Do you want to give a gift to a colleague to celebrate their retirement? Or perhaps to one of your employees? Are you looking for some unique ideas that fit all budgets?
You’re in the right place.
As a florist, I am frequently asked to find gifts for special occasions.
This could be a retirement, which is a major milestone in a person’s life. That’s why today, to help you out, I’m sharing all my gift ideas along with my tips for choosing the perfect gift to celebrate this new chapter that is beginning!
If one of your employees or colleagues is leaving your company, you might consider giving a retirement gift such as a bouquet of flowers, an everlasting rose, a gourmet gift basket, gardening tools, or even a camera. It could also be a memorable experience: a trip, a wellness massage, a creative workshop, or an adventure sport activity…
Want more details? Keep reading to discover:
- Reasons for Giving a Retirement Gift,
- Who is responsible for this task and how to organize it among colleagues,
- Some affordable gift ideas to make the occasion special,
- Beautiful gifts that everyone will appreciate to thank an employee for their dedication,
- How to celebrate a retirement in the workplace or while working remotely
Who Can Give a Gift for This Occasion?
Are you wondering if you should or can give a gift to someone who is retiring? Here are some insights to help you decide. 😊
The Company Boss or Supervisors
Traditionally, when someone retires, a gift is presented by the employer or the management of the departing employee. The value of this gift can vary, depending on the employee’s tenure and the size of the company.
Colleagues or the Employee Committee
Do you want to make a special gesture for a colleague who is leaving? If so, it’s definitely a great idea to give them a gift. This gift can be presented to them on their last day or during a gathering held in their honor.
If possible, consider organizing a group gift. To do this, choose someone to be in charge of collecting the money and purchasing the gift. If everyone contributes a little and there are enough of you, you’ll be able to give a wonderful present!
👉 Feel free to write a small card, either individually or as a group, to accompany the gift. You can include a short message wishing the person a happy retirement, recalling the good times you shared at work, and possibly thanking them for the help they provided along the way.
Family and Loved Ones
A family member is retiring? It’s definitely a great idea to celebrate this new chapter by giving them a small gift.
Retirement can be a time that brings a bit of apprehension. With this gesture, you’ll show this person that you will be by their side in this new chapter of their life, and that they can count on you.
Why is it important to give a gift for a retirement?
If you are a manager, giving a gift to an employee who is retiring is a way to thank them for their dedication and show that their work has made a difference in the company’s history. It also demonstrates that you care about your employees and motivates them on a daily basis.
If you are one or more colleagues of the person who is retiring, giving a gift is a way to express your sadness at their departure, but also to wish them the best in their new chapter of life!
10 Gift Ideas to Celebrate Retirement
In the following lines, you’ll find a selection of affordable gifts for every budget that are perfect for celebrating such an occasion.
A bouquet of flowers to say Thank You! 💐
Giving flowers is a simple and classic way to celebrate an occasion. Moreover, it fits any budget. Traditionally, this is more of a gift given to a woman: an equivalent gift for a man could be, for example, a good bottle of wine.
👉 It’s also a perfect gift to accompany another present like a travel voucher, concert tickets, or anything else that fits in an envelope.
A Lasting Floral Gift: An Eternal Rose or a Rose Bear
Looking to switch things up from the traditional bouquet and give flowers that can serve as home decor? In that case, you might consider an everlasting rose 🌹 or a teddy bear made of roses 🧸. These unique floral gifts, available in a variety of colors, will create beautiful memories of shared moments for the recipient.
👉 Check out our rose bears and everlasting roses at our online store that specializes in floral gifts! Don’t miss out: shipping is free.
A Gourmet Gift Box 🍬
Are you looking for a neutral and accessible gift that’s suitable for everyone? If so, consider putting together a selection of local products for tasting. This could include chocolates, candies, or other gourmet specialties. Don’t hesitate to reach out to local grocers and producers to help create this gourmet gift basket!
👉 Like flowers, it makes a perfect gift to accompany another present that is in an envelope.
A Moment of Relaxation 💆♀️
Retirement means leaving behind the daily stress of work life. What better way to celebrate than to treat yourself to a truly relaxing experience by going for a massage? In most cities, there are establishments that offer massages, with prices typically ranging from $50 to $120.
👉 Not sure if your colleague will enjoy a massage? You can also treat them to an afternoon at a spa, with unlimited access to heated pools, jacuzzis, saunas, and steam rooms. If possible, consider giving them two tickets so they can share this experience with someone special.
A Camera to Capture Great Moments 📷
For many, retirement means spending time with family: it’s a more free period where one can take the time to visit their children and help out with their grandchildren… By giving a camera, you provide someone the opportunity to capture these wonderful moments and create lasting memories.
👉 Does your colleague already own a camera? Why not gift them a telescope 🌠? They can explore the stars with their loved ones and be amazed every day!
A Journey to Start Your New Life ✈
The person who is retiring wants to enjoy their free time to explore the world? Your gift is already decided: you can give them a few days of travel to an exciting destination. If you don’t want to handle all the planning, there are today ready-made gift boxes, like Smartbox or Wonderbox, which you can find in most major retail stores or cultural shops, or even order directly online.
👉 Are you working with a tight budget for your trip? A meal at a nice restaurant makes for a perfect gift for such occasions!
What to Grow in Your Garden 👨🌾
If your colleague has a small garden, they might want to take advantage of their retirement to care for and beautify that space. Take this opportunity to give them a gardening kit, complete with seeds, plants, tools, and supplies to help them get started on this project!
An Unforgettable Experience
Does the recipient of your gift enjoy surprises? If so, you can delight them with a truly special keepsake by giving them:
- a skydiving experience,
- a flight in an airplane or a hot air balloon,
- concert tickets to see your favorite artist,
- a voucher for a unique sports activity: canyoning, rafting, rock climbing, …
An Invitation to Relax 💺
Looking for a fun gift? If so, consider giving the retiree a present that reminds them that this is the start of a well-deserved period of relaxation:
- a hammock,
- a comfortable chair,
- a patio set…
These are also gifts that can be useful in everyday life!
Cultural Discoveries
It’s also possible to give a gift that allows the recipient to engage in activities and discover new things. For example, this could include:
- a subscription to a book box tailored to their tastes, delivered to their home once a month,
- a membership to an audio streaming service (like Deezer or Spotify for daily music listening) or a video streaming service (like Netflix, Prime Video, or OCS to watch their favorite shows),
- a creative workshop with a local artisan: floral design, pottery, cooking, sewing, and more…
How to Give a Gift for Retirement?
To wrap things up, here are a few handy tips for presenting your retirement gift and making a memorable celebration of this event with all your colleagues.
By Hosting a Farewell Party
Informal socialization times are essential to a company’s life: they allow employees to connect, get to know one another, and collaborate better moving forward, leading to a more fulfilling work environment. The retirement of an employee, especially if they have been with the company for many years, is therefore an important event to celebrate. This typically takes place at a gathering or farewell meal where a gift is presented. It can be organized by management, the company committee, or coworkers (with management’s approval).
This is a festive moment, during which a short speech may be given, as well as the sharing of good memories, perhaps through a slideshow or a short film. Once the date for the festivities is set, inform everyone so they can plan accordingly to be there.
👉 Before planning the farewell party, don’t forget to ask the departing employee if they would like to celebrate this event. For personal reasons, some people prefer to stay low-key during such occasions.
Working from Home
Working from home has become increasingly common in companies, particularly since 2020 and the Covid-19 pandemic. When a colleague retires in a remote work setting, it is essential to take some time to celebrate this milestone.
If possible, do it in person, during the farewell gathering mentioned earlier. Otherwise, it can take place during a video conference, where the person retiring can interact with the rest of the team.
I hope this article has helped you organize a colleague or employee’s retirement celebration and find a wonderful gift for the occasion. Looking for more tips to delight those around you? Check out our blog dedicated entirely to the world of floral gifts!