Top 10 Retirement Gift Ideas
So it's time to shop for a retirement gift for that extra-special friend, parent or other loved one who's just about to leave the job force. With a world full of gift ideas out there geared towards the retiree, how do you decide which one is perfect for your recipient?
Below is a list of the top 10 retirement gifts for any retiree... whether he or she is a lighthearted joke lover or a serious-minded bookworm. With 10 great ideas to choose from, you're sure to find the one that's perfect.
10. Funny clothing and accessories
So your recipient has a sense of humor, huh? Show him or her that you appreciate it with a retirement gift that's sure to tickle the funny bone. Consider humorous Tshirts, pillows, and plaques with a lighthearted side. Every sentiment, from "over the hill" to "old guys rule," is captured somewhere on an accessory that's perfect for your favorite retiree with a funny bone!
9. Garden items
Chances are good that your retiree is looking forward to having some free time to spend on hobbies such as gardening. Celebrate his or her new lifestyle with garden-related retirement gifts. Everything from garden benches to bird feeders and decorative planters are all great ideas for those leaving the workforce to enjoy time at home.
8. Clocks
Decorative, dignified, and with a symbolic element related to the occasion, clocks make great retirement gifts. For those who take pride in their homes, a beautiful clock that suits his or her taste makes an ideal gift. Give them something they can enjoy each day and show them that they've earned this time with a desk or wall clock.
7. Reading material
With a lot more free time on their hands, most retirees look forward to catching up on all the things they love to read. Show them they deserve it with the gift of books or magazine subscriptions on their favorite subjects.
6. Desk accessories
They might be retiring from the workplace, but the home office will always be going strong. Indulge the retiree with a gift of high quality desk accessories that can be used for writing letters or keeping bills on track. Items like pen sets, blotters and even personalized desk organizers are all excellent gifts for the retiree who likes to keep up on the paperwork.
5. Collectibles
Indulge them with a uniquely personal decorative item as a retirement gift. Choose something that reflects the retiree's personality and interests, such as a nurse figurine for retiring health care workers or a music box that plays a favorite tune. Glass globes are great for retiring executives and look wonderful on the home bookshelf. Small decorative items, whether related to the person's career or just something he or she would truly enjoy, make great personal retirement gifts for anyone.
4. Gourmet food
What better way to celebrate retirement than with the indulgence of a favorite food? Gourmet cookies, wine clubs, and even cigar sets are wonderful ways to show the retiree it's time to kick back and enjoy himself. Make sure to consider any dietary restrictions when purchasing food as a retirement gift. Many gourmet food items are available in low-carb or diabetic varieties that taste fantastic and are appropriate for people on food regimes.
3. Blankets and throws
Available in every pattern imaginable, even personalized, blankets and throws remind the retiree that now's the time to cuddle up and relax! Great for afternoons watching television or chilly evenings in bed, blankets and throws in his or her favorite color or style will come in handy and be a constant reminder of your affection.
2. Plaques, Prints and Plates
A plaque or commemorative plate that celebrates the retiree's career is a great choice for a gift. Give them something to hang in their home office or den to celebrate a career well done... and show them you're proud of everything they've accomplished. Choose a plaque or plate that is personalized with the retiree's name and retirement date for a truly special gift.
1. Hobby accessories
It's time for the most important retirement gift of all... the one that will help the recipient celebrate and enjoy his or her newfound free time! Choose a gift that suits the person's favorite hobby, whether it's golf tees for a weekend enthusiast or a book on travel for a jetsetter. Tools that will keep the retiree active and interested in a favorite pastime are always surefire retirement gifts. This is also a good time to give items related to a new hobby that you know the person has always wanted to learn how to do. Show the retiree that this is a time to celebrate the rewarding years past... but it's also a time to gear up for the wonderful years to come.