The hard part of living in the city so long is that you see your friends start to move away. It seems like we go to a lot of going away parties these days. Here are a couple of my favorite ideas for a going away party. The first are these little favor baskets filled with the guest-of-honor’s favorite locally made treats put in little wood baskets. A perfect way to celebrate where they’ve been or where they are going. The second idea is putting the face of your friend that is leaving on little buttons. It is a little silly and a great way to give a nod to your friend without getting too sentimental. Find more details below.
For the baskets we chose local products from San Francisco. (you could even base them off where the person was moving to.) For the baskets we ordered them from here and we made the ribbon by making quick drawings on cotton ribbon with a pen.
For the buttons you’ll need a button maker or else order them from somewhere like Etsy. My friend has one that I borrow but if you don’t have any nice friends with buttonmakers then they are really affordable to order (like here.) To make the image I just take a picture with my phone and then trace their head in photoshop and then layout each button with a smiley face.
Credits + Contributors:
All photography by Aubrey Trinnaman for Oh Happy Day
Art Direction by Jordan Ferney
Production by Stacy Wichelhaus
Styling by Milan Shimono Lee
Crafting by Irene Yu
Assisted by Harper Casimiro
Nicole
February 7, 2013
I live in San Francisco and would love to know where those cookies are from. They are great and would be great additions to the gift baskets I am making for a friend’s Birthday. Thanks!
– Nicole
These are from a baker named Kristin Honma but Susie Cakes also does custom GG Bridge Cookie orders.
Ceci Bean
February 7, 2013
So sweet. Food really ties in well to memories of a place, doesn’t it?
The cookies are cutest! Who makes them? The only thing I’d switch out is the chocolate because Scharffenberger isn’t local anymore. Maybe Tcho? Ooh, and some coffee.
Melissa
February 7, 2013
Love this! Im hoping my next big move is to live out in San Fran & this would be a sweet farewell.
Melissa
http://shakeshakee.blogspot.com
little kitchie
February 7, 2013
I love these ideas! We have definitely seen some friends start to move away. These are great ideas for celebrating them!
Why Not Marie
February 7, 2013
I ♥ this! Very cute!
Ilaria
February 7, 2013
love this idea… we live in Paris and soon be leaving for the south of France. I will try to make them for our going away party (and of course there will be Eiffel Tower cookies 🙂
Lindsey
February 7, 2013
We have lived abroad long enough to see people leave, too. It’s really hard because in Zurich there is a vibrant English-speaking community, but people often leave after a year or two. It’s hard to get attached to friends and then have to say goodbye. I love these two ideas. I’m going to a going-away on the 22nd and the buttons would be too fun! Thanks for the idea. xo
Rosie
February 7, 2013
So cute! I love those golden gate bridge cookies. Where did you get those? I love the button idea. For a something similar, you can make stickers of the person’s face (order through zazzle or vistaprint). For my husband’s 30th birthday, I choose a funny picture of him as a kid, had it made into a round sticker and passed them out to the party attendees. They were a hit!
Sally from Little Hiccups
February 7, 2013
I’d love to know where those Golden Gate Bridge cookies come from too. I’ve seen them before (or something similar) on other blogs but I’ve never been able to find out who makes them.
The ribbon is pretty cute too. I make similar ribbons using stamps and fabric ink. The Yellow Owl Workshop San Francisco stamp set would be perfect for this if your drawing skills aren’t up to scratch 🙂
I like making similar buttons for my kids but I print/screen print/draw them onto fabric instead. Fabric buttons are super easy to make with a simple (and really cheap) tool that you can get at craft stores. No button maker needed – although a button maker would be a pretty cool devise to have!
Alice
February 7, 2013
Oh this is such a lovely idea! A work colleague is moving at the weekend, I wish I’d seen this earlier so I could have done something similar… Not to worry, hopefully my homemade shortbread will still do the trick!!! x
Theresa
February 7, 2013
Love these ideas! Thanks for sharing.
Theresa
http://bomamma.blogspot.com
joody
February 7, 2013
Love this idea! Having worked in events for a luxury hotel company, I’ve naturally settled into the role of throwing little soirees for friends. This would be a fun party favor for any sf themed parties. Thanks for sharing!
The slow pace
February 7, 2013
What a lovely idea!
amanda
February 7, 2013
these baskets are adorable!
amanda
http://thingstoholdandstir.blogspot.com/
lenya
February 7, 2013
Such a cool idea, I reckon you could add a vintage tea towel to that basket so everyone has a little keep sake momento too right?
Shauna Younge Dessert Tables
February 7, 2013
Custom cookies are right up my alley! They’re a winner every time.
xfallenmoon
February 7, 2013
love the idea of putting the-friend-who’s-going-away’s-face on a button. it’s so personal and makes a wonderful souvenir! 🙂
love, x
blog | twitter
Marie
February 7, 2013
This is adorable! I love those sugar cookies and buttons! 🙂
http://www.happypaperplace.com/
nat
February 7, 2013
does your friend have a source for her button maker?
this going away basket is so great.
meg
February 7, 2013
Umm….these are just the cutest things!
http://happinessiscreating.com/
ami@naivecookcooks
February 7, 2013
love the button idea <3
Kristen Honma
February 7, 2013
We loved making these for you Jordan!!! I’m glad the sugar cookies were such a great addition to your adorable basket!!! Follow us on Instagram and see our other cookie creations @kawaiikookies
This girl loves to talk
February 8, 2013
i threw a going away party last night!! (minus awesome gift boxes and pins of course 😉
But is totally the nature of the inner city ward we live in. So many expats here for 2-4 years it seems someone is always moving away. Makes life fun (always a new friend moving in!) but also sad when I think about all the best friends both my kids and I have lost over the years.
Bruna
February 8, 2013
Sou do Brasil.
Achei perfeito seu oh happy day.
Serviu de inspiração para mim.
Vou sempre te acompanhar.
beijo
Sarah [Sarah The Architect]
February 8, 2013
I love the going away baskets!! So cute and thoughtful.
Laura
February 8, 2013
I love those cute little face buttons!
wmbg
February 8, 2013
love the cute buttons.
Yvonne Cornell
February 8, 2013
At first, all that appeared on my morning screen was the top part of the photo and these words “Going Away Party.” I thought to myself…. oh nooooooooo, leaving again so soon!? Just as I’ve discovered your web site. But phew…. I scrolled down to discover the most clever Golden Gate themed idea. I was born and raised in SF, so I love this idea just for a “Celebrate my Hometown Party.” Thank you! Yvonne 🙂
Kicki
February 8, 2013
What a good idea!
Kicki
http://www.madeinbohuslan.com
Kelly
February 10, 2013
Ha! Pretty sure Harper and I grew up in the same town. Small world!
Heidi
February 15, 2013
This idea is bloody fantastic and would make for a nice welcome gift for out-of-town visitors, as well. Thanks again.