In the past, retirement usually meant that your company threw you a little party. They took out a bottle of whiskey and poured generously for your colleagues, who were probably predominantly male. If you were a loyal employee, you might even get a gold watch from the company as your colleagues looked at it with envy.
The concept of retirement has changed over the past decades as more women have joined the workforce. While most people retire in their mid-60s, some leave their 9-5 jobs early thanks to the FIRE (Financial Independence, Early Retirement) movement or may continue to work part-time. Part-time work may be especially relevant for women who want to earn extra income after they have more time to care for the sick.
Retirement brings mixed feelings to many who see it as a chance to start a new stage in their lives. For some, this may be an easier transition than for others. When thinking about retirement gifts for women, it’s important to respect their past by focusing on the milestone ahead.
Retirement Gifts
Buying retirement gifts for a woman who has been your friend, colleague, colleague, or perhaps even your mentor should be in line with their interests and your relationship with them. You may have important insights after years of working together in the same cubicle or workplace office. In many cases, giving experiences is better than giving material things. They can create more lasting memories and ways to celebrate your friend’s newfound freedom.
Think about what the retirement of your friend or colleague means to them. Will they travel, pursue hobbies, or want to learn new skills? Determine if you are buying an individual gift or a retirement gift as a group of employees. This will make a difference to your budget. You don’t have to break the bank. You want to match their interests or personality when considering a gift.
60 retirement gifts for women
Pampering goes a long way
It’s easy to find something that satisfies the needs of most women in retirement: pampering. By working hard and sharing her experiences with a reasonable level of work stress, she has earned the opportunity to find her newfound freedom. Between a long day at work and full retirement, there is likely to be a transition to this holiday destination.
Consider these gifts to pamper your friend or colleague:
- Gift certificate to a spa resort like Canyon Ranch
- Destinations Money Pedi
- Appointments at your favorite barbershop
- Visagiste
- Body care package
If you want to pamper your friend, consider shopping for foot baths, skin care products, scented candles, or even a bath tray to soak in the tub. Make sure it has room for a glass of wine and a book. You can also buy a plush robe or throw one so they can sit comfortably in front of the fire.
Gift for a colleague
Presenting a gift from a group of colleagues is beneficial if you want to pool your resources to design a more substantial item such as jewelry, a retirement game set, a glass flower bouquet, an exquisite gift basket of fun foods, a painting, or ceramics. Colleagues can donate personalized wine glasses.
Travel plans
Does your friend have a travel bug? Many retirees look forward to traveling without deadlines to get back to the office. You can donate as a group to buy travel vouchers, airline certificates through flight gift or cruise lines
Alternatively, consider these as fun things to give to those planning to travel:
- Lilly Pulitzer Passport Cover or Personalized Passport Cover
- Personalized travel kit
- A whole collection of luggage or small bags
- Voyage Mapper Scratch Map USA or World
- Travel Journal
- Wishlist: 1000 adventures big and small
- Camera or binoculars
- travel packaging
Club membership and subscription boxes
A woman with many interests is considering buying a membership or sending a subscription box. There are so many clubs out there and if it’s hard for you to choose, check out Amazing Clubs which has over 40 different types of clubs. Like the Book of the Month clubs, there are wine, massage, coffee or tea subscriptions where you can pre-pay for products or services that make amazing gifts. Most of us may not think about doing it for ourselves, but appreciate what we get.
- Wine clubs like Wine.com
- The American Film Institute has a weekly movie club for cinephiles.
- Membership in a museum, dance, music or theater group
- Subscription box for various interests including spices, craft projects, snacks or games.
Follow interests or learn new skills
Many people return to their passions or do something new when they retire. They may have had an interest, but not the time or opportunity. This is a great gift if you give your friend tools that match their interests, such as paints, watercolors, brushes, and an easel. It could be painting, scrapbooking, gardening, cooking, sewing, hiking, knitting, photography or interior design.
The list is numerous and depends on what you know about your friend’s interests. Some people want to learn something new, like learning a language, taking pictures, writing, playing musical instruments, or learning opera. There are many online or in-person classes to try that are affordable and make amazing gifts.
- Painting tools including paints, watercolors, brushes and an easel.
- Scrapbooking supplies
- Garden tools, flowers and plants.
- Try virtual classes in many categories such as MasterClass where masters teach in their own fields such as the iconic Annie Leibovitz (photography), David Sedaris (storytelling) or Alicia Keys (songwriting).
Health and wellness
As we age, we want to stay physically active and mentally healthy. Retirement gives us time to focus on our well being. Many people play pickleball and try different classes. We offer:
- Yoga classes or yoga set
- Pilates classes
- Meditation classes
- Time with a personal trainer
- fitbit meaning
- Air purifier for healthy breathing
- Dodow for better sleep
- Herbal Tea Kettle
- Yeti water bottle
For those who love books
People who love to read are happy to buy books of different genres or gifts related to reading. This is a great time for women in retirement to curl up with a book, listen to a book while walking or jogging, or take a leisurely soak in the bath. Count me! Here are some gifts for book lovers:
- Kindle Paperwhite or Oasis
- Sound subscription
- “Next Chapter” Leather Bookmark, Personalized Bookmark or Bookmark Set
- The mug reads “Retired but still fully booked.”
- The T-shirt reads: “Retirement means more time to read.”
- Vintage book medallion from literary classics
- Literary Fortune Cookies
- Scratch poster “100 books”
- Lit Chat: Starting a conversation about books and life
- Magnetic poetry for book lovers
- Bookends for those who have a lot of books
There are also practical gifts.
You can never go wrong with practical gifts of the highest quality and value. Money is one of the most practical gifts so the recipient can keep it or spend it on whatever is best for them. If you are giving a group gift, this might work.
- Appliances for baking or cooking
- Photo of colleagues in a beautiful frame with their signatures
- Plant a tree in her honor via TreeGivers
- Beach equipment including sun loungers, umbrella and beach towels.
- Case of wine or any spirits
- cooking lessons
Give an unforgettable experience
This is a great category for people who prefer gifts over gifts. You can’t go wrong by organizing fun activities for friends who are ready to do something new or have a wish list. This may require knowing the woman’s preferences, her abilities, and your budget. Our offers:
- Weekend
- Romantic trips
- spa resorts
- Wine tastings
- Theater tickets
- Concerts
- Sports events
- Unique shopping can be combined with jewelry making, painting or walking tours.
- Book a hot air balloon flight
- Fly in a helicopter or hire a pilot for a scenic ride
Final Thoughts
It can be difficult for women to buy retirement gifts as they enter a new part of their life journey. As we go through every change in our lives, there is some anticipation of what lies ahead. Making this adventure more beautiful for your friend or colleague is a great way to celebrate together.
This article originally appeared on Wealth of Geeks.