Retirement parties are usually held to describe and honor the career path of a retiree. In addition to being an event to show appreciation, this event also provides an opportunity to lead retired people to retirement in a fun and positive way. Retirement parties don't need to be extravagant, just simple parties on a reasonable budget, but provide good memories that will be remembered forever for employees who are about to retire. An important aspect to consider when hosting a retirement party is to determine a theme that fits the personality of the retiree so that this event can be enjoyed by everyone.
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Part 1 of 5: Preparing for the Party Planning
Step 1. Enlist the help of retired friends, family, and co-workers
The more help you get when planning a party, the less stress you will have to do all the details by yourself. Retired family members and close friends may offer a different perspective than co-workers. So, don't forget to include them in the party planning if at all possible. Make sure you also involve the retired loved one (if he has one) in planning the party.
The first thing to consider is whether the retiree will enjoy the party being held for him. If you don't know the retiree well, gather information from family members or coworkers who know him or her better. Not everyone is comfortable in the middle of a big party. If that's the case, giving a gift certificate for a quiet meal at a restaurant with a loved one or close friend may be more appropriate as a farewell
Step 2. Calculate the budget needed to host a retirement party
Setting up a budget will help control your expenses so you don't have to break into your bank account for the party. You'll need to figure out whether to pay for the venue, and don't forget to buy gifts for employees who are retiring.
- Set a budget and make sure you don't break it. When you finalize the budget for the party, give it to someone in the office (either an employee in finance or the committee responsible for delegating money for out-of-office events) to see if they are willing to cover any costs.
- Chances are you'll have to collect donations from all of your co-workers for this event. These donations must be voluntary and must not be a burden on everyone. You can also announce to your friends that they can sponsor the party if they want.
Step 3. Make a list of “party priorities”
This list will be helpful if the funds raised require you to prioritize. For example, the number of invitees may be large if you work for a large company, so it's a good idea to book a place that offers more efficient pricing. On the other hand, if you're planning a fancy party at a restaurant, you may have a very limited number of coworkers or friends to invite.
There is no right or wrong way to set priorities for a retirement party. Your "priority party" list will depend largely on how big the party is and the general atmosphere of the company, as well as the personality and relationship of the retiree
Part 2 of 5: Ensuring Party Supplies
Step 1. Make a guest list
The guest list should include people the retiree deems important. Besides your partner, don't forget to invite their children. You can ask the help of someone closest to the retiree to make a list so that no important person is forgotten.
Besides family and friends, make sure you don't forget important people at work. Of course you don't want to create an uncomfortable situation at work by inviting some people while others don't. If a limited budget forces you to limit invites, you may have to explain this to people who weren't invited. Short notices such as “we only invite colleagues who have worked with Budi for more than five years due to budget constraints” can help prevent feelings of hurt
Step 2. Choose a party venue
You can choose a simple place such as a meeting room in an office, or a private place such as a coworker's house, or a large place such as a hotel hall or other public space, or a confined space such as a table in a restaurant. The venue chosen will largely depend on the budget as well as the “priority of the party” (particularly the number of people invited and whether or not food will be provided).
Consider renting a private space to allow guests to deliver speeches and participate in retirement-related party activities. For example, if you decide to have a retirement party at a restaurant, find out if they have a private room that you can book for an afternoon or evening
Step 3. Send invitations
The invitation should include information for who the party is being held for, whether the party is a surprise party, where the party will be held, the type of food to be served, how long the party will last, what gifts are recommended, whether there is a special theme or dress code, and whether there is adequate parking space. comfortable and whether the place can be reached by public transportation or whether a vehicle is provided for invitees to go to the party. Examples of special invitations for retirement parties can be seen on the internet. If you do a search using Google, you will get several options.
If there are people in the office who are very good at art or calligraphy, you can design or make your own invitation cards. You will save money so that it can be used for other party needs
Step 4. Buy gifts for retirees
Choose a gift that fits and represents the person who is retiring. A gift can be a specific item, a ticket to an event, a voucher to a favorite store or restaurant, or some other unique idea. Thinking through the gifts that will be given to retirees is an important part of planning a retirement party because the gift will remind the retiree's career.
- If you choose a particular theme for the party, consider that when buying gifts. For example, if the retiree wants to travel to enjoy retirement, choose a set of luggage tailored to the retiree's taste.
- You may want to give a photo album (or something personal and reminiscent of the time the retiree spent at the company) as part of the gift. Include photos of the retiree and his co-workers throughout his years at the company and ask his colleagues and bosses to write down messages. These photos and messages can be combined into a “memory book”.
- For a unique gift, consider making a donation to a retiree's favorite charity. You can write directly on the invitation to donate to a specific charity, and ask people to donate as much as they can.
Part 3 of 5: Deciding the Party Details
Step 1. Choose a retirement party theme
Choose a theme that highlights the interests of the retiree. You can choose a single theme (think travel, golf, nature, cars, etc.) or you can combine several themes that interest the retiree to showcase different dimensions of his life. Or, you can take a popular theme for a retirement party.
Some of the popular themes for retirement parties include “First Year Working” (in this theme featured clothing, music, television shows, movies, toys, and popular events from the year the retiree started working), “Company Mourning” (in this theme everyone dressed in black and paid homage to the loss of an important employee), and the much-loved “Permanent Vacation” (this theme could feature a beach party or luau party complete with Hawaiian costumes and tropical drinks)
Step 2. Create a fun program for employees
Even if you don't create a detailed, minute-by-minute party schedule, you may need to set aside time for party activities such as speeches or games. Creating a program will help guests know the order of the party. Print the program on slightly thick paper and add a photo of the retiree as a personal touch.
Consider how you organize the party. Maybe you want to divide the meal into sections with a short speech or song in honor of the retiree, or you can set aside time for a speech at the start of the event and after that everyone can relax and enjoy the rest of the party
Step 3. Choose an emcee or party leader
This person is in charge of guiding the event according to schedule. One of his duties includes announcing meal times, inviting guests to participate in party activities, and introducing each speaker. You may want to consider renting or borrowing a microphone for the host, but this decision will depend a lot on the venue and other details of the party.
Step 4. Make sure you document the event by taking photos and/or videos
If the budget for the party allows, and if your retirement status requires it, hire a professional photographer to document the event. If not, ask a guest (preferably another coworker) to be the event photographer or videographer. Documenting the retirement party will be a beautiful memory for retirees that can be enjoyed for years to come. Make sure you give these pictures to the retiree after the party!
Part 4 of 5: Counting Food
Step 1. Create a “potluck” event
If you decide to have a party at a venue that does not provide food, a "potluck" party might be considered. Everyone will bring food and are free to eat whatever is available. A “potluck” party can be a great choice, especially if your budget is so tight that you have trouble planning meals.
Make a list of foods, so everyone can see what other people are bringing. Try to create several different columns, such as for an appetizer, main course, salad, and dessert so that you don't have to deal with twelve people carrying plates of vegetables and dipping sauce while no one brings an appetizer. You can also make suggestions and ask guests to choose among the proposed dishes
Step 2. Ask for catering services
Using a caterer will allow you to have your celebration in almost any place you choose.
- Call some local caterers and ask if they have a minimum number of guests or a fee they are willing to serve. You must ensure that the amount spent on food does not exceed the planned budget.
- Read the menu options carefully and make sure you choose dishes that guests will like. You may also want to consider a vegetarian menu and a menu for those with gluten intolerance. Ask guests to tell in advance if anyone has a particular food allergy or intolerance so you can pay special attention when planning the menu.
- Contact several catering entrepreneurs to get affordable prices. It would be advantageous for you to get several offers from different companies before deciding which catering service to use. That way, you don't go over the pre-set budget.
Step 3. Make a “set menu” in the restaurant
If you choose to have a retirement party at a restaurant, you can choose a “set menu”. This option allows you to include the pensioner's favorite dishes while providing several dishes that guests can enjoy. Plus, the “set menu” helps make sure you don't go over the allotted budget.
Ask the restaurant if you can temporarily change the name of the selected dish out of respect for the retiree. For example, serving “Genta Fried Rice” or “Raisa Grilled Chicken” is a creative and unique way to honor retirees. If possible, also adjust the name of the dish with the theme of the party
Part 5 of 5: Planning Party Activities
Step 1. Try the “gentle roast” game
A gentle roast can be a powerful way to make all guests (including retirees) laugh. Ask everyone present to write something about the guest of honor based on the instructions given by the presenter. Invite anyone who wants to talk one by one, and make sure you have a microphone if the party room is large.
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Create unique tips tailored to retirees, or try some of these examples:
- The embarrassing moment I had with Satria was…
- The secret that I would never have divulged to Satria was…
- The funniest moment I had with Satria was…
- The moment that impressed me the most with Satria was…
Step 2. Play career trivia
Create a trivia game tailored to the retiree's career path. You may want to consider his overall career history (such as his first job, first boss, etc.) and ask everyone to guess the correct answer (you may need to make multiple choices for this). The person who answers the most correctly will get a prize.
Step 3. Cheers to retirees
Ask the retiree's boss to toast as an expression of gratitude for the retiree's hard work so far and regret for losing an employee. The invitation to toast must be solemn, as well as positive. This is not a time to "trick" employees, but a time to give genuine appreciation for a job well done.
Other guests may also want to participate and say something about the retiree. You can do a “free stage” session, and people are free to come out and say what they want to say in a nutshell, or you can ask people who say they're going to the party to let them know if they'd like to make a short speech about retirement
Step 4. Create another unique and personal entertainment
The entertainment shown should be based on what the retiree would like. You could ask a coworker to sing a goodbye song or make a funny sketch of a retiree. The most important aspect when planning a retirement party activity is to make it as personal as possible so that the retiree can realize how special he is to the company.
