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Retirement gift ideas: 12 original gifts for someone who is retiring
Good retirement gift ideas have a tough job: summing up years (sometimes decades) of shared work in a single gift. And it’s usually chosen by many people, in a rush and from a group collection.
Here are 12 ideas that work whether the gift is from colleagues or from family: gifts with memories from work, things for their new life, trips and funny gifts that will be remembered at the farewell lunch.
How to choose a retirement gift
First, work out who it’s from. A close colleague, the whole team or the family won’t give the same thing.
Retirement gifts with memories from work
What people miss most when they retire isn’t the work: it’s the people. These gifts take all their colleagues home with them.
our favourite
1. The work WhatsApp group, in a book
The work group chat has it all: the “anyone going for coffee?”, photos from the Christmas dinners, Friday voice notes and birthday wishes. Years of shared history.
With a personalised message book that chat becomes a printed book, with photos, chapters by date and voice notes and videos as QR codes. You can choose which messages go in and write a dedication signed by the whole team.
It’s one of the few gifts they’ll take home and open again years later. Read our customers’ reviews on Trustpilot.
A farewell book of messages from the team
Each colleague handwrites a page: a memory, a story or just a thank you. Give it at the lunch.
An album of their years at the company
Photos from their first day, the dinners, work trips and their last day. Ask colleagues for them in good time.
Gifts for their new life in retirement
Retirement means free time at last. These gifts help them fill it with what they love.
Everything for their hobby
An urban garden kit, painting supplies, a fishing rod or a bike. Whatever they always said they’d do “when I retire”.
Classes in something new
A language, photography, dance or cooking course. Learning something new is the best way to start this chapter.
A good bike or walking shoes
For the walks they finally have time for. With a guide to routes near home.
Trips and experiences for retirees
Many retirees have a list of trips they’ve been waiting to take. Giving the first one is a great start.
A scenic train journey
Rail routes through the mountains, along the coast or across Europe, all organised and at their pace.
The destination they always wanted to see
That city or country they always talk about. Pooled by the whole team, the collection can go a long way.
A few days at a spa
Rest, thermal waters and good food. Their first Monday off work is best spent somewhere like that.
Funny retirement gifts
There’s always a moment for laughs at the farewell lunch. These gifts make sure of it.
An official retirement certificate
With a stamp, the team’s signatures and the “achievements” they’ve earned: years of coffee, meetings survived, emails answered.
An alarm clock that doesn’t ring
An alarm clock with the batteries taken out and a note: “from today, you won’t need this”.
A retirement survival kit
Good coffee, Monday’s newspaper, comfy pyjamas and a map of walks. All in a box with their name on it.
Ideas that always work
- Memories of the team: photos, messages, stories.
- Something for their new hobby.
- A trip or experience to kick off retirement.
- A dedication signed by everyone.
What to avoid
- Gifts about getting old: walking sticks, pill boxes and jokes about age.
- Office supplies: they won’t need them anymore.
- The classic watch if it’s not their style: better something that represents them.
- Organising at the last minute: group and personalised gifts need time.
Keep reading
- Original birthday gift ideas
- Personalised gift ideas: 12 unique gifts
- Secret Santa gift ideas: 15 gifts under €20
- WhatsApp Wrapped: your chat stats as a book
Frequently asked questions
What do you give a coworker who is retiring?
Something with memories of the team, like a book of the work group chat, a photo album or a farewell book with messages from everyone. Something for their new hobby also works well.
How much should everyone put in for a colleague’s retirement gift?
There’s no set amount. The usual thing is a collection among the whole team, with each person giving according to how close they were. A shared collection can cover something personalised or a trip.
What should I give my mum or dad for their retirement?
A plan for their new life: a trip they’ve been waiting to take, classes in something new or everything they need for their hobby. For something emotional, a book of the family’s messages.
What should I give a teacher who is retiring?
A book of messages from colleagues and former pupils, an album with photos from their years teaching or an experience to start their retirement.
A whole career deserves a farewell people remember.
