Are retirement presents a thing?

[PedroTheCowboyLostHisGlasses]

Posting here for traffic. Have two PIL's that are retiring this year, so wondering are they expecting retirement gifts from us? Are they a thing? Or is it just from work colleagues or would you expect a retirement gift from your children? What kind of gift would you/ have you given if this is the case?

I’m not sure if a gift is expected, but maybe treat them to a nice celebratory dinner at a local restaurant and make a bit of an occasion of it? That can never go amiss!

Just from work colleagues - I would say.

Erm no I've never heard of this before. Sure from their work colleagues, that's normal but no one else.

Just work colleagues I would say.

Maybe go out for a drink/dinner to celebrate but nothing too formal.

Present from colleagues but celebrate with family.

Would we be expected to pay for them? Its MIl and FIL that are retiring, but they are divorced. So would we be expected to pay for MIL's and her husbands (step FIL who retired years ago) meal aswell? Then again for FIL and his wife? When MIL and step FIL eat out the bill for them can reach almost 50 pound each for food and drinks and this is definitely out of our budget at the moment.

I think if you suggest going for a meal to mark the occasion, you should offer to pay - I know everyone does things differently but that's what would feel right to me.

If taking them out is too expensive, how about a lovely lunch/dinner at home? Or afternoon tea at home/out if that's something one or both of them would like? That definitely wouldn't be £50 per person out, and you could put on a lovely tea for very little money at home.

Work colleagues might get them a present, but I don't think you have to buy or do anything other than congratulate them.

I'd buy them really nice cards, send flowers and take them out for a meal.

If people are well off they might do something more - like take them away for a weekend or pay for a short break for them but that isn't usual.

Do something though, it's a nice gesture.

I never celebrated with my parents or ILs when they retired, honestly never thought about it. And if money is tight then surely it would be madness to treat them to a meal. If you want to mark the occasion then invite them round for a meal, I am nearly retiring age and I would assume I would be the one to host the ‘celebrationtion’ for my children, not the other way round.

Oh I'd get them a little something. Retirement is a big thing. A bunch of flowers and a card or a box of chocs will do. It's the thought that counts

Invite them round for a drink and maybe get a cake, no need for a big fuss, we didn't although OH bought me a steamer chair for the garden that he thought he'd 'hidden' in the garage for a couple of weeks!

I'd send cards to both and then maybe flowers for MIL and a bottle of something for FIL an acknowledgment is enough I think

I retired when I turned 65 so took close friends and family out for a meal. The only presents I received were literally Birthday Presents!
Only my colleagues gave me a retirement gift as such.
A couple of friends sent me a bottle of champagne to celebrate my "liberation" which was a lovely gesture.
If you want to commemerate the occasion I would suggest no more than a card and a bottle of bubbly, or flowers (for a female)