topic Re: Retirement Party Invitation in Among Friends

Retirement Party Invitation

staciesmom — Thu, 21 Jun 2018 23:36:18 GMT

DH and I are invited to a colleague's retirement party this Sunday, and the invitation states "No gifts please". He is very dear to both of us and I really don't want to go empty-handed. I thought about getting a nice card to express our congratulations, but it doesn't seem right. Any advice? TIA

Re: Retirement Party Invitation

jackthebear — Thu, 21 Jun 2018 23:45:02 GMT

No gifts means just that,

just take a card

they obviously don't want stuff

Re: Retirement Party Invitation

Melvin-QVC — Thu, 21 Jun 2018 23:45:07 GMT

@staciesmom wrote:

DH and I are invited to a colleague's retirement party this Sunday, and the invitation states "No gifts please". He is very dear to both of us and I really don't want to go empty-handed. I thought about getting a nice card to express our congratulations, but it doesn't seem right. Any advice? TIA

@staciesmom IMHO I would think if they specifically stated "no gifts" they probably have all they need or want and your presence is their present. However, I don't like to go anywhere empty handed and would atleast bring a bottle of some sort, just because.

Re: Retirement Party Invitation

Winkk — Thu, 21 Jun 2018 23:51:49 GMT

I think a card is a great idea. Why do you think it's not right? It's not a gift.

Re: Retirement Party Invitation

Eileen in Virginia — Thu, 21 Jun 2018 23:56:57 GMT

I would honor his request. If he’s had a successful career, he probably has everything he needs and most of the things he wants. Get him a nice card, maybe tell him you and your husband would like to take him out to dinner after he retires.

Re: Retirement Party Invitation

Q4u — Fri, 22 Jun 2018 00:00:54 GMT

I would make a donation to his favorite Charity (or yours if you don't know) and present that information in a very special card, I think he would be delighted with it....

Re: Retirement Party Invitation

jannabelle1 — Fri, 22 Jun 2018 00:04:07 GMT

"No gifts please" means just that....I'd choose a nice congraulatory card, write your sentiments and send it through the mail so he can read it privately when he receives it. Honor his request - your presence is what means more to him.

Re: Retirement Party Invitation

sandy53 — Fri, 22 Jun 2018 00:04:24 GMT

Be sure to write a nice memory inside the card. Think of a time when this colleague did something extra or meaningful for you. Or a funny memory would be nice, too. Thank him for all the significant work he did and that will mean more than any gift.

Re: Retirement Party Invitation

QVCkitty1 — Fri, 22 Jun 2018 00:04:28 GMT

I'm with @Melvin-QVC, a nice bottle of wine isn't really a present, just a nice gesture.

Re: Retirement Party Invitation

kitcat51 — Fri, 22 Jun 2018 00:05:19 GMT

No gift means no gift, respect your friend & do as asked. Buy a nice card & write inside about a special time you & your husband shared with him....expressing your friendship is more meaningful than anything you could buy.

Re: Retirement Party Invitation

Sweetbay magnolia — Fri, 22 Jun 2018 00:05:26 GMT

Something from the garden? A Mason jar of fresh cut flowers, or produce (probably too early, though).

Re: Retirement Party Invitation

Bird mama — Fri, 22 Jun 2018 00:14:55 GMT

@staciesmom I realize that this is short notice, given it's Thursday already. Is there a specific charity that your colleague favors? You could donate to a charity in his honor as a way of recognizing his retirement.

I recently retired at the end of March. People who worked with me for any length of time know I live with hand raised birds and rescue/rehab the birds that most rehabbers consider a dime a dozen. The birds I favor are not protected by any federal or state law.

My manager found a federally and state licensed rescue organization in Michigan that not only rehabs squirrels, possums and other mammals, they fight to save the birds that are closest to my heart.

Unbeknownst to me, many people contributed generously to this collection. I'd been at the company a long time and knew many people :-)

On the day of my small retirement gathering, I was given a certicate that was framed and matted with a light colored matte that had been inscribed with well wishes by so many people. The certificate explained that a donation had been made to this particular rescue in honor of my years of service.

When I read the certificate all I could say was OMG, this has me all over it. I was so delighted.

Just something to think about.

Re: Retirement Party Invitation

Bird mama — Fri, 22 Jun 2018 00:13:59 GMT

@Q4u you beat me to it lol

Re: Retirement Party Invitation

jackthebear — Fri, 22 Jun 2018 00:20:50 GMT

might get some disagrees here, but this is still a gift requiring a thank you note. and if it is not his charity and you pick yours that is a gift to you from you ( general you ) not Q4U.

I think it is important to respect the wishes of the invitor in all these instances and not do what we want or what we would like to receive.

Re: Retirement Party Invitation

Bird mama — Fri, 22 Jun 2018 00:23:16 GMT

@jackthebear I get where you are coming from.

Re: Retirement Party Invitation

Q4u — Fri, 22 Jun 2018 00:24:58 GMT

@jackthebear wrote:
might get some disagrees here, but this is still a gift requiring a thank you note. and if it is not his charity and you pick yours that is a gift to you from you ( general you ) not Q4U.

I think it is important to respect the wishes of the invitor in all these instances and not do what we want or what we would like to receive.

I respectfully disagree. When you make a donation in someone's name, it takes on a specific meaning. Perhaps a note at the bottom of the card that a thank you note is not expected or required..... it can be done.

Re: Retirement Party Invitation

Bird mama — Fri, 22 Jun 2018 00:29:03 GMT

Not to instigate anything - I would like to add that I learned later than some of my peers were not 'feeling' the whole let's donate to a rescue in Bernie's honor. They are old school and wanted me to get a present. Let me just say, I worked with some generous people because I cleaned up

I would also like to add at this point that I didn't ever come out and say no presents. I also never said to bring presents. I don't have a beggin personality. I suspect the girls who organized my party were the ones who said - cough up the cash, she's been giving for nearly 40 years.

Re: Retirement Party Invitation

OKPrincess — Fri, 22 Jun 2018 00:34:44 GMT

I would do one of two things. I would choose to take an unwrapped bottle of wine or write in the card that you and your husband want to take them to dinner to the restaurant of their choice.

Re: Retirement Party Invitation

staciesmom — Fri, 22 Jun 2018 00:48:00 GMT

Thank you all for the many great responses. I will read all of these to DH when he gets home from golf. I really appreciate everyone's input!

Re: Retirement Party Invitation

Shanus — Fri, 22 Jun 2018 00:50:51 GMT

Isn’t it sweet to have the mods read/reply to our comments? Go Melvin QVC. 👌🏻