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Bye-bye, 9-5! Hellooooooo, retirement! Are you super jealous they’re retiring? Of course, but we’re not going to let that dim their joy–after all, they’ve earned it. And we’re going to make sure their send-off is one they’ll remember with a thoughtful retirement gift.
We know that finding the best retirement gifts is crucial for marking this major milestone, whether it’s a gift for your coworker signing off for one last time or your mom officially leaving the workforce behind. The best retirement gifts are usually ones that go hard on at least one of the four S’s. That’s sensible, sophisticated, sentimental, and sometimes silly. We like to think of retirement presents sort of like reverse college graduation gifts – instead of getting them ready for “the real world” these are gifts that are preparing them for relaxation and leisure.
From practical finds to splurgeworthy picks to give as a group to personal gifts just from you, these retirement gifts will make a great start to their endless days off.
Perfect for the retiree who plans to spend most of their free time digging and planting. This set includes a variety of useful gardening tools, plus a sturdy tote bag for plants and dirt and a foldable seat. (Because who says gardening can’t be comfortable?)
If they plan to spend their retirement on a dock, then they should have the right equipment. With this set of four tools – pistol grip fishing pliers, filet knife with sheath, fish gripper, and folding line snip and fly fishing retractor – they’ll never have to tell another tale of “the one that got away.”
This funny mug can serve as a daily reminder for just how good retired life can be; because for the first time in a long, long time, they get to be the boss, all day, every day.
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FOR THE RETIREE WHO’LL ACTUALLY MISS THEIR CO-WORKERS
DOUBLESHOOT Personalized Retirement Art
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FOR THE RETIREE WHO’LL ACTUALLY MISS THEIR CO-WORKERS
This elegant wall art enables everyone in the office to sign a farewell message that can then be displayed in their home. They may not be going into the office every day, but this way, they can still feel as though their favorite co-workers are there with them.
Whether they want to spend more time birdwatching, sightseeing, or spying on their neighbors (they shouldn’t, but we won’t judge), these compact, waterproof binoculars are just the thing to help. With 12x magnification, 25mm objective lens and wide field of view (273 feet/1000 yards) they’ll see farther and wider than ever before.
Now that they have more time to do their favorite thing (read), why not help them have a truly unique, immersive experience. Every month, a new book will come to their door along with multiple, thematic gifts to be opened at the perfect point in the story (there are notes in the book to let them know).
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FOR THE PROUD GRANDPARENT
Best Retirement Novelty Gift Sarcastic Retired Pun Under New Management T-Shirt
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FOR THE PROUD GRANDPARENT
Best Retirement Novelty Gift Sarcastic Retired Pun Under New Management T-Shirt
We all know that, for a lot of retirees, leaving the office doesn’t mean you don’t have a boss anymore. It just means your new bosses are smaller, more dictatorial, and more likely to get whatever they want from you. This cheeky t-shirt is sure to be a favorite in retirement.
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FOR THE RETIREE WHO NEEDS HELP RELAXING
CreateSpace Independent Publishing 101 Fun Things To Do In Retirement
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FOR THE RETIREE WHO NEEDS HELP RELAXING
CreateSpace Independent Publishing 101 Fun Things To Do In Retirement
For many retirees, relaxation and fun is something they’ve been looking forward to, but might not know how to do after so long committed to their career. This guide will help them with fun, thoughtful, and silly ideas to get the party started.
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For the Soon-to-Be Traveler
National Geographic ‘100 Places That Will Change Your Life’
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For the Soon-to-Be Traveler
National Geographic ‘100 Places That Will Change Your Life’
This trusty guide features beautiful destinations from around the world for them to consider for their next great adventure that’ll change their mind, body, soul, and spirit. (If you play your cards right, they might take you along!)
This adult coloring book is perfect for the days they just want to sit back and do next to nothing. It’s filled with 25 single-sided coloring pages featuring witty phrases sure to make them laugh, like “Goodbye tension! Hello pension!” and “Having a good time is my job.” (Just don’t forget the colored pencils.)
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For Retirees To Keep Hands Busy
Buffalo Games Simple Succulent 1,000-Piece Jigsaw Puzzle
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For Retirees To Keep Hands Busy
Buffalo Games Simple Succulent 1,000-Piece Jigsaw Puzzle
There’s a reason jigsaw puzzles are a mainstay pastime — and this 1000-piece option is sure to keep your retiree busy as a bee for hours. When completed, they’ll be left with a vibrant image of succulents they can turn into wall art.
We’re in the golden age of content, enough to fill a number of your retiree’s endless work-free days. While they binge-watch the latest and greatest, let this heated throw safely keep them warm and snuggly with its sherpa lining, four distinct heat settings, and auto-shut off function.
Plus, it’s machine-washable and dryer-safe for hassle-free maintenance.
With great tech comes a greater mess of cords. Make sure their wires and cords don’t cross as they travel with this electronics organizer. It has three adjustable padded dividers, five mesh pockets to store their tech, and five elastic bands ideal for cables. Plus, it’s made of water-resistant nylon for extra protection.
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For the Music Lover
Soundcore Life Q30 Hybrid Active Noise Canceling Headphones
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For the Music Lover
Soundcore Life Q30 Hybrid Active Noise Canceling Headphones
Noise-canceling headphones will help them enjoy the peace and solitude of retirement. Our senior tech editor loves this pair of wireless headphones for its comfy fit, reliable noise cancellation, and battery life of up to 40 hours with noise cancellation, and 60 hours without. The Soundcore app also offers a customizable listening experience.
Protect their skin, shield their eyes, and let the world know they’re officially off the clock with this baseball cap. From lounging in the sun to getting active outdoors, this cap will fit comfortably on your retiree’s head regardless of their activity level, thanks to the adjustable metal buckle on the back.
Without 9-to-5 obligations, your retiree can shop online completely uninterrupted. Kick off this new off-the-clock online shopping chapter of their life with an Amazon gift card.
From everyday household essentials to luxury goods to treat themselves, your retiree will be able to shop it all from their home with this retirement gift. Plus, it's the perfect umbrella gift to give as a group.
This unique retirement gift is both a game and a tabletop art piece in one. Constructed of smooth cherry wood, this top-rated cribbage board can be customized with a laser-etched image of their favorite lake. Users love the craftsmanship of the board, as well as the granular topographical detail.
This wooden plaque is engraved with an acrostic poem that’ll serve as a reminder of how to enjoy their retirement.
It’s a tear-jerking gift according to this 5-star Amazon review, “It was beautiful. I gave it as a retirement gift and she loved it. As she read it, she was on the verge of tears.”
Cheers to this major life moment with this stemless wine glass. It's a cheeky retirement gift that’s perfect for bundling together with a card and other coworker gifts for a toast to their retirement.
Great for the soon-to-be retiree who’s ready to trade suits for sweats, this graphic T-shirt is a tongue-in-cheek addition to their new casual wardrobe. It’s made from 100% cotton, making it super comfy for the endless out-of-office lazy days and making working folks jealous.
Jamie Kenney is a freelance writer for BestProducts.com; Her other work has appeared on Bustle, Parents, Playboy, McSweeny's Internet Tendency, the Takeout, and Romper, where she covers parenting, news, entertainment, and likes to help readers see the ridiculous (and hilarious) side of motherhood.
Elisabeth Narine is an Associate Editor at Best Products where she researches gift ideas for every occasion — her work can also be found on BuzzFeed and Forbes Vetted. When’s she not writing, she enjoys rewatching her favorite TV shows and cooking with her boyfriend.
Melanie Yates is the senior service editor of Best Products, where she writes and reports pieces pertaining to the etiquette, dilemmas, and how-tos of gift-giving for different occasions. Previously, she was the site's senior home editor, covering all things decor- and bedding-related since 2015. Her digital byline can also be found on Bustle, House Beautiful, and Elle Decor. A longtime classical-music enthusiast, Melanie spends her off-hours enjoying performances big and small across New York City.