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Retirement gifts

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People give many different things as retirement gifts. Some of the most popular retirement gifts seem to be watches and clocks, jewelry, desk sets, trophy-like sculptures, and other such items. Sure, all of these gifts are just fine, but they seem better suited to someone who is still going to be working at the office! I say, give retirement gifts that reflect the fun that is to be had after retirement.

Why give a watch or a clock? A person who is retiring no longer needs to be “on time” anywhere! After retirement, that person is supposed to have all the time in the world. Yes, jewelry is a thoughtful retirement gift, especially if it is engraved, but a retiree no longer needs to dress up every day. Nobody needs to wear jewelry out on the golf course!

As for desk sets… the point of retiring is to get away from your desk for a while. And who really knows what to do with one of those trophy-like sculptures? You could use it as a doorstop, I suppose.

So, what kind of retirement gifts do I suggest? Of course, the type of retirement gifts you should give depend entirely on the person, but here are some suggestions:

• Travel gear – after retirement, you suddenly have a lot of time to travel. Give a retiree maps if he already knows where she is headed. Otherwise, a collapsible sun hat, a money belt, travel books, a good book for reading on the beach, luggage, and other such items make great retirement gifts.
• Golf gear – everyone knows that all retirees like to get a good game of golf every now and again! Give her some golf balls, a new putter, an invitation to a primo golf course, a book of golf courses across the world, etc.
• Cooking class – well, maybe not specifically a cooking class, but now that a retiree has open days, it is a great time to pick up a new skill or hobby. Check your community listings and find an art class, cooking class, language class, etc. that the retiree might be interested in.
• Coins – again, maybe not specifically coins, but give the retiree something that matches his hobby. Retirement is a great time to start working on all of those craft projects, collections, and hobbies that you just did not have time for, before.
• Photo album – a photo album makes a great gift because it is something to fill up with future adventures. You could slip in a few photos to represent the glorious past, her time at the company, etc, but then explain that the rest is empty and waiting to be filled up over the years with photos of all of her new adventures.
• Gift certificates – give a gift certificate for the spa. He deserves that massage after all those long and hard years of working! Or, give him a certificate to a restaurant so that he can celebrate. A gift certificate to a movie is a good idea. Tell him to go to a late night movie… on a weeknight! Gift certificates can make great retirement gifts as long as you get ones that you know the retiree will use and enjoy.