Retirement, whether it be yours, a family member's, a friend's or a colleague's, is cause for celebration. Whether the person being honored is retiring for good or from a certain job, such as the military, a party is surely in order. Big or small, surprise or planned, a retirement celebration affords everyone the opportunity to recognize the retiree, cheer his accomplishments, support his transition and enjoy one another's company.
Wine Tasting Evening
For a retiree who is a wine fan, or even connoisseur, consider a wine tasting event. Rent a restaurant's banquet room large enough to accommodate your guests. Prior to the retirement celebration, visit the restaurant to check its wine list. Pick out a variety of wines to be tasted. For a good variety, pick two to three reds, two to three whites and two to three sparkling whites. If the restaurant offers local wines, pick out one or two as well. Estimate the number of guests and purchase enough for each person to drink 3/4 of a bottle of wine on their own. For example, if you are having 20 drinking guests you should have at least 15 bottles of wine. Though this is a tasting, you want to be sure that everyone can enjoy more than a sip. Ask the restaurant if it is possible to also hire one or more bartenders to pour tastes throughout the night. This will prevent guests from helping themselves and the wine from disappearing faster. Also, legally the bar or restaurant may have to provide a bartender or server to assist pouring tastes. You can make it clear to guests that additional drinks can be purchased from the bar or restaurant. Provide a selection of light appetizers.
It's less expensive if you have the retirement party at someone's home. Ask each guest to bring a favorite bottle of wine. Provide light appetizers and lots of recyclable glasses to be used for tasting. Everyone will get the opportunity to showcase their favorite vineyards while celebrating the retirement of a friend or colleague.
Backyard Barbecue
A backyard barbecue is always a great way to bring people together over delicious food and drink. By hosting a backyard barbecue at either the person's home who is retiring or a friend's, guests are able to bring food to grill and drinks to share with everyone. The laid back environment also removes the pressure of dressing up for a restaurant.
Have a display of pictures, videos or a computer presentation of the retiring person's life and career. The more intimate environment also affords itself to lengthier conversations and the opportunity to mingle and meet new people.
You can also make the backyard barbecue a themed celebration. A Hawaiian themed retirement party could have guests dressed in Hawaiian print T-shirts and hula skirts with Hawaiian themed drinks, desserts and roasted pork sandwiches.
Yard games could also be incorporated into the retirement celebration. Games such as croquet or bean bags can be played while others are eating or having conversations.
Office Party
If the person retiring is looking for a quick celebration instead of a more elaborate affair, the office party may be the best option. During lunch or the end of the work day, invite everyone who has worked with the person retiring to the company's conference room or cafeteria. Provide either a catered lunch if over the lunch hour, such as from a fast food restaurant. This brief break in the day will provide enough time for the retiree to celebrate and enjoy the company of his co-workers without the stress of a large party.
If having an office party celebration after hours, cater in some light appetizers, such as cheese and crackers and cocktail shrimp, as well as some champagne for a toast. Once again, the party won't have to last long as people will be headed home to their family but will provide a bit of time for the retiree to celebrate with his co-workers.
Tags: backyard barbecue, light appetizers, bottle wine, environment also, friend colleague, Hawaiian themed