder of good times shared.

Write a poem or have some Bulgarian poetry translated, written in calligraphy and framed.

For those with children: Farewell basket for little ones - Filled with crayons, Bulgarian coloring books, stickers and audio cassettes of children's stories.

Make a collage - with hand prints and foot prints on a white T-shirt using fabric paints. You can have everyone autograph the shirt also and then pose for a group shot around the project.

Farewell basket for older children - a decorative journal with funky pens, postcards and an audio cassette with "interviews" from friends noting fun times and shared experiences, a pillowcase with everyone's autograph.

Scrapbook or photo album - Make a "My life in Bulgaria" book with photos from day-to-day living to include: home, school, teachers, teams, coaches and favorite hangouts.

2003 Kate Goggin - a freelance writer and the U.S. Embassy Community Liaison Officer in Sofia, Bulgaria.