Plan an inexpensive retirement party that highlights a retiree's successful career.
A retirement celebration should be special, but it needn't break the bank. Throw a fun themed retirement party, focus on the guest of honor's many interests, lifelong career or family goals or plan a party that displays memories from days and years past. Any of these ideas can help ensure an inexpensive but meaningful retirement celebration.
Hats Off to You
Use hats found at garage sales and thrift shops to throw a themed retirement party.
Decorate each table with an inexpensive pointed party hat, which can be purchased in bulk at most party supply stores. Hunt for bargain deals on silly hats at garage sales, costume stores and thrift shops prior to the retirement celebration, and hand a hat to each guest as he arrives. Instruct everyone to wear their hats for the duration of the party, making sure to snap photographs by which to remember this festive, goofy celebration. Invite guests to share stories about the retiree throughout the celebration by tipping their hats and saying, "My hat is off to you because..." (see Reference 1).
Memories of the Way We Were
Use a blank journal or scrapbook to create a meaningful photo memory book.
Make a memory scrapbook using retirement party guests' favorite photos of the guest of honor throughout the years. Specifically request photos from years ago of the guest of honor with each party guest. Ask guests to mail these photos to you when they RSVP to the party. Use any leftover photos as inexpensive party decorations. Supplement the memory book photos with party guests' written answers to questions such as, "What was your most embarrassing moment with Mary?" "What was a wonderful thing that Bob did for you?" or "What do you remember most about Louis?" (See Reference 2.)
We've Gotten to Know You
Use office supplies to decorate a table at a retirement party for a secretary.
Decorate each table with interests from the retiree's life. Do this in a thrifty, low-cost manner by enlisting the help of the retiree's spouse, children and friends. Ask for any mementos from certain interests, such as camping, Boy or Girl Scouts, sewing, photography, family and, of course, career. (See Reference 3.) For example, one table might feature framed photos of the guest of honor's spouse and children, symbolizing his interest in his family. Another table might be decorated with an arrangement of pin cushions, plastic needles and spools of thread to symbolize an interest in sewing. If the retiree was a secretary, a third table might be decorated with sticky notes, paperclips and company memo sheets, symbolizing the guest of honor's career. White cardboard signs with each interest displayed in big, colorful letters will provide an informative, attractive centerpiece around which smaller decorations can be arranged.
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