30 Retirement Gift Card Ideas

Retirement is a significant milestone that marks the end of a professional journey and the beginning of a new chapter in life. When it comes to expressing our retirement wishes for a retiree, giving them a gift can be a meaningful way to celebrate their career. 

When deciding what type of retirement gift idea you should use, consider a gift card. Below, we will discuss the appropriateness of giving a gift card for retirement, explore whether it makes for a good retirement gift, and offer 30 retirement gift card ideas for those looking to celebrate this momentous occasion with a gift card.

Is a Gift Card Appropriate for a Retirement Gift?

The appropriateness of giving a gift card for retirement depends on various factors, including the retiree’s personality, preferences, and the giver’s relationship with them. However, in almost all situations, most people will appreciate the thought behind a gift card. 

So, Is a gift card an appropriate retirement gift? Yes. While some might argue that a tangible retirement gift idea holds more sentimental value, a gift card offers unique advantages like:

• Versatility: Gift cards can be purchased and redeemed in various ways, both online and offline. They also can be easily combined with a retirement card. 
• Personalization: While it may seem that giving a gift card as a retirement gift lacks personalization, a gift card actually combines personalization with choice. Gift cards can be a great way to demonstrate you know the stores, brands, and activities they prefer but value them getting something they want.
• Freedom of Choice: Recipients can go to one of their favorite vendors and select something they like instead of receiving an item they may not. Gift cards reduce wasted gifts and money and minimize regifting. 
• Convenience: Gift cards are convenient for both the giver and the recipient. Givers can easily purchase them, and recipients can use them at their convenience. They are also easier to give and store at a retirement party.
• Ease of purchase: Gift cards are readily available and purchased at a variety of locations, from retail stores, online platforms, and mobile apps. 
• Lower time commitment: While a gift card does require the recipient to shop for their gift, chances are they will already have something they’ve been eyeing and will quickly select it. Therefore, gift cards reduce the time required for selecting, wrapping, and potentially shipping a gift. 
• Budget-friendly: Gift cards allow givers to set specific budgets for gifts, making them the perfect option for people who can only spend a specific amount but want to give the retiree something nice. The retiree can then put their gift card towards something more expensive, reducing their costs, or find something within the allotted amount. 
• Easily crowd-funded: If a large group of people wish to contribute to a retirement gift, a gift card can an easy way to accomplish a group gift. All it takes is one person to collect funds from the group and buy the gift card, resulting in a nicer gift the retiree will love.

Are Gift Cards an Appropriate Retirement Gift?

Retirement is when individuals look forward to pursuing hobbies, traveling, or simply relaxing. In such cases, a gift card allows the retiree the freedom to choose something they genuinely desire and when they use it. Whether it is to their favorite restaurant, a spa, or even a travel agency, a gift card’s flexibility aligns well with the freedom that retirement symbolizes.

Choosing a gift card that reflects the retiree’s interests or hobbies can still convey a thoughtful and considerate message while providing options. They’ll appreciate that you know them well enough to choose a card that aligns with their personality just as much as a tangible gift.

Is a Gift Card a Good Retirement Gift?

Yes. One of the primary advantages of a gift card is the freedom it offers to the recipient. Rather than receiving a predetermined item, the retiree can use the gift card to indulge in an experience or purchase something they truly desire.

Moreover, a gift card eliminates the risk of giving a redundant or unwanted present. In the context of retirement, where individuals often downsize or declutter their living spaces, receiving a gift card ensures that the retiree can choose something that aligns with their future lifestyle.

If the giver is aware of the retiree’s favorite activities, hobbies, or specific preferences and can carefully select a gift card based on those interests, a gift card can demonstrate a deep understanding and appreciation for the individual.

30 Retirement Gift Card Ideas

If you are considering a gift card as a retirement gift but need inspiration on what type to purchase, we have you covered. Here are 30 gift card ideas for a variety of interests and preferences:

Hobby-Related Gift Cards

1. Ticket Service: Is the retiree someone who enjoys concerts and special events? If so, consider giving them a gift card to a reputable ticket service. In no time, they will be off to their next event or concert unique to their interests.
2. Arts and Crafts Class: With their newfound freedom, they will likely have more time to learn new skills. If your retiree enjoys arts and crafts, gift them a gift card for an art class. Class ideas include:
   • Sewing
   • Quilting
   • Jewelry making
   • Pottery
   • Painting
   • Drawing
   • Glass blowing
   • Photography 
3. Dance Class: Who doesn’t want love to dance? A gift card to a local dance studio is a great way to wish them a happy retirement by keeping them active.
4. Fishing Supplies or Outing: Your retiree will have more time to invest in their fishing hobby after retirement. A gift card to their favorite outdoor store like Dick’s Sporting Goods or for a guided fishing tour is the perfect way to celebrate their retirement.
5. Golf Course Gift Certificate: If the retiree loves golf, consider gifting them a round of golf at their favorite course, Topgolf, or another prestigious golf course you know they would be happy and able to travel to.
6. Sports Lessons: Who said retirement wasn’t a good time to learn a new sport? For the retiree who loves the community brought by playing a sport, a gift card to learn a new sport, perfect their skills, or spend in the pro shop is a great way to bring joy and activity into their life.

Travel-Related Gift Cards

1. Travel gift cards or vouchers: For most retirees, one of the things they are most excited about after they retire is to travel. Purchasing a travel gift card to a travel agency to help fund one of those upcoming adventures is the perfect gift for the retiree with an itch to experience the world.
2. Luggage: A good piece of luggage can help make traveling a breeze. However, every person has different luggage preferences and needs. Selecting a gift card to somewhere that sells quality luggage is the perfect option for this type of gift. 
3. Cruise Gift Card: A cruise can be the perfect way to see the world in a laid-back manner. Companies like Carnival Cruise Line also allow someone to visit multiple places without the hassle of transitioning from location to location. 
4. Hotel Gift Card: They will need a hotel whether they are traveling close or far. They can use a gift card to an international hotel chain or Airbnb no matter where their adventures take them.
5. Gift Card to an Airline: Much like a travel agency, an airline gift card is a great way to encourage them to go somewhere new. A gift card for plane tickets from an airline like Southwest or Delta will also allow them to look for the right deal or schedule their flight at a time that works for them. 
6. National or State Park Membership: An avid traveler who loves to spend time outdoors is guaranteed to enjoy a national or state park membership. Providing them the opportunity to buy a pass at one of these parks will keep them active and outdoors.

Retail-Based Gift Cards

1. Home improvement Store: If your retiree is someone who loves to do home improvement projects or has been looking forward to taking on a construction project, a gift card to a home improvement store like Home Depot is the way to go. 
2. Book Store: Fund your book-loving retiree’s reading habit with a gift card to their favorite book store like Barnes & Noble. Not only will it provide an outing, but it will also provide them with hours of entertainment they enjoy.
3. Craft or Art Supply Store: Nurture the retiree’s artistic side with a gift card for art or craft supplies from their favorite craft store. This way, when they have a project they want to take on, they will already have the funds to purchase the supplies.
4. Home Decor Outlet: Now that they will spend more time at home, they will likely want to update some of their decor. Gift them the opportunity to update their space and make it an inviting place to spend their retirement with funds to a store like Wayfair. 
5. Clothing Store: Since they will no longer be working, they may need to update their wardrobe. A gift card to their favorite clothing store is a great way to help them ditch the business casual looks for something that better fits their retirement life.
6. Garden Center: While it might seem cliche, many retirees enjoy tending to a garden. Not to mention, doing so can provide delicious and fresh food. If they would enjoy becoming a plant parent, gift them a card to a local garden center.

Experience-Based Gift Cards

1. Spa Retreat: After years of working hard at their career, treat the retiree to a day of relaxation with a spa gift card. With a card to a network like Spa Week, they can redeem it for massages, facials, and more. This thoughtful retirement gift will get them relaxed and ready to take on their new life.
2. Cooking Lesson: Help the retiree refine their culinary skills with a gift card for a cooking class of their choice.  They will walk away from the class with new skills and meal ideas, making it the best retirement gift for any retiree.
3. Wine Tasting Tour: Enrich the retiree’s palate with a gift card for a wine-tasting tour at a local vineyard. If no vineyards are nearby, many vineyards and companies offer a virtual wine-tasting tour. 
4. Outdoor Adventure: Cater to the retiree’s love for nature with a gift card for outdoor activities like kayaking, skiing, sky diving, hiking, or camping.
5. Musical Instrument Lessons: Frequently, work takes time away from learning a skill they have always wanted to know. If they are someone who always wanted to learn a specific instrument, a gift card for lessons is a great retirement gift that will help them reach that goal.
6. Cultural Experiences: Enrich their understanding of the world and inspire them with a cultural experience. Consider a gift card for tickets to local exhibits, theaters, performances, museums, or art exhibitions.

Miscellaneous Retirement Gift Cards

1. Entertainment Subscription Service: Provide them with all their favorite shows by gifting them a subscription to an favorite entertainment platform like Hulu. 
2. Restaurant Gift Cards: Gift them a night out with dinner on you. Whether to their favorite restaurant or somewhere more elegant, they will surely enjoy a night of delicious food without doing the dishes afterward. 
3. Meal Kit Subscription: The best thing about a meal kit subscription is that it takes the guesswork of what to make for dinner, teaches new cooking skills, and expands their recipe book. 
4. Fitness Gift Card: For retirees who enjoy fitness and living a healthy lifestyle, give them a gift card for fitness classes, a gym membership, new running shoes, or sports equipment. 
5. Educational Platform: Just because they stopped working doesn’t mean they stop learning. For lifelong learners eager to learn new skills, a gift card to one of the various online educational platforms like MasterClass is a great way to encourage them to learn new things.
6. Food Delivery: If you don’t know what type of food they like or if they are someone who enjoys being at home, a food delivery gift card for a service like Grubhub is a great option. With a few clicks of a button, they can enjoy their favorite restaurant without leaving home. 

Send a Gift Card with a Retirement Card

If you’ve decided to send a gift card for a retirement gift, we suggest sending it with a retirement group card. An online retirement card is the perfect way to share your congratulations, words of appreciation, and best wishes. Additionally, you can easily add a gift card to any retirement card. 

If you wish to take your retirement card to the next level, Kudoboard is the way to go. Kudoboard provides ease of collecting retirement messages from multiple people and streamlines purchasing and attaching a gift card. 

Plus, Kudoboard makes it easy for individuals to split the costs by allowing contributors to crowd-fund gift cards. The sender creates the card, invites friends and family, and enables gift card pooling. Once you allow gift card contributions, anyone who writes a retirement message on the retirement card can also contribute money toward a gift card. 

Even better, the recipient won’t be tied to a predetermined gift card. Instead, they will be able to select a gift card from our global catalog of options. Therefore, it takes the worry out of looking through gift ideas and choosing the perfect gift card. So whether they want a prepaid visa, a Groupon gift card, or a donation their gift to charity—we’ve got them (and you) covered.

Need a message to go with your gift card?

Check out our content on retirement wishes

• How To Give Retirement Wishes To Coworkers
• 33 Best Retirement Wishes for Your Boss
• 30 Funny Wishes for Retirement
• 36 Nurse Retirement Wishes
• 55 of the Best Teacher Retirement Wishes
• 37 Retirement Wishes for a Doctor