Retirement Party Planning
From LoveToKnow Party
If you are hosting a retirement party, planning it should begin early so you can commemorate this momentous occasion for your colleague, friend, or family member.
Basics of Retirement Party Planning
Before you get wrapped up in what flavor of cake to order, you should take the time to think out the kind of retirement party your colleague/friend would enjoy. Whether or not you make the party a surprise party is up to you, but keep in mind that some people do not enjoy surprises. If you have a large guest list, it may not stay a surprise.
A retirement party is generally hosted at the time of a person’s retirement. While some parties can be held several weeks in advance, it is best to wait until the person’s employment has ended. Within the next week or two, try to host the party. The best parties are held the day of the retirement or the following weekend.
The formality of the event depends on the person for whom you are throwing the party and the industry in which she or he worked. An introverted person may enjoy an intimate luncheon with friends and co-workers, while an outgoing extrovert would love to be the center of attention at a large evening bash. If the retiree is someone who worked in the funeral home business or was in management at a conservative corporation, a more formal dinner party is appropriate. Those in theatre, advertising, or other creative jobs may enjoy a more relaxed party.
Before you find a venue, order food, or hire entertainment, you should get a guest list started. If you are close to the retiree, then you may be able to write a guest list without input for a surprise party. However, ask for help if the guest of honor knows in advance. The following people should be included to most retirement parties:
- Spouse of retiree
- Children of retiree
- Immediate boss
- Former bosses to whom she/he has kept in touch
- Former co-workers
- Board or council members (if applicable)
- Large clients (if applicable)
- Close friends
- Extended family members
Often, general announcements are made in company newsletters or to the retiree’s current officemates, inviting them to the festivities should they choose to attend. Invitations are often sent to invitees.
Once you have finished your initial retirement party planning, you can move onto the details of your party, such as venue, food, and entertainment.
Retirement Party Details
Once you have decided upon the date, formality, and guest list for the retirement party, you will need to focus on the details of the party. This includes finding an appropriate venue, providing food, and possibly entertainment for guests and the guest of honor.
Venue
Where you choose to have your party depends on the kind of party you are having and how big the guest list is. After-hours cocktails and appetizers at a favorite bar with co-workers and their wives may be perfect for the sports agent who only has around twenty people on his list. But a large group of over fifty usually requires a bit more planning.
Find out if the business from where the guest of honor is retiring has a large conference room. If most of the guests are co-workers, an open house or catered meal could be brought in (with the company’s permission). Other options include:
- Party rooms at restaurants or bars
- Hotel ballrooms
- Banquet halls
- Backyard barbeque
- Swimming pool party
- Country club receptions
Food
No party is complete without food. The amount and kind of food you choose to serve really depends upon the retirement party itself. Informal parties like backyard barbeques often are served buffet style, with hot dogs, cookies, chips, and salad. More formal events often have a served three-course, like salad, main dish, and dessert.
Regardless of the food, you want to be sure and get the retiree a cake to commemorate his/her retirement. Have it shaped or designed to relate to the industry from which he/she is retiring. Or, a simple elegant scroll design with “congratulations on your retirement” with the date and person’s name can be made.
Entertainment
Usually, entertainment is reserved for the largest of the parties. Parties where friends, co-workers, and family is invited for an evening meal may have a disc jockey or small band play songs during dinner, with a short dance to follow.
However, most retirement parties rely on toasting as their main form of entertainment. The host of the retirement party will often serve as emcee. Those who toast include the guest of honor’s boss, a co-worker, and either a spouse/child/close friend. If you are retirement party planning, be sure to ask people with enough advance notice for them to get a short toast written.
Gifts
If you are planning a work retirement party, is it customary to give the retiree a small gift or token of appreciation from the company. This can be along the lines of a watch, cuff links, or electronics device. If you work in a specific industry, it may relate to the job, too.
Friends and family members or co-workers who want to give the guest a gift may want to consider pooling their money and purchasing something the retiree would enjoy now that he/she has finished work. A year-long country club membership, golf clubs, or continuing adult education classes in a fun course may be something the retiree would enjoy.
Individual gifts are not customarily given; however, if you would like to give a small gift certificate for dining at his/her favorite restaurant, that is entirely appropriate. In most cases, a well-thought out card and your heartfelt best wishes are most suitable.
Your guest of honor will appreciate all of the retirement party planning that went into the festive occasion. Making it easier on yourself by staying organized. Focus on the larger issues, then move onto the smaller details.
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