If you need to buy a relative, friend or colleague a retirement gift, it can be a veritable minefield. Do you choose something practical, fun, thoughtful or jokey? There are so many gifts to choose from and for such a significant occasion, it’s important to strike the right balance. Everyone is different, so try to focus on what is important for the recipient as opposed to what people traditionally gift as a retirement present.
Classic Gifts
One of the most conventional retirement gifts is a watch. A watch symbolizes high-quality craftsmanship which represents the person’s service to work and the emphasis on time signifies the metaphorical passing of time. Whether a pocket watch is useful in this day and age is debatable, but if the person would appreciate tradition and convention, then something of this ilk is recommended.
Useful Gifts
Similar to the pocket watch idea but updated would be to get the retiree a new mobile phone, for example. Rather than a pocket watch, a novelty clock might be a good idea with something that fits in with their hobbies, interests or personality. If the recipient is an avid outdoor adventure type, then perhaps a sports watch that is more specialized for running or diving, for example.
Something for a hobby
One of the things about retirement that people look forward to the most is the opportunity to devote more time to their hobbies. The perfect gift might be something to help them enjoy more leisure times, such as a new set of golf clubs, a top of the range fishing rod, sports lessons, a kindle or gift vouchers for a craft or DIY store.
Gifts associated with work
Perhaps the person would appreciate a gift that commemorates the work that they did for all those years. Ideas could include things like a framed list of their accomplishments, a trophy engraved with the dates they worked, an expensive tool or pen, a throw made from their uniform. There is great scope for creativity with this idea and a custom-made item might not even be that expensive to put together.
Relaxation gifts
Retirement is meant to be a time for kicking back and spending time doing what you want instead of the daily grind of the 9 to 5. What could be better than an Eames Rocking Chair for encouraging them to take it easy from now on. Visit a site like www.pash-classics.com/eames-rocking-chair-rar.html for more information.
Personalized gifts
The internet abounds with gifts that can be personalized from sweatshirts to coffee cups and everything in between. Perhaps a personalized book, a journal of memories, photo books, pictures of colleagues on mouse mats, mugs, bags or playing cards, for example. Consider having some champagne glasses engraved or even a bag full of company branded goodies.
Funny gifts
If you’re sure the recipient has a healthy sense of humor then you could buy them a range of funny gifts related to ageing, such as a novelty walking cane, magnifying glasses, pipe and slippers, fake emergency fall button or some kind of mobility device.