Should we celebrate divorce?

[poodicat]

Debenhams have launched a "divorce gift list" personally i think no, what to others think?

[andy-hughes]

I can't believe that anyne divorces easily or happily, so the notion of 'celebrating' seems to feed on the glee of 'frends' who always said 'he / she was never any good ...'. It's commercial exploitation of a sad situation and fundamentally wrong.

I wrote a stinking letter to Debenhms a few years ago when they sold slippers at Christmas with 'Old' on one, and 'Fart' on the other. I have a good sense of humour, but if i received those in my stocking, I would be hurt and offended. The items were withdrawn, and have not been on sale since.

Humour is subjective, but pandering to the worst of people's instincts is not healthy, or indeed, funny.

[poodicat]

Morning andy,as you say it s anything to make money

[pericat]

Some people might want to celebrate their divorce but that is a very personal thing and i think its disgraceful that debenhams have launched this gift list - some might laugh at it but others could be extremely upset

[chelle7272]

I don't think it appropriate commercially, however I did celebrate on the anniversary of my divorce for several years :-) my personal choice though

[mccfluff]

seriously - how bizarre?

how would you give someone such a gift, mind boggles

[Barmaid]

Getting divorced is not easy. OK so I make light of it now, but it was 8 years ago. It was the hardest thing I had ever done and it took me two years to pluck up the courage to stand up for myself. Having said that, when it was all over it was a huge relief and I did go out for drinks with a few friends that weekend to celebrate - although it was pretty muted because there was a tinge of sadness there.

I don't think I would have been offended if one of my close friends had bought such a gift, but I don't really think I condone it. Divorce is generally painful - if not for the divorcing parties, for their families or children.

[fredpuli47]

It will hurt more people than it pleases.It's like celebrating a death.Somebody may be pleased, but there's usually some hurt. And not many of us have a truly amicable divorce and those of us that do don't celebrate it.

[cherrychapstick]

I have a friend who is celebrating his divorce ...i don't think he is doing it for presents though ...now you are going to have people who get divorced just for the presents ,like some make an issue out of being engaged!!

[Bbbananas]

No, it's not right to celebrate the failure of something that once held such hopes. A person can be pleased, relieved, even overjoyed for whatever reason, but that is personal. I think it's disrespectful and slightly shabby to have a 'divorce party'.

'celebrate' witha glass of bubbly with a best friend maybe, but not a party.

In the next few years I suppose I will be divorcing my ex (we've been separated now for 4 years), and even though the split was at my instigation & there's no desire whatsoever to be reconciled, I won't be celebrating. In fact I think I shall feel quite sad.

[hippyhoppy]

My husband divorced me a couple of years ago.. didn't feel the need for a party/celebration of any sort. In fact... I don't recall seeing the second part of the decree.. so maybe I'm still married...that's a terrifying thought after what happened in Vegas...!

[joannie10]

i can understand perhaps maybe someone who has gone through a bad period of divorce celebrating with friends after its all over - maybe just the fact that they have got through it but yes think it is terrible that there is a gift list. People do look for gifts for everything now though - even know someone that did a gift list for her 40th birthday! I gave her '40 chickens' from Save the Children!!

[Bbbananas]

What happened in Vegas......?!!

[hippyhoppy]

lol - nothing Salla - it was a joke... remember the Friends episode where Pheobe said 'when you marry in Vegas it's just in Vegas', and she was told that it meant she WAS married.. and she looked all shifty, as if she'd married loads of people believeing it didn't mean anything... Oh never mind.. it was funny for about a split second...

[Bbbananas]

Phoebe was my favourite character...I was a sort-of Friends fan, but not a fantatical fan..

[hippyhoppy]

My son is named after Joey.. how shallow!! 'how you doin'?' And my daughter is named after Grace Van Owen out of LA Law.. I obviously have no imagination...!!!

[Bbbananas]

Better than Chandler or Betty I suppose.....?

[Booldawg]

Its a bit crass to celebrate your divorce, no matter what the circumstances.

[joby1]

I'll be celebrating mine......sorry.

[Greedyfly]

I believe that for some divorce can be a relief and maybe happy but the fact a shop is cashing in on it is disgusting, thats a bit like having 'thank god the kids have left home' gift lists?! It is personal choice I guess you get divorced usually because its the best option but I personally would be upset by the fact im sure.