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Retirement is the perfect opportunity to unwind and start living your life for you - and what better way could there be to bookend a career and kick-start a life-long break than with a party?
Unlike birthdays and Christmas, a retirement party is a once-in-a-lifetime event. As such, it’s a little different to many of the celebrations you might find yourself involved in, and there are slightly different rules of etiquette to observe. In this guide to retirement party etiquette, we’ll unpack some of them.
Like weddings and other one-off celebrations, a retirement party should be announced via a paper invite, usually accompanied by an RSVP card. This invitation should detail precisely when the party will be, and the date by which the RSVP must be returned.
The wording on a retirement party RSVP should be clear and unambiguous. If people can’t understand what’s expected of them, things are going to get very confusing very quickly. If you’re writing the RSVPs, then get someone impartial to take a quick glance at them before you visit the printer. The more information you can provide regarding the dress-code, the date, any gift requirements, and the location, the better.
If you’ve received a retirement party RSVP, then don’t delay in returning it. The date printed on there will be a maximum, not a recommendation; so return the invite as soon as possible. If you’re unable to attend, then offer your regrets, and make a point of arranging to see the retiree at another time. You might bring along a gift to smooth things over (which brings us rather neatly to our next point).
Shopping for an appropriate retirement party gift can be tricky. After a lifetime of work, most people will own everything they need, and they might well be stuck in their ways and averse to surprises. A retirement gift doesn’t need to cost a lot – if the thought is there, even a small gift will be treasured.
It’s a good idea to think about what the retiree is going to be doing with their time after they’ve given up work. This might help determine what sort of gift you should give
Check with the spouse to see if your gift is likely to be well-received, and think about how much free time they’re actually going to have. If they’re moving into part-time work or thinking of starting a new business, then they might not have the time or inclination for golfing, gardening, or any of the other activities we tend to associate with retirement.
This being said, not all retirees will even want to receive gifts. If this is the case, be sure to at least still arrive with a retirement card in hand.
Your invitation might well indicate what you should wear to a retirement party as a guest.
If there aren’t any specific instructions, then look at the style of the invitation itself. If it’s printed on expensive card and features an elaborate swirling font, then you can be reasonably sure it’s a semi-formal occasion. If you’ve received an invitation over social media, then more casual attire might be in order. That said, some people feel more comfortable being overdressed, while others aren’t looking to impress anyone.
If you’re in the slightest doubt, you can always pick up the phone and ask your fellow guests what they’re wearing. If you don’t know anyone else who’s going, then don’t hesitate to ask the person organising the event what the dress code will be.
You might play it safe by aiming for something you can adjust easily when you arrive at the party and realise you’re over or underdressed. Suit-jackets can be undone, ties can be removed, and high-heeled shoes can be swapped for flats.
After a retirement party it’s considered good etiquette to offer a written thank-you note. Organising a retirement party can be extremely stressful, and a thank you card is sure to be appreciated.
Need a retirement gift? Why not present it in one of our personalised retirement gift bagsor give a custom retirement chocolate box?