10 Ways To Plan The Perfect Retirement Party

When someone in your work-place decides to retire after dedicating years of their lives to the business, it is only fitting that the person is celebrated for all they did to help the company grow and for the impact they had on people in the workplace on a personal level. Before you let the retiree go out and start to enjoy their new found freedom and life of excitement away from the 9-5 work schedule, you want to celebrate them and send them out with a bang. Below are ten ways you can throw someone in your office an amazing, unforgettable retirement party complete with gift ideas that will give them fond feelings for a lifetime.

1.) Pick a theme specific to them

Instead of throwing a generic party with a few balloons and some streamers and a pretty, but generic cake, take the celebration to the next level by picking out a theme that shows their likes and personalities. For instance, if you know that the retiree is going to be spending a lot of time on a boat on the ocean, plan a nautical themed party! If they are planning on using their time to learn a new trade like cooking or baking, throw a tasting party where guests guess who made what dish. There are endless ideas on how to make the party theme specific to the retiree and make them feel like the party is truly centered around them.

2.) Don’t go cheap on the cake

The cake is the best part of any party and what most people come for anyways. Don’t skimp out on the cake! Instead, get a cake that represents the theme well and is a mouth-watering flavor. It is best to find out what the retiree’s favorite cake flavor is so that it can be tailored to what they love while still being delicious for all party goers.

3.) Don’t get them just a nice picture frame

Someone who is retiring from a company has more than likely put in a lot of years working there, and they deserve a gift that speaks to how much you appreciate and value them—a picture frame just doesn’t cut it. Do some digging and find out something they have always wanted: maybe a vacation somewhere they have always wanted to go, engraved plaques with their name and a list of accomplishments, a memory book of pictures from over the years, etc. Get them a gift that they will truly treasure and look at forever and not stuff into a drawer somewhere.

4.) Give out fun party favors

You want to make sure you thank the guests for coming out to celebrate the retiree and having cool party favors that are in-line with the party theme is one way to do that. For example, if you decide to go with the nautical theme, you can do party favors like bottle openers, koozies, ocean candles, etc. It’s a nice gesture for people to spend their day at a party for someone. A party favor is a unique, fun way of saying thanks for coming.

5.) Pick music that gets people moving

There is nothing worse than a party that drags and has people looking at their watches. One way to keep the party upbeat is by creating a music playlist that keeps the spirit lively. There are plenty of groovy songs out there that talk about living life your own way, having freedom, and finding happiness, all of which would be perfect for a retirement party!

6.) Rent or make a photo booth

No matter what type of party you are at, a 360 photo booth Bay Area adds a real element of fun and gets attendees loosened up for the party. Once you have a theme for your party, you can rent a photo booth with props that tie into the theme, or make a fun one yourself! Either way, it is a great ice breaker and the pictures would be a fantastic memory for the retiree to hold onto to remember everyone from the office. A photo booth is not only a great addition to your retirement party, but it also gives you an idea of what you can do after your retirement. Starting a photo booth business is a wonderful idea that you can pursue.

7.) Get people to make speeches

Have people who are close to the retiree make speeches that honor what type of person they are and all of the contributions they made to the company both personally and professionally.

8.) Give the retiree a commemorative gift

You can celebrate the retiree and all they have meant to the company and the people there by giving them a commemorative gift they can look back on for years to come. Gifts like autograph books, video interview compilations, slideshows, and toasts are a great way to do this.

9.) Invite friends and family outside of the office

The retiree did not spend their entire life at the office. Adding people from the retiree’s personal life is a great way to have everyone they care about all in one place and is an awesome way for people to hear stories about the retiree and learn more about who they are.

10.) Make saying goodbye easier

You get attached to people after working with them year after year, and it can be hard to retire knowing you won’t see them each day anymore. A way to make this a little easier on everyone is by helping people stay in touch. Make sure everyone has the retiree’s contact info and make sure everyone friends the retiree on social media so they can keep up with each other’s lives and stay in touch!