What was your best retirement gift?

Not so much a gift as a farewell dinner. So many colleagues had made such an effort to attend and came long distances on a dark night. I was deeply touched.
Also, a letter from a notoriously difficult client made me see that it was all, after all, worth while.

Bus pass undoubtedly,
Too young for a pension and the buzz I get from having this …. I can’t tell you !

A beautiful watercolour painting by a semi professional local artist of one of my favourite spots in the Peak District.
And yes, my bus pass!

A Nespresso coffee machine as a joint gift from my best friend and her mum, both sadly no longer with us. I have a coffee every day and think of them

Time ( mostly)to do what I want instead of what I have to.

Thank you, time is something I appreciate each day.

I had generous gifts from colleagues and clients but the best were time, not setting the alarm and a head free from everyone’s deadlines and demands. Peace, perfect peace.

Oh I so look to retiring. Don’t feel old just feel tired and need to do something for me. All very inspiring!

A bird bath - hours of free entertainment!

The meal, a inscribed wine glass, and lovely earings which were made for me.

I will also add the freedom pass and not getting up to the alarm clock.

An old fashioned, physical photograph album of all my colleagues, with a written message underneath each one. They also included photos of staff get togethers, Christmas parties and away days at theme parks and staff picnics. I really do treasure that above all the other gifts I received.

Harris27

Oh I so look to retiring. Don’t feel old just feel tired and need to do something for me. All very inspiring!

Me too, not due to retire for quite a few years yet so can only dream of it, but what I would like as a gift would be a huge bouquet of flowers and a whole load of vouchers😊

I had vouchers from my colleagues and bought myself some Apple airpods - I have used them every day since I retired nearly 2 years ago

Freedom

I had a few small personal things from colleagues ( some flowers, a necklace, a bottle of cider my favourite tipple, just daft things really) nothing from the bosses of course (NHS) and a nice big card signed by all
It all went over my head because I wasn’t celebrating I didn’t want to retire I was 68 and felt no where near ready to hang up my boots from a job I loved, so I was sad and felt as if life ended It had also happened very suddenly I was given to expect two more years then suddenly my wage was needed for two juniors so they was no expectation no build up just a short few weeks My mum and Dad both died the same year I had to take a couple of weeks of each time so I guess that’s where their decision came from

However 10 years in I m as happy as Larry still working albeit for no money and about 20 hours but I am still going strong

I was given a drill as I’d said the first job I was going to do in retirement was to replace all the door handles in the house. Delighted with my gift!

Mine was a bright red Roberts digital radio. I can use it on the mains indoors or by battery in the greenhouse. It usually sat in the kitchen but now is in the spare bedroom as I now have an Alexa in the kitchen. I also have one in my bedroom too. So I have music where ever I go!!!.

Oh yes I forgot I had 2 tickets to Highclere to do the Downton Abbey tour. My sister and I went and we loved it.

Retired on ill health with No gift or even farewell after 20 years as a social worker which affected my confidence badly. However having time to myself and freedom from What was a stressful job was gold.
Here I am in bed looking and listening to the sea under my window is priceless.

A new sewing machine. I use it often.
I was made redundant from the last job I worked at and some of the redundancy money paid for it.

The words in my card and those from my director who came down from his office to sit on a desk and sing my praises as I turned beetroot.
I took early retirement and was off to France again having had a 6 month unpaid leave of absence there the previous year.
My job was a new role, I’d thoroughly enjoyed it for nine years, but it was the right time for me to leave.

Monogrammed stainless steel garden fork and spade plus a pair of walking poles. I am still putting them to good use. However, the most treasured item is the card filled with good wishes and comments (most of them sincere ).

A large bowl, made by a local potter, with my name and dates on it.

Nothing I worked with my DH on our own business the reward is not doing it anymore. I appreciated our customers and the living we have but the lack of routine now is much more appreciated.