Retirement Gift

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Hello. Not sure if this is the correct place for this question, so please move if not.

I work as a lecturer and one of my senior colleagues announced recently that he is retiring. I've discussed with my colleagues what we should give as a retirement gift and that's almost settled. However, as my senior colleague has been such a fantastic mentor and inspiration to me, as well as being a good friend, I want to get them something else just from me. But I don't know what!

I know that he likes gardening but wouldn't know where to start with this for a gift. He also doesn't drink very often, so this rules out any alcohol.

Just wondered if any of you had bought gifts for colleagues before that might fit, I'd be looking to spend up to £50.

Thank you for any ideas!

I bought my colleague a hoe

Could you get him like an experience package? Red Letter Days do them and it’s something he can choose. Failing that, a high street voucher or amazon voucher perhaps?

Gardening vouchers?

Ask him. Always the best way.

I asked for vouchers for Bunnings - Bluey's Hammer Barn. I also had book vouchers.

Avoid a plant unless specifically asked for - it's a burden, something else to look after.

A spade with an engraving.

I know some one who had one engraved for their retirement with "for turning the sods"

Or there is this amazing Japanese garden tool I saw on here once's

My favourite leaving present from a job was an expensive tiffany pen, but a nice pen os always great. Also engraved wine glasses are nice. A garden ornament can be a nice keepsake for a gardener, I have purchased a small sundial for someone previously.

https://www.notonthehighstreet.com/garden/gardening/pots

loads of gardening ideas here

I bought a colleague National Gardening vouchers plus a couple of small things. She was over the moon and bought herself something for her garden.

A personalised mug? A personalised gardening plaque? Vouchers for a garden centre

Vouchers for a garden centre might be a good idea. He could buy himself something he needs, something beautiful or treat his significant other to afternoon tea.

How about a David Austin rose?
They have some names after people e.g. Elizabeth etc. I bought one in rememberance for a pet who passed away (remember me.) So there might be one aptly named for your colleague.

https://www.davidaustinroses.co.uk/

Similar to a pp but you can get a Retirement Rose, this went down well with a colleague of mine who retired last year. I haven't got a link but a quick Google should find something available near by or to order

There is masterclass. Online learning from experts. Including gardening and cooking.

depends what he’s like, probably a lifelong learner consisting his job. But depends if you think he will be busy or bored in retirement.

As an allotmenteer, I'd appreciate really nice gardening gloves as a gift. Or an oscillating hoe, but then I'm a girl that got really excited about a manure fork one birthday 😂

If you don't know the person well enough to know what they already do or don't have, but know their interests then a voucher is usually a good bet as they can spend on what they need. So if he likes gardening, a local garden centre, they all seem to do vouchers nowadays