MAIN Home Life Party Ideas Retirement Party

Retirements are a mixture of sweetness and sorrow.

People who have worked together for a while become acquaintances and then friends.

Leaving a familiar place and starting a new life is wonderful... but challenging.

The gifts and themes for the party depend on what's ahead, and who's hosting. If it's a bunch of friends who have been with the retiree for years, a retirement roast (with all the requisite gag gifts and retirement jokes) might be just the thing. If it's a formal affair, a luncheon or fancy dinner party may be more fitting.

Get everyone on board with decorations and party food that center around the retiree's favorite hobbies or future destinations. For some of the best ideas, contact family members if possible, and invite them to party along (don't forget the grandkids!) to make it even more special.

Depending on their interests, make it a golf party, an Hawaiian luau, or how about making it a 60's party theme blast from the past? Besides a retirement roast, consider a humorous PowerPoint presentation including photos, or ask colleagues to email fitting tributes to the guest of honor and print them out for display at the party,

No matter what the venue, speechifying is next on the list of memorable retirement party activities, along with a playlist of songs suitable to the occasion.

Make the party last with photos and video posted to your favorite social media site.

Retirement song ideas:

If you're the one doing all the party planning, why not fire up the DVD player with a suitable music playlist to play in the background:

Retirement quotes

And, try these memorable quotes to add to a greeting card, party banner, or a funny or touching retirement speech:

• "The trouble with retirement is that you never get a day off.".

• "Retirement: World's longest coffee break."

• "Life begins at retirement."

• " You're retired — goodbye tension, hello pension!"

• "Life begins at retirement." 

Final farewells

When all is said and done, the big finale can be just as memorable as the party itself! If the budget allows, how about an outdoor fireworks display for an extra memorable sendoff?

Party favors or gift bags can include company pens, cups, or other regalia. Also be sure that guests receive the retiree's email address, social media contacts, or the url address of their personal blog or website so everyone can keep in touch after the final farewells.

also see -->  Office party ideas   Retirement gift ideas

More about retirement party ideas around the Web:

17 Retirement Party Ideas to Honor Someone Special - Check out fun activities plus tips for a slide show, and complete party theme ideas.

5 Successful Retirement Party Ideas - Get expert tips on how to make it fun and memorable.