30 Genius Retirement Gifts Everyone Will Love
Updated: Jan. 13, 2023
Stumped on what to get the almost-retired person in your life? Don't worry—we found the most genius retirement gifts everyone is sure to love.
For active types: a nostalgia-worthy modern camera
If they’re into the best tech gifts, traveling, and capturing priceless moments, this Kodak Printomatic Digital Instant Print Camera is a great retirement gift. It evokes vintage vibes while channeling very modern technology to digitally capture and instantly print real-time photos.
For active types: a weekender bag they’ll actually use
Retirement gifts are best when they’re actually useful, which is exactly what this Lulu Dharma Linen Weekender is. It’ll take the retiree on your list from weekends away to overnights with the grandkids, and everything in between.
For active types: a sense of security
If retirement is all about having the time and opportunity to branch out and explore the world, the person on your list will love a Yale Assure Touchscreen Deadbolt Lock with Amazon Cloud Cam. It’s the high-tech way for them to get in and out of their home with ease (what’s more freeing than key-free entry?), receive packages directly from Amazon, and even let family members, domestic help, or even airbnb tenants in while you’re away.
For active types: this easy-to-use tablet
The Amazon Fire HD 10 Tablet is a not only a cinch to figure out but also large enough for screening movies and television on long-haul flights to just about anywhere. It’s also great for reading on the go. There are smaller, less expensive models as well, but this deluxe version makes a most impressive retirement gift. If they’re living on a fixed income, they’ll appreciate knowing how to read books online for free.
For active types: gone fishin’
If he or she has been dreaming of long, stress-free fishing trips since well before they even saw retirement coming, you can count on a Shakespeare Ugly Stik GX2 Ice Fishing Reel & Rod Combo being a smash hit. The brand also makes great river rods, but there’s something especially serene about toting an ice fishing rod; it practically screams: “I’m retired and loving it.”
For active types: cool pet tech
It’s no secret that having pets is great for health, but if retirement is keeping the person on your list busy, they’ll love receiving a Petzi Treat Cam. This wifi-enabled pet camera and treat dispenser allows you to see your pet from just about anywhere you may be and even dispense treats while you’re out. It’ll encourage any good boy to stay wonderful, cuddly, and out of trouble (the shoe closet). Here are more best gifts for animal lovers.
For active types: a fitness tracker that’s endlessly stylish
Fitness trackers are only useful if you actually wear them, and the Fitbit Versa Smartwatch is one they’ll never want to take off thanks to a sleek, modern design and fun-to-use display. They’ll be able to switch the bands to match their style, track their fitness, connect with favorite apps, and a whole lot more. It’s great for adults of every age, which is why it also made our list of 30 things everyone should own by age 30.
For active types: a reusable water bottle they’ll treasure
Don’t let them go on those coveted long walks without their very own Welly Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Bamboo Water Bottle. It features a wide mouth (great for slipping ice and fruit slices into), a double wall for excellent 12-hour insulation, and is BPA-free.
For homebodies: a do-it-all countertop oven
For the retiree who is also an empty-nester, the Tovala Gen 2 Smart Steam Oven with Multi-Mode Programmable Cooking makes cooking for one or two a breeze. It steams, bakes, broils, toasts, and reheats, plus it has a small footprint so it doesn’t take up too much countertop real estate. If you want to be a real sport, add on a Tavola meal membership plan and your retiree has only to scan a barcode to cook a meal.
For homebodies: a smart light to read by
As we age, we need more light to see clearly, and that’s where the Lumicharge comes in. The modern, streamlined LED desk lamp illuminates nighttime reading with clear, functional light, and swivels and turns easily to adjust to your position. As a major bonus, it’s also got a universal phone battery charger and two extra USB ports to charge all your friend’s various devices, including phones, tablets, laptops and digital cameras—without having to bend down to reach an outlet by the floor under the desk! Next, check out these sweet retirement messages to pair with this gift.
For homebodies: smooth, restful sleep
After years of hard work, your retiree deserves some restful, uninterrupted sleep. The gift of a Brooklyn Bedding Bamboo Twill Sheet Set will set them up for restorative slumber. The bamboo-based threads help regulate temperature all night long and the soft-to-the-touch fabric is gentle on even sensitive skin types.
For homebodies: the perfect breakfast topping
If you’re looking for an affordable retirement gift with purpose, maybe for a coworker or friend, Golden Door Farms Marvelous Golden Citrus Marmalade is a literally sweet idea. A jar contains only locally-grown fruit, organic oranges, lemons, and grapefruits, is vegan, gluten-free, non-GMO, and has no artificial sweeteners or preservatives. But it’s that old-fashioned marmalade taste they’ll love when topping toast, oatmeal, or pancakes. To go it one better, a portion of the proceeds goes to charity.
For homebodies: a long-burning candle
They’ll love basking in the warm, fragrant scent of this William Roam Soy Candle. It’s hand-poured, American-made, and offers 80-hours of glorious burn time. It’s perfect for quiet nights at home, beside a small glass of wine, to enhance a home spa experience, or just about any other relaxation-worthy time.
For homebodies: a modern art-inspired clock
They’ll love the bold, modern art-inspired design of this Kvell Pop Wall Clock, with its selection of happy-feeling colors and large-format time indicators. It’s an ideal way to remind your retiree to get up and go somewhere fun—and do it with style.
For homebodies: dinner in an instant
If they don’t already have one, an Instant Pot Smart WiFi 6-Quart Electric Pressure Cooker makes a great gift for a retiree. Sure, the name makes it sound pretty intense, but it’s actually the easiest way to get dinner on the table without much effort at all. If they’re capable of throwing ingredients in, touching a few buttons, and then walking away for an hour or so while living their best lives—they’re capable of making chef-worthy meals. WiFi-enabled means they can control the cooking process remotely from their phones—and also means they’ll never forget to turn it off.
For homebodies: weighted comfort
The “weighted” trend is big right now, and there are a range of products, from weighted blankets to pillows, being marketed in the wellness category. And with good reason: weighted blankets provide real comfort, and science backs such claims. The gift of a Therapedic Weighted Neck Wrap can increase your comfort while reading, relaxing in front of the fire, watching television, or having a prolonged tea-and-magazines session on the sofa.
For homebodies: a hypoallergenic pillow or two
One of the best retirement gifts is something that helps them sleep in every morning. Why? Because after all those years of early morning commutes—they can. The Zonkd Down Alternative Pillow is hypoallergenic, engineered for a cooler night’s sleep, and odor-free.
For homebodies: a system for the best essential oils
A doTERRA Petal Diffuser is an easy way to reap the benefits of aromatherapy and, paired with a bottle of doTerra Lavender Essential Oil, will put them on the path to calm, smooth retirement days ahead.
For health nuts: a quick cup of tea
This one’s great for tea aficionados: The Bella Marble Electric Kettle heats up to seven cups of water faster than a microwave can and adds flair to any countertop. It’s the stylish, modern way to boil the ideal cup of tea, hot cocoa, instant coffee, or even an oatmeal or soup packet.
For health nuts: because health and wealth can go together
Those on a fixed income may appreciate a dose of positive feng shui in the money area of the house, especially one that’s all-natural and improves the air quality of the home to boot. That’s what makes the 1-800-flowers.com Money Tree a clever, long-lasting retirement gift.
For health nuts: muscle tone and reduced swelling
The new LEBODY Form Body Massager isn’t your typical massager—it was actually designed to be used after exertion to help stimulate muscle tone and reduce swelling. This makes it ideal for retirees who are looking forward to long walks or excursions to exciting places. It’s also great for those who are more sedentary if they suffer from edema.
For health nuts: the key to better posture
One of the most practical retirement gifts, the BetterBack posture belt promises to improve posture and support your back. It’s ideal for people who spend long hours sitting, typing, or even lounging without good posture.
For health nuts: for a better-feeling neck
If years of work and toiling have taken their toll, one of the best health-minded retirement gifts is The Neck Hammock Portable Cervical Traction Device. One of the most popular gifts on Amazon, it’s a cervical traction assistant that works by gently pulling the head away from the neck to stretch and decompress the spinal cord, which increases blood flow, oxygenates the surrounding muscles, decreases pain, and increases mobility of the neck and shoulders. Couple this with some aromatherapy and you’ve basically got a home spa set up.
For stylish types: a versatile travel jacket
There’s no reason to add to a work wardrobe anymore, so beefing up their chic-casual wardrobe will be much-appreciated. This Chico’s Embroidered Drape Jacket is just as great with a pair of jeans as it is dressed up and fully-wrapped over a skirt ensemble.
For stylish types: a double-duty accessory
If you haven’t already heard of Moderne Monocle, it’s the “fashionable alternative to reading glasses.” The Harlow Rose Gold pendant may look like a gorgeous, bejeweled necklace, but it can be used as a monocle to help the wearer read easier. It’s great for reading restaurant menus, playbills, and other fine-printed items and makes a great gift for the women in your life who tend to forget their glasses.
For stylish types: polarized sunglasses that are worthy of any event
Whether they’ve “gone fishing,” are out on the golf course, gardening, or simply living their best al fresco brunch lifestyle, these Maui Jim Ocean 57mm Polarized Plus2 sunglasses are ideal for those who spend a good deal of time outdoors. The sophisticated style works on just about any face shape, and the 100% UV protection can’t be beat. They make retirement life feel like a vacation.
For stylish types: the gift of outdoor beauty
Style isn’t always about clothes, and if the retiree on your list finally has time to stop and smell the flowers, let them do exactly that with this Windowbox.com Paintable Decorative Basic Half Whiskey Barrel Tub Planter. It comes in a variety of finishes and is an ideal container to hold a patio rose bush, some artfully arrayed annuals, or a dwarf fruit tree.
For stylish types: comfortable go-anywhere sandals
A pair of Oka-B Nova sandals are cute enough to wear out and about, but comfortable enough to wear as a tourist on trips. They’re also made of a waterproof plastic material that’s ideal for beachside days, pool encounters, and all the other best elements of retired life.
For stylish types: adorable socks that spell out leisure
These affordable crew socks from Fun Socks show the world the type of wonderfully blissful retirement the person on your list deserves, and at under $10 a pair, you can get a few styles.
For stylish types: outerwear he’ll be eager to use
This Free Country Men’s Midweight Trek Shirt Jacket is easy to wear, comfortable on the body for hours at a time, and machine washable, making it a delight to wear locally or when traveling. It’s also great for misty days thanks to polyester construction that stands up to moisture.
Next: Read on to find out the best retirement quotes to write in a card.
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