5 Best Retirement Gift Ideas for your Employees

When an employee chooses to retire they are opening up opportunities to take on other activities and a new lifestyle. The employer and the employee’s colleagues usually express care and appreciation for a valued co-worker who is retiring. This is usually in the form of a card delivered on their last day after a short speech by their manager or another senior executive.

It is also expected at retirement that a gift will be presented, with watches and clocks the traditional gift to mark the passing of time. When considering what is a good retirement gift for a man there is much overlap with retirement gifts for women. Whilst clocks and watches are a traditional gift to mark the passing of time, here are five of the best retirement gift ideas for your employee whatever their gender.

A personalized retirement gift basket

A personalized gift basket can be customized for the retiree. Here are some ideas to give inspiration.

Champagne gift basket

Retirement is a major achievement and one that deserves to be celebrated with champagne.  Add quality champagne or a bottle of their favorite tipple, whether it be whiskey, bourbon, or fine bottles of wine. Add some gourmet snacks and sweets like chocolate truffles.

Spa gift basket

A collection of spa essentials for those who want to relax and look after themselves at home. You can also include a voucher for treatments at a local spa for him or her, as a manicure or pedicure makes everyone feel good.

Bucket list gift basket

Fill a bucket with items that will aid them to tick another wish from their list or if there is no list, add bucket list suggestion cards, tickets to a concert, festival, theatre, or sports event, and a gift card for a bucket list experience like paragliding, a hot air balloon flight, etc.

Personalized retirement frame

A personalized solid oak photo frame makes a great retirement gift. These can be laser-engraved with “Happy Retirement. Every day is a weekend!” along the top, with a personalized message at the base of the frame. Make sure the frame has a stand as well as wall fittings so it can be displayed freestanding or hung on a wall.

A shadow box frame could include miniature dolls representing their grandchildren as a nod to the future or items from their workplace as a remembrance of times past and a good conversation piece. The retirement frame could be made to fit their new home office or acknowledge other roles they will be taking on into retirement, whether fishing, golf, or other activity.

Give them a memorable vacation!

After decades of working and limited free time, retirement is a privilege that should be celebrated with a memorable vacation. Choose from a selection of unforgettable experiences from visiting the pyramids in Egypt, learning to dive at the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, or relaxing on the beach in Hawaii. If your retiree has a partner, ask for their input and make the gift a surprise.  Alternatively, book with an agent who will be able to amend the bookings if necessary.

If the retiree is unable to go on vacation for whatever reason, arrange for a close family member or friend to visit as a surprise. Add tickets for a meal out and other gift tokens so they have an enjoyable time together.

A personal message and handwritten note on a card or paperweight

Personal messages can to the value of your retirement gift. Ask current and former colleagues to contribute to a leaving message to your retiree. Handwritten letters have a personal touch that cannot be replicated online.

Scan these handwritten notes onto an online photobook and ask for photographs and anecdotes from colleagues. Have a decent deadline and then have everything printed in a leatherbound book embossed with their name, company name, and years of work. You could also have a fitting quote laser printed onto glass, with their picture for a stunning paperweight

A personalized engraved sign to put up in their office

Retirement is not always easy so a home office will often be a haven of tranquillity whilst they settle into a new routine. With the new time and freedom, retirees are looking at new adventures as they are often healthier and more active than in the past but the home is where the bulk of the time will be spent.

Personalize a sign for their office that taps into their future dreams, encouraging them to play in a band, write novels, study architecture, enjoy gardening, or whatever it is they have plans to do. Some may want to enjoy sports or simply spend time with loved ones. Your engraved sign can acknowledge this. “Retire from work, but not from life.”