Understanding the importance of retirement gifts

A retirement gift is more than just a present; it’s a symbol of your gratitude. Giving a gift recognizes the employee’s dedication, hard work and years of service. It honors the occasion and leaves the retiree with positive memories as they move into the next stage of their life.

Honoring retiring employees with a gift can also help boost morale. It shows your team that the company values each worker and celebrates their accomplishments.

What to get someone who is retiring

As you select a retirement gift, consider options that suit the employee’s unique preferences. Whether you choose a personalized item, an experience or a practical gift, the person will appreciate the thought and effort that went into the selection process.

1. Cash

Retirement is a big change for workers, both financially and personally. A cash gift can ease the transition, giving the employee additional financial security. It’s an inclusive option that’s useful for everyone, regardless of their situation.

Personalize a cash gift by enclosing a check in a retirement card. Ask each person on the leadership team to sign the card with a personal “happy retirement” message that acknowledges the employee’s accomplishments, wishes them luck or offers wisdom for the next chapter. For many workers, these notes may be just as meaningful as the money.

2. Gift cards

Encourage the retiring employee to purchase a special item or experience by giving them a gift card. As you’re choosing a vendor, consider the person’s plans for after retirement. If they’re planning to run a marathon to celebrate, get a gift card from their favorite running store. If they mention an interest in devoting more time to their grandkids, you might get them a gift card to a kid-friendly restaurant. For someone who wants to travel, consider a gift card for a major airline or hotel chain.

Alternatively, opt for gift cards from the employee’s favorite:

• Restaurants
• Coffee shops
• Entertainment venues
• Sports teams
• Streaming services
• Bookstores

3. Gifts of experience

If your employee is excited to try new things in retirement, give them an experience-related gift to get them started. Choose an experience that aligns with their interests, or surprise them with something they’ve never done.

Consider gifts such as:

• Concert tickets
• Sporting event tickets
• Theater tickets
• Museum memberships
• Cooking or art classes
• Annual passes for a local theme park
• Weekend lift tickets for a nearby ski resort
• Wine tasting
• Music lessons

When you purchase tickets or memberships, consider including a guest as well. That way, the employee can enjoy the experience with a spouse, friend or family member and create lasting memories.

4. Subscription boxes

Buy your employee a year’s subscription to a service that sends a box of products every month. Most services allow recipients to enter their preferences into a profile; then, the company includes surprise items that suit their tastes. It’s an easy way to help the employee explore their interests throughout the year.

You can find subscription boxes for:

• Gourmet coffee or tea
• Books or magazines
• Self-care or mindfulness items

5. Food baskets

On a limited budget, a custom food basket makes a thoughtful retirement gift. Tailor it with local favorites and personal tastes—pastries from neighborhood bakeries for a dessert lover, spice blends for a home cook or items from local shops like farm-stand jam and apiary honey.

For a more collaborative gift, get the rest of the team involved. Ask each person to choose a favorite item and include a personal note about why they love it.

6. Hobby items

Retirement often opens time for hobbies, so consider a gift that supports your employee’s interests. For a photography enthusiast, options include a workshop, magazine subscription or quality photo album. For someone eager to garden, a starter kit with seeds, tools and personalized gloves makes a thoughtful choice.

7. Charitable donations

A charitable donation is a meaningful way to celebrate retirees who prioritize service and charitable giving. Coworkers may also wish to contribute, creating an even more generous donation.

Ask colleagues or family members about the employee’s favorite local organization and give a donation in their name. Alternatively, choose a non-profit that aligns with the person’s background or affiliations. For example, if your employee served in the military, consider supporting a veteran’s organization. If they have pets, a donation to an animal rescue charity may be ideal.

8. Plant a tree

Plant a tree to celebrate an employee’s retirement and create a lasting monument to their years of service. If space allows, plant the tree yourself outside your building. Then, you can include a plaque with the employee’s name and the dates of their employment.

If that’s not feasible, organizations such as the Arbor Day Foundation will plant a tree that helps forests recover from natural disasters, such as wildfires and drought. At the retirement party, you can present your employee with a printed certificate of the tree planted in their honor.

9. Slideshow

Show your employee how much they mean to your company by making a digital slideshow of photos and videos from their time with the company. Include both funny and serious clips to highlight the person’s long career and celebrate the beginning of a new chapter.

Ask coworkers, customers and company leaders to record video messages to make the slideshow even more personal. They can share memories and personal stories or simply thank the employee for everything they’ve brought to the company.

Share the slideshow at the employee’s retirement party so everyone can enjoy it. Then, send a copy to the retiree as a keepsake. You can also post the video on your social media pages with the recipient’s permission.

10. Lasting workplace honor

Honor your employee with a workplace tribute that evokes memories from their job. Depending on your company’s size, you could hang a commemorative plaque on the wall or name a conference room after them. If the retiree wore a uniform for work, you might frame it and hang it on the wall.

11. Personalized gifts

If you prefer traditional gifts, consider giving a personalized present. One option is to engrave the employee’s name and dates of service on a vase, clock, decanter or pen. You might also create a customized branded gift, such as a jacket embroidered with the company logo and the employee’s name, or opt for gifts tailored to their prior role, such as a frame with their job title engraved.

Other items you can personalize with names or a special message include:

• Watches
• Jewelry
• Photo frame with a team photo
• Apron
• Insulated coffee mug
• High-end cooler

12. Thank you letters

Ask coworkers and supervisors to write thank-you letters to the retiring employee. In the letter, each person can explain the employee’s impact on their personal or professional lives. Don’t just focus on the employee’s contributions to the company—mention special memories or funny stories.

Package the notes into a beautiful box and give it to the worker at their retirement party or on their last day of work. Reading the letters will help the employee understand how valued they are as a person and a colleague.

13. Party and speeches

Host an office celebration in honor of your retiring employee. Depending on the budget and the company size, you can invite the entire staff or the person’s department. For an extra-special touch, you can also include family members.

At the party, give a speech thanking the employee for their years of hard work and mention specific achievements or moments that stood out in their career. Be sure to invite the rest of the team to do the same. This is also the ideal time to present additional gifts.

Additional retirement gift ideas

If you’re friends with the retiring employee outside of work, you may want to give more personal gifts.

Sentimental and thoughtful gifts

Sentimental gifts can symbolize the importance of your friendship and remind the employee of their value:

• Personalized photo album or frame with pictures from the employee’s career
• Shadowbox filled with mementos from work
• Coffee mug printed with a joke from the office

Comfort and relaxation

A gift that promotes comfort and relaxation can help the retiree enjoy their time away from work. Consider gifts such as:

• Monogrammed throw blanket or plush robe
• Beautiful artwork or decor that reflects the person’s style and interests
• Functional or practical items, such as a new kitchen appliance or gardening tool
• Supportive chair or recliner for reading and relaxation or other comfort gifts that align with the retiree’s lifestyle
• Essential oil diffuser or scented candle to create a peaceful atmosphere

By choosing a retirement gift that promotes their comfort and relaxation, you can make their transition into retirement a joyful and memorable experience.

Tips for choosing gifts for retired employees

As you consider different retirement gift ideas, use these tips to choose an option that’s both meaningful and useful:

• Tailor the gift to the person: Select a unique retirement gift based on the employee’s career, interests or hobbies. If they love architecture, you could select a high-quality custom coffee table book that features the most beautiful buildings in the United States. If they worked in urban planning or community development, for example, hire a local artist to make a custom map or art print of the city.
• Set a budget: Creating a budget for your gift can help focus your search. To ensure that each employee is treated equally, establish a standard retirement gift budget.
• Ask for gift suggestions: In a large company, you might not know the retiree personally. When that’s the case, ask the person’s supervisor, close colleagues or family members for ideas.
• Consult with HR: The HR team can help you understand company policies that explain what gifts you can or can’t give employees.

Consider including the team when planning the retirement gift and celebration. It can be difficult for coworkers to say goodbye, especially if they’ve worked together for years. Helping with the celebration can ease the transition for the remaining employees. It’s also a great team-building activity for the group.