It may seem like quite a daunting task to find the perfect retirement gift for your boss. There are numerous options and rules of etiquette to follow. We’re here to lend a helping hand. Below you will find some of the best boss retirement gifts for women and men.
Best Gift Ideas for Your Retiring Male Boss
Piel Leather Hanging Travel Toiletry Kit
The Piel Leather Hanging Travel Toiletry Kit offers a great option for your male boss that plans to utilize their work-free days for travel. It is made of genuine leather as well as a premium plastic lining that protects that leather from potential leaks inside the bag.
The bag itself offers a double zip opening as well as high quality hardware pieces and is handcrafted by the pioneers of Vaquetta Leather goods from Colombia.
Retirement Beverage Can Coolers
These Retirement Beverage Can Coolers are for the boss you may be a bit closer to and you know enjoys cracking open a cold one on occasion. They are a fun way to ring in retirement and are sure to bring a smile to your boss’ face.
This 6-pack of premium foam beer can sleeves all include the saying “Retired not my problem anymore” along with a set of palm trees. These would also make a great party favor or use at a retirement BBQ.
Zyllion Shiatsu Back and Neck Massager
The Zyllion Shiatsu Back and Neck Massager would bring a much deserved rest and relaxation to your male boss. This massager offers powerful 3-dimensional deep-kneading shiatsu massage nodes that help relax overused and tight muscles. It is also ergonomically designed to fit perfectly behind both the neck and body contours of the lower and upper back, abdomen, calf, and thigh areas.
The massager comes in three different color options, including pink for a female boss, so it can be customizable based on your boss’ preferences.
Engraved Pint Beer Glass with Etched Coaster
The The Legend Has Retired Engraved Pint Beer Glass with Etched Coaster is another fun option for the boss you know well or enjoys a good pint. This 16 oz beer glass is engraved with the saying “The Legend Has Retired” and is accompanied with an engraved leatherette coaster.
If you are looking for a handmade retirement gift, this would make a great option. It is crafted by a family-owned business in Las Vegas, NV.
And So The Adventure Begins Mug
The And So The Adventure Begins Mug is an 18-1 stainless steel mug that is double wall insulated to keep beverages either cold or warm for extended periods of time. It would be a great option for camping or travel. It comes with a synthetic cork bottom and is styled with the saying “And So The Adventure Begins.”
It is offered in three different color options: Matte Black, Matte Mint, Matte Navy Blue, and Matte Slate.
My Thrill Club – Monthly Book Subscription Box
For the boss that is an avid reader or loves a good true crime podcast or tale, gift them the My Thrill Club – Monthly Book Subscription Box. This monthly subscription box features two hardcover books and a surprise in every box. You can even pick between Thriller, Mystery or Horror them books and boxes.
Examples of past books include
- Horror: Silence of Ghosts by Jonathan Aycliffe
- Thriller: Wicked Leaks by Matt Bendoris
- Mystery: Lucky Supreme by Jeff Johnson
Bormioli Rocco Selecta Collection Whiskey Decanter
For the liqueur or whiskey connoseuier, this sophisticated Bormioli Rocco Selecta Collection Whiskey Decanter would offer an excellent retirement gift option. The 33.75 oz decanter features a sparkling starburst pattern that creates beautiful reflections when hit by light while an airtight lid keeps the contents fresher for long periods.
The decanter is crafted in Parma, Italy and is also dishwasher safe and built to last.
Farewell Gift, Retirement Pen
Give your boss a memorable farewell with this Farewell Gift Retirement Pen. Both the pen and the box are made of high quality materials, with the pen consisting of metal, steel, aluminum and copper.
The word “Farewell” engraved in gold on both pen and case.
Top Shelf Retirement Wish Jar
For a more thoughtful retirement gift for your male boss, purchase the Top Shelf Retirement Wish Jar. This meaningful gift comes with a jar, lid and pen as well as 100 tickets for coworkers, family and colleagues to write future wishes and ambitions for all the happy years to come after retirement.
Barry.Wang Mens Belt
For the stylish boss, this Barry.Wang Men’s Belt set offers a sophisticated gift option that is also unique. This three-belt set provides a perfect fit for everyone by allowing the tip of the belt to insert into the ratchet belt buckle, where a locking mechanism holds the belt in place from the back. To remove the belt, just press the small metal lever on the bottom of the buckle, and the belt slides out of the buckle. This means the wearer is no longer restricted to 1 inch size adjustments, but can get a perfect custom-fit.
Hickory Farms Meat & Cheese Sampler Size Gift Box
One of the most highly rated gift boxes each year typically comes from Hickory Farms. If you don’t know much about your boss outside work, then this Hickory Farms Meat & Cheese Sampler Size Gift Box is a great option. This box offers a variety of shelf stable favorites from sausage to cheeses, and allows for a yummy individual tasting experience.
Items included are a 5 oz Farmhouse Summer Sausage, a 2 oz Smooth and Sharp Cheddar Blend, a 1.25 oz Sweet Hot Mustard, a 1 oz Golden Toasted Crackers, and four Strawberry Bon Bons.
Retirement Golf Towel
For the boss who loves to golf or plans to spend their retired days on a golf course, this Retirement Golf Towel would make an excellent gift. This microfiber waffle towel features high-quality embroidery that states “My New Office Retired 2021” along with a golf ball, golf tee and golf green.
The towel measures 14.9 x 25.98 inches and attaches to a golf bag via a grommet and clip.
Whiskey Glasses Set
For the whiskey lover, this Whiskey Glasses Set would make an impressionable retirement gift. It offers not only two deluxe whiskey glasses but also 8 black, polished, granite whiskey cubes. The whiskey cubes will keep your drink cooler for extended periods of time and won’t dilute your drink. This allows for richer tasting of scotch, bourbon, or whiskey.
The accompanying crystal whiskey glasses measure 210 ml each and feature a deluxe cut glass design. It all is delivered in a handmade quality wooden box as well as a black felt carrying bag.
Salvatore Ferragamo Stainless Steel Swiss-Quartz Watch
If you are looking for a good retirement gift for a man, this Salvatore Ferragamo Stainless Steel Swiss-Quartz Watch would do the trick This luxurious retirement gift is characterized by its sport-luxury mood. The F-80 is the best-selling line designed by Salvatore Ferragamo and is crafted in Switzerland. It features a 44 mm steel case with six decorative screws on the top ring. It is also water resistant up to 30 meters.
Push Pin Travel Globe
For the boss who plans to travel beyond the U.S., this Push Pin Travel Globe would make an excellent retirement gift. This unique, handmade globe was crafted by award-winning artist Wendy Gold and allows the owner to chart their travel adventures around the world. It measures 12 inches and is ivory colored. Its solid wood base allows the globe to spin around and the globe itself is made from post-consumer reclaimed paper fiber.
Each push pin kit includes: 100 pins in your color choice, red string for charting trips, 50 adhesive flags to pinpoint locations, and a custom tool for inserting pins into globe.
Retired Since 2022
A funny way to commemorate the year of your boss’ retirement is with this Retired Since 2022 men’s t-shirt. These t-shirts are made of 100% cotton and are only available in short sleeves.
It comes in a wide range of sizes as well as five different colors that include black, navy, heather gray, heather navy, and blue.
Retirement Now in Full Swing Golf Ball Marker
This clip-on golf ball marker tool is easy to attach and detach from the bill of a golfer’s hat, cap or sun visor, and is the perfect gift for your boss’ retirement celebration. Crafted out of solid stainless iron, this golf marker is built to endure heavy duty usage. It’s great for both beginners and seasoned golfers.
It measures 25mm in diameter and is 1mm thick.
Carnivore Club Cured Meats Subscription Box
For the meat lover, this Carnivore Club Cured Meats Subscription Box offers a monthly way to indulge in some of their favorite treats. Every box features a local artisan as they spotlight 4-6 of their most popular meats. These artisans are continually trying out new recipes and flavor profiles to add their own personal touch to their products.
Each box includes a meat-eater’s handbook featuring details about the artisan and products, as well as recipes and pairings.
Elizo Lined Leather Journal
Retirement can mean having the time to jot down family stories or wisdom gained from years of experience. That means this Elizo Lined Leather Journal would make an excellent gift for your male boss’ retirement. This leather journal has the option for refillable pages and comes in at the perfect portable size of 5 x 7 inches. The leather is also scratch resistant and the journal also offers a leather wrap around closure, internal bookmark, pen holder, and pocket.
You can choose the color of your leather with options ranging from chestnut brown to black to dark brown to hazelnut. This journal also comes with a luxury pen that can be tucked neatly inside th pen holder for safe keeping.
Digital Picture Frame
What better way to keep up with former coworkers or your loved ones than through this AEEZO Digital Picture Frame? Others can instantly share photos from their phones via Wi-Fi when connected to the free frameo app.
The 9 inch IPS HD touch screen with 1280×800 resolution can display vividly clear landscape and portrait photos as well as video. It’s built-in 16GB memory also means that you can receive and store numerous photos. But if that isn’t enough space, it also supports a 64GB SD card or USB driver.
Retirement Gifts for Your Female Boss
Retirement GSPY Wine Tumbler
This Retirement GSPY Wine Tumbler offers a cute and fun option for the female boss that is looking forward to spending more time with their grandchildren during their retirement years. The 12 oz tumbler itself is BPA free and made from 18/8 stainless steel. This makes it durable, rust resistant and keeps drinks cold or hot for hours.
The tumbler comes in three different color options, rose gold, mint and purple.
Memorabilia Shadow Box Retirement Gift
For a more sentimental gift for your retiring female boss, this Memorabilia Shadow Boxwould make an excellent retirement gift. This fun and meaningful gift allows you and the giftee to add mementos of their time working for the company or remember career milestones by saving and displaying photos, pictures, memorabilia, awards, medals, concert tickets, plane tickets, movie stubs, collectibles, certificates, invitations and more!
The wooden memorabilia box measures 6 x 6 x 2 inches and is made with high-quality MDF wood. It comes with a clear semi-reinforced glass to protect the memorabilia it is holding inside and features a hook and easel in the back, making it ready to be hanged or used as a table-top display.
How Retirees Tell Time Wall Décor
This How Retirees Tell Time Wall Décor is a fun way to celebrate a female boss’ retirement. It is a great option for a coffee and wine lover as it offers the space to store two standard coffee mugs and two wine glasses without any obstruction. It even comes in specially designed packaging so no need for wrapping!
This wooden mug and wine rack comes in at 16.5 inches tall and 12.6 inches wide, easily fitting onto any size wall to suit any home and any décor.
Soho Floral Arts | Roses in A Box
If you’re puzzled as to what the perfect retirement gift for your female boss may be, you can typically not go wrong with flowers. That’s why you should opt for this Soho Floral Arts | Roses in A Box.
Direct from a farm in Ecuador, this box comes with four roses that are guaranteed to last a year or more. It’s unique box design offers the ease of care most of us dream about, with no need for sunlight or watering. You can even choose between a white or black box and a variety of rose colors.
Sterling Silver Compass Necklace
For a stylish and motivational retirement gift, this Sterling Silver Compass Necklace is a great option. It will remind the wearer that even though moving in a new direction in life can be scary, it’s important to enjoy the journey and rely on your own inner guide for direction.
This sterling silver necklace is 18 inches long and the compass charm is 18 mm. The chain is dainty in style, but durable. It is also handmade by either a California, New Jersey, or Texas artesian.
Huski Wine Cooler
This isn’t just any ice bucket. In fact, the Huski Wine Cooler can chill wine for up to 6 hours. It is the perfect wine accessory for the home or outdoors. It is one size fits most at 750 ml
This wine and champagne cooler also offers an adjustable height to fit most bottles. It’s Flexi-lock expandable design holds the bottle in place while you pour so there’s never a need to remove the bottle from the cooler to enjoy.
The cooler comes in five stylish colors ranging from brushed stainless, matte black, matte champagne, matte white and rose.
Funny Retirement Coffee Mugs
Bring a little sunshine to your boss’ retirement life with a Funny Retirement Coffee Mug. This pink marble mug is handmade and features gold lettering stating: “A Wise Woman Once Said ‘I’m Outta Here’ And She Lived Happily Ever After.” The ceramic mug holds about 11 oz of cold or hot beverage.
100 Parks, 5,000 Ideas: Where to Go, When to Go, What to See, What to Do
Now that your boss has retired, they’ll have much more time to enjoy traveling. For the RV or camper enthusiast, the book “100 Parks, 5,000 Ideas: Where to Go, When to Go, What to See, What to Do” especially offers unique ideas for travel.
The pages are filled with helpful travel tips and beautiful National Geographic photography. It offers an expert guide that showcases the best experiences in the top national, state, and city parks throughout North America. It even includes 5,000 ideas for the ultimate vacation.
Well Wishes Jar
For a meaningful and sentimental option, purchase this Well Wishes Jar for your boss’ retirement. Each kit contains 1 wish jar along with 110 wish cards. The cards are blank and offer colleagues, coworkers and family the chance to write well wishes for the retiree either as departing gift or as an activity during a retirement party. Pen is not included.
The Ultimate Retirement Bucket List: 101 Fun Things to Do, Exciting Everyday Activities, and Once-in-a-Lifetime Experiences for a Healthier, Happier Third Act
For the boss that looks forward to exploring and becoming more active in their everyday life, the book “The Ultimate Retirement Bucket List: 101 Fun Things to Do, Exciting Everyday Activities, and Once-in-a-Lifetime Experiences for a Healthier, Happier Third Act” offers a plethora of ideas for activities and experiences to do in their new found free time.
This book offers a guided, interactive bucket list packed full of ideas and prompts that will help the retiree fill their days with meaningful, budget-friendly memory-making activities such as creativity-sparking class suggestions, inspiration to reconnect with old friends, healthy cooking and more.
Happy Retirement Ceramic Jewelry Trinket Dish
This Happy Retirement Ceramic Jewelry Trinket Dish is crafted from high quality glazed ceramic and fits in a variety of spaces in your living room, bathroom, washroom, bedroom, kitchen, or office.
The text of the dish reads: May you be proud of the work you have done, the person you are, and the difference you have made. Happy retirement.
Retirement Spa Gift Box Set
This luxurious Retirement Spa Gift Box Set offers the giftee a spa-like experience thanks to lavender hand and body soap, nourishing lip balm, lavender-scented hand-poured candle, and moisturizing bath bomb. Each of these items are handmade with high quality ingredients.
Quote on the top of the box reads: Time goes by so very fast. It’s so hard to believe. It’s time for your retirement, time for feeling free. You’ve worked so very hard to make this dream come true, and no one deserves it anymore than you. You have had some rough times. You made it through them all. You made the best of what life brings, and, today you’re standing tall. I wish you days of happiness not filled with any strife. I hope that your retirement years are the best years of your life. Congratulations and Enjoy!
Happily Retired Not My Problem Anymore Socks
For a fun gag gift for your retiring female boss, these Happily Retired Not My Problem Anymore socks are sure to make a lasting and comfortable impression.
These socks are created to fit almost any woman, ranging from women sizes 7.5 to 12. They are also created with a high needle count to ensure well-defined graphics and outstanding quality. That means they feel as great as they look. They are also prewashed so no future shrinkage should occur, keeping your fun, colorful design intact.
Retired and Sleeping in Pillow Case
This beautifully designed Retired and Sleeping in pillowcase features vibrant prints on a brushed polyester sateen. It’s the perfect funny retirement gift for a woman. It is especially designed to be super comfy and for cozy sleep.
The reversible design provides the ability to adapt to different bedroom décor. One side reads “Retired and Sleeping in Since 2021” while the other side reads “Today’s Good Mood is Sponsored by Retirement and Naps.”
Fits common Standard and Queen size pillows.
The Retirement Coloring Book
This Retirement Coloring Book would make an excellent gift for a retiring female boss. It would also make a funny retirement gag gift as it is filled with irreverent, laugh-out-loud funny and original designs that are perfect for taking the stress out of retirement.
Specific features include 50 High Quality Original Coloring Pages, a total of 100 Pages on High Quality Paper, and Large Page size at 8.5 x 11 inches.
Cocu & De Sousa Luxury Candle
The Cocu & De Sousa Luxury Candle isn’t your ordinary, run-of-the-mill candle. This is created for a luxurious experience. It is a 100% natural soy wax infused candle infused with scents of Lemon, Basil, and Citrus to remind you of the Amalfi Coast. The scents are specifically chosen for their aromatherapy qualities, with lemon essential oils for reducing anxiety, depression and stress and basil essential oils for working to uplift, relax and ease mental fatigue.
The candle comes in a blue glass matte vessel that features the geographic coordinates of Positano from which this candle was inspired.
Womens Retirement T-Shirt
For a sweet and funny retirement gift for your female boss, this Women’s Retirement T-shirt would be a great option. It is printed in the USA and features a high end, super soft and comfy tee.
You can choose between 4 shirt color options and the wine in the wine glass can be gold glitter or pink. Sizes range from small to xx large.
Adults & Crafts – DIY Craft Kits Subscription Box
For the creative boss that is excited to have more time to craft and create, give them this Adults & Crafts – DIY Craft Kits Subscription Box. The receiver will be able to learn a new and engaging craft each month. Also, each kit comes with everything you need to finish a fun craft project and many come with a tool you can use forever. It helps eliminate waste or shopping time as well by giving you the exact amount of each material you need to complete various projects.
TROVE – Travel From Home Subscription Box
This quarterly TROVE Travel From Home Subscription Box offers the giftee the option to travel to a different city each month. Each box is filled with with locally-sourced foods and goods that will allow you to immerse yourself in a new city with two guided virtual experiences: a Cooking Class and Cultural Experience.
Each box offers along with the virtual experiences amazing local snacks, goodies, and a FREE surprise gift based on the featured city from around the world.
Refillable Adventure Writing Journal
Now that your female boss is retired, she has a new adventure to begin! Help her remember the best parts of this new journey with the Refillable Adventure Writing Journal. This personal adventure journal comes engraved with a compass, a rudder and a spear as well as the saying “And so the adventure begins.” It is wrapped in vegan leather and can be filled with reusable paper inserts that are A5 sized. A black business pen is also included with this journal set.
This leather notebook journal’s dimensions are 5.3 x 8.6 inches.
RECUTMS Photo Album
Help your female boss remember their time with your company and the highlights of their career with the RECUTMS Photo Album. This large photo album has a smooth leather, collage cover and has a luxurious feel.
The photo album is 14.5 inches wide, 13.4 inches tall and 2.5 inches thick. It comes with 60 sheets of photo pages and can hold five 6×4 photos per page offering a total of 600 photos. It comes in a variety of colors that include black, purple, blue, silver, brown, pink, red, and white.
Shori Bake Banneton Bread Proofing Basket Set
For the boss looking to pick up a new hobby in retirement, get them started with bread baking with this Shori Bake Banneton Bread Proofing Basket Set. This set includes two round 9-inch bread proofing baskets that each holds up to 2 pounds of dough. The baskets are made of 100% rattan and are handmade.
Other artisan bread baking tools and gadgets are included in the set such as specialized accessories, cloth liners, a stainless steel bench scraper, a plastic scraper to pull the dough, a danish dough wisk tool, and a professional scoring knife with five extra blades. It also includes a complete e-book guide for how to make sourdough bread from scratch.
How to Choose the Best Gift For a Retiring Boss
Find a gift that matches your boss personality or retirement plans
Finding the right retirement gift for your boss may seem like a daunting task. But it doesn’t necessarily have to be. Do some sleuthing and find out what your boss’ retirement plans may be.
Are they considering buying an RV to travel the U.S.? Then maybe buy them a national park guide. Are they planning to spend more time with their grandkids? Then consider gifting them a gift certificate to a zoo or get a custom mug with a photo of them and their grandchildren.
Personality is also a key component of finding the right retirement gift for a female or male boss. Do they pride themselves on a great sense of humor? Do you often joke with your boss or have a close relationship based on laughter? Then get them something with humor behind it like a mug with a fun saying or wine glass that talks about how excited they are about retirement.
Is your boss the more sentimental type or have they been with your company for an extended period of time? Then get them something more sentimentality that many coworkers and colleagues can participate in like the retirement wish jar.
What is your budget?
One of the biggest things to consider is what your budget will be. Figure out how much you’re willing to spend before going searching for the perfect boss retirement gift. You don’t want to get a cheap gift that may seem insincere, but you also don’t want to buy something too extravagant that would make your boss and coworkers feel uncomfortable.
For larger gift options, considering starting an office pool. Ask your coworkers to contribute whatever amount they feel comfortable with and give them some ideas of gifts that you are considering. You could also all pitch in for a gift card if you have time constraints or would rather throw a big office party.
What is your company policy on retirement gift giving?
You may also want to research whether your company has a specific policy on gift giving. Many larger companies have specific limits on when and to whom you can give gifts. When in doubt, ask your Human Resources department.
If you worry there may be an unofficial policy regarding retirement gift giving, ask your coworkers what they are planning to give or what has been deemed appropriate in the past.
FAQs About Gifts For Retiring Bosses and Others
What makes an appropriate retirement gift?
You must first consider who you are gifting and their personality, interests and sense of humor. Do you want to give a gift that is classic, utility, personal or just a gag. Everyone is different, so you must consider their personality and how well you know them before purchasing a gift. Also, some people just don’t enjoy receiving gifts or find traditional gifts too stuffy or gag gifts too embarrassing.
How much should a boss give for retirement?
When considering what type of retirement gift to give someone who works for you, you must consider the length of time the person has worked for you as well as your company policy. However, since you have been on the receiving end of the benefits of their hard work, you may consider more than a typical coworker may spend on a retirement gift.
The average that most individuals spend on retirement gifts ranges between $10 and $100, so you may want to spend $100+ as a boss on a retirement gift. Also, be sure to check company policy before purchasing to ensure there are not specific limitations.
What is a good retirement gift for a coworker?
When considering what to give your coworker as a retirement gift, you must first consider company policy. Is gift giving allowed? If it is, try to pick a gift that matches their personality or interests. Think of a gift that could help them enjoy their retirement better or something that could remind them of the good times you shared at work. Experiences such as DIY or cooking classes are also unique options.
Do you bring a gift to a retirement party?
It’s generally best practice to bring a small token or card if you are invited to a retirement party. However, if you don’t know the retiree well or are asked to pitch in for food or beverages, then not bringing a gift should suffice.
If in doubt, don’t feel embarrassed to ask the party planner or person who sent out the invitation. For an office retirement party, you can always ask about pooling funds together to purchase a larger gift as well.