| easy to become so consumed with our plans for | | | | shipped to you by mail, or use |
| retirement- choosing a new hometown, moving, | | | | “e-vites” - invitations that go out |
| constructing or purchasing a house, etc. that we | | | | and are responded to by email. |
| forget to actually celebrate it with the people that | | | | Tip Seven: Ask for Help |
| are closest to us. Here are ten tips for planning | | | | One of the smartest moves you can make in |
| your retirement party. Enjoy! | | | | planning a retirement party is getting some help |
| Tip One: Assemble the Guest List. | | | | for the actual event. Of course, if you are hiring a |
| Assembling your guest list is an important first | | | | catering service, or having dinner at a restaurant, |
| step since knowing how many guests you will | | | | you may have al the help you need. If the party |
| have is necessary for many other decisions. | | | | is at your home, a church or club, etc. you should |
| Choose a number of guests you will be | | | | ask one or two individuals to help you with the |
| comfortable with, and that allows you to | | | | details for the day of the party. The guests you |
| celebrate with those you really want to be there. | | | | invite really are coming to see and celebrate with |
| Tip Two: Choose a Venue | | | | you, so you don’t want to be shuttling |
| Depending on the size of your guest list, you may | | | | coats back and forth, or seeing to kitchen details |
| choose to rent facility and caterer, or host a | | | | throughout the evening. Remember, you are |
| smaller gathering in your home, church, or a local | | | | celebrating the end of work! |
| restaurant. Ask for an availability calendar, as well | | | | Tip Eight: Personalize the Event |
| as inquiring about certain times of the week or | | | | A great idea to make guests really feel a part of |
| year where discounts may be available. | | | | the evening is to prepare a speech, or written |
| Tip Three: Choose a Date | | | | letter that details the special ways that the |
| Be sure to let guests know ahead of time about | | | | attendees have contributed to your life and |
| when your party will be occurring. Since | | | | working career. It’s a great way to stir |
| retirement usually means moving, you want to be | | | | memories, make each guest feel honored, and |
| sure that as many of your guests can make it so | | | | help guests get to know each other better. Be |
| you can say farewell. | | | | sure guests know about your plans after |
| Tip Four: Arrange for Entertainment | | | | retirement as well. Including a few words about |
| Some retirement parties feature music and | | | | your new retirement home in the Villages, Florida |
| dancing, some a slideshow of old pictures, some | | | | is a great way to do so. |
| just great dinner and conversation.. Again, the | | | | Tip Nine: Give Guests a Way to Keep in Touch |
| entertainment you choose should fit you and your | | | | At the party, provide guests with a favor or gift |
| spouse, as well as the circle of friends and family | | | | with your new address in the the Villages, Florida |
| you are inviting to be a part of the event. | | | | incorporated. This can be a small picture of you |
| Tip Five: Choose a Menu | | | | with the address printed on the back, a bag of |
| Choosing the menu should be based on your | | | | candy tied in tulle with an attached tag, or even |
| venue, budget, and consideration for your guests. | | | | something engraved. Whether your gift is simple |
| Be sure to consider the time of day your event | | | | or extravagant, it will provide an excellent way to |
| is being held, then plan accordingly. If you plan the | | | | stay n touch with your friends, neighbors, and |
| party for 6:00 p.m., guests will probably assume | | | | former coworkers. |
| you are serving dinner. Let guests know by a | | | | Tip Ten: Give Guests a Glimpse of Your New Life |
| simple note on your invitation what they can | | | | Last, get together a few pictures of your new |
| expect to be served, whether heavy hors d | | | | home or home site, along with photos or |
| oeuvres, dinner, or dessert and drinks. | | | | brochures from many of the local areas where |
| Tip Six: Send out your Invitations | | | | you are retiring. You can put these pictures into |
| About 4 to 8 weeks before the event, send out | | | | short slideshow for viewing during the party, or |
| your invitations. There are so many varieties of | | | | create an album that guests can pass around. This |
| ways to invite others to your party today. You | | | | is a great way to give guests a picture of where |
| can use a traditional printer/engraver, design and | | | | you are headed, and maybe even encourage a |
| print invitations in your local greeting card store, | | | | visit! |
| design and print online and have the invitations | | | | |