Gift Ideas for a Retiring Employee

Retirement is a momentous occasion and a time for celebration. There are many ways for companies to say thank you to employees winding down their careers, though nothing says farewell quite like a meaningful gift. For companies looking for impactful and scalable retirement gift solutions, Centricity can create a meaningful and affordable retirement program for your organization.  

For teammates looking to honor their peers as they enter this next chapter, we’ve put together some of our favorite products, from the unique to more timeless, as well as some tips for picking the best ones.

What Makes a Great Retirement Gift for an Employee?

Even if your company has a retirement program in place, teammates often wish to chip in on a gift to be presented at a farewell luncheon or dinner with the retiring coworker.  The best retirement gifts for employees at your organization will be, simply enough, those that the retiree will enjoy and find useful. Each person’s career path is different from the next, each full of unique stories and memorable experiences — great retirement gifts encapsulate those years of dedication and service with a personal touch.

When picking a retirement gift, consider employees’ typical interests, hobbies, likes, their particular career field, and any obvious dislikes. While one person, for example, may love traveling and anticipate a retirement full of explorations, another may look forward to a quiet retirement spent cooking their favorite recipes at home. Gifts tailored to a specific interest can carry a lot of meaning, though more universal retirement gifts also make a great choice: for example, a stylish watch or down jacket.

Keep in mind that not everyone may be set up for a retirement of leisure. For this reason, avoid gag gifts as they won’t always land well and can seem cheap. Though again, this does depend on the particular person and what they will enjoy or find amusing.

For personal retirement gifts, don’t be afraid to get creative and bundle a few gifts together. Photo albums, a collection of handwritten notes, a scrapbook of memories, and handmade items can all carry great significance and make for poignant keepsakes capping off someone’s career. These types of handmade retirement gifts for employees are a little unconventional, but can also be worth exploring. Again, there’s no right or wrong! Consider the particular person and situation, knowing that you can always consult with other team members if you’re unsure of what to get.

How Much Should You Spend on a Retirement Gift For an Employee?

There’s no set minimum or maximum price tag to follow for employee retirement gifts. That said, retirement is often a big deal and corresponding gifts tend to be nicer and more expensive, as compared to holiday favors for company parties or going away gifts for coworkers leaving to pursue other career opportunities.

There are plenty of budget-friendly gifts available out there, as well as those that have price tags that may as well be studded in diamonds. Note that gifts that are too inexpensive or too lavish could put coworkers (along with the retiree) in an awkward position.

Here are some factors to consider when managing cost expectations of retirement gifts and trying to pick the best one:

• Your Organization Standards – Purchasing retirement gifts for employees on behalf of your company will involve some level of checks and balances. If you’re not already involved with the management team, be sure to check in with HR and other leadership team members about company budget policies and best practices.
• Longevity – How long was the retiring employee at your company? A great retirement gift should be sincere no matter what, though this is especially true if the retiree has worked at your company for many years, decades, or even the majority of their professional career. Consider their role in the evolution of your organization as well.
• Type of Business – In some instances, your particular industry and type of workplace will dictate the acceptable price range for retirement gifts. This will usually be determined more on a case-by-case basis, though it’s worth noting the budget difference between wealthy Fortune 500 companies and smaller, local endeavors.

The 13 Best Retirement Gift Ideas For Employees

Looking for some inspiration? We’ve put together a list of 13 different employee retirement gift ideas that you can choose from, many of which are customizable at scale through our Centricity Signature shop.

In keeping with the guidelines and best practices mentioned above, these gift ideas range from the more specific (like a Titleist golf bag) to the more universal.

1. Niagara Canyon Duffel

For the traveler, this gift is perfect for a sendoff in style as employees embark upon their retirement journey and explore the world. This duffel is made from full-grain buffalo hide and features a laptop sleeve, adjustable strap, floor-to-floor zipper, and a matching luggage tag. Its medium size makes it a reliable traveling companion for both longer trips and weekend getaways.

2. Women’s Whistler Down Jacket

Looking for some retirement gift ideas for female employees in your office? This lightweight and versatile down jacket is perfect for keeping warm in the winter, whether that’s on a hike in the woods or out on the town with friends. It has a minimalistic, athletic design and comes in a number of bright and more neutral colors such as royal blue, orange, and black.

3. Men’s Traillake Roots73 Insulated Vest

Sophisticated and comfortable, this insulated vest fits right into your retiree’s wardrobe throughout the fall, winter, and spring. It comes in a grey smoke or olive green color and is warm, waterproof, and features a plaid lining with engraved metal snaps on the exterior. Custom embroidery is also available through our Centricity Signature shop.

4. Moleskine Smart Writing Set Ellipse Ruled Paper

Sleek and innovative, Moleskine’s Smart Writing Set lets you write and take notes on paper while each word seamlessly transfers to a tablet or compatible device. This retirement gift is perfect for retirees with a knack for tech and also doing things by hand.

Each package comes with a paper tablet, one Smartpen, a USB charging cable, and an ink refill. The transfer and capture feature is possible through Moleskine’s app, available on iOS and Android devices, where you can organize and edit files once digitized.

5. Citizen Women’s Eco-Drive Gold-Tone Watch

This eco-friendly bamboo cutting board offers a unique way to say goodbye to employees leaving, especially to those kitchen-savvy coworkers who love to prepare meals and try new recipes. It comes with a steel handle for easy storage and carrying, and like the other gift ideas on this list can be customized to accommodate your company’s distinct branding.

6. Alliance Collection Silver Dial with Black Leather Strap

Sophisticated and minimalistic, this Alliance by Victorinox men’s watch is one of our favorite retirement gift ideas for male employees looking to depart in style. Versatile enough for casual wear and adorning fancier occasions, it’s made with Swiss stainless steel, luminescent hands, and a scratch-resistant crystal.

7. NOOK 10” HD Tablet Designed with Lenovo

Retirement brings numerous possibilities for how to spend time, including a chance to learn new things and read wonderful books. Whether traveling or staying in at home, this versatile Nook tablet is suited not only for reading e-books and other publications but also for streaming, emailing, browsing the web, and using different apps all available in the GooglePlay store. Each Nook tablet, designed with Lenovo, features a 10.1 inch IPS HD display in full color, an 11-hour battery life, and a sleek yet durable design.

8. Women’s Gravenhurst Roots73 Jacket

Warm and fashionable, this insulated women’s jacket is great for the late fall and early spring. It’s waterproof and durable against the elements, with classic styling touches such as a mitten-friendly zipper pull, plaid lining, and elastic hem drawcord. Available in charcoal grey and olive green.

9. The North Face ThermoBall Trekker Jacket

For something a little sportier, this men’s lightweight jacket from North Face is insulated, sleek, and highly compressible for easy storage when traveling. The PrimaLoft synthetic insulation helps reduce heat loss in the cold, making this a solid gift option for retirees who enjoy their time outdoors, whether that’s exploring or just hanging around the campfire at home.

10. Titleist Hybrid 14 Stand Bag

Hit the links with this hybrid golf bag from Titleist, a crossover between a cart and stand bag that’s designed with comfort and style in mind. It comes in a variety of classic and bright colors and features expandable pockets convenient for long afternoons on the golf course.

11. Basecamp Ice Block 20L Cooler

Take it fishing, on a family outing, on the golf course, or even use it at home during a gathering to keep your food and drinks ice cold. Basecamp’s 20L rugged cooler is constructed with twice the insulation compared to traditional coolers, with a watertight design and convenient drain port at the bottom.

12. Bose SoundLink Bluetooth Speaker II

This portable Bose speaker delivers high-quality audio in a compact size, perfect for the patio and durable enough for outdoor adventures. It has a built-in microphone for answering Bluetooth calls, is water-resistant, and comes in a number of fun colors.

13. Away | The Carry-On

Rounding out our list of employee retirement gift ideas is a sleek, durable carry-on suitcase. It’s built to last a lifetime, with a hard shell construction and locking, main compartment for added privacy and protection. It also includes a TSA-compliant charging port for keeping your phone and other devices charged on the go.

Final Thoughts on Retirement Recognition

Retirement is a time to celebrate and affirm an employee’s years of dedication to their field and your company. In addition to providing thoughtful retirement gifts, successful companies often have employee appreciation days as part of a broader effort to express gratitude in the workplace.

At Centricity, we’re dedicated to helping businesses elevate their workplace experiences through employee engagement programs that foster peak performance and creativity. Get in touch with us today to learn more about custom brand solutions with Centricity@Work.

Do you need retirement gift programs for your employees? Send us the details, and we’ll send you some more great ideas! Let’s Connect!