How to Say Goodbye to Your Best Friend That Is Moving

Reviewed by Seth Hall

Last Updated: September 14, 2023 Approved

Download Article

Saying goodbye to a friend is not an easy thing to do, but it's something most people go through from time to time. Just because your friend is moving doesn't mean you won't still be close. Giving your friend a heartfelt send-off is a great way to show you're still invested in the friendship. Read on to find out how to say goodbye - or more appropriately, "Til next time."

Steps

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Saying Goodbye With a Gift

1. 1
   Make a friendship photo album. You've probably collected dozens of pictures of you and your friend together throughout the years. Putting them all together in a photo album is a wonderful way to commemorate your friendship and give your friend a keepsake to take to his or her new home.

   • If you have digital photos, print them out on photo paper and use a scissors to cut them out.
   • Pick out a photo album from the store - you can find inexpensive albums at drugstores - or make your own if you're the crafty type.
   • Write captions underneath the photos. You can write about what you remember from the day the photo was taken, or write down inside jokes the two of you share.
   • You can create an online photo album instead. That way, both of you will have a copy,
2. 2
   Make a friendship bracelet. This is a classic way to show a friend you care. Friendship bracelets are trendy, thoughtful gifts for both boys and girls, and they're not hard to make. Go to a craft store and buy some embroidery thread, then braid or weave it in a colorful pattern. Tie the ends together and clip the excess thread.

   • Make matching bracelets, one for you and one for your friend, so that you'll think of each other when you look at them.
   • You can buy friendship bracelets or necklaces made from silver or gold if you want to go for something more expensive. Choose the classic broken heart halves (one for you, the other for your friend) or a variety of other available designs.
3. 3
   Give your friend a care package. Moving to a new place can be hard. Chances are your friend will need several weeks to get adjusted, and she won't feel at home for a long time. Giving her a care package filled with things that remind her of home will help her feeling comforted when she's missing you and her old town.

   • Choose a container for the package. You can decorate a box, use a gift bag, or repurpose a tote bag or purse.
   • Add a few things that represent your hometown. You could include incense or candles from your favorite shop, a book from the bookstore where you've always hung out together, or a mug from the coffee shop where you met before school.
   • Include some tasty comfort foods. Make your friend a batch of cookies to enjoy on the flight to her new city, or slip in an array of her favorite candy.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Writing a Goodbye Letter

1. 1
   Reflect on your friendship. Saying goodbye is actually a unique opportunity to think back on your friendship and tell your friend how much it has meant to you. It's not often friends get the chance to do that, so take advantage. Writing it all down in a letter is cathartic, and your friend will be able to treasure it forever.

   • Write down your recollection of how you met. Do you remember the first time you and your friend hit it off? Sometimes you just know when someone you meet is going to end up being a great friend.
   • Write down some of your favorite memories. Recall movies you saw together, concerts you attended, fun sleepovers you had.
   • If you want, open your heart even more. You can talk about the bad times, too, and how much the two of you have grown as friends as a result of overcoming them.
2. 2
   Lighten the tone with some jokes. Saying goodbye is sad, but it's something you'll both get through. Your friend will have a lot of adjustments to make, and as her BFF it's your job to cheer her up. Throw in some lighthearted stories or jokes that will make her laugh when she unfolds your letter.

   • Draw funny cartoon scenes of the two of you together.
   • Write something in code and include a decoder on the back of the letter.
3. 3
   End the letter with a promise to stay in touch. Make sure your friend knows that to you, this isn't the end of your friendship. You'll always remember the great years you spent together living in the same town, and this is simply the next phase of your friendship. Now you get to visit each other's cities and share what you're learning as you both explore different corners of the world.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Having a Goodbye Celebration

1. 1
   Go to your friend's favorite places. Spending a day doing the things you've always loved to do together is a fun way to say goodbye. You could do something special like going to a baseball game or concert. Go out to dinner at your friend's favorite restaurant, or cook dinner at your place for a more intimate setting.
2. 2
   Celebrate at school. If you and your friend go to the same school, have a lunchtime celebration with your other friends. Have everyone decorate your friend's locker with well wishes, and bring in treats to share at lunchtime in her honor.
3. 3
   Throw a party. If you and your friend have other friends in common, give your friend a great send-off with a party. It can be a surprise or not - you know your friend best, so you decide. You could choose to have a party with a theme or just keep it simple by gathering at a restaurant for a goodbye dinner.

   • Tell everyone who is invited to write down a fun memory that involves your best friend. At the party, take turns reading the memories.
   • Bake or buy a goodbye cake to share at the party. Write WE'LL MISS YOU! with your friend's name across the top of the cake.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Saying the Words

1. 1
   See your friend off at the bus station or airport. Spending those last few minutes with your friend before everything changes will be priceless. If it's not possible to see her off at the station, plan a different time to say goodbye in the last few days before she leaves.

   • Ask your friend if she needs help packing. That's a good way to spend time with her and help her reduce the stress of moving.
   • She may be busy with her family during those last few days. If that's the case, drop by for an hour or so to say your goodbyes.
2. 2
   Tell your friend how you feel. There's no one way to say "goodbye." The best way to do it is to be truthful about how you feel. Even if you aren't entirely eloquent, your friend will know how much you care. The warmth and love you express will bolster her courage to move to a new place and start over.

   • It can be hard to directly express deep feelings to someone else, but now is the time to do it. Tell your friend you love her and will miss her.
   • Sometimes "goodbye" is too hard to say. A hug and a sincere smile will tell your friend everything she needs to know.

Community Q&A

• Question

  I am in 5th grade, and I made a friend who I am close with, but not best friends. We never hug, but she is moving. How do I say goodbye without it being awkward?

  Community Answer

  Tell her that the friendship you had with her was valuable and it was great to have a friend like her.
• Question

  My best friend is switching schools and I don't know if I'll see her again. What do I do?

  Community Answer

  Don't worry. If you guys are good friends, you'll stay in touch no matter what. You can always text, Skype, FaceTime, etc. Have faith. Rather than worrying about her departure, you should concentrate on giving her a nice farewell.
• Question

  My friend just moved to another country. We used to text daily, but now my mom told me I'm addicted and I can only text on the weekend. What do I do?

  Jada Williams

  Community Answer

  Try to explain to your mother that your friend just moved away and it's a little hard for you, and ask if you could at least speak to your friend once or twice during the week. If your mother still says no, then your best bet is to explain to your friend that you can only text on the weekend. I'm sure she'll understand.

See more answers

Tips

• Remember that no matter the physical distance, you can still keep a healthy relationship alive with your friend.
• Always be there for them, it's hard, but this is probably hard on them too. Stay in touch and promise to do things together, set goals for things you want to do, and stick with them. Best friends are important keep them close.
• Don't stop being best friends, and don't lose contact.

Show More

You Might Also Like

How to

Write a Letter to Your Best Friend

How to

Ignore People You No Longer Wish to Be Around

How to

Tell Someone You Don't Want to Be Their Friend Without Hurting Their Feelings

How to

Politely Stop Being Friends With Someone

How to

Get Over Friends Who No Longer Want to Be Friends With YouWhy Is She Acting Hot and Cold? Possible Reasons + Expert-Backed TipsHow to Cut a Toxic Friend Out of Your LifeEnding a Friendship: Tips for a Successful Split

How to

Tell Someone You Do Not Want to Be Friends13 Subtle Signs Someone Doesn't Want to Be Your Friend

How to

Find an Old Friend

How to

Leave a Group of Friends

How to

End a Friends with Benefits (Fwb) Relationship

How to

Get Rid of Someone You Don't Like