19 Thoughtful Retirement Gifts
Updated: Jun. 14, 2023
Celebrate a retiree's next chapter with retirement gifts they'll actually love and use.
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Entering retirement can be a bittersweet period in one’s life. And it’s worthy of a spectacular celebration that honors a retiree’s accomplishments and impact. Whether you’re celebrating near or far, we rounded up thoughtful retirement gifts they can enjoy well into their next chapter.
Speaking of next chapters, check out these thoughtful graduation gifts, too.
For the Co-worker: Happy Retirement Gift Box
If retirement had a theme, it’d be peace and relaxation. This Happy Retirement gift box offers exactly that thanks to fun goodies like candles, bath bombs, a wine tumbler and more. Choose from five box themes: Comfort, shower, spa, charmed or deluxe. As one of the best retirement gifts, it’s topped with a card fit for the occasion.
For the Golfer: Retirement Golf Balls
Fore! Retirement means more time to spend on the green. Celebrate a retiree’s milestone in full swing with this golf balls set. They boast a celebratory engraving and it’s such a fun gift option to help a golf lover tee off retirement.
For the Caffeine Fiend: Coffee Subscription
Looking for retirement gifts for a coffee lover? Look no further than a coffee subscription box. Atlas Coffee Club hand-selects coffee options from all over the world. Your retiree will receive a new and unique coffee from a different country each month. Trust us, we tried Atlas Coffee Club and it’s the best way to experiment with new blends.
For the Comedian: Funny Candle
This funny-yet-thoughtful candle is guaranteed to make a newly retired loved one giggle. Whether they’re near or far, it’s a sweet way to show a loved one you’re proud of them. Pair with a practical candle accessory, like this candle warmer lamp.
For the Snacker: Celebration Gift Basket
Retirement is a good occasion as any to send a celebration gift basket. Packed with artisan meats, cheeses, crackers and sweets, the box is complete with congratulations-themed packaging to shower them in love. Check out more gift baskets to send to loved ones.
For the Camping Enthusiast: Coloring Map Mug
Help them map out (literally!) their next adventure over morning coffee. This National Parks mug is a fun and interactive retirement gift for those hoping to do a bit more exploring now that they’re out of the office.
For the One in Need of a New Hobby: Home Brewing Kit
Retirement is the perfect time to discover a new hobby. Gift them a kit to start brewing, kicking off with the popular West Coast-Style IPA. This brewing kit comes with everything your recipient will need to brew 10 bottles of beer at home.
For the Writer: Treasured Travel Journal
For many, retirement means more time to travel. Give your retiree a beautiful spot to jot down travel plans, memories and more with a custom leather journal to use and cherish for years to come.
For the Sweet Tooth: Celebratory Chocolates
Celebrate your retiree’s free time with treats. This sweet package from Seattle Chocolate includes a variety of delicious truffles in eight different flavors, complete with sweet packaging to honor the beginning of a new chapter. These care packages also make sweet retirement gifts.
For the One with Wanderlust: Dream Destinations Poster
Give a gift to celebrate their sense of wanderlust. This scratch-off poster lists 50 of the dreamiest destinations to travel to in the U.S. This is sure to make the perfect bucket list for retirement travelers.
For the Classic: Flower Bouquet
Want to send your well wishes in a simple yet thoughtful way? You can never go wrong with a beautiful flower bouquet. It’s bright, cheerful and sends good vibes their way whether you’re celebrating near or far. Keep the party going for months with a flower subscription.
For the Old-Fashioned: Personalized Crossword Puzzle
There’s no better way to start the morning than with their very own crossword puzzle. You’ll create six clues based on their life, which will be mixed into the puzzle. Pro tip: Through in some real brain teasers for an extra fun gift.
For the Backyard BBQer: Grill Masters Club
Time for more grilling! This BBQ box set sends spices, rubs, sauces, grilling accessories and even unique wood chips to the pit master in your life. This is a great way to allow them to try new things while working the grill. You can’t go wrong with these grilling gifts, either.
For the Kid at Heart: Congratulations Ice Cream
Send the sweetest congrats with these celebratory pints. The retiree in your life will indulge in chocolate turtle sundae, cherry chocolate chunk, peanut butter cup and butter brickle ice creams. Yum!
For the Lifetime Learner: MasterClass Subscription
Just because they’re retired doesn’t mean they’re finished learning. For the home cook who wants to learn new skills from Gordon Ramsay himself or the music buff who wants to learn the essentials of electric guitar, a MasterClass subscription offers something for everyone.
For the Budding Bread Baker: Challenger Bread Pan
More time spent at home means more time to brush up on their bread-making skills. Designed to bake better bread, the Challenger bread pan is the ultimate gift for bakers. The cast iron pan offers a sealed environment to create the perfect amount of steam while baking—meaning bakers can cook in confidence. Bonus: It works with baked goods beyond bread, too.
For the One Who’s Still Stressed: Calming Gift Set
For those with a bit of a green thumb, this eucalyptus spa set does the trick. Your recipient will get to plant their own eucalyptus to tend to, along with enjoying the kit’s bath salts and body scrub for ultimate relaxation. It’s the perfect spa gift for some well-deserved R&R.
For the Spirits Lover: Personalized Decanter Set
Whether they prefer whiskey on the rocks or in a mixed drink, a personalized decanter set makes a fun gift for retiree who’s always mixing and experimenting. This retirement gift comes with two whiskey glasses and glass decanter carefully wrapped inside a wooden box.
For the Tea Brewer: Tea Drinker’s Gift Set
For the tea lover, this gift set has it all. It features a large assortment of unique teas to taste and enjoy. Over time, your recipient will certainly be able to find a new favorite.
Additional research contributed by Taste of Home writer, Molly Allen.
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