42 Best Retirement Gifts to Celebrate the Golden Years
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Recent retirees have already gotten the sweetest gift of all, retirement. Which, let’s be honest, is a gift that's pretty hard to beat. Now that they’ve stepped away from the workplace, it’s time to find them a gift to help them enjoy their newfound free time.
Retirees do a lot more than just kick back and relax, though. Sure, there’s plenty of time for that (and lots of bath bombs, puzzles, books, and more to help!), but many retired folks would appreciate some inspiration to start something new. Some use this chapter in their lives to further their education or pursue a hobby, like gardening or playing a musical instrument.
Others resolve to become more physically active and start spending extra time hiking, biking, or golfing. Some retirees choose to give back to their communities by doing local volunteer work when possible, while others safely indulge in their wanderlust by planning a weekend getaway or international travel.
Whatever they’re passionate about, you can bet your recently retired friend or family member will find more than one way to keep busy. So why not purchase a gift that will help them embrace their new way of life? Read on for inspiration on what to wrap up for your recent retiree.
National Geographic's 50 States, 5,000 Ideas
This book will show 'em the best travel experiences in every state from National Geographic’s most talented photographers. National parks, secluded beaches, dinosaur trails, open swamp tours—it's all in here! Flip through the book and find a new adventure in seconds.
"What Time Is It?" Retirement Coffee Mug
If you want to give them a good laugh, this mug will do the trick. Plus, they’ll actually get use out of it as they sip a calming cup of tea or rich black coffee in the morning. The mug is microwave and dishwasher safe, and the message is printed on both sides so everyone can see.
Retirement Ornament
Retirement is the best Christmas present you can get, so help them commemorate the holidays with this personalized ornament. They’ll remember this gift (and you!) every time they unbox their decorations for the season.
Retirement Tiara
Make them feel like royalty at their retirement party with this festive crown! This is a great option no matter what you have planned celebration-wise.
Murder Mystery Puzzle Book
If they love a good whodunit mystery, this puzzle book will bring out their inner Hercule Poirot to solve 20 various, thought-provoking cases. Each incident is wonderfully written and the gothic-style artwork within helps set the tone for the exciting and even gruesome story. If they've always wanted to be a detective, now's the time!
Naipo oCuddle Back and Neck Massager
They can enjoy a massage any time they want with this portable deep tissue massager. This 2020 Wellness Awards winner has four-finger kneading nodes and a selectable heat mode to relieve any soreness or tension in the neck, back, and shoulders.
Retirement Planning Guidebook
This brand new guide to retirement is already a best seller and helps readers navigate difficult decisions for a successful and productive retirement. From managing long-term care risk, to when to start Social Security, they'll have everything they need to answer all their questions and spend more time relaxing.
Personalized Crystal Employee Retirement Gift
Choose from three sizes of personalized plaques to honor your retiree. Add their name and retirement date for a customized gift they'll cherish forever, special from you and their colleagues.
Mini Cork Globe
Not only does this make a super cool home décor item, but it's yet another way to track your travels (and show guests how worldly you are, of course)! Use different colored push-pins for where you've been—and where you plan to go.
Prevention Subscription
Call us biased, but a monthly subscription to Prevention makes a pretty great gift. For less than $15, you're gifting a friend or family member access to science-backed and evidence-based answers to their biggest health questions—plus the inspiration and tools they need to live their healthiest life.
Kindle Paperwhite
They’ll dive into their favorite book anywhere with the thinnest and lightest Kindle Paperwhite yet. The screen is waterproof (perfect for poolside reading) and the battery lasts weeks for less stress about a full charge. Plus, it comes in four fun colors and two storage capacity options.
FitBit Versa 3
Get back into fitness with the newest fitness smartwatch that tracks heart rate, sleep, swim, and more. Plus, you can access music, GPS, and Alexa right at your fingertips in four gorgeous colors.
Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds
For an on-the-go retiree, these wireless, noise-canceling earbuds are the perfect pick. Each pair is compatible with both Apple and Android phones, has a built-in microphone, and is sweat resistant for every kind of wire-free movement (like a daily brisk walk).
Personalized Leather Journal
From keeping a bucket list and journaling on the daily, to planning vacations and writing recipes, a journal is a beautiful way to wish someone a happy retirement (and holiday!). Choose your cover color and get it personally engraved for the special gift.
Retirement Spa Gift Box Set
Nothing says “it’s time to relax” quite like a spa set. Each box comes with lavender hand and body soap, nourishing lip balm, lavender scented candle, and a moisturizing bath bomb to congratulate your co-worker and ease them into relaxation time.
Wine Rack
The wood wall mount is perfect for those who love a glass of wine and plan to enhance their wine collection during their work-free days. They’ll think of you every time they reach for a glass with this funny, unique gift.
Personalized Passport Holder
If the airport will be their first stop, this personalized leather passport holder will be a wonderful gift they’ll use time and time again. With a customized design and monogram of their initials, they’ll be sure to always have their passport on hand during their travels.
Retirement Bumper Sticker
For a retiree that enjoys a good laugh and public proclamation of their retired status, this laugh-out-loud bumper sticker is a great retirement gift idea. Just be sure the retiree in your life likes a good chuckle, and has a car.
eKO Lite Yoga Mat
Professional yogis and newbies looking to dive in can both enjoy this yoga mat. The material is naturally grippy, eco-friendly, biodegradable, and made from non-Amazon harvested tree rubber. Plus, the unique design helps to guide and prevent injuries for yoga-lovers of all levels. It's our pick for best overall yoga mat for every type of practice.
Beautiful Boards: 50 Amazing Snack Boards for Any Occasion
Without lunches to pack for the office, introduce them to mouthwatering snack boards. This gift is perfect for a coffee table read or as inspiration for their next gathering, these beautiful boards will be the talk of the party.
Béis Weekend Travel Tote
This affordable bag is extra spacious, has hand-held and crossbody straps for versatile carrying, plus sports exterior zippers for easy access to travel documents. On top of that, it has a polyester and nylon exterior that makes it easy to clean and is 100% stylish.
100 Movies Scratch-off Poster
Chances are they haven't seen a good movie in years (thanks to working long hours), but with ample time on their hands, this poster will get them up to speed, starting with the classics. Introducing 100 of the most iconic movies everyone needs to experience from OG films like Jaws to newer flicks like Little Miss Sunshine. Best of all? This scratch-off poster will help them keep track and reveal fun artwork with the help of a quarter.
Simply Be Well Overnight Foot Care Kit
Is there anything better than soft, moisturized feet? This duo comes complete with a heavenly rosemary-mint cream and a pair of socks that work together overnight by sealing in those essential hydrating ingredients. They'll be delighted to feel baby-smooth feet in the A.M. and you'll be dubbed the best gift-giver ever. Kudos to you!
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1,000-piece Jigsaw Puzzle
Puzzles have made a comeback in the last few months and if your friend or family member already jumped on the bandwagon, they'll appreciate this retirement gift. A 1,000-piece jigsaw isn't for the faint of heart, but that's what makes this all the more fun! Once complete, they'll get a gorgeous view of the Amalfi Coast that's nice enough to frame.
eufy Robot Vacuum Cleaner
No one should have to vacuum once retired! The robot eufy vacuum cleaner by Anker moves seamlessly from hardwood floors to carpeting and even glides under furniture and around edges to suck up dust, dirt, pet hair, and more without lifting a finger. It's truly magical.
Away Carry-on Suitcase
If your retired BFF is planning to travel more in the coming years, they need a suitcase that can withstand some bumps and bruises as a carry-on. Away's suitcase is the hot ticket travel item right now for a reason: It's perfectly sized to fit in the overhead bin of most major airlines, is made of a durable polycarbonate shell, and has 360-degree spinning wheels for easy transpo.
Allbird Runners Sneakers
These soft, lightweight kicks are popular for a reason. People of all ages love them for walking, traveling, running—pretty much every activity you can think of. They come in neutral, black-and-white combos as well as fun color patterns. Four hundred plus rave reviews won't steer you wrong.
Xenvo Pro Lens
Just by adding this little device to your phone (and we're talking any phone: iPhone, Samsung Galaxy and Note, Google Pixel, etc.), you've suddenly got a pro camera on your hands, ready to capture 45% more of the scene with a wide or macro lens. There's also a rechargeable LED light to better illuminate an object—and we all know lighting is everything!
Waterproof Digital Camera
Wherever life takes your retiree, they'll be able to share every moment with this underwater camera. The camera is lightweight, pocket-sized, and easy to operate for top-quality photos they'll love for capturing precious memories of all their adventures.
Philips Wireless Neckband Headphones
They may prefer earbuds, and in that case, Philps offers a model with a lightweight neckband—making it ideal for more active days on bike or walking trails. And yes, they're noise-canceling and connect with Bluetooth as well!
Retirement Coloring Book
Adult coloring books are seriously relaxing. This one includes 30 images that will keep the creative juices flowing while they’re no longer busy with a nine-to-five. It’s also a great activity to do with others, so your retiree can share this gift with friends, children, and grandkids. Shopping for someone with more of a funny bone? Go with this humorous pick instead!
Travel the World Scratch-off Map
This scratch-off map is the perfect gift for a newly motivated travel buff. Not only does it make for cool wall decor, but they’ll also love coming home from an exciting trip and being able to mark all their new adventures.
National Park Scratch-off Map
If their interests get even more specific, and they're an aficionado of national parks, you basically have to get them this scratch-off map. Scratch off the silver foil with ease to reveal 60 national park locations.
Vitruvi Stone Diffuser
Make their post-retirement slumber that much more peaceful with this essential oil diffuser. It comes in five stunning colors and makes for gorgeous decor in any setting. It has a high-quality ceramic cover, optional LED light, and scents up to 500 square-feet.
Retirement Golf Balls
If your retired friend loves to golf but is still taking a break from the course, these personalized Callaway brand golf balls will be the motivation they need to practice their game in the yard until it's safe to hit the country club again. The designer allows you to choose the color, set size, and ships it in ready to wrap packaging to make the process as easy as possible.
Waterproof Gardening Shoes
With more time to spend outside, your retiree can finally return to their love of gardening—so gift them these popular waterproof shoes to get them back on their feet (and into the soil)! These gardening shoes are available in 25 different prints, and when it comes time to clean them, a simple hosing off is all it takes.
Work Pro Gardening Tool Set
After putting in years of work, chances are your retiree doesn’t even know where their old gardening tools are. This starter kit is the perfect gift to get them going again, since it includes seven tools including a trowel, transplanter, and a pruner. Plus, it comes in a durable, polyester storage bag they can throw over their shoulders when they’re ready to head outside.
Braided Wide Hat
This braided gardening hat will leave them feeling cool and protected from the sun’s damaging UV rays while they tend to their garden. The hat includes a wide brim and adjustable elastic cord to keep it firmly in place on windy days, is affordable, and comes in several styles, so you can find one that fits her personality.
Sassy Retirement Apron
If the recent retiree in your life enjoys cooking or baking (and finally has time to spend in the kitchen), they'll get a ton of use out of this cheeky apron. It comes in splatter-camouflaging colors like red, black, olive green, and hot pink.
"I Was Here" Travel Journal
This colorfully illustrated travel diary allows adventurers to jot down itineraries, reviews, tips from locals, and memories they never want to forget. There's also a nice reference section on time zones, measurement conversions, and other helpful notes when traveling long distances.
A Night at the Theater
No more late nights at the office means they can finally go to that show they've wanted to see for ages once theaters re-open. Pick up tickets to a concert, play, opera, or dance performance and celebrate their newfound freedom with a night on the town.
An Afternoon on the Field
Your favorite retiree deserves an afternoon watching their favorite sports team live. They'll love heading to the field to celebrate the end of an era.
A Special Culinary Experience
If they've never had time to advance their culinary skills but always had an interest, think about signing them up for a cooking class in a few months. Sur La Table and many other cooking schools across the country offer a wide variety of classes including French Croissants 101, Thai Favorites, and more.
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