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30 Best Retirement Gifts to Celebrate Their Next Chapter

Salute their huge accomplishment with these thoughtful ideas.

Headshot of Cailey LindbergBy Cailey Lindberg
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CYKARA/DayClocks

When you're in the thick of your career, all you dream about is retiring. Then, when the day finally comes, for most, it's bittersweet. Sure, they no longer have to set an alarm or worry about getting stuck in rush hour traffic, but they are also saying goodbye to friends and colleagues they've spent so much time with doing what they love. That's why picking the best retirement gifts for them — whether they are your parents, spouse or work BFF — is so important. You want to give them with something that will remind them of everything they've accomplished (and maybe also poke fun that they are getting up there in age).

The best type of gift for someone who is retiring will help them make the transition to offline mode, so you can go with something that will encourage them to find a new hobby or help them enjoy one they already have. But if you're on a budget, there are plenty of funny and sentimental ideas that are just little tokens of appreciation to honor their next chapter. On the flip side, if you're shopping for a gift for your boss or mentor, chipping in with a group for a luxury present is also a great idea.

You'll want to keep all of this in mind when shopping our list, but at the end of the day, just letting the retiree know how much their work has meant is really all that matters.

Inexpensive Gifts

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1

100 Things to Do Bucket List Scratch Poster

100 Things to Do Bucket List Scratch Poster
1

100 Things to Do Bucket List Scratch Poster

$15 at Amazon$15 at Uncommon Goods

Since they're on the hunt for a new hobby, give them this poster with 100 scratch-off squares that reveal activities they wouldn't necessarily think of, like standing on a glacier and knitting a jumper.

2

Retirement Recipe Cutting Board

Retirement Recipe Cutting Board
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Retirement Recipe Cutting Board

Credit: GiftHerCook

They'll have more time to cook now that they're retired. The board is made of pine wood, so it's actually functional, but it's the sweet message on it that they'll really love.

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3

Retirement Gift Wine Bag

Retirement Gift Wine Bag
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Retirement Gift Wine Bag

Want to really help them get in the retirement mood? Just place their favorite bottle of wine or champagne inside this fun bag.

4

Retirement Dice

Retirement Dice
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Retirement Dice

Credit: CYKARA

Retirement will give them tons of free time they might not know what to do with at first. With this dice, all they have to do is give it a roll to find something fun to do.

5

Retirement Bookmark

On Sale
Retirement Bookmark
5

Retirement Bookmark

Now 17% Off

Although inexpensive, the sweet message and the year charm really elevate this gift. As a bonus, you can give it to them along with one of the great books on our list.

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Thoughtful Gifts

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Retirement Paperweight

On Sale
Retirement Paperweight
6

Retirement Paperweight

Now 23% Off
Credit: Eilcoly

Like we said, people just want to know that their time was appreciated, so giving them this reminder will be so meaningful.

7

Happy Retirement Card

Happy Retirement Card
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Happy Retirement Card

We're getting emotional just reading the front of this card. What's really nice is the back simply says "goodbye and good luck" with plenty of room for a long message or a bunch of signatures.

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Compass Gift

Compass Gift
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Compass Gift

Now is the time for them to start exploring their dreams outside of work. That might include travel, which would this even more appropriate. "This was a gift for a co-worker who is retiring after 42 years. I was looking for something that was artistic, functional, with quality material and appropriate for someone entering a new phase in life. The size was perfect and it works wonderful," one Amazon reviewer wrote.

9

1-800-Flowers Wonderful Wishes Bouquet

Wonderful Wishes Bouquet
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1-800-Flowers Wonderful Wishes Bouquet

Credit: 1-800-Flowers

It's all in the name. This beautiful mixture of lilies, white roses, carnations and greenery is the ultimate way to say "best wishes" to your former colleague.

RELATED: The Best Flower Delivery Services for Every Occasion

10

To A Great Co-Worker Bracelet

To A Great Co-Worker Bracelet
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To A Great Co-Worker Bracelet

The brand says that Amazonite "as been worn to promote courage, success and hope," while the ladybug represents good luck. It is elastic, so it should fit most wrists, and it even comes with a little card.

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Pendant Necklace

Pendant Necklace
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Pendant Necklace

You're saying goodbye to working with them, but not to your friendship. Let them know you'll always be there for them no matter where you two are in the world.

12

"Stop and Smell the Roses" Bangle

"Stop and Smell the Roses" Bangle
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"Stop and Smell the Roses" Bangle

Credit: Nordstrom

She probably needed this more when she was at her 9-5, but the sentiment still rings true in her retired years. In addition to looking cute, this stackable bangle will remind her to enjoy the small things like hummingbirds outside her porch or morning coffee with her husband.

Funny Gifts

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13

Day of The Week Wall Clock

Day of The Week Wall Clock
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Day of The Week Wall Clock

Credit: DayClocks

A ton of Amazon reviewers say this is the "perfect retirement gift." It actually works, so they'll always know what day it is, which is especially helpful now that they don't have a set schedule.

14

Retirement Toilet Paper

Retirement Toilet Paper
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Retirement Toilet Paper

Credit: party greeting

If they're feeling the retirement blues, this gift is a great way to make them laugh. "I got this for my husband because he retired last week. I switched the rolls out so when he when to the bathroom this was there. He got such a laugh. You could hear him from the bathroom laughing," one Amazon reviewer wrote.

15

Retirement Socks

Retirement Socks
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Retirement Socks

Need they say more? We especially love the cute design that's featured on them.

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16

"I Can Wine All I Want" Wine Glass

"I Can Wine All I Want" Wine Glass
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"I Can Wine All I Want" Wine Glass

Credit: Shop4Ever

Raise a glass to the retiree with the help of this punny glass. Pair it with a bottle of their favorite vino — red, white or rosé — to get their new life started off right.

17

F--k This S--t Makeup Bag

F--k This S--t Makeup Bag
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F--k This S--t Makeup Bag

If she's thrilled to be leaving her job behind, there's nothing that will make her laugh harder. It also helps that it is a totally functional bag and doesn't specifically mention retirement, so she can use it whenever.

Headshot of Cailey Lindberg
Cailey Lindberg
Commerce Editor, Gifts & LIfestyle

Cailey Lindberg (she/her) is a writer and editor with over a decade of experience covering products, lifestyle, entertainment and food. Before joining Good Housekeeping in 2022, she was a staff writer at USA Today's shopping network, Reviewed.com. 

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