6 Ideas for Throwing a Great Office Retirement Party

Overhead view of friends toasting at a retirement party
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When the time comes for a beloved co-worker to retire, you want to send that person out in style. Every office has different traditions and guidelines for retirement parties, but the idea of showing gratitude is consistent across the board. 

The ultimate guideline for your retirement party ideas should be the guest of honor and their personality. No matter the person, though, your goal should be to present memories of their accomplishments with the company and, more importantly, the time they shared with other employees.

Co-Worker Stories

If you have a close-knit group, finding volunteers to share their favorite memories of the honoree should be easy. You can create a “roast format” where each person tells a funny story at the retiree's expense, or keep things more formal with toasts of appreciation. Again, let the honoree's personality be your guide. Some will appreciate a roast more than others.

Picture Slides

It might seem like a chore to gather 20 to 40 photos of the honoree, but the smiles and laughs make it all worthwhile. Most people enjoy looking back on younger days with their co-workers and reflecting on how the world around them has changed. Newer employees also gain a sense of company history through the images, and they'll appreciate the loyalty and a thoughtful sendoff.

Don’t forget to look through the company archives if you run short on pictures. You might be able to find old brochures or advertisements that bring back good memories.

Retirement Party Games

Games are a great way to keep the party moving. Make a slideshow trivia game with images of pop culture references that date back to when the retiree was first hired. If it was decades ago and the retiree has a good sense of humor, have some fun with it. Attendees can try to guess what each picture is and win prizes. Another fun guessing game involves reading quotes, sayings, or stories about the guest of honor and asking co-workers to name the who, what, and where of each one.

Video Collaborations

For video collaborations, designate someone to record the message on their smartphone. This ensures quality and cohesion in the final video since not all smartphones are created equal. In a private area weeks before the party, ask co-workers to record a two-minute farewell message to the retiree. Find a tech-savvy, creative person in the company to compile the farewell messages of co-workers into a single video with transitions and music. The video can be played after the luncheon or during dessert. It will also make a valuable keepsake for the honoree long after they have departed the company.

Invite Old Friends

Because occasions like this are designed to look back on an individual’s career, it makes sense to invite former employees who were with them in the beginning. Think back to all the people who worked closely with the retiree. Did they have a favorite secretary, manager, or subordinate who can join in the celebration? Spouses and children might also be applicable if the family is close to the company. Unfortunately, not all employees leave on good terms, so run a list of former employees past senior management to avoid any awkward situations.

Retirement Gifts

The best way to handle retirement gifts is to have everyone donate to a general fund so that you can afford to buy something memorable. There are endless choices for what to give, but leisure gifts make the best options. Clocks and desk ornaments are okay, but the better choice is something the guest of honor can use during retirement. For those who can’t resist a gag gift, make it small and don’t let it be a substitute for your share of the group gift.

Most people would prefer a fun office party over a formal retirement celebration. The latter can end up more like a funeral if the situation isn’t balanced well. And while retirement is an achievement, many retirees would rather deflect the spotlight away from growing older and on to something more entertaining.​​ Use good judgment, but sometimes a little initial awkwardness can ultimately make for a memorable party.