After years and years of hard work, their retirement is finally here! Whether they're closing this chapter of their life with a fun party filled with their co-workers, friends and family, you'll want to show the lucky retiree in your life just how proud you are of them. One place to start sharing your sentiments is with a thoughtful retirement gift.
We did all the legwork and rounded up retirement gift ideas to help you find the perfect present (including some tried-and-true editor recommendations). Whether you're looking for a funny gag present or something a little more heartfelt, there's bound to be something on our list that fits the bill.
For women | For men | Unique gifts | Funny gifts | For co-workers | For vacation | Worth the splurge | How we chose
Retirement gift ideas for women
Ceramic Jewelry Holder
Celebrating years of hard work doesn't have to break the bank. Case in point: this sentimental trinket dish that several verified Amazon shoppers described as "very nice for the price."
Gratitude Tree
How much do you appreciate them? Let them count the ways with this "living" gratitude tree, where you can fill in your favorite memories on the leaves.
Little Words Project Teacher Education Equality Bracelet
When senior editor Francesca Cocchi Zabloudil's mom retired from her teaching career last year, some of her favorite gifts she received from students were beaded friendship bracelets. "This one from Little Words Project is a great way to thank an educator, since 25% of proceeds help teachers purchase supplies through Adopt A Classroom," Cocchi Zabloudil says.
Sloggers Waterproof Rain and Garden Shoe
If she loves to garden, a good pair of waterproof garden shoes are a necessity. This pair from Sloggers come in 25+ different designs, are heavy-duty with extra traction and are easy to clean. The style is also an Amazon top seller and has over 9,000 verified five-star ratings.
Natural Life Icon Sherpa Slippers
They have every excuse to be as comfortable and cozy as possible now that they don’t have to get dressed for the office, and what better way than with a pair of sherpa slippers. Available in five different designs, this floral pair from Natural Life include a rubber sole and are perfect to slip on and off throughout the day.
Sterling Silver Retirement Compass Necklace
Help her celebrate her retirement with this thoughtful necklace that is both stylish and motivational. The compass pendant represents moving on to new chapters while striving to enjoy the journey.
Papier El Sol Writing Set
Whether they're planning to send some thank-you notes or staying in touch with long-distance friends, their snail mail will look extra impressive thanks to Papier's personalized writing set that comes with both sheets and envelopes.
From You Flowers Blue Skies & Sunshine Bouquet
One way you can send well wishes from afar is with a classic flower arrangement. This one comes with yellow roses, white lilies, blue delphinium and purple monte casino flowers in a classic clear vase.
28Collective Personalized Retirement Wind Chime
They'll be spending more time in their backyard or porch, so they may appreciate the soothing sounds that come from a high-quality wind chime. Available in four primary colors and the option to personalize with their name, this Etsy bestseller is, as one shopper summarized, a "beautiful piece that brought [their] co-worker to tears."
Retirement gift ideas for men
Custom Engraved Retirement Beer Glass
This customized beer glass is another great option if they prefer beer. You can get him one glass or a set of two and personalize it with any name, date or message.
Funny Retirement Weekly Schedule Mug
This funny mug is the perfect retirement gag gift to make him smile every time he drinks his morning coffee.
Engraved Silver Cigar Case and Cutter Set
Now that they'll be kicking back and relaxing with a cigar more regularly, they may need some essential tools to light up. This customized set will get the job done perfectly.
Twisted Engraved Decanter Set
If you want to get him a nice retirement gift that isn't too expensive, this thoughtful custom decanter set will be perfect to add to his home bar.
Timex Weekender 38mm Watch
While he won’t be pressed for time very often anymore, a sporty watch would make a great gift for a new retiree. The budget-friendly timepiece comes in almost 20 different bands, is water-resistant to 100 feet and has over 15,000 verified five-star ratings on Amazon.
GCI Outdoor Kickback Portable Rocking Chair
For some, the thought of enjoying leisure time is better than the actual experience, but this bestselling lawn chair at least delivers on indoor-quality comfort. Its patented spring-action rocking technology, supportive mesh backrest and easy folding design are ideal for tailgating parties, s'mores around the campfire and any other time where he might be separated from his favorite house chair.
Unique retirement gifts
“The Book of Unusual Knowledge”
If they have a curious mind and a passion for learning about interesting facts, they’ll really enjoy this book. It’s packed with captivating and interesting information that covers many topics from the animal kingdom to technology.
Masterclass Subscription
From cooking classes to dog training seminars, a new retiree will finally have the chance to try out a new hobby and get around to "that thing" they've always wanted to try. Associate editor Allie Wise did a trial subscription and couldn't get enough — especially when it came to Amy Poehler’s and Judd Apatow’s comedy classes. "They were fantastic," she says. "I highly recommend for anyone looking to learn a new skill and [who] has some extra time to do so."
MasterClass offers hundreds of video lessons and new classes are added every month; memberships start at $10 a month.
Mixology & Craft Mixology Bartender Kit
If retirement gives them ample opportunity to craft more cocktails, gift them a complete set of tools, including a shaker, strainer, corkscrew and a wooden display to store them all on.
Pickleball Paddles (Set of 2)
Retirement means they officially have more time to join the pickleball bandwagon! Equip them for gaming success with this set of two lightweight fiberglass paddles produced in accordance to USAPA standards, four balls and a year-long warranty (in case they decide to abandon their new hobby).
Personalization Mall Custom Bamboo Cutting Board
Personalization Mall offers a large variety of customizable items you could gift a retiree, but we especially like this personalized cutting board. Whether they love to cook or simply make charcuterie boards from time to time, they’re bound to enjoy this as a parting gift.
HomeGoods Gift Card
Know someone who wants to redecorate with all their new free time? Senior editor Jess Bender's mom's pseudo retirement coincided with a significant move, so she wanted to make sure her mom had the freedom to shop for some new home items — without stressing about paying for them herself. "HomeGoods is a place she visits regularly, so it was a no brainer to surprise her with a gift card from one of her favorite shops," she says.
Book of the Month Subscription
Now that they have an abundance of time to spend diving into a good book, purchase them the gift of a new one each month! They can choose between a variety of genres and select one that piques their interest most. From hardbacks to audiobooks, they can check off their “To Be Read” list easily thanks to this subscription starting at just $60.
Whiskey and Rum Making Kit
Are they a big fan of whiskey and rum? If so, they’ll love this bestselling alcohol making kit to make their own soon-to-be legendary spirit.
Funny retirement gifts
Retired Funny Business Cards with Case
These retired business cards are great for anyone with a sense of humor. The set comes with 50 high-quality business cards with a stainless-steel case that’s laser engraved with the word “Retired."
"Bring Me The Remote" Socks
These socks are bound to get a laugh. After decades of working hard, he or she deserves someone to fetch the remote once in a while, right?
"I'm Done" Retirement Ornament
Stick a fork in them because they're....well...you know. They're sure to get a kick out of this utensil ornament, which you can personalize with the year of their final day on the job.
Engraved Stemless Wine Glass
Gift them this sassy wine glass with their favorite wine and raise a glass to all of their hard work over the years!
“Not My Problem Anymore” T-Shirt
Since the days of wearing collared shirts and ties are long gone, get him this tee that’ll become his new uniform of choice.
Retired Rosie the Riveter You Can Do It Coffee Mug
If you want to give them a good laugh, this mug will do the trick. Plus, if they enjoy drinking coffee or tea in the morning, it will be useful too!
NewEleven 12 Oz Tumbler
Never clock in at work again and instead clock some serious hours with this tumbler on the porch. It comes in a bunch of fun colors and has double-wall insulation so she won't have to "wine" about her drinks getting warm.
Retirement gift ideas for co-workers
"Enjoy the Next Chapter" Personalized Metal Bookmark
This personalized bookmark is a thoughtful and affordable way to show them how much you’ll miss having them around the office.
Society6 "Rocking the Retired Life" Tote Bag
Instead of packing away their desk with unmanageable boxes, hook them up with a reusable, easy-to-use tote that doubles as a statement accessory.
Retirement Gift Box
Unsure of what to get your soon-to-be-former-coworker for their retirement? You can’t go wrong with this gift box from Etsy. It comes with a live succulent, a vanilla-scented soy candle, sea salt caramels and more.
Goldbelly Oprah's Favorite Key Lime Bundt Cake
If you can't make their retirement party, you can still send good sentiments their way in the form of a delicious treat. This mail-order bundt cake just so happened to be one of Oprah's Favorite Things in the past, so it's bound to delight.
Literie "I Have a House Down the Shore" Candle
Vacation mode is permanent nowadays for them, and this beachy candle with a 50-hour burn time and notes of salty seawater should serve as a reminder to dig their toes in the sand (or at least book a trip to a tropical destination).
DayClocks Classic Day Clock
Now that they'll have time on their hands, this is the type of clock they'll actually need. It will help them keep track of all seven days of the week — just not the actual hour or minute!
Retirement gifts for future travel plans
Maps International Store Scratch-Off Map
This scratch map is another fun travel-themed gift to get them inspired for their upcoming trips around the world.
Brass Monkey National Parks Puzzle
If they’re in need of something to do while counting down the days ‘til their trip, this puzzle can help cure boredom! Designed in a vintage postcard-like style, there’s four National Parks to piece together in this 1,000-piece puzzle.
National Geographic Complete National Parks of the United States
Many people plan to see the world (or at least spend some extra time in nature) during their retirement. Encourage them to start planning those trips with this National Geographic travel book, which has suggestions for all kinds of historic sites, scenic hikes, campgrounds and other outdoor destinations across the U.S.
Moleskine Passion Journal
Oh, the places they'll go when they're off the clock! Set them up for vacation success with a Moleskine journal that'll help them track their travel plans — from bookings to reservations to memories they encounter along the way.
Out of Office Floppy Sun Hat
This trendy “Out of the Office” hat from Etsy is perfect for a new retiree that's ready to hit the beach. It’s handmade and would go with any swimsuit cover-up.
Vera Bradley Weekender Traveler Bag
If they're planning on traveling the world, then they're going to need a proper carry-on. This Shop TODAY Travel Gear Award winner won praises for its ample storage, durability and functionality.
Amtrak Gift Card
Set them up for their next big adventure with an Amtrak gift card that serves over 500 destinations across the continental United States.
Away The Carry-On Flex
Send them off on their next trip in style with this bestselling sturdy carry-on. In fact, the brand says Away luggage was one of Google's top-searched luggage brands of the year. If you need more space, the suitcase unzips to expand an extra two inches.
Retirement gifts worth the splurge
Omaha Steaks Fully Cooked Pot Roast
If they don’t love spending too much time in the kitchen, consider gifting them this fully cooked pot roast from Omaha Steaks instead.
The Sill ZZ Plant
A plant is the perfect farewell gift to give someone for their retirement. This ZZ plant from The Sill is a great purifying plant for beginners. You can choose from two different sizes and a variety of different types of pots.
DSNY Fish Crewneck
Is he a fisherman? If so, this contemporary embroidered crew neck, made with organic cotton French terry will reel him right in.
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite E-Reader
With all of their newfound freedom, they’ll be able to get started on the stack of books they’ve been wanting to read for years. The Kindle Paperwhite is a great device because all of their favorite reads will be in one consolidated place. It’s also waterproof and has a glare-free display that looks like real paper even in bright sunlight.
Even senior editor Francesca Cocchi Zabloudil — who is a self-proclaimed "physical book person" — has recently become a Kindle convert. "I’m a big fan of renting books from my local library, so I also love that it’s compatible with library apps such as Libby," she says.
Aura Carver Digital Picture Frame
Cocchi Zabloudil also vouches for this wifi-enabled frame, which she calls the gift that keeps on giving after buying one for her mother in law. "The app makes it easy for us (and other family members) to share pictures with her in real time," she says. "And as digital frames go, it’s very aesthetically pleasing — it looks more like decor than tech."
Lego Vincent Van Gogh The Starry Night Decor Kit
Lego has been releasing gorgeous adult building kits, which help embrace your inner child while keeping you busy with a fun DIY project. The finished product of this 2000-piece home decor set is Vincent Van Gogh's "The Starry Night," which can be mounted on a wall or propped on a desk.
Callaway Strata Complete 12-Piece Golf Set
Many people pursue new hobbies after retiring and many choose golf. If you’re in the market to splurge on your new retiree, get them a quality set of golf clubs.
How we chose
The Shop TODAY editors and writers search the internet to find the best products out there. We interview expert sources and use our own personal experiences with the product and brand to make shopping easier for our readers.