Retirement is one of the most significant milestones in a person’s life. This turning point can cause conflicting feelings, including anxiety, apprehension, and excitement.
If your friend, coworker, boss, or loved one is retiring, giving them a thoughtful retirement gift can help them approach the moment with a sense of accomplishment and joy.
In this article, we offer some of the best retirement gift ideas for retirees who enjoy personalized, practical, sentimental, and homemade gifts.
Key takeaways
Marking a friend or coworker’s retirement with a gift is a thoughtful way to commemorate the occasion.
Tailor the retirement gift to the retiree’s unique interests, like whether or not they like to travel, work out, or prefer sentimental gifts.
There’s no reason to spend a fortune on a retirement gift, homemade gifts like a memory jar, gift basket, or baked goods are still a meaningful way to mark someone’s retirement.
Retirement gifts by interest
Giving a retirement gift based on the retiree’s unique interests won’t just show them that you care, it will ensure that they actually love — and use — your gift.
For the traveler
Personalized luggage
Compression socks
Luxury neck pillow
Blackout eye mask
Destination classes and workshops
For the hobbyist
Golf accessory bag
Golf club cleaner
Craft supplies
Specialty cookware
For the adventurer
Hiking backpack
Binoculars
Camp stove
National Park Pass (discounted for seniors)
Gift card to REI or Sports Basement
Practical retirement gifts
Need a retirement gift idea for someone in your life who appreciates the practical things? Here are some of our favorite practical retirement gifs:
Technology and gadgets
Wireless noise cancelling headphones
Bluetooth speaker
Portable projector
Telescope
Rechargeable power bank
Health and wellness items
Organization and planning tools
Daily planner
Label maker
Gift card to IKEA or The Container Store
Sentimental and meaningful gifts
We all have someone in our lives who is unabashedly sentimental. If that person is your retiree-to-be, here are some great retirement gift ideas they’re sure to cherish.
Photo gifts
Photo album (including pictures of their time at work)
Framed photo of you and retiree at work (if this person is a coworker or boss)
Magnetized group coworker photo
Tribute gifts
Tribute video: Create a video of all the coworkers in the office remarking on the retiree’s contributions and wishing them well.
Tribute card: Collect written messages from all of their coworkers and friends to compile in one keepsake card or poster.
Commemorative gifts
Specialized plaque: Commission a plaque in their honor that includes their name, title, and years devoted to work.
Award: If applicable, nominate the retiree for an award in their field.
Engraved keepsakes: Engrave their initials or full name on a meaningful keepsake taken from their workplace.
DIY and homemade retirement gift ideas
Whether you’re on a budget or your retiree-to-be prefers homemade gifts, below are some ideas to keep the creative gift-giving juices flowing.
Handmade keepsakes
Hand-painted artwork: If you’re a talented visual artist, consider painting the retiree a portrait of them at work.
Knitted or crocheted item: Love to work with yarn? Make the retiree a homemade scarf, blanket, or quilt.
Memory jars and scrapbooks
Memory jar: Collect small items from their workplace, including keycards, desk items, and photos, and place them in a glass jar.
Scrapbook: Create a visual tribute to their years at work with photos, notes from coworkers, and other small mementos.
Baked goods and other food gifts
Bake them a cake: Love to bake? Offer to make the cake (or other favorite treat) for their retirement party.
Gift basket: Gather an assortment of baked goods, jams, and other homemade edible items in a handsome basket.
Bottom line
Marking a loved one’s retirement with a gift is a wonderful way to show them how much you acknowledge and appreciate their work history.
Before buying a retirement gift, consider what the retiree’s interests are and what they’re most looking forward to in their retirement.
Frequently asked questions
How much should you spend on a retirement gift?
There is no one correct amount to spend on a retirement gift. However, consider your personal relationship with the retiree as well as your budget when searching for retirement gifts.
What is an appropriate retirement gift for a boss?
Retirement gifts should be tailored to the interests of the retiree. For example, if your boss enjoys golf, consider buying them golf accessories or a visit to their favorite golf course. Or, if your boss is the sentimental type, you can experiment with more personal gifts, like a memory jar or scrapbook.
Should retirement gifts be funny or sentimental?
It’s best when the retirement gift suits the interests and personality of the retiree. So if the recipient is a sentimental person or enjoys a good joke, then a funny or sentimental gift can be a great fit.
When should you give a retirement gift?
If you’re invited to a retirement party or celebration, the event itself is the perfect opportunity to give the retiree a gift. Otherwise, aim to give the retiree their gift one week before or after their retirement.
What do you write in a retirement card?
You can tailor the message in a retirement card based on your relationship with the retiree. If you worked together, consider mentioning something positive about your work relationship and history. Ending the card with a message of well wishes, something along the lines of “Wishing you all the best in your retirement,” will also be appreciated.
Are cash or gift cards appropriate retirement gifts?
Both cash and gift cards can be appropriate retirement gifts, but consider your relationship with the retiree. If they’re your boss, opt for a gift card to one of their favorite restaurants, cafes, spas, or health clubs.
