| Planning a fun and memorable retirement party | | | | that could be a theme as well. If the person has a |
| can seem like a huge chore if you don't have a | | | | noteworthy trait, you can also make that a |
| game plan for the party already in place. To help | | | | theme for the party (i.e. if they always wear blue |
| get you on your way, we've created a basic | | | | shirts to work, you could inform the guests to |
| guideline that is intended to make your job easier | | | | wear blue shirts). |
| and spark your creativity. For organizational | | | | Decorations |
| purposes, the guideline is broken down into seven | | | | Decorations for the party can be simple as long |
| major categories: | | | | as they are creative. If you choose not to have a |
| Venue | | | | theme for the party, you can always hang |
| Selecting the right venue for a retirement party | | | | framed portraits or pictures of the person that is |
| plays a critical role in determining how much time | | | | retiring. If the person who is retiring has a good |
| and effort you will have to put into planning the | | | | sense of humor, you can doctor the images in |
| party. In general, parties held in the workplace | | | | Adobe Photoshop to get a rise out of the guests. |
| demand more planning time and effort because | | | | Food and Beverage |
| they require you to supply your own food and | | | | Serve hors d'oeuvres and drinks to stay within |
| beverages, decorations, and other party supplies. | | | | budget and keep the preparations manageable. If |
| A restaurant can be an easy venue option for | | | | you are holding the party in a restaurant, make |
| many reasons. To name a few, holding the party | | | | sure to prearrange which hors d'oeuvres will be |
| at a restaurant minimizes your setup and cleanup | | | | served. If the person retiring has a favorite food |
| times, it eliminates the need for food shopping | | | | or beverage, serve it if it fits in with your theme. |
| and preparation, and it reduces the need for party | | | | Be sure to consult your company's alcohol policy if |
| decorations. If holding the party at a restaurant | | | | you plan to serve any alcoholic beverages. |
| isn't an option, consider where exactly in your | | | | Activities |
| workplace you want to hold the party. The | | | | Party activities should be fun but not |
| kitchen or break room isn't always the best | | | | overwhelming. Your guests will want to chat and |
| option! | | | | have the opportunity to give their best to the |
| Day and Time | | | | person who is retiring. Slideshows and roasts are |
| Choose a day and time for the party when | | | | two popular retirement party activities. A slide |
| everyone will be in the office and will not be in a | | | | show can either be played in the background |
| rush to get back to work or their home | | | | during the party, or it can be narrated with a |
| immediately after. We recommend hosting the | | | | story. A video roast can be another good option. |
| party on a Thursday afternoon during work hours | | | | To organize the video roast, send out an email to |
| (4 to 5 p.m. works well). By holding the party | | | | the person's friends and colleagues asking them |
| during work hours, you will get a far better | | | | for stories that you can videotape. Employ a |
| turnout. | | | | funny and well-liked person to serve as the roast |
| Theme | | | | master. The roast master can introduce the video |
| Choosing a theme for a retirement party is not | | | | with a funny story and also conclude the roast |
| essential, but it can add an extra element of fun | | | | with a few upbeat, witty remarks. |
| to the occasion, especially if you are holding the | | | | Invitations |
| party at your workplace. In choosing a theme, | | | | Invitations for the party can be done in a number |
| consider where the person might be moving after | | | | of easy ways: send an email, post flyers in the |
| retiring or if they have a favorite hobby that they | | | | office, and place formal invitations in work |
| will be pursuing in their retirement. For example, if | | | | mailboxes. A reminder email is always helpful the |
| the person is moving to Hawaii, you could throw | | | | morning of the party to ensure maximum |
| and island-themed party. If they love to play golf, | | | | attendance. |