Truly effective employee onboarding takes a year. While there are specific parts to onboarding that happen in the first week and months, having a year of onboarding is important for greater employee retention. Especially in today’s great resignation, making sure employees feel connected to your business and have opportunities for advancement is key to keeping them on your team.
Getting to know your team, from both new and existing employee standpoints, is an important aspect of onboarding. This article will discuss why you need smooth onboarding, how to facilitate team building and effective ways to do both.
Even though a Kronos study concluded that onboarding programs that last longer result in better companies and better employees, 22% don’t even have an onboarding program – which means there’s no better time to prioritize this for your business!
First Things First: “Get To Know Your Team” – Employee Profile Book!
Did you know that many new hires will begin looking for another job in their first 45 days to 6 months? That’s why onboarding well, and for an entire year, is important.
A major part of effective onboarding is getting to know the team. This includes much more than simple introductions, because only doing introductions leaves so much to chance. People may forget names quickly, and fast intros don’t help people know who they can rely on, who to ask questions to or who they’ll work with the best. It also doesn’t help to foster a community of teamwork.
Here are some reasons why teamwork is important for teams (whether they’re in-house, remote or hybrid):
Fosters collaboration – it spreads positive and motivational energy when people work together to achieve common goals;
Creates employee relationships so your team can grow together, not to mention having people they look forward to working with.
So, how do you help new hires get to know their new team? The first part of your strategy is introductions. While intros are important, people can still forget names and info due to the overwhelming amount of information they’ll be getting starting the new job. They also don’t get all the information they need about their teammates in the short time you’ll have to introduce them.
Here are two main ways you can help people get to know their co-workers:
1. Introduction “get-to-know-you” books from Newlywords. These give team members a reference to who people are at any given time, and helps them get to know the team better, as it can include more information and photos;
2. Team building activities, which foster actual bonds between co-workers.
You Should Facilitate Team Building Straight Away!
Any company knows that its most valuable resource is its employees. Finding, and then retaining, talented and motivated people can make or break a company’s successes and failures.
How does a company conduct effective team building today, when many workers are remote, people are resigning all over the place, and 31% of employees aren’t into “team-building activities”?
The key is to look at your intention before you plan your strategy and possible activities. If you’re going to foster a positive and collaborative work environment, the leadership has to be first, and it has to be part of your company culture. Many people want more flexibility and purpose in their jobs, so if you want to keep these intelligent, self-assured workers, you need to think about how to shift the way things are done and be open-minded to change.
Here are a few ways to begin generating company culture change so you can effectively implement team-building practices for new hires:
Get clear on what kind of environment you want to promote and make sure you’re modeling and facilitating it yourself – in other words, be the example your employees can follow.
Survey your current employees. Ask them about their experience, how they view the collaborative spirit, and how you’re doing at leading. Ask how their onboarding experience was and how it can be improved.
Also ask employees what they want from you in terms of today’s shift in employee expectations. Get honest feedback, then make changes to what you’re offering new hires. With this, you’ll want to make sure you have systems in place to ensure you reach your goals.
Team Building Practices for New Recruits
What are the best team building practices that HR managers should follow? Here’s a list of best practices and ideas:
Make the activities convenient and enjoyable for employees.
Make team-building events as easy for employees to join and enjoy as possible. When planning team-building, you’ll want to:
Make it during work hours so everyone can attend;
Make it collaborative so people work together;
Make sure every team member can participate: it must be accessible to everyone. This means considering remote workers, as well as, for instance, not making it about sports unless your team is entirely sports-oriented and fit;
If you’re going to do something together and out-of-office, make sure you cover costs and transportation for employees;
Make sure to clearly communicate the goals and purpose of what you’re doing with all employees;
Ask employees for their opinions and feedback before and after the event.
Use the opportunity to create an improved day-to-day work environment.
This isn’t meant to be a one-time thing to half-heartedly make a show of change, but then not to actually change. Don’t do something you can’t deliver on in the longer-term. Make this about implementation of permanent work environment changes.
This doesn’t need to be complicated. Make sure you have a clear focus – like on teamwork and relationship-building – and make sure you:
Do activities that generate teamwork with a common goal;
Reward teams, as opposed to individuals to drive home the idea;
Make sure employees feel like members of a team rather than slaves or people working for a taskmaster – give them some skin in the game, and/or change the way you do things in meetings, for instance;
Make sure people are communicating any issues, places for improvement, etc. so you know how to improve.
Do some activities.
These shouldn’t be too cliche, and should involve everyone, regardless of external factors. Some ideas are:
A scavenger hunt. Let employees work together to find things in the office, or online if it involves remote workers;
Work to foster inter-departmental relationships and collaboration by letting people work together who don’t always get to;
Schedule a team-building activity once every few months at least so people can look forward to it;
Show employee appreciation by giving gifts, like products or experiences, that add value to the people who help your company run.
Bottom Line
Every organization needs proper onboarding for the company to run smoothly, but many aren’t doing any onboarding at all! Because onboarding includes getting to know the team, you’ll also need to implement team building strategies that foster a work environment people want to be in; this helps dramatically increase employee retention, which is needed now more than ever, it seems. A great first step to improving employee onboarding and helping people get to know their team members is giving them a book to help them get to know everyone, that has photos, team memories and company information to help them feel welcome – because your employees are your ticket to a successful business!
Creating a tribute memory book is a wonderful way to honor a loved one who has passed on because memories and stories are a therapeutic way to look back on good times and let that person stay close in our hearts.
In a memory book, you can include photos with stories, quotes, memorabilia and more that make that person special. You can also let people contribute their own content and send copies for a collaborative memorial everyone can share.
Here’s how to make a tribute memory book.
1. Collect Pictures, Memories, Messages
Start by collecting material for the book. You’ll want photos, stories, messages and memorabilia from the people who knew and loved the person who passed. Here’s what you’ll need:
Consider Who’ll Contribute
Start by making a list of family, friends, coworkers, and anyone else that may want to contribute to the book so you don’t miss anyone, and so no one feels left out.
Make sure you include people from every facet of your loved one’s life. For instance, if they went to a religious organization, or if they were involved in a professional organization, they probably have friends in those places. If they frequented a diner with friends, ask the friends and the people who work in the diner. Think about everything they did, the people they might have impacted and give those people an outlet to share memories – it will help them, and it will be beneficial to you as you grieve to hear these stories about your loved one.
Email or otherwise contact the people on the list and ask them for the following things for the book, or anything they’d like to contribute. You can have them send emails with information, they can mail things or you can meet with them in person or video chat. They can also put files on a flash drive or on the cloud to share digitally.
Collect Photos That Matter
When you contact the people on your list, tell them to send any and all photos they can. Also find photos to which you have access.
Then, choose the photos that show stories, bring back good memories or tell the life story of the deceased. Photos of their experiences, family and friends, vacations, milestones, and more are great options to include, since you won’t be able to include every photo.
If you have photos that are well-worn or need improvements, you can edit them in a program like Photoshop to fix lighting, sharpness and coloring, or use a service like MyHeritage to fix or add color to old photos.
Share & Record Memories
Next, write and record memories of your loved one. Write your own stories and get people to share stories with you. This can be through writing (email or letters), or digital recordings (you can transcribe the audio). Recording stories is a great way to get them from older family members who may not be as tech-savvy, but anyone can record stories to get their entire point of view in the narrative if they’d rather not write.
Include Messages from Family & Friends
Besides memories in the form of stories, family and friends can add messages for the deceased, or for the family if the book is a gift. This gives people a chance to say what they would want the loved one that has passed on to know, and it can be therapeutic, plus it can help readers of the memory book in their own grieving process.
Think of Their Favorite Things
Did your loved one have a talent, career or hobby that they loved? Share it in the book! Whether they were an artist, gardener, dancer or something else, include photos and/or examples of their work. If your grandpa was a joker, write out some of his jokes and include them (possibly with images), or even artwork someone else created of your loved one, like a caricature or portrait.
If the person you’re commemorating had favorite artists, musicians, places they loved or movies, you can also include those in the book to remember their favorite things and memories associated with those things. If they were a part of a fundraising committee for charity, owned a business or something else, include memorabilia from those as well.
2. Visualize The Book & Organize Accordingly
After collecting all the materials, the next step is to look at what you’ve collected and decide how and in what sequence to organize the book. This could be a timeline or have varying sections with the different aspects of life you want to remember.
Figure Out The Structure & Sequence of Things
The first step is figuring out the structure and sequence of the materials. You can organize the book as a timeline, by specific events like milestones, or with groups like family, friends, church group, book club, travel, and things of that nature.
Next, make sure you have all the information you need for each section. Get dates, locations, and names of people for all photos. Gather stories and information on each section to include in the book.
Design Page Layouts
If you’re designing the book digitally, choose a program for page layouts, like Adobe InDesign, and either use templates or design your own layouts. Consider:
Themes to fit the subject matter of the page and/or sections;
Page margin size;
Page composition – how many photos on each page, what size should they be and where will they be placed?
Text for each page – how much, where it goes and fonts/sizes;
Background colors, patterns or images;
Borders for photos, including shapes;
Additional design elements, like if you’re going to include photos of things like handwritten recipes or type them out.
Format Correctly
Make sure you’re formatting text and photos correctly, meaning that file type and size is correct, and that everything is in the right place. Make sure the book itself is formatted in the right file type for printing (usually pdf).
3. Printing The Book
The next step is printing the book. You have some options:
There are services that will print out everything and bind it in a book format for you, like at Staples;
Some services let you design the book on the same platform where it gets printed;
A service like Newlywords lets you make the whole process collaborative, so you can avoid handling all the files and inputting all the information yourself – people put in their own photos, text and memories, and you can edit and print all on the same website.
The process of printing a memory tribute book can get complicated, and the outcome might not come out great if you’re trying to execute this step alone. It can be a great weight off your shoulders to choose a professional platform that takes the work off of you for your own peace of mind to know it’s high quality, error-free and of lasting quality.
4. Creating a Scrapbook (If You Want to Do it Yourself)
If you want to make a scrapbook yourself, you’ll need to follow the above steps. Then, you’ll need to organize everything how you want it on each page, print out the pages and combine them into a book.
You can make your scrapbook as DIY as you want, from designing it all online and getting it printed, or placing pages in a book or binder with scrapbook pages you can buy from a craft store that you glue photos and memorabilia onto yourself.
You may also want to consider how many copies you’ll need. If you only want one book, you can use any of the above methods, but if you want copies to give to family and friends, it may be a better option to print the book since it’s more easily reproducible and won’t take as much time to finish and send out to people.
Alternatively, Take Professional Help
Everything we’ve talked about so far is a normal part of the process of making a memory book to pay tribute to a loved one. However, getting professional help can be easier than having to gather everyone’s photos and stories, organize and format them yourself, print them out and create the book, all of which can be incredibly time-consuming, uncertain and possibly frustrating.
Today, services exist that make it easy to make a memory book where people have direct access to the book to add their own information. Plus, it doesn’t take the final control from you – you can still edit, add and refine as much as you need to before printing the final product. When the book is printed, it’s done in a professional, hard-cover format that can be prominently displayed on coffee tables or wherever to be admired for years to come.
This is why Newlywords decided to make memory books easier for people – they automate the entire process so it’s easy to create tribute memory books without the fuss. You just send out the book access to people on your list, they add their memories, and you check it over to edit as needed and order your copies.
Bottom Line
Losing a loved one is never easy, but remembering them can bring you joy in times of grief. Tribute memory books are an amazing way to bring a smile to your face when you’re missing someone, and a great way to combine memories from everyone who knew the person. Helping everyone share memories, and knowing all these people have a copy of the stories, photos and memorabilia important to that special person, makes something sad become a way people can connect and share. Memory books let that person live on through their family, friends and stories. If you’re looking to make a collaborative tribute memory book, be sure to check out Newlywords and see if it’s a good fit for you!
Looking to find a kudoboard alternative? We have you covered with this list of companies that offer a variety of ways to send digital (and physical, if you want) messages, collaboratively.
These options have similarities, but each offers unique qualities the others may not – like incorporating video and/or audio, letting people use their own handwriting, and even making a book that the recipient can cherish forever!
Read on to discover what’s out there for collaborative well-wishes, and then choose which one best fits your purposes.
What is Kudoboard Used For?
Kudoboard is used to digitally replace group greeting cards that are used for special occasions. You know, the kind that everyone in the office, family or other group passes around and signs.
Kudoboard takes the group greeting card to a whole new level by allowing people to post pictures and videos along with their messages, similar to social media. The board can be scheduled for a delivery time and downloaded as a printable pdf.
Are You Looking for Alternatives to Kudoboard?
While Kudoboard offers many excellent features, there are alternatives that are worth comparing before you make a decision to see which is best for your purposes.
We’ll get right to the point: the number one Kudoboard alternative, in our opinion, is Newlywords, which allows you to make a group memory book and gives more options than Kudoboard. Read on for more details about Newlywords plus other top alternatives to compare so you can decide for yourself. Let’s get to it!
Top 8 Kudoboard Alternatives
Newlywords
Newlywords is a collaborative memory book company that does more than a greeting card; it lets you create a truly meaningful gift that someone can treasure for years to come.
Both Newlywords and Kudoboards allow for collaboration in gifts that include a message and memories. The main difference between the two is that Newlywords focuses on physical memory books, whereas Kudoboard is focused on digital greeting cards.
Newlywords was made with the intention that people will have a tangible book to look at whenever they want, so there are more possibilities for design, layout and more.
The 6 main benefits of Newlywords over Kudoboards:
1) Privacy of messages: Only the recipient sees all the messages in Newlywords. In Kudoboard, everyone in the group sees the messages.
2) Newlywords is focused on hardcover book keepsakes while kudoboard is focused on a digital experience.
3) More options for book sizes: While Kudoboard offers either a poster or 7×7 book, Newlywords offers 8×8 or 12×12 books.
4) Newlywords has a high variety of templates for different types of content, specific to various special events like birthdays, retirements, anniversaries and more. Kudoboard has backgrounds for templates.
5) No-stress pricing: Instead of picking a pricing category first, Newlywords lets you make your book without using your credit card until the end when you see who all has contributed, and then you can see how much it costs and tweak as needed. Kudoboards allows a free miniboard that can be upgraded.
6) With Newlywords, you’re in control of your book’s layout. You can make collages, combine messages that are shorter into the same page, edit and reorder contributions and pages, and download a pdf immediately while you wait for your book to arrive. You can reorder and organize with Kudoboards, but there’s less design control overall.
Group Greeting
Group Greeting is similar to Kudoboard in that it replaces a physical card with digital for passing around the group. It’s unique because it’s like a traditional card with writing – it lets you choose fonts and place messages on the card like a real card, but with multiple pages for messages, photos and stickers.
Group Greeting is a great card replacement for remote workers and far-away friends, as it’s focused on being digital – the company plants trees as they work to save paper, though you do get a pdf download you can print.
Payment is required for either individual cards or plans, which is like Kudoboard. Plans are based on how many cards you want in an annual subscription (cards do not roll over and you’ll have to buy a new plan each year), and you always get unlimited pages for every card.
Group Together
Group Together is a collaborative digital greeting card company similar to Kudoboard, but with a twist: You can have people give money towards a physical gift or gift card of your choosing, and there’s an option to send some of the money to a charity of your choice.
Group Together is an Australian company, so some of the options are available specifically for people living in Australia, like experiences in the country. There also may be more shipping fees for some of the gifts if you live outside the country.
It’s free to make the card and collect money. The only fee is incurred for withdrawing the funds instead of using them directly for a gift. The card is more simple, with a photo on the front and messages people add (everyone doesn’t get to add their own photo), and you can print out the card yourself if you’d like.
Group Greets
Group Greets lets you create digital eCards that are slideshows, photo montages and videos. They use AI for editing so you don’t have to edit yourself. They have 9 templates you can choose from.
You can have unlimited contributors and length so people can add photos, videos and messages. Group Greets has a fee, and you can select your occasion, type of card, and background. There are additional customizations you can add for more fees.
Ella Card
Ella Card is similar to Kudoboard in that it lets you send both collaborative eCards and videos. Everyone can add text, photos, gifs and video. Choose your desired card from available designs or design your own card, send the link out and people add messages.
Unlike Kudoboard, but similar to Group Together, Ella Card lets you send group gift cards from a variety of merchants. You can also buy these in groups for employee rewards. Like Group Greets, the videos don’t require editing, but editing tools are available, like cropping and length adjustments.
Pricing is determined by the number of recipients – the first 25 are free. Companies and organizations can get discounts.
Wishyoo
Wishyoo is similar to Kudoboard, but is unique in that it lets people sign the cards in their own handwriting, or they can type their message. People can add voices, photos and gifs. There’s also an option for an infinity poster if you have more people than can fit into the card.
You can add gifts and donations to the cards. For individuals cards are priced per card, and you get 50% off after your 5th card. For companies, you can purchase cards individually, pay less per card if you get a 50 card bundle, or purchase a monthly plan.
Like Kudoboard, you can choose to digitally send this card or download a pdf and print it yourself.
Recocards
Recocards is mostly free, and you can create collaborative memory cards for any occasion, much like Kudoboard. People can add photos and gifs to the fully customizable cards, and you can add a gift.
You can send the cards digitally and download printable pdfs. They don’t yet have video or audio messages, but those features are coming soon.
You get unlimited free cards with Recocards, and there’s a premium membership with a low fee for premium images, high quality pdfs, and more.
Send Wish Online
Send Wish Online is aimed specifically at office group greeting cards, and is similar to Kudoboard in that everyone can add their own photo, gif or video, and the card can be played as a slideshow with music you choose.
You can add logos, upload an excel file and automatically schedule cards to be sent. There’s a portal so you can manage eCards in bulk if you want to have these going all year for everyone’s birthday, for instance.
Send Wish offers free digital invitation cards for events you can design yourself. These cards are primarily digital like Kudoboard, but you can still download pdfs and print yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions on Kudoboard Alternatives
Is There a Free Version of Kudoboard?
Yes, Kudoboard has a free option, which is their miniboards, which include up to 10 posts and can be upgraded if needed.
Do Kudoboards Last Forever?
Yes, but you have to unlock the image for downloading for your Kudoboard to last forever. You can also continue to edit the Kudoboard forever and print the most recent design at no cost added.
How Do You Make a Kudoboard?
First, you go to the website and click “Create a Kudoboard”, where you’ll add the recipient’s name and title, and then your email address. You can add additional recipients if needed, and choose what kind of board you want (mini, premium, milestone etc). If you choose a paid board, you’ll enter your payment details in the next step.
Next, choose a background and add it to your board. Then, choose “add a Kudo” to add your own message, photo, video and/or gif. Then, you can schedule the board for delivery.
Next, invite collaborators by adding their emails or sending the link to potential contributors, adding on Facebook and more.
Conclusion
We hope this article helps you compare the various collaborative greeting companies out there that are similar to Kudoboards, if you’re looking for an alternative. Of course, we’re biased and think Newlywords is amazing, but we also think you should find the company that best fits your needs, so you can let your people know you care about them on every special occasion!
Moms who do the most, deserve the most. If your mom, or a mom you know is having a birthday, it’s an excellent time to find a thoughtful gift that shows how much you care about her! Mom’s birthday is a time when she gets to be showered with attention, so make the most of it. Read on for a list of 75 ideas of birthday gifts for mom and find the one that best fits the mom you’ll be celebrating.
Make Your Mother’s Birthday Special
There are many ways to make mom’s birthday special along with gifts to go the extra mile, which she’s sure to love! Making the entire day special can include:
Cooking her favorite breakfast. She’ll love getting spoiled with her favorite meal first thing in the morning!
Take her to places she loves. Whether this means going to her favorite restaurant, nature spot, or shopping, help her spend the day in a way she’ll enjoy.
Give the gift of self-care. This can be a spa treatment, a haircut, acupuncture or a beach day. She deserves a day of rest and relaxation!
The birthday celebration: Small or large, surprise or planned… you know her best! Make sure to include cake and candles, her favorite drink and food and gifts to make it a proper birthday.
Best Birthday Wishes for Mother
“I remember my mother’s prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life.”
– Abraham Lincoln
Along with the gift for mom’s birthday comes the card, which is another challenge in and of itself. Here are some ideas of birthday wishes to get you started:
General wishes:
Use your favorite nickname for your mom.
Think about creative and flattering descriptions of your mom’s personality, and use those. Examples: loving, funny, classy.
Write what you wish for your mom for the coming year – good health, happiness, or that trip she’s dreaming of.
Funny wishes:
Use inside jokes you and mom share.
“Thanks for not telling the others I’m your favorite child!” or “Happy birthday from your favorite child (I know I don’t need to sign because you know who I am)!”
“Stop aging so gracefully! I can’t measure up to these standards.”
Joke about being the perfect child.
Loving wishes:
Write about special memories – “I love that time we…” “I’ll always treasure the memory of…”
“Thank you for being…” (the best ____, there for me always, etc.)
“You taught me to…”
“Cheers to…”
Write your hopes and wishes for mom.
75 Outstanding Birthday Gift Ideas for Mom
A Photo Collage of Friends and Family
A collage from Zazzle is something she can treasure and hang on the wall, so it won’t just sit around. She’s sure to appreciate a high-quality collage of photos of people she loves.
An Indoor Plant
Does your mom love indoor plants? How much does she know about caring for plants? You can buy indoor plants for every skill level, so whether or not you know if your mom has a plant she wants, you can browse this list of suggestions and find one she’s sure to love.
A Personalized Memory Book for Mother
Get all the family – or siblings, friends, or work colleagues – together to collaborate on a memory book. Mom will get something she can look at over and over for years to come, whenever she wants a boost. The good news is, you don’t have to be in charge of much beyond letting people know and checking over the book, because everyone gets to contribute their messages and photos directly.
A Versatile Dutch oven
For the mom who loves to cook, or the mom who doesn’t love it and needs anything to make it easier, a cast-iron dutch oven in her favorite color is a perfect idea. She can marinate, refrigerate, cook and serve all in this dish that also keeps the heat of the food.
Coffee Subscription Box
For the mom who loves her morning joe, make sure she never runs out – and that she gets high-quality beans – with a coffee subscription box from Trade. They’ll create matches based on what she loves and you can customize delivery frequency and size. Once mom gets this in her life, she’ll never be bored with her coffee!
A Timeless Engraved Pocket Watch
Since your mom needs to tell the time anyway, why not help her check it in style? Nothing says class like a quality engraved pocket watch that can become an heirloom! Your mom will love that you’re giving her something that can be passed through the family.
A Cozy Weighted Blanket To Snuggle In
Give your mom the gift of a good nights’ sleep with a weighted blanket. This number one bestseller can be used with or without a duvet, so it can fit with any bedding, plus you can choose from a variety of styles, colors and sizes.
An Electric Kettle for Mom’s Tea
Give your mom a new, or upgraded, electric kettle that lets you set your exact temperature. It also has a keep warm option, built-in mineral build-up prevention and a memory function, so mom’s tea never has to be the wrong temperature again.
A Reversible Yoga Mat for Mom
If your mom does any exercise at home, a fun reversible yoga mat is the perfect gift because it will let her get more use than a one-sided mat, plus you can choose colors and designs she’ll love. This Gaiam reversible yoga mat is an excellent choice that comes with a lifetime guarantee.
A Pendant To Hold Dear To Her Heart
If your mom loves jewelry and family, get her an initial pendant like these from GLDN. You can choose her initials, or do a charm for each child with their initial and a heart charm, and choose your mom’s favorite type of metal. She’ll feel loved throughout each day when she wears this.
A Kindle Paperwhite For Moms That Love To Read
If your mom is always reading, the Kindle Paperwhite is the best way for her to have her books everywhere she goes. It uses screen technology like paper, so it’s not a strain on the eyes. Plus, the brightness level and text size can be adjusted. She can have as many books as she wants on every vacation and outing so she’ll never be bored.
Help your mom learn a new skill, or get better at one, whether it’s a hobby, for work or a dream business with a subscription to Masterclass. We never stop learning, and if your mom is the curious type she’s sure to love it!
A KitchenAid And Various Accessories
KitchenAids are the envy of most people who bake, so why not give your mom who bakes a KitchenAid that will last for years? Choose the one that’s perfect for her and then add accessories for things like grating to make it even more special.
A Clutch Keepsake Purse for Moms On-The-Go
Get mom a clutch that she can keep her phone and keys in that also has a photo of your choice in the lining! That way, she can have a keepsake and special photo wherever she goes.
A Cold Brew Coffee Maker
Help mom get her morning coffee fix with a top-rated cold brew coffee maker, which makes less acidic coffee than traditional brewing. This one is durable and BPA-free, and keeps grounds out of the brew. It can also make hot coffee and fits in most fridge doors.
An Apple Watch
Make mom’s life easier with an Apple Watch. She can answer calls and texts, use the calculator, check her heart rate and ECG, and much more with this small watch. Plus, you can choose a watch band that fits her personality.
A Mini Espresso Machine
Whether it’s to save kitchen counter space, price, or for traveling for on-the-go moms, she’s sure to love a mini espresso machine like the Picopresso. She’ll become an expert barista in no time.
A New Pair of Running Shoes For Active Moms
For the mom who’s an actual runner, gym goer, or just errand-runner, get her high-quality running shoes to keep her going in comfort for longer. Brooks has some of the best running shoes on the market for serious runners.
A Revlon One-Step Hair Dryer and Volumizer
If your mom dries her hair, upgrade her hair dryer with Revlon’s popular one-step hair dryer and volumizer that styles and dries in just one step, reduces frizz and hair damage and adds volume and smoothness.
A Custom Candle To Make Her Cozy At Home
Get mom a candle that won’t be harmful for her health with these all-natural soy wax candles. Choose from a variety of fragrances to help mom relax and unwind.
A Shiny New Set of Gardening Tools
For the gardening mom, get her a high-quality set of tools to keep her gardening in style and make sure she has everything she needs. This gardening tool set has 12 pieces with comfortable gripping handles.
A Customized Bracelet for Mom
Customize mom’s bracelet with your own note, in your own handwriting (or the kids’) with these bracelets from Caitlyn Minimalist in the metal of your choice. She’ll have a keepsake she can wear and treasure for years to come.
The Always Pan To Reduce Kitchen Clutter
Help mom with the dishes and cooking with the Always Pan that replaces 8 traditional cookware types. She can cook pretty much anything in this pan, so no more banging around in the pan drawer or not being able to find the exact one she needs.
A Top-Of-The-Line Roomba Vacuum Cleaner
Make sure your mom never has to vacuum again with Roomba, which now works with Alexa voice control. This small robotic vacuum knows how to avoid objects, allows scheduling for cleaning at specific times, continuously learns your home to get better, and self-empties.
A Hammock For Relaxing Outside
Give mom the gift of relaxation with a durable eno hammock that fits two people, so you can join her. It can be used wherever you can find study trees, so whether you’re in the yard or camping, mom will be set to chill.
Lululemon Leggings for Comfort On-The-Go
For the mom that loves to train, or just loves athleisure, she’ll definitely flip over Lululemon leggings. There are various colors and styles, so choose one that fits hers.
A Luxurious Designer Bag
If your mom has designer handbag dreams, why not give her the bag she wants for her birthday? Ask her what her coveted brand and style is, or pick something that fits her style and include a gift receipt. Shops like Nordstrom have various brands and styles to choose from.
House Slippers for Ultimate Comfort
Who doesn’t dream of the comfiest slippers to wear around the house? If your mom is the type to put off buying these for herself, then these Intelex slippers should do the trick. They’re fully microwavable to help her warm up quickly, and are filled with all-natural grain and French lavender for relaxation.
Hooded Loungers For Those Lazy Sundays
Help mom relax with a hooded lounger, which comes in various styles and lengths from Softies. Loungers are a gift that’s sure to please, so if you don’t want to go wrong with clothing, this is an excellent option.
Harmony Trio Bracelets
Add to mom’s jewelry collection with stacked gold or silver harmony trio bracelets from Maya J., a family-run business. They’re classy and simple so anyone who loves jewelry can find an excuse to wear them.
Stylish Scarfs For Any Outfit
Get her a fun, fancy scarf – it’s a small item she can add to an outfit that’ll make her think of you while adding a pop of style and color.
A Birth Month Flower Heart Necklace
Celebrate mom’s birthday with her birth month flower. These unique, eco-friendly necklaces from Uncommon Goods encase a small flower in a 3D heart shape so she can add something romantic to her jewelry collection.
A Lululemon Fanny Pack
Stylish, roomy fanny packs are in, and this fanny pack from Lululemon can be worn as a purse as well. Mom can carry anything, anywhere without having to keep up with a big purse.
Comfy Pajamas for Lounging
Replenish mom’s pajama stock with some comfy PJs, because who doesn’t love a comfy, new set? Athleta PJs include whatever styles your mom wears – pants or shorts, t-shirts or long-sleeved.
Fashionable Golden Bracelet Bands
A set of gold bracelet bands in a variety of widths is a great choice because they can be worn together or separate with nearly any outfit, and any jewelry-wearing mom will love them. This set from Kendra Scott is an excellent option.
Custom Engraved Bracelet
Whatever your mom’s jewelry style, engrave her name or a special message on a bracelet that she’ll wear from Thoughtful Impressions. They have metal cuffs, silicone bracelets, adjustable and leather bracelets.
A Collapsible Garden Seat for a Break in the Soil
For the gardening mom, a collapsible garden seat will save her from getting tired of kneeling to dig in the dirt. This collapsible garden bench includes pockets on the side for all her tools, too.
A Custom Fingerprint Necklace
For a piece she’ll absolutely treasure, put your fingerprints on this heart necklace mom can keep on her all the time. If you have kids, you can put their fingerprints on it so she can have them near her.
Accessorize Her Wardrobe with Round Reading Glasses
If your mom uses reading glasses, Zenni has super stylish round reading glasses that you can get to fit her face in all kinds of styles with scratch-resistant, UV protective and anti-reflective lenses.
Allbirds Women’s Eco-Friendly Sneakers
For the eco-friendly mom, get her some everyday sneakers from Allbirds in her favorite color. She’ll have high-quality shoes to go around town or travel that she’ll love to wear.
A Tempur-Pedic Cloud Pillow For Great Nights Of Sleep
These Tempur-Pedic pillows adjust to head shape and come with a hypo-allergenic cover, plus they roll into a smaller shape for easy packing, so mom can take her pillow with her wherever she goes and always get a good nights’ sleep.
Lavender Heat Pillow
This lavender pillow from Uncommon Goods is made to be put into the microwave and used for relaxation at the end of a long day so mom can rest her tired muscles.
Flower Bulbs to Sprout At Home
If your mom loves flowers, give her flower bulbs of her favorites to plant at home. You can even plant them for her, or include flower pots and soil with your gift.
A Luxury Soap Collection For The Bath
Get your mom luxury soaps from Bronnley, an England-based soap company that has all kinds of cool-looking soaps and packaging your mom will love to use for the bath.
A Cooling Blanket For Perfect Sleep
For a weighted blanket that won’t cause overheating, get mom a cooling weighted blanket for a good nights’ sleep. These blankets from Luxome are scientifically designed to help sleep while keeping cool, have no bunching, and are hypoallergenic and machine-washable.
Cutting Board With Engraved Recipes
For a gift that’s both practical and sentimental, print a favorite family recipe (in handwriting) on a cutting board. This Etsy shop prints them for you, so you can keep that favorite recipe both easy to find and easy to pass along to others.
A Custom Puzzle Of One Of Her Passions
These puzzles from Minted let you send in a photo of your choice and have it printed on a custom puzzle. Find a treasured family photo or inside joke and give mom a puzzle she can put together and possibly frame.
Shortbread Cookies With Custom Messages
Shortbread cookies are loved by many, but you can make them extra special for mom’s birthday with a special message printed onto each one from Uncommon Goods.
Collapsible Nylon Storage Containers
If your mom is outdoors-y and adventurous, or if she’s obsessed with storage, these collapsible nylon storage containers are foldable and can be used anywhere from the tops of trees to indoors.
Mom Life: A Snarky Adult Coloring Book
Humor-loving moms will get a kick out of this snarky adult coloring book for moms! She’ll get to de-stress from mom life and laugh it off with this fun book.
A Reusable Canvas Carry All To Take Grocery Shopping
If your mom loves practical gifts, these reusable canvas bags are perfect for grocery shopping, besides being eco-friendly! She can keep them in her car and not have to use plastic bags.
An Interesting Picture Book To Share On The Coffee Table
Whatever your mom loves, there’s probably a coffee table book for it. Search this list of photo coffee table books for anything from travel to nature, to fashion and more to find something that will make her smile every day!
A Neck and Back Massager
Get this top-rated back and neck deep-tissue massage pillow from Zyllion, with soothing heat for tight and sore muscles. Mom will be relaxed in no time!
A Fluffy Throw Blanket
Who doesn’t love a brand-new fluffy throw to snuggle in while watching TV or reading in the evenings? Get mom this alpaca throw from Pottery Barn, made from faux fur and available in more than one size that will look amazing draped over the couch or mom’s favorite armchair.
Wanderlust Artisan Candles
Wanderlust Artisan Candles are 100% soy and free of toxic ingredients, but they also give part of their money to fund classroom needs for teachers. Especially if your mom is a teacher, this is perfect – either way, giving back is always a good idea!
A Digital Picture Frame To Share Her Memories
This top-rated digital picture frame will show multiple photos that change, so mom can put it in a favorite spot where she can see all her favorite people, places and things whenever she wants.
A Lamé Ruffle Bag
The Lamé Ruffle Bag is unique so your mom will love the style and colors that she can wear around town or on trips with this super-fashionable purse.
Women’s Plush Robe For Relaxation
Get a fleece robe with mom’s initials or name on it so no one will steal it ever again (or ever at all), and your mom can always feel like she’s living at a resort with a plush robe to relax in!
Put mom’s name on a Camelbak water bottle so she can bring it everywhere and not have to worry about losing it – plus, she’ll think of you for giving it to her.
Personalized Wall Clock To Keep Busy Moms On Schedule
Get your mom a wall clock with a background you decide on – a favorite photo, image or message – so she can always see it when she checks the time. It will give her a moment in her day to stop and think of nice things other than her to-do list.
A Smart Mug With Temperature Control
Make sure mom literally never has to worry about her coffee or tea getting cold again with Ember mugs! They come in regular mugs and travel mugs, and they work with an app to keep drinks at a temperature you choose for hours. The coaster that comes with them can keep drinks hot all day long, and they come with a safety switch as well.
A Custom Rug Of Her Interest
Build your own rug – or let your mom build her own – from The Rug Company. You can choose the color, size of the designs, and material to fit your budget and timeframe.
Wireless Heated Hand Massager
This wireless heated hand massager is perfect for anyone with joint issues, cold hands or other issues. It uses pressure massage to help with relaxation, helps circulation and prevents dryness, plus it’s wireless and portable.
Kitchen And Home Hanging Signs
If mom loves to cook, get her a kitchen sign that you get to pen. You can also do signs for other rooms of the house with loving or funny messages.
An Engraved Wooden Spoon For Cooking
Is mom always cooking and using her favorite wooden spoon? Why not give her a wooden spoon with a loving message from you? She can feel loved and appreciated whenever she cooks and she’ll treasure it forever.
An Insulated Tumbler for Coffee On-The-Go
Get mom a Yeti Rambler tumbler, one of the best insulated tumblers on the market for all her coffee and tea needs! She can bring it anywhere and everywhere, and keep hot drinks hot and cold drinks cold for hours at a time.
A Spa Gift Box for Stress Relief
Give mom an at-home spa kit with soap, a candle, a bath bomb and more so she can really relax and have some self-care.
Who doesn’t love a good charcuterie board? These swivel cheese boards can be personalized and have sections for various cheeses and other items, so mom can always be ready to host (or just use for herself)! There’s even a hidden drawer in the bottom with a stainless steel cheese fork and two knives.
Cooling Eye Mask For Headaches
These reversible gel eye masks can be used as cool or warm compresses. They help with headaches and dry eyes, as well as puffiness and relaxation.
A Kitchen Spices and Seasonings Kit
Make sure mom can cook with all the seasonings for the best meals with a kit filled with every kind of spice she needs. Spicewalla has spice sets that are perfect as gifts to replace expired spices on mom’s rack and add new flavors.
An Electric Corkscrew for Wine Nights
Does mom love wine? Get her a top-rated rechargeable electric corkscrew that will look amazing on the kitchen counter as well as being super useful and making wine bottle opening simple and fun!
Your mom’s birthday – or anyone who’s a mom that’s special to you – is an important celebration! We know how special moms are, and how much they do for us, which is why giving a thoughtful gift and card for her birthday is an important way to show you care. We hope this list can help you find something that’s perfect for the mom you’re celebrating!
So your loved one is retiring, and you need a gift that’s perfect for them. We know that retirement gifts for close family members or friends deserve extra thought, which is why we curated this list of gifts with items meant to reflect that sense of closeness. Retirement is a special time that can be met with mixed emotions, and we took that into consideration as well. Browse through our list to find something that fits your loved one’s unique personality and interests!
What You Should Look for a Retirement Gift
When searching for that perfect retirement gift for your loved one, there are a few considerations that can help you choose the right thing. Think about:
Value: Monetary value won’t always ensure your loved one will appreciate their gift. A card is a thoughtful and necessary part of your gift, but there are definitely affordable gifts out there that they’ll love to add that extra emotional value to the occasion.
Practicality: Many retirement gifts are made to be funny, but the person getting the gift may not have an actual use for it, and it may get thrown into the giveaway pile or stowed away in storage. Instead of gag gifts, make sure your gift is usable and high-quality, and they’re sure to love it!
Setting: Consider where and when you’ll be giving the gift. Is it at a retirement party? Is the party in a home, at work or elsewhere? This can impact what you decide to get, and also if you want to go in on a bigger gift with multiple people.
35 Awesome Retirement Gift Ideas for 2022
A Personalized Retirement Photo Collage
Photos of cherished memories are always a good idea for loved ones. If it’s a close work friend, memories from work or quality time outside of work can remind the person that people care and make them recall good times. A collage like this one from Zazzle is perfect, because it’s easy to mount on the wall and looks nice in any room.
A Collaborative Memory Book For The Retired Person
Getting people to contribute to a memory book can require a lot of work from one person, but a collaborative memory book from NewlyWords literally takes the work off your hands because it allows people to put in their photos and words themselves, directly! All you have to do is check that everything looks good and order the book. Not only are words and photos meaningful, but a memory book is something they can go back to over and over and show off to others. It also lets them know the impact they made and continue to make in people’s lives.
A Garden Tool Set
If the retiree is already a gardener or plans to garden, a garden tool set is a practical gift they can appreciate and use for years to come. Check out this list of 7 best gardening tool sets to see which one fits the type of gardening your loved one is doing, whether they’ll be really digging in the dirt or planting small flowers.
A Beer Subscription Package
Every beer lover will be absolutely delighted by a craft beer-of-the-month subscription like this one that includes hard-to-find rare beers and will allow them to try new ones every month from the comfort of home, and without effort! They also send microbrews from all over the world, so your loved one can travel the globe from home as well.
Customized Playing Cards for Loved Ones
Print photos and/or messages of people, places and things on these customizable playing cards from Shutterfly. Whenever your loved one is playing cards at home, with family or others, they’ll have those special memories making their time that much sweeter.
An Engraved Pocket Watch
Engraved pocket watches are a timeless, classic gift for men and women, or anyone who appreciates things that feel meaningful that can become heirlooms. Engrave your personal message and more on a watch in the metal type that fits your loved one’s style and personality.
Monogrammed tote bags or backpacks are a great way to give someone a practical gift they’re sure to use for years to come. When you choose a high quality brand and engrave their initials, you can’t go wrong – but to be sure, consider their favorite color and/or style to make the gift even more personal.
A Reversible Yoga Mat
For any yogis or aspiring ones, or anyone who does workouts of any kind at home, a high-quality, nice yoga mat will be greatly appreciated. Gaiam is known for their yoga mats, as they specialize in everything yoga. They have various patterns and colors, and their yoga mats are reversible so they last longer.
A Smart Mug With Temperature Control
Make sure your loved one can always enjoy their coffee or other warm drinks of choice in their retirement with mugs that won’t let coffee get cold, ever – really! Ember mugs let you set your exact temperature on an app and they come with a coaster that keeps them warm all day long. Without the coaster, they also stay at temperature for hours at a time, so they work on the go as well as inside.
A Kindle Paperwhite for Avid Readers
The newest Kindle Paperwhite comes with adjustable warm light, and reads like paper so it takes away eye strain you get with normal screens. For any loved one who enjoys reading, a Kindle is an amazing gift because they can take it anywhere and have multiple books to read without having to carry around a ton of books.
Personalized Travel Journal
Journaling is not only a great way to process life and get to know yourself better, but it’s also the perfect way to capture memories and experiences. If your loved one plans to travel in retirement, this journal will have their name on it plus your personal message, so they can have a special place to write their experiences to share with you later!
A Mystery Book Box Subscription
For those who love a good whodunnit, a Mystery book subscription will keep them occupied and satisfied in their retirement with new books coming as fast as they can read them!
Heated Back and Neck Massager
This Zyllion Shiatsu Back and Neck Massager is top-rated, and includes a 3D-kneading deep tissue massage pillow, heat and AC adapter. This is perfect for encouraging your loved one to relax in their retirement – because they deserve it – and relieves pain as well as tension.
A Collection of Luxurious Soaps and Incense
Get your loved one quality soaps, incense, and/or other luxury items without harsh chemicals to keep them relaxed and healthy. Flamingo Estate has garden-fresh soaps, candles, honey and other products that can make excellent gifts for those who either wouldn’t buy for themselves, or already do but would love more.
A Personalized Retirement Mug
Designing a high-quality, unique mug like this one from Shutterfly is always an excellent gift idea for a loved one. They’ll use it every day and never tire of their high quality, special mug when their name, treasured photos or other special message is on it to bring them joy!
A Personalized Bird Feeder To Put At The Window
Delight bird watchers – and help burgeoning ones to begin appreciating the everyday joy – with a beautiful bird feeder they can put outside a window. This crafted wooden one with a super unique design is a great example.
A Custom Gift Basket Of Their Favorite Treats
Harry and David is a company that has any and every kind of gift basket you could ask for. Show your loved one you know them well with a basket full of their favorite treats, so that they can have something to munch on that will make them happy!
Tickets To A Event
If you know your loved one loves a good sporting event, play, concert or movie, give them tickets to a live performance or game, and they’ll be elated! You can also buy a gift card from a place like Ticketmaster so they can choose their own event and date or time.
A Retirement House Plant
Unless your loved one is a plant fanatic – and in that case, find out what plant they’re looking to add to their collection – there are plants that help air quality and are easy to care for that nearly anyone can keep alive. Check out this list of suggestions for easy care, low light, and more to find the perfect indoor plant for your retiree!
A Custom Chess Set
Isn’t the quintessential retirement dream to be playing chess daily in the park? For any retiree who plans on this lifestyle, or anyone who wants to play chess in general, a personalized chess set is a really special idea. Plus, chess keeps brains active and healthy for years to come!
A Cooling Weighted Blanket For Perfect Sleep
Studies show that sleeping in cooler temperatures is healthier and gives a better nights’ sleep. You can also give this to people in hot climates or who complain about being too hot at night. These blankets from Luxome are weighted and cool, so they keep from collecting heat while providing weight – the perfect combo for amazing sleep.
A Fitbit to Maintain Fitness
Fitbits are a great way to get motivated to stay healthy, and to track health in general. If you’re wondering what the big deal is, they’ve helped people with insomnia, to survive heart attacks, improve mental health, save lives and more – read the stories here.
A Whiskey Making Kit
For anyone who appreciates a good whiskey, what can top a whiskey-making kit? It’s the perfect retirement hobby and they get some good whiskey out of the deal – practical and fun. This set from Uncommon Goods lets them pick their own vodka, wood chips and botanicals so they can play around with flavor and become an expert!
An Airbnb Gift Card For Any Travel Desires
Give the gift of travel to anywhere with an Airbnb gift card, so your retiring loved one can live the life of their dreams. Airbnbs exist all over the world so they really can travel anywhere their heart desires!
A Lightweight (Travel) Hammock for Outdoor Lounging
A lightweight, durable best-on-the-market hammock that can even fit two people is an excellent gift, not only for outdoor lovers but also for anyone who wants to hammock in their own backyard as they soak up being retired and all the freedom it brings!
A Retiree Personal Insulated Tumbler
An insulated Tumbler with their name on it (or other personalization) like this Yeti travel mug is something practical that every retiree can love, because they can use it at home or on the go and it will keep their drinks hot or cold for hours on end.
A Personalized Lounging Robe
Help your loved one retire in style with a personalized robe they can lounge in to feel like they’re at a resort, anytime, to feel the benefits of their new retirement lifestyle!
A Masterclass Subscription For Continuous Learning
Whether they want to become vegetarian, learn to cook better, improve their singing or start a business in retirement, a Masterclass is an out-of-this-world gift. It can help improve their lives, because we never stop learning!
A Custom Golf Bag For the Golf Links
Give golfers a customized bag for their golf clubs and more so they can get more out of their time at the golf course and always know which bag is theirs!
An Audio Book Subscription
A subscription to Audible allows anyone to listen to any book, anywhere, anytime from their headphones! They don’t even have to be reading to enjoy great books – this is perfect for anyone who gets car sick, has sight issues, or just loves to be outdoors but wants to listen to something.
Luxurious Candles
All natural, non-toxic candles are a great gift that can induce relaxation without harming the air or your retiree’s health. Check out this list of ideas, and choose what scent your loved one will love.
A Monthly Book Subscription
Whether your loved one retiring is already an avid reader or not, a book of the month subscription can motivate them to discover new worlds through novels. You can pick which type of books interest them or go random so they can discover new genres. The books save on cost and take the research time out of finding new books.
Cozy Retirement Socks
Give that crazy sock-lover what they want – more funky socks! These socks from Etsy are unparalleled, because you can put your loved one’s face on the socks with a retirement message! They’ll love showing these off to everyone, and probably annoying you in the process (but you know you love it).
Personalized Retirement T-Shirt
Give your loved one a personalized retirement T-shirt with an inside joke or other message just for them, like this one from Not On The High Street!
Frequently Asked Questions on Best Retirement Gifts on 2022
What is a good retirement gift?
The best gift you can give to someone retiring will reflect their value back to them so they feel appreciated. It’s more about bringing memories, letting them know they’re special and meeting their interests and goals in any way possible. Think about the individual and make sure the gift is something they’ll like (don’t buy for yourself, or get a cheap gag gift). Ask friends or family of the retiree if you need help. A heartfelt message, donation or online subscription to a skill class for new hobbies are great ideas. Check out our list of pandemic gift ideas for retirees and celebrations for more.
How do you thank someone who is retiring?
A gift is a great way to thank a retiree who has impacted or helped you, but a thoughtful note goes an extra long way to help them really know that you appreciate them. Not only will they be able to read your words, which are way more meaningful than just a gift, but they’ll get to keep reading them whenever they need a reminder or pick-me-up, which people always appreciate. Something like a collaborative memory book can help you do this with multiple people at once, and give something that is high-quality that can be read and treasured in the years to come.
What’s a good retirement gift for a man?
Think about the man as an individual and consider his hobbies and interests. If he has certain goals for retirement, think about those as well. Giving something that shows you pay attention can go a long way! Some generic ideas include engraved watches, personalized liquor glasses or tumblers, personalized grill sets, golf clubs or a wallet or travel bag, journal or a collaborative memory book. Additionally you can read our guide on the Best Retirement Gifts for a Man.
What’s a good retirement gift for a woman?
Think about the woman as an individual and consider her hobbies and interests. If she has certain goals for retirement, think about those as well. Giving something that shows you pay attention can go a long way! Some generic ideas include engraved watches, personalized liquor or wine glasses, personalized coffee mugs or tumblers, an espresso machine, hammock or journal or a collaborative memory book.
Conclusion
We hope this list of researched ideas can help you find a perfect retirement gift for your loved one! Whether it’s a tangible or intangible item, memories or thoughts that they can read over and over, we know they’ll feel your appreciation with the time and consideration you’ve put into making their gift special.
Ahhh, retirement… that time of life that many people anticipate. Whether the retirement at hand is celebratory or otherwise, humor is always an excellent way to approach retirement gifts. While funny retirement gifts can be gag gifts, they certainly don’t have to be – they can be thoughtful at the same time.
Wondering what to get your retiring coworker that will make them laugh? This list has a wide variety of options to help you find the perfect gift, so read on for considerations and ideas!
What Makes a Great Retirement Gift
What separates the good from the great retirement gifts? It’s when the retiree’s personality, likes and dislikes, and dreams are taken into consideration first. A great gift is more than a gift; it’s something that will make the recipient feel something, to bring fond memories or a laugh for years to come. A great gift reflects your appreciation, respect and relationship with your coworker. Read on for key considerations to help plan your gift.
Considerations Before Choosing Retirement Gifts for Coworkers
Decide what kind of “funny” is acceptable for the person
Gag gifts can be fun, but they’re not always funny to the person on the receiving end. This may be because they find the gag gift offensive, but it may also simply be that they feel that a gift they won’t use is wasteful. On the other hand, some people love a good gag gift, because it makes for a fun time for everyone involved!
Decide based on the person if a “gag gift” type of funny or a more sentimental funny is appropriate. More sentimental gifts can be just as, if not more, hilarious with funny memories, inside jokes or the person’s unique sense of humor to create a unique gift that can definitely feel more special than a cliché gag.
Consider gifting as a group
Many times, coworkers choose to chip in for one group gift. Group gifts can bring more communal laughs than individual ones when they’re thoughtful. Something that includes heartfelt messages is perfect.
Make it more about your relationship than the event
Retirement can be bittersweet, and a heartfelt message can mean a lot. Since retirements aren’t always the person’s choice (or they may have to find more work), stay away from being overly focused on congratulating and instead, focus on thoughts about your relationship, the difference they made, or funny memories.
Consider their personality, hobbies and retirement goals
Have they talked about what they want to do when they retire, such as travel or taking up a pottery class? Are they an avid golfer, traveler or gardener? Or do you know they have a passion or hidden talent?
If you’re not sure, ask a spouse or close friend. Then, get a gift to help them chase after all their retirement dreams and goals.
Choose a gift they can experience over and over again
A retirement gift should be more than a lazy store bought item or card. A great gift will make the recipient feel something, not just once but each time they see or use the gift for the years to come. Creativity makes for the most treasured gifts because they’re personal.
Think about if the gift needs to be big or small
Is your coworker going to take off and travel? Is he or she a minimalist or maximalist? Sometimes it’s best to go with something small. Whether you should go big or small depends on the person, your relationship with them, and their plans for retirement. They may not want to be burdened down with more “stuff”, as they may even be looking to downsize.
28 Unique Funny Retirement Gifts That They Will Love
Coworker Funny Memory Book
For a perfect collaborative gift that checks all the boxes – thoughtful, hilarious, and memorable enough to be a keepsake for years to come – gift this collaborative memory book with funny memories and photos! Each coworker can contribute on their own, so the process is simplified and the work is done for you. The recipient will have a memory book full of things to look back on whenever he or she is feeling nostalgic, needs a laugh or wants to share with friends and family!
Funny Message Coffee Mug
Since everyone loves a good favorite mug for their daily coffee, tea or other favorite beverage, choose a ready-made retirement mug, like this hilarious “weekly schedule” mug perfect as a gift from a coworker!
Scratch Off Map For Travelers
If the retiree is going to travel, a scratch off map gives them a fun, visual and interactive bucket list that they can show off as they go! You can find world or USA scratch-off maps for whatever kind of travel they’re going to be doing.
Funny Message Toilet Paper
This one is for the jokers! This funny retiree toilet paper is a fun gag gift that isn’t a waste of money, because it’s still usable in a practical sense – and, everyone will get a laugh when they see the retiree open this one!
Personalized Coffee Gift Basket
Does your retiring coworker love coffee, or do you have a lot of memories gathering around the coffee pot at work? This one is for coffee lovers, travelers, and travel aspiring retirees. This basket includes coffee from all around the globe for travel via coffee!
Engraved Pocket Watch
This vintage pocket watch with leather case can be engraved with a special message for any retiree! It has a classic style and you get to choose a funny, heartfelt message or other engraving to personalize.
Potty Putter Toilet Golf
Another gag-inspired gift, this mini golf set is for those that love golf and a good joke – plus, they’ll likely actually use this gift, which will make it even more hilarious when everyone watches them open it!
Personalized BBQ Grilling Utensils
Engrave a special grill utensil set for the ones who are going to be grilling in style in retirement. This will give them a way to have special memories for the years to come, and maybe even invite you over!
Cold Brew Coffee Maker
If the retiree is going to have extra time on their hands – and alternatively, if they’ll be needing to save money – there’s no better time to improve their coffee making skills! Give them a cold brew coffee maker so they can make the perfect cup of iced coffee right from the comfort of home.
Retirement Shot Glasses
Send your coworker into retirement in style with a funny retirement shot glass. They’ll have something they can display and/or use, whether they collect shot glasses or can just use a good one that will bring back great memories.
Retirement Whiskey Glasses
Is the retiree a whiskey-lover? Then they’ll love nothing more than a personalized set of whiskey glasses, or a funny retirement set to mark the occasion – then they can relive the good memories over and over.
Personalized Cutting Board
Hopefully, retirement for some people means a lot of really good cooking, now that they have the time! Anyone who stays at home, or in an RV to travel, can use a good cutting board, so why not give them a special engraved cutting board?
Engraved Travel Journal
Make sure the traveling retiree has a place to write down all their experiences, so they can have a keepsake no matter where they go! An engraved journal will give them personal travel experiences to remember.
Day of the Week Clock
A day of the week clock only keeps track of what day it is, so your retiring coworker can get a good laugh and remember their newfound freedom! Tell them they’ll have to call you to get the actual time to make sure they keep in touch.
Funny Message Engraved Tumbler
Get a high-quality Yeti or other tumbler with your personalized message for the retiree. They’ll be using this mug a lot, at home and on the road and they’ll get a good laugh and memories with every use.
Funny Retirement Baseball Cap
Retirees can live up their retirement in style, and make sure everyone knows it with this fun baseball cap with a message. This one even comes with a sash they can wear to parties.
Digital Picture Frame
A digital WiFi picture frame is a perfect retirement gift to house treasured memories. You can fill it with photos you know they’ll get a good laugh from, and they get control over changing the photos as needed.
Retirement Chef’s Apron
A funny retirement apron is a perfect gift idea for chefs, or aspiring chefs out there. With all the options of messages available, it’s easy to find one your retiree will resonate with!
Give a funny hanging retirement sign for a good laugh. Any retiree can find somewhere to hang a sign like this one where it will make other people laugh, too.
Funny Retirement Koozies
Every fun-loving retiree who drinks any beverage from a can will get a kick out of these fun koozies with various retirement jokes and sayings, that can double as party favors.
Personalized Retirement Bottle Opener
Another beverage-inspired idea, this hangable bottle opener can be personalized for someone’s retirement so it can be a new staple in their home decor to turn heads and bring smiles.
Funny Engraved Beer Caddy
Print inside jokes or retirement sayings on a beer caddy like this one with a built-in bottle opener so the retiree can bring it everywhere – you can put their name on it too, so they can be sure to let people know they’re retired and loving it!
Solo Stove Portable Fire Pit
Help retirees turn their backyards into a place they always want to be – especially now that they don’t have to be at work instead! Give them a solo stove portable fire pit so they can enjoy time with family and friends.
Funny Retirement T-shirt
A funny retirement t-shirt with a message like “I’m retired, do it yourself” will be something a retiree will find themselves wearing for fun around family and friends so they can joke about it all day long!
Lightweight Hanging Hammock
What says “I’m retired and I’m loving it” better than hammocking? Eno has the best hammocks, and they come in sizes for one or two people. Help your coworker make relaxation his or her new lifestyle.
Gift an Experience
When in doubt, go the experience route! Gifting anything from in-person or online skill classes to event tickets, gift cards or money towards a trip they want to take will be appreciated by any retiree.
Oil Painting Of A Work Memory
Use one or multiple photos to create a sentimental or hilarious work memory oil painting for the retiree! This will show that you put real thought and effort into getting a gift that will be remembered forever… and that you’re willing to go the extra mile to get the best laugh!
Frequently Asked Questions on Funny Retirement Gifts
How much money should you give a coworker for retirement?
If it’s a collective group effort, a monetary gift from $5-$20 per person is standard, and you may want to go ahead and match what others are giving. If it’s from just you, anything from $30-$50 is acceptable. Consider your relationship with the person – how close are you? Also consider their years at the business and that you worked together, plus think about what else they’re getting or what’s being done to honor them.
What is the best gift to give a coworker who is retiring?
The best gift you can give to a retiring coworker is something that will reflect their value to them, and make them feel special. If it can bring good memories, it’s an excellent choice, and if it’s something they want or that aligns with their interests, hobbies or goals, then it’s also a great choice. The key is to think about the person you’re giving the gift to and make sure it’s a gift they’ll appreciate – don’t buy it for yourself. Ask their friends or family if you’re unsure. A heartfelt note, donation to a charity they like or tickets to something they’ll love can also go a long way, as can a subscription to online or in-person skill classes for new hobbies. If your coworker is also your boss, you can check out our article on the best boss retirement gifts.
Where can I find a unique retirement gift idea?
Check out this blog post for ideas for unique retirement gift ideas! If you’re still feeling stuck, look at the considerations in this blog post and write down what you know about the person. You can also talk to their other friends and family to get more ideas of what they might love.
What is an appropriate retirement gift?
Appropriate retirement gifts include thoughtful notes from individuals or groups – like in a collaborative memory book; money, tickets to events or charity donations; or any item that will make the person laugh or be something they can use that aligns with their interests or retirement goals. This can be something they can use to travel or do a hobby like golf, or decor items. Personalizing items like beverage glasses or tumblers, watches and more can make the gift extra meaningful.
What do you give a man for a retirement party?
Think about the man as an individual and consider his hobbies and interests. If he has certain goals for retirement, think about those as well. Giving something that shows you pay attention can go a long way! Some generic ideas include engraved watches, personalized liquor glasses or tumblers, personalized grill sets, golf clubs or a wallet or travel bag, journal or a collaborative memory book. Additionally you can read our guide on the Best Retirement Gifts for a Man.
What do you give a woman for a retirement party?
Think about the woman as an individual and consider her hobbies and interests. If she has certain goals for retirement, think about those as well. Giving something that shows you pay attention can go a long way! Some generic ideas include engraved watches, personalized liquor or wine glasses, personalized coffee mugs or tumblers, an espresso machine, hammock or journal or a collaborative memory book.
Conclusion
The key to a hilariously funny retirement gift for your coworker is to consider who they are as a person, like their hobbies and goals. Think about their sense of humor and what they’ll get a kick out of, whether that be a funny gag gift or a sentimental gift with inside jokes. People appreciate when a gift or note reflects how well they’re known by others, so make it all about them and you can’t go wrong! We hope you find some inspiration from our comprehensive list.
Your boss’s retirement is a huge milestone that demands proper celebration! Choosing a retirement gift that will show the value they added to the workplace, as well as your appreciation for their dedication, is a tall order.
There are some things to consider, including what to say or write in the card with the gift, that we’ll talk about in this article before listing 45 excellent gift options for retirement gifts for your boss for every budget. So, let’s get started.
What Makes A Great Retirement Gift?
More retirees now, more than ever before, are deciding to live life to the fullest with new adventures, and your boss probably has some sweet retirement goals they’re looking forward to pursuing. If you know them well enough, consider their hobbies and personality when getting them a gift; even if not, this list will also give you some options you can’t go wrong with for the best retirement gifts to mark a moment this momentous!
Considerations Before Buying A Gift For Your Boss
When buying a retirement gift for your boss, we know your budget is an important consideration. Finding a gift that isn’t cliche, but that is affordable is possible, which is why we have something for every budget that is sure to stand out with the perfect balance of sentimentality and fun, because retirement is a mix of both!
You’ll also need to consider what to get for your boss that reflects their personality and hobbies. Whether or not you already have a good idea of these, finding a memorable gift that will be cherished for years to come can be tough; whether you know your boss well or not, this list will give you ideas to find something unique they’ll be sure to treasure.
What To Say To A Retiring Boss
“Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.” -Mother Teresa
Your gift will speak for itself, but won’t say everything that you want to say to your boss. Wishing them well in their next chapter, thanking them for their dedication, and letting them know they made a difference, in words, are what will stick with them. “It’s the thought that counts” goes the extra mile when you put those thoughts into writing.
You can make your message sentimental, humorous, or celebratory, depending on your boss’s personality and your relationship with them. Here are some ideas to get you started on crafting the perfect message:
Share a favorite memory.
Let them know they made a difference to you and/or the workplace (did they touch lives, always have the best ideas, or were they a great manager that will be missed?).
Encourage them to relax like it’s their job, focus on their own dreams and passions, or whatever they need or want to do now that they’re retired, knowing they’ll put their work ethic into different things since they’ll never stop being active and “working”.
Let them know you still want to see them, whether it’s outside of the workplace or to stop by and say hi at work.
Let them know their influence lives on in the workplace and that they’ll be remembered for a long time to come.
Joke that they can call and pretend to boss you around if they miss it too much.
Congratulate them and send them off into retirement wishing them well.
45 Unique Retirement Gifts Ideas For Your Boss
Handmade Portrait Painting
A handmade portrait or caricature can be hung on the wall, but also can be used in other ways. If you’re throwing a party, consider getting this printed on party favors and/or the cake. Make sure you get this gift from a talented artist so that it looks tasteful.
Retirement Memory Book
“Good words are worth much, and cost little.” -George Herbert
Make a collaborative retirement memory book with thoughts and photos from yourself and others for the perfect gift that will be opened throughout the years. Gather messages from friends, family and coworkers through email and other methods and have them sent to your collection page, then personalize and edit the book to finish. Your boss will get a sentimental gift that they can look at whenever they feel nostalgic, and that they can show off to others. People remember how you make them feel more than anything, and words and photos will make them feel cared for every time they open a memory book.
Being retired, your tea-loving boss will have more time to make better tea with a tea infuser since they’re not rushing to work.
Spa and Champagne Gift Basket
Gift something that says, “you deserve to relax!” In a big, bold way with a spa and champagne gift basket, like this one that comes with eucalyptus scented products from Thymes for baths, and even includes a bamboo plant, and of course a bottle of champagne or sparkling wine.
Michael Kors Gold Watch
A Michael Kors gold watch is a classy retirement gift that will show you want your boss to retire in style. Even though they don’t have to punch a clock anymore, they’ll still need to have a way to know what time to meet a friend for fishing or shopping, watch grandkids, volunteer or catch that flight to Bermuda!
Daypack for Traveling
For the boss who’s going to travel in retirement, a day pack is a must, like this daypack that folds into a pouch for easy packing and for all kinds of outdoor weather conditions. Another choice is this leather daypack that can double as a carry-on and looks chic for city travel. Think about your boss’s personal style and gift accordingly!
Art Painting Set
If you already know your boss is an art lover, or if you have a feeling they’ll have a knack for it, consider this art painting set for a new hobby. Even if they give it up quickly, this can be re-gifted to grandkids. Either way, it’ll give them a new adventure!
Digital Wifi Picture Frame
A digital photo frame with wifi is perfect for updating pictures of friends, grandkids and family, pets and vacations. This one has a touchscreen as well so it’s easy to use. Keep your retiree’s photos easy to show off while being up-to-date!
Complete Golf Set
For the golf-loving boss, retirement is sure to include many afternoons on the green. Gift them a golf set to send them off in style, and so that you can meet them on the golf course for many work-free, relaxing golf sessions in the future.
Mavic Air Drone
Maybe your boss is already a photographer or video fiend, but even if not, this Mavic Air drone can make for an excellent new hobby that can be done at home or while traveling! It can help them bond with family and friends and be the talk of every social event.
Rocking Massage Chair
This rocking massage recliner has a full-body massage feature with controllable levels, is self-heating and power reclining, rocks, and includes cup and magazine holders for the ultimate relaxation station.
Noise-canceling Headphones
Noise-cancelling headphones are the perfect gift for planes, trains and sometimes even hotel rooms that are in populated city areas. This high-quality pair has 22-40 hours of battery life, perfect for long flights or road trips.
GoPro Camera
For all travel-aspiring retirees, a GoPro is an excellent choice. It can be used anywhere, even underwater, and is small and easy to carry. This one comes with the newest features and high durability. Photos and videos can be automatically uploaded to the cloud for easy sharing.
100 Things to Do Bucket List
Not every retiree knows exactly what they want to do with their new time, but even for those who do, a scratch-off bucket list is an excellent way to add some fun! Each time they accomplish something, they can scratch off the square for a picture. Plus, whenever they need a new idea, there’s plenty on this list!
A great all-around, anytime gift is a durable tote bag, and the personalization plus retirement text keeps this one from being boring while making it perfect for the occasion. Your (former) boss can carry belongings fashionably while showing off their new retirement status!
Book Set
One thing all retirees can appreciate is expert advice on how to retire wisely and how to make their savings and investments work. Make a set of books to help with this, travel books and funny retirement books.
Mini Wood Heart
A mini wood heart with a personalized message alongside “The best is yet to come” will remind your boss that your thoughts are with them. This one comes with an easel to stand it up so it makes a versatile decor piece.
Personalized Thank You Coffee Mug
A custom mug can include a funny or sentimental quote, and even a name or initials. Make sure your boss can wake up and drink coffee from a mug that reminds them that they’re missed, how lucky they are to be retired, or whatever else to add a boost to their day!
Paperwhite Reader
Books are great, but not easy to carry around, not great for low lit places, and not waterproof – all things a Kindle Paperwhite reader is! Whether you boss will be traveling or sitting at home, an e-reader will give them a way to carry their favorite books anywhere. The screen lighting can even be adjusted to warm light, and text can be made bigger or smaller. Plus, they’re made with recycled materials and packaging.
Happy Retirement Wine Glass
There’s nothing like celebrating retirement and being able to relax in style. For wine lovers, a funny retirement wine glass will let them feel the joy of retirement wash over them each time they sip their favorite wine.
Travel Duffle Bag
A classy, durable personalized duffle bag is an excellent idea for travelers and gym-goers. A high-quality duffle with personalization will definitely be appreciated.
Show your boss your appreciation in words engraved on a stainless steel jewelry cuff bracelet. This one is lead and nickel-free so it works on sensitive skin. It’s great for anyone who wears jewelry and isn’t too picky about what they wear. If you’re unsure about it, ask friends or family of theirs or simply include a gift receipt!
A gift card is always a great gift idea; it says, “I want you to buy something you want or need, on me, because I appreciate you”. Whether it’s a gift card to a place where people can buy almost anything, to something more specific to them like a favorite boutique or restaurant, a gift card goes a long way. Just make sure to include a card with a thoughtful note.
Philosophy Thank You Gift Set
This hand wash and hand cream set actually says “thank you” on the box, making it perfect for any boss who uses hand cream. Make sure they’re not allergic to any chemicals before gifting, or make sure to include a gift receipt.
Wine Tumbler: Thank you for being Awesome
Show your retiring boss how awesome they are with this stainless steel wine tumbler that literally says it. Each time they go to sip their wine, they’ll feel appreciated. This is perfect for the wine-loving boss, and it can be used at home and on outings, so it may be something they don’t already own.
A customizable leather trinket dish is a useful gift that will keep your message on it, so each time your retiree sees it, he or she will be reminded of the difference they made or whatever nice thing you have engraved each time they pick up earrings or keys.
Gardening Tools Bag Set
If your boss is going to be continuing or taking up gardening, an all-in-one gardening tools set is a great idea. This one has rust free tools with ergonomic handles to be easily used by gardeners of any age, and includes a premium storage bag. If they’re more of an indoor person, an indoor herb gardening starter kit could be a great alternative.
National Parks Pass
The US National Parks Pass is good for a whole year, good for a family of up to 4 people, and allows entry to 2,000 federal recreation sites. This will save your boss money on entrance fees, and give ideas for where to travel!
Thank You Gift Basket
This gift basket with customizable items includes a custom wine tumbler, succulent, and candle in a retirement-themed box. For some reason, getting custom-wrapped boxes and getting to unwrap the box to find more than one item is extra exciting, making this an excellent (and affordable) idea.
Portable Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker
Make sure your boss retires with a way to entertain themselves now that they won’t be spending all their time at work, and that they can hear well even though their hearing may not be as good as it used to be, with a portable waterproof bluetooth speaker. Whether they’re playing music, watching movies, or listening to a podcast in the shower, they’ll appreciate this gift that makes retired life easier.
