In the U.S., more than 10,000 people reach the retirement age of 65 every day. Though not all of them retire at that age (in fact, many people work through retirement and make as much as $200 per 20 hour week), either out of necessity or personal choice, a significant number do. Considering the fact that these retirees have dedicated the majority of their lives to a single career, company, or vocation, they deserve to be celebrated! Let’s take a look at a few ways you can throw a party that will honor their past and rejoice in their future.
Finances And Friends
One of the first things you should when organizing a party of any kind is determine your budget. Consider everything you’ll need; the cost of food and drinks, decorations, tent rentals, and entertainment can easily add up if you don’t set a limit at the very beginning. Maybe you want a destination celebration. But flying out to the Caicos might not fit in your budget. If you need a caterer, take the time to compare prices; if money is tight, a potluck option might make more sense.
Your budget also affects the guest list. While it will be easy to figure out how many people you can invite based on how many mouths you’ll have to feed and chairs you’ll have to offer, choosing the actual individuals is not a decision you should make alone. Get the retiree involved to find out which people they have the closest relationships with, whether they’re family members, friends, or coworkers. The last thing you want to do is accidentally invite Linda, your retiree’s worst enemy.
Pick A Theme
Now comes the fun part: choosing the theme! How formal or informal your party depends on your guests and the interests of the retiree, but you’ll still have several options to choose from.
- Career Type: The retiree has most likely spent several decades in the same career field, so ending their reign with their career as the theme of their retirement only makes sense. For example, teachers might have chalkboard decor and apple-inspired centerpieces; don’t be afraid to get creative with your ideas. Was your guest of honor one of the 356,000 people employed in a medical position? Consider themed treats or props related to their specific medical field!
- Go by Hobby: As the party celebrates the life of the person retiring, you may as well honor what they like, their hobbies and passions outside work. Are they into the arts, history, comic books, and movies? Combine these elements for a fantasy party. You can get fancy costumes for medieval or the Renaissance era here, as well as decorative pieces that suit the times.
- Hire Year: Time has passed and the world has changed since your retiree first got hired. Focusing on the year they got that coveted job adds a hilarious element to the party; the nostalgia can be triggered through a timeline of photos, decorations based on the era, and even by encouraging guests to dress up.
- Vacation: For those individuals that are beyond happy to leave their jobs behind, a straightforward vacation theme is more than suitable. Bring in beachy elements, fruity cocktails, and a good number of leis to get the retiree into a rested and relaxed mood.
It’s important to remember that the average age of retirement is 63, so pounding music and flashing lights might best be left for another time — unless the Retiree Of The Hour is a major fan of raves!
Find The Perfect Gift
Of course, the trick to this tip is to understand the likes and interests of the retiree — and plan ahead! Approximately 25% of the U.S. population wat until the last minute to purchase gifts; even if you have the best idea in the world, you might not have enough time to find or execute it. Don’t take the risk! If you know your retiree loves art, consider getting them a piece for their collection. Brainstorm gift ideas several weeks in advance and you’ll be able to avoid the stress and panic of those looming last few days.
Whether your retiree spent their lives as a police officer, teacher, or was one of the 142,000 workers employed by the steel manufacturing industry, their retirement day should be a special one. By following the above tips, you can guarantee that it is.