Retirement Gift Ideas for Our Head of HR: What Would Make a Memorable Farewell?

Can anyone suggest what we (HR Dept) should plan to gift to the Head of HR who is retiring from the company after 14 years of service?

Regards,
Sriram

You should go for:
1. Microwave oven with the company logo printed on it.
2. Relaxing chair.
3. Walkie-talkie telephone set with FM radio.
4. Bamboo chair set.
5. Imported traveling bag/suitcase.
OR
6. A freelancing job with your organization to guide you/provide training to the employees.

I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any questions.

Dear Sriram,

I can suggest that you make a big collage of his journey with the organization for all these long 14 years. You may use his pictures at work from your archives to create a big collage and present it to be put on his wall at home! I'm sure he will appreciate it with your true efforts!!!

Renu

Hello Sir, this is my opinion. You can give him/her a copied CD which contains opinions from close relatives, friends, previous employers, and employees about him or her. Co-workers can explain situations where he/she proved their knowledge and achievements. I hope it must be an "emotional gift."

Regards, Indhu.

Good day. You could give him an album with his photographs regarding his journey in the organization and also a few words about him written by his seniors and subordinates. For gifts, I would suggest:

1. Microwave oven
2. Dinner set
3. American Tourister bag
4. The latest mobile phone
5. A Titan watch
6. A gold coin which has the company name embossed on it, or a murti of God
7. A gift voucher

The option given by Ameeta for a relaxing chair or a bamboo chair set is very good (out-of-the-box thinking). This chair will always be remembered whenever he is in a relaxed mood or prefers to relax. In addition to that, you can take a large photograph and gift it with a photo frame.

Hi, I agree with Ammeta that gifts like a relaxing chair, a walkie-talkie telephone set with FM radio, and a bamboo chair set are the best suggestions. These gifts are most usable, and while using them, he will be filled with all his memories.

I believe it is better to give a daily usable gift rather than a gift that he packs up and stores in his wardrobe.

I also recommend gifting him novels according to his tastes, a nice chafferer/gross pen set, a pair of watch sets for him and his wife, and a group photo of your organization.

Cheers,
Swapna

Thank you for the great ideas from your brilliant minds. We will ensure to select the best option from the list provided and present it as a gift.

Regards,
Sriram
[Phone Number Removed For Privacy Reasons]
[Email Removed For Privacy Reasons]

You may present your retiring boss with a book titled "How to Retire Happy, Wild and Free" by Ernie J. Zelinski, published by "Visions International Publishing," USA. The book provides detailed guidelines on how a retired person should plan their retired life.

I guess you could make a movie with a lot of photos and good music. You can use Windows Movie Maker or any similar tool. Make sure to convey the message to him that "you, all the employees, the entire office atmosphere will be missing him!!!" 

For example, you can use a photograph of a pathway in the workstation which he often uses, being empty.

The biggest gift you can give him is:

1. Call him at least once a week and show your care.
2. Make yourself available just a phone call away.
3. Visit his house at least every 15 days with flowers and sweets.
4. Touch his feet whenever you meet him anywhere.
5. Keep his photo on your table so that whenever he comes to your office and sees his photo, he will be happy.

I don't believe in materialistic gifts as he may already have the best of today's technology. So, it's better to give him the above gifts.

Best regards

[QUOTE=sriramwarrier;1352241]
Can anyone suggest what we (HR Dept) should plan to gift to the Head HR who is retiring from the services after 14 years in the company?

You can prepare a CD/album that includes presentations, team achievements, and your boss's role that has contributed to the organization's growth along with the team. Additionally, you can consider gifting a good and beautiful wristwatch.

Regards,
Khadri

I find it amusing to go through the wonderful gift ideas. What is his age? I presume he must be 60 (the normal superannuation age)! Is it not very young (if one considers how human life expectancy and health have improved in the last century)? If you do not believe me, look at how young and healthy some of our Bollywood and Hollywood stars look. I think Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sean Connery, Amitabh Bachchan, Rajinikanth... to just name a few; would positively feel offended if one were to suggest retirement or retirement means old age and inactivity!

In fact, these days "retired" persons are more active and productive than "non-retired supposedly active" young persons.

Secondly, I suppose this is not a company gift but a personal gift from HRs and close associates? If so, do you know him well enough to know about his hobbies, passions, or taste? Even a small gift that is compatible with his hobbies, passion, or taste would bring more happiness and joy.

I am strongly against gifts that remind a person of his chronological age and force (by making such a suggestion or having such expectations) a person to lead an inactive, invalid, and almost comatose life. These are not gifts but condemnation and insults; a sentence, better not awarded.

Depending on your budget:
- If he is an avid reader, gift him a Kindle or any e-book reader.
- If he is a DIY addict, give him a good hobby toolset.
- If he loves gardening, give him a good 'bonsai' tree or a precious plant.
- If he loves to drink, gift him good vintage.
- If he is a fitness fanatic, gift him suitable exercising equipment.
- If he is a car freak, give him a suitable vehicle-related gadget - sat-nav equipment, car DVD player, etc.

The list can go on. One needs to be sensitive and genuinely friendly - two qualities a good HR must have or develop. One must think of such gifts as one would like to get for oneself; for if one wants to stay alive longer, someday he too will retire. Let us apply some thought to it and choose a gift which is an expression of appreciation, love, respect, and the fact that you know the person well.

Warm regards.

You could give him a large framed group photograph of your entire team (HR or all departments), with the border of the picture comprising everyone's signatures and wishes. Additionally, you could consider gifting a painting or a holiday package.

Regards,
Ayeshwarya

A Testimony to His Domain in HR

As a testimony to his domain in HR, consider a large photo frame with two sides:

- One side: A picture of himself alone (likely from the archives when he joined the company).
- Second side: A large group picture of him with all staff members, especially those he has recruited and who are currently working in the company.

Message: Thank you

Regards,

Dear simmy2009,

Thanks for expressing your amusing obsession and sense of humor. It reminds me of a limerick:

A silly young fellow named Hyde
In a funeral procession was spied
When asked, "Who is dead?"
He giggled and said,
"I don't know; I just came for the ride!"

Warm regards.

[simmy2009;1354459] I guess a retirement policy would be something new as a gift for him, but I guess it's a bad choice!

[simmy2009;1353171] Dear Sriram, On a lighter note - 'A Resignation Letter'

In my opinion, I suggest giving him information on Indian or related religious ethics such as the Ramayana, Geeta, Bhagavad Gita, etc.

Regards,
D N Sharma - Gurgaon