Retirement Party Ideas

"No more pencils, no more books, no more teacher's dirty looks!" I forget who said it first, but I still hear kids saying it to this day as the final school bell rings, signaling the first moment of the freedom of summer! I think this is how a retiree must feel on that last day of work. This kind of feeling deserves a great retirement party! We have some fun ideas for a retirement party. These retirement party ideas will help you plan the perfect theme party for the occasion

Retirement Party Invitations

An occasion this important demands a great retirement party invitation! Here are a few great options:

Custom Retirement Party Invitation - works for anyone and it's very fun!
Golf Theme Retirement Invitation - perfect for the retiree that will spend their free time on the links!
On the Beach Retirement Invitation - It's all about relaxing, right? Here is an invite the gives that peaceful feeling.

A fun and really great way to roast/toast the retiree is to use a caricature as the invitation. Have a caricature custom made by Party411.com and show a picture of the guest of honor in all his/her glory! Make sure to include some possible future hobbies for the guest of honor as well as a great background in which to practice the new hobbies (I hear Hawaii is nice this time of year). We have some semi custom caricature invitations already designed. Just drop a picture of the person of honor and you're ready to go!

Retirement Party Decorations

Make sure the celebrant feels special by decorating for their big day. Here are a few easy retirement party decorations that will make a big impact in your party space:

Custom Retirement Banner - personalized so that the guest of honor feels like a star
Retirement Party Paper Goods - paper places are useful and add to the party atmosphere
Balloon Bouquets - balloons are always a great choice (odd number groupings look best)
Star Confetti - sprinkle this on the tables for extra oomph

Retirement Games and Activities

A few fun activities will make the party a blast for everyone. Here are some great easy games and activities for retirement parties:

What will (name of retirees) do now that they are retired? - Have everyone write down what they think the newly retired people will be doing now that they are no longer working. Read everyone's answer to the question out loud, and award a prize for the most creative and outlandishly funny answer. If there are kids at the party, they will probably have the best answers!

Retirement Karaoke - Let the retiree's coworkers serenade (he or she will really be ready to leave!) Here are a few fun songs to have:

The Best is Yet To Come - Frank Sinatra
Manic Monday - The Bangles
Takin' Care of Business - BTO
I Can See Clearly Now - Johnny Nash
Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap - AC/DC
9 to 5 - Dolly Parton
Bang on the Drum - Todd Rundgren
We Are Family- Sister Sledge
Stayin' Alive- Bee Gees
You're Still The One - Shania Twain
Nobody Does It Better - Carly Simon
Unforgettable - Nat King Cole
Everybody's Working For The Weekend - Loverboy

Name the New Hobby - Divide the guests into a few groups. Give each group a piece of paper with the letters of the entire alphabet down the side of the paper. Next to each letter, they need to write an activity that the retirees can do that begins with each letter. (Example: Ape watching, Bingo, Car washing, etc.) (Give everyone about 10-15 minutes). When the time is up, call out one group's answers. If another group has the same answer then it gets crossed out. The most unique answers for each letter (that no one else has) get a point. The team with the most points wins! (If no one finishes the entire alphabet, that is OK).

Ring Toss Golf - Toss plastic skimmer rings into buckets that hang from the trees (or buckets in the sand along the beach). Move from bucket to bucket trying to sink the skimmer rings just as golfers move from hole to hole. Print the name and date of your party on each ring and let your guests keep them as a memento of your party.

Retirement Party Favors/Prizes

Send everyone off with a favor that reminds them of your fantastic party and the wonderful retiree they came to celebrate.

Personalized candy bar wrapper - a sweet and custom favor idea
Picture frames - this way they can keep the guest of honor with them at all times.
Mini address books - with the retiree's address already written in so that everyone can keep in touch
Work Sucks Lollipop - a funny favor everyone will get a good chuckle from
Have a happy retirement!