A real evening
A five-minute reset can make departure feel less abrupt: stack the racks, finish a story, send someone home with the last cookie.
A little structure
Thank people for a particular thing—a funny hand, a helpful explanation, a good question. Specific gratitude feels less automatic.
Make room for ordinary life
If cleanup is not done, it can wait. A table is for people first, and perfection has no seat assignment.
Keep the promise modest.
This is social guidance, not medical or mental-health advice.