Planning the Right Retirement Party for Your Company

Photo courtesy of Seattle Municipal Archives on flickr

According to the Government, the population is aging and seniors currently make up the fastest growing age group. And while their impending retirement may mean increased job opportunities in an aggressive market, it also means more retirement parties and more retirement party planning!

Retirement Party Planning – Setting the Budget – What’s Right for Your Party?

Most companies look to honor long time employees with an appropriate send off. But the question is what is appropriate for your company, and what type of party is suitable for this particular employee? A retirement party (and therefore budget) for a high level executive of a multi-national corporation will be a little different than a retirement party for your office manager.

With any event, whether weddings, business functions or a retirement parties, you cannot start planning until you have determined your budget. Once you know what your fiscal boundaries are you can decide what type of affair will best suit the occasion and then you will be able to come up with a great retirement party theme. With retirement party planning an effective way to manage all the details is to maintain a retirement party planning checklist. By utilizing a party planning checklist it will enable you to include and keep track of every single detail. When considering all that is involved with throwing great retirement parties and the terrific ideas for retirement party merriment available, a party planning checklist is an assistant you never realized you had.

Location Squared. Where to Hold Your Retirement Party

Location, location location…doesn’t just apply to real estate and business. There are advantages to all of the venues you’ll consider. It’s important to determine what is right for your party.

The Office Party – Often a more casual luncheon is the best option. A smaller budget can be stretched further by staying in the office with colleagues pitching in. It also allows everyone to attend without Sally or Joe having to stay behind to answer the phones. The Office Party is a great, cost effective way to relax and have a little fun while celebrating the retiree.

The House Party – There’s always someone at the office willing to offer up their abode for the party. A cocktail party with passed appetizers can be a more cost efficient option than a full meal. Or, weather depending, a casual backyard event can bring together the company in off hours and allows your employees to include their family. The House Party can be a great way to bond while feting the honoree.

The Restaurant Party – Obviously the most expensive option. But if you have the budget, it can definitely make your life a little easier. Once you select the location and the menu, much of the planning is done and you can let the professionals take over. The Restaurant Party is a more expensive budget option, often used to celebrate higher level executives.

Decoration and Decor for Your Retirement Party

Decoration and decor add to any event and a retirement party is no exception. You can easily create a theme using the year your honoree starting working for the company. With a little research you can find the top movies, songs and quotes from that year and create some fun, unique decor.

But if you have neither the time nor inclination, retirement can easily be the theme. Every party supply store has plenty of retirement party decorations to brighten up your space and add to the festive mood.

What’s on the Agenda for Your Retirement Party?

Usually at least one speech highlighting the guest of honor for all of their contributions is included. Determine who will be speaking and remember that no matter how much fun it may seem while planning, not everyone will enjoy a roast or blue jokes about the little blue pill. Make sure the speeches and any gifts presented are appropriate.