Gift IdeasRetirement gift ideas
A retirement gift looks forward: to hobbies, travel and time. It can also look back, with a record of the years of work.
A handwritten letter
Say three specific things you are grateful for. It is kept longer than any object.
A good pen
For someone who still writes by hand. Have the name engraved if the shop offers it.
A book you loved
Write a line on the first page saying why you chose it for them.
A photo collage printed as a poster
Collect pictures from friends and family first, then join them in any collage maker and print the result.
A book of messages from everyone
Pass a notebook around quietly, or collect messages on the phone and print them.
A tree or fruit sapling
For someone with a garden. Planted on the day, it marks the year.
A pack of dry fruits
Keeps for weeks, suits every age, and nobody has to guess a size.
A warm shawl or stole
Wool for the north, light cotton or silk for the south.
Reading glasses case, magnifier or reading lamp
Small comforts for someone who reads every day.
A soft cushion, backrest or foot rest for their favourite chair
Comfort gifts are the right gifts for elders.
A large printed family photograph
Get everyone into one picture, print it big and frame it.
A photo album you have filled yourself
Printed photos, with dates and names written underneath, in an album they can hold.
A hobby kit
Gardening tools, a painting set, a fishing rod, a set of chess pieces: whatever the next chapter is about.
A subscription to a magazine or newspaper
A gift that arrives again every month.
A donation in their name
To a cause they care about. Give them the receipt in a card.
Their old photographs scanned and restored
Collect the family's loose prints, have them copied and give back both the originals and a new album.
A pair of comfortable walking shoes
Take them along for the fitting. Feet do not forgive guesses.
A class or workshop
Pottery, cooking, music, dance, photography: something they said they would try one day.
A travel bag or backpack
For someone starting a new job, a new city or a long-planned journey.
A music player or radio
Loaded with old songs, bhajans or ghazals for an elder who finds phones fiddly.
A pilgrimage or a trip to their home town
Plan every detail: tickets, stay, a companion. For elders, the planning is the gift.
A weekend trip
Choose a place a few hours away. Two calm days are better than a rushed long journey.
A big family gift bought together
A television, a washing machine or a holiday, given by all the children or all the friends as one gift.
No idea matches these choices. Set one of the boxes back to "Any".
Your shortlist
Choosing a retirement gift
- Ask what the person plans to do next, and give something for that.
- A book of messages and photographs from colleagues costs little and is treasured.
- Avoid clocks and watches if the person jokes about finally being free of time.
About the spending levels
This site does not quote prices, because prices change with the city, the shop and the year. Each idea is marked with one of four levels instead:
- Token: A small gesture: the cost of a snack or a few cups of tea.
- Modest: An everyday gift for friends and family.
- Generous: A special gift for someone close or a big occasion.
- Grand: A once-in-years gift, often given by a family together.
Questions people ask
What is a good retirement gift?
Ask what the person plans to do next, and give something for that. Two ideas from this page: "A good pen" and "A photo album you have filled yourself".
Is it fine to give money?
In India, money in an envelope is a normal and welcome gift on most family occasions, especially weddings and festivals. Add a line of blessing and your name. See our page on shagun.
Other occasions
Guides
- Shagun: giving moneyThe envelope, the extra rupee and how to decide the amount.
- Gifting etiquetteGiving, receiving, regifting and gifts to avoid.
- Return giftsIdeas for birthdays, weddings, pujas and housewarmings.
- Gift wrappingWrap a box neatly, or wrap without paper at all.
- Gift messagesShort lines to write on a tag or card, to copy.
- Secret Santa name drawerPair everyone for a gift exchange on one phone.