Don't Forget the Gift!

As you're thinking of retirement party ideas, don't forget the gift! I found an amazing and very unique gift that we gave my dad for his retirement. We took a photo of my dad standing in front of the first office he opened on his own, had it put on an artwork quality canvas and framed it. To give you a better idea, the canvas is like what you would use for an oil painting. It is spectacular! No one had seen anything like this and they were blown away.

Putting Your Photo on Canvas. is a really creative and meaningful gift. You can use current digital photos or have an old photo put on canvas. Another option is to take several photos and create a collage. You can also have the photo recreated so it looks like a traditional oil painting.

The possibilities are endless and this makes a truly amazing retirement gift!

¡Olé! It's Fiesta Time!

Many people plan to travel more after retirement. Why not send them off with a Mexican Fiesta retirement party idea? It can be as simple or as extravagant as you want.

Menu ideas are easy - tacos, enchiladas, burritos etc on a Mexican buffet will be an easy way to feed your guests. Don't forget a cold Mexican beer or festive margarita!

Decorating can also be as fancy or simple as you want. Sombreros and serapes make great table decor. You can also use them for your guests. Chili lights are an easy way to liven up the party. Don't forget festive chili pepper plates and napkins.

Mariachi music is always fun! If you can't have actual mariachis, make sure you have a few CDs.

A fun and creative retirement party idea is a piñata! They aren't just for kids and can provide memorable laughs for everyone. The come in a variety of colors, shapes, sizes and themes. You can even personalize piñatas.

1. You need a rope and place to hang the piñata. If you can't find something to hang it from, you can string it on a rope and have 2 people hold the ends. Most of the time, piñatas are done outdoors but can be done indoors if you have enough space. Before the game, you can also use it as a centerpiece for the party.

2. Fill the piñata with goodies before the guests arrive so they won't know what's inside. Use your imagination! It doesn't have to be filled with candy!

3. When you're ready to play, organize everyone in a line. Traditionally, blindfolds are used and the person is turned around in circles 3 times. Then hand them the stick, point them in the direction of the piñata, let them take 3 whacks and let the laughter begin!

For safety, make sure everyone stays at least 15 feet away and the person swinging is done before everyone dives for the prizes.

Make sure you have a camera! A fun and memorable keepsake for the guest of honor is a photobook of all their friends.

If you don't want a mess to clean up and want to save the piñata, there are piñatas that come with ribbons that you pull to release the goodies. You can then use the piñata for table decor.

If guests are bringing presents, ask them to stick with the travel theme or fiesta idea. Travel guides, travel diaries and accessories will be a great inspiration for planning a trip. If you want to pool your resources, there are many airlines, hotels and cruise lines that offer gift certificates. The guest of honor can use it for the trip of their choice!

Hey Mr. DJ Put a Record On

Regardless of what kind of party ideas you come up with, there is one thing that will be absolutely critical to the success of the party - the music. I recently took a very unscientific poll at work about the best retirement parties people had been to and why. The one thing that came up each time was the music or a good DJ.

If you've never had to hire a DJ or band before, it can be a daunting task. Your best bet is to go with a DJ or band someone has used for a wedding or other event and can recommend. If you get a chance to see them perform it's even better.

Schedule as far in advance as you can. Good bands and DJs book gigs quickly. Since good music is a key to a good party, put this at the top of your "To Do" list.

Talk to the band or DJ before you hire them. Find out what equipment you may need to provide if any. Some will charge you extra if they bring their own. If that happens, see if you can rent it for them for less.

You should also talk to them about music selection or style. If you're hiring a DJ, make sure they have music that's current as well as flashbacks. The music needs to appeal to a wide range of guests.

Ask for references and follow up with them. Ask if the band or DJ had good interaction with the crowd and kept the party going. You want someone who can keep people on the dance floor and not in the corners!

Make sure you have set times for when you want the band or DJ to perform. You don't want to pay them to stand around if things aren't ready. Also, make sure you give them plenty of time to set up and take down after the party.

Last but not least, get everything in writing and a contract. Make sure you've asked enough detailed questions and have everything on paper. The last thing you want is a surprise bill.

Travel Themes for Retirement Party Ideas

According to research done by the Travel Marketing Executives Association, most Boomers see travel as a necessity - not a luxury. This is the generation that saw the U.S from the back of their motorcycles or backpacked across the country. Chances are your guest of honor has traveled as well. This is another resources for retirement party ideas.

Find out where the guest of honor has traveled that they liked the most or their dream vacation. Use that as a theme for the party. You could have a Hawaiian luau, a biker them if they traveled around on a motorcycle, a Mexican fiesta, and the list goes on! Once you have a theme, your decor, invitations and menu will start to fall into place.

Also use the travel theme for gift ideas. Most Boomers plan to travel more after they retire. If you can't come up with something specific, there are always gift certificates for travel and accessories.

Travel is a great way to come up with your own retirement party ideas. And they can be a simple or flamboyant as you want!

Retirement Party Ideas to Make Hosting at Home Easy

While you're coming up with retirement party ideas, there are several things to keep in mind if you plan to have the party in your home.

First and foremost is what you plan to serve for food and drinks. If this is a small gathering, consider serving a meal. For a larger group, appetizers are more than enough.Make sure your guests know what will be served so they know whether or not to eat ahead of time.

Jot down recipe ideas for the main course and build the rest of the menu around that. Check serving sizes and figure out if you can increase quantities if necessary. If you plan to serve a new recipe, make sure you have time to test it before the big day. Also, make sure your kitchen is equipped to handle the meal. Do you have enough room in the fridge and on the stove to serve everything at the right time? Go through your menu and make as much as you can well in advance of the party.

For beverages, have enough non-alcoholic options on hand in addition to any alcohol you plan to serve. Buy ice the day of the party so sodas and juice don't take up space in the fridge. Unless you're having a cocktail party, feel free to limit the choices to beer and wine. Also, it's best to buy more than you need for all beverages.

Before going shopping, make a checklist of everything you need for food and drinks. Don't assume you have everything on hand! Check first to avoid that second trip to the store. Don't forget to check plates, cups, utensils, seating space, etc. You can always resort to paper plates and plastic utensils. If you don't have enough seating or table space, call a local party supply store right away to see what you can rent.

Don't make yourself crazy trying to clean the entire house but DO pay attention to the bathroom! Your guests will definitely visit this room during the party and will judge the house by this one room! Otherwise clear the clutter in the areas where your guests will be and shut doors to the rooms where they should not be.

These small hosting tips and your great retirement party ideas will make this an amazing event for all involved! If you need more inspiration, there are several great books that will help you brainstorm.

It's Time To Start Thinking About Retirement Ideas

The first wave of Boomers started turning 60 last year. Starting in 2008, tens of millions of Baby Boomers will start to retire. As everyone knows, this is the largest generation in history and they like to do things their own way. Their retirement won't be the same as previous generations, so retirement party ideas won't be either! When you're planning a retirement party, keep in mind this generation sees retirement as a new adventure.

According to a recent survey by the AARP, virtually all want to make a major change in their lives.

87% want to take better care of their health
72% want to spend more time on hobbies and interests
47% want to volunteer more

Of course everyone is different, but these statistics provide some interesting possibilities for retirement party ideas. Consider the guest of honor and what he or she plans to do after retirement. Chances are it may fall into one of the categories above. Find out the details, and use that to start coming up with party ideas and themes.