A thoughtful gift is a great way to thank someone for their years of service when they retire. Learning what to know when choosing a retirement gift for a colleague can make the gift-giving process both special and sentimental. In general, the best retirement gifts are useful and celebrate new beginnings in life. You should also take some time to think about the recipient’s hobbies or interests to create a uniquely personalized present. Continue reading to explore some of the best retirement gift ideas.
Experience Gift
Now that your retired colleague will have a lot more unscheduled time to enjoy, some type of experience gift is a great option. Physical gifts are nice to have, but they often sit around collecting dust. In contrast, an experience gift provides unforgettable memories. As mentioned before, consider your colleague’s interests and hobbies before choosing an experience gift. Some fun suggestions include:
- Tickets to a sporting event
- Registration for a cooking or cocktail-making class
- Concert tickets
- Membership to a local arboretum
- Tickets to a play or musical
- Spa admission
Since many of these activities are best experienced with a family member, friend, or loved one, consider giving at least two tickets to the event. To keep costs down, you may consider splitting the price of admission between a group of colleagues.
Charitable Donation
When it comes to gifts, many retirees will say they already have everything they need. Thus, it can be difficult to know how to choose a retirement gift for a colleague. If your recipient loves to volunteer and support local causes, a donation to their favorite charity in their name is a special tribute.
To increase your donation, you can also ask colleagues to contribute a few dollars. Don’t forget to write a special message when you make your donation so that the retiree knows you made it in their honor. In addition to a donation, you can also set up a volunteer day at the retiree’s favorite organization and enjoy some special moments with everyone on your team.
Personalized Journal
If your colleague has extensive travel plans post-retirement, a personalized journal is a thoughtful and useful gift idea. There are many ways to personalize a journal, including color, style, and material, so take some time to select the perfect option for your coworker. You can even emboss the recipient’s monogram on the front cover for an extra special touch.
The retiree can use the journal to easily record details and favorite memories about their travels. After they return home, they can use their travel journal to look back on their fun adventures. To round out the gift, consider including a high-quality pen.
Crystal Central is your go-to resource for unique, sentimental gifts, including personalized plaques for retirement. We offer stunning designs and complete customization options, so choose the right gift for your colleague and say goodbye to a loyal employee in style.