Once we hit a certain age in our lives, a certain milestone or accomplishment accompanies it. When we are 18, we are officially called adults and get to experience all the perks that come with it. We are able to look and apply for work, buy alcoholic beverages, and of course, vote.
Once we are 40, we hit the “middle point” of our lives. Some of us would then experience something called the “midlife crisis.” Hopefully, you do not experience such an event in your life. But, for most working adults, there is a certain age that they are eager to reach.
Depending on where you are and your current situation, that age is 65 – the age where one has to retire from work. If you have a co-worker up for retirement, you and your other colleagues may have some ideas on how to celebrate it. But, if you are not sure how to plan for one, you can use this guide.
Discreetly Ask for Your Coworker’s Wishes
If you are not sure where to start, you can always ask your retiring coworker for help – quietly, of course. Drop a question or two about what they like at a party or what they would want to serve at a party. It is a gamble even to do this as they might get wind of what you are planning.
Hopefully, they will not notice your motives or at the very least, play along with the charade. With luck, you will have a list of decor, food, and even a venue for the event like the pub in Tunbridge Wells.
Enlisting Help From the Rest of Your Colleagues
Once you have an idea of what you need for the party, your next step is to recruit help from your colleagues. Planning and organising are not a one-person show, you know. And if you want this send-off party to be perfect, everybody has to pitch in.
A group of people should be in charge of securing the venue and decorating it. Another may be in charge of buying food for the party. And there should be someone accompanying the retiring colleague. That job would be the most important as they would be in charge of distracting the retiring fellow.
The more people that come in to help, the faster you can finish the party. And with luck, the more successful it would be.
The Tear-jerking Send-off Messages
Everything is running smoothly so far. Everyone is chatting, eating, drinking, and having a generally good time. The only thing missing now is to end with a bang. And by a ‘bang’, we mean with emotion – and some tears.
No retirement party is complete without some send-off messages. These would come from the retiring colleague’s closest of friends in the workforce. You can even sneak in some messages from the bosses if you can. This would make the party even more memorable.
People taking turns on stage making their messages are good and all. But, if you want your colleague to go home with more than memories, the best way send-off messages are with video. A video tribute is something that your colleague will not expect and would cherish for years to come.
He or she could watch it whenever they need the feeling of nostalgia.
Retirement is something that all people look forward to in the future. With retirement comes the much-needed rest for our old and aging bones. The money saved throughout the years can finally serve its purpose for a vacation.
But before your colleague leaves the workforce, make sure they have one more big day by using this guide.
Bonnie is always on the road with some amazing adventures ahead. Her favorite continent is South America and she’s passionate about culture-focused traveling and ethical and sustainable tourism. During her time in university as a research assistant for a sociology professor, she realized she can’t fully understand cultures from a safe distance. She quit her job to become a full-time “voluntourist,” which brings her to places where she can immerse in local communities and support their causes. On top of writing, one of Bonnie’s priorities is offering women advice on how to stay safe while solo backpacking.