When looking for retirement gifts, there is one simple rule to keep in mind above all else. What will the retiree do with his free time? Each person chooses to spend their retirement in a different way, and finding out what your friend, relative, or coworker has planned for their newly acquired free time will guide you in the right direction. However, there are some very popular and practical alternatives that in 2010 are appearing at the top of retiree wish lists.
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Technology
Don’t be surprised, even Grandma has a Facebook today! It turns out that retirees are delighted to have time to stay connected via the Internet with old friends and family. They send emails, upload photos, and even create travel blogs to share with their loved ones. A new device helps a withdrawn person feel young and stay young. An extremely popular device for retirees in 2010 is an electronic reader. Rather than buying a generic bookstore gift card, consider an e-reader as a good retirement gift. They will be able to take their library with them everywhere, including on air flights, and they will be able to buy books from anywhere they want. The latest e-readers are lightweight, easy to use, and can store large amounts of e-books. Plus, e-books are significantly less expensive than the latest hardcover, so your retiree will be able to retain their limited retirement funds. It is not just a practical gift, but a highly desired one. -
Gift certificates
Perhaps you know someone who is about to retire, but is not close enough to him to choose a gift that you know he will enjoy. A gift card, along with a nice card, is a great alternative. However, those who have worked long enough to reach retirement have probably also acquired many things during their lives. Instead of opting for a traditional gift card, in which an object is the end result of the gift, try selecting a gift card for an experience or activity that the retiree can enjoy. If you like strong emotions, look for a gift certificate for skydiving or rock climbing. If you enjoy a refined atmosphere, coupons for a theater or ballet may be appropriate. You can get gift cards or gift vouchers for just about anything, so use your imagination and the knowledge you have about the person who is retiring. Certificates for upscale restaurants, cinemas, dance studios, spas, and golf courses are just a few of the endless options. -
Luxury gifts
Once you retire, the money you have is generally limited and requires serious planning and budgeting to stretch it out to the maximum. Many people go into retirement with very little funds to lead the lifestyle that they would have liked to enjoy while receiving their salary from work, except that they did not have the time available. Unsurprisingly, retirees love receiving the gift of these luxuries. Your retiree might like a voucher for a day spa or massage, or perhaps a voucher for golfing or a fancy dinner. Alternatively, consider an expensive bottle of wine, a gift basket of foreign delicacies, or a collection of exotic coffee and tea blends. A little time to splurge on the best things in life is something everyone can and will enjoy. -
Travel gifts
Unless you have a job that requires a lot of travel, most people don’t get to experience the world until they retire. If you’re lucky, you’ve been planning a retirement budget to include the travel expenses you plan to incur in retirement. However, if you are looking for someone who is about to retire and planning to travel, then a gift to help you on your journey may be the most appreciated. Pieces of luggage, passport wallets, and luggage tags are useful gifts. Go one step further and consider digital cameras, mini travel computers, good diaries and scrapbooks, and language guides as unconventional aids to enjoying, capturing, sharing, and remembering your travels. -
Hobby gifts
When listening to hobby giveaways, you may think of golf clubs and scrapbook accessories. While these may remain the top hobbies of some retirees, today’s workforce has moved toward retirement as a much more modernized idea of hobbies. Digital photography, video editing, sculpture and painting, and even diving, are closer to the direction in which today’s retirees are heading. The hobbies your retiree is interested in are probably not the regular activities of the mold. Find out what your personal passion really is, and if it’s something you’re unfamiliar with, be sure to seek the advice of a sales representative or do an internet search before choosing your final selection.