And the curtains close. He's officially retired—so how do you celebrate a long career? We found the best gift baskets for men, whether he's ready to relax or energized to pursue new hobbies.
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When my dad first (note: first) retired, he got bored. Really bored. It makes sense: retirement is a huge adjustment. That’s why we searched for the best retirement gifts for men to help them enjoy long-time hobbies, discover new ones and make the most out of not having to clock in every morning and check emails every night.
We wanted to steer away from gifts that are fun in the moment but might just end up collecting dust over the years. Instead, we focused on presents, from favorite tools to gift baskets, that can get plenty of everyday use. Practical, yet meaningful, and based on what he likes to do most. After all, a good gift is about “the genuine thought that goes into it,” according to Elisabeth Noel Jones, founder of GiftMeChic. With a retirement gift, you might want to help him tap into a passion—just make sure it feels like him.
If you’re looking for inspiration, Elisabeth also recommends gifting experiences.
“I love the idea of gifting the retiree an experience. For example, re-designing one of their vintage pieces of jewelry as a project with a jewelry designer or learning more about wine through a virtual wine-tasting session with a real sommelier,” she says.
While we selected tangible presents and gift basket ideas over experiences in our guide, we did include gifts that help facilitate great moments, whether that’s satisfying wanderlust or picking up pursuits at home.
Deluxe Gift Basket
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that food is our favorite way to celebrate, and this deluxe gift basket is our favorite kind of celebration, especially when it comes to retirement gifts for men. From pears to gourmet sweet popcorn to milk chocolate-covered cherries, this is the ideal congratulation on a successful career (or a birthday, if you’re treating your retiree after they’ve been out of the game for a while).
It’s a fun assortment to send to the office for their last day—or their home if they would prefer not to share (and we don’t blame them).
Sohla & Ham Blends
Whether they want to spend their free time digging up old recipe books or crave an at-home lunch that’s flavor-packed with minimal effort, send them this box of spice blends. This three-pack spans a wide range of flavors, including a spicy taco blend, buttermilk ranch and a pizza blend. They’re all versatile, ready to be rubbed on meats, toast or finished meals for a little extra zest. Not only is it one of the best retirement gifts for men, but it’s also a thoughtful care package to send to foodie friends.
The 365 Blanket
They can finally sleep in—make sure that it’s some of the best sleep of their life with the 365 blanket. It’s cozily oversized (and can even replace a comforter) and made of muslin cotton weave, so it maintains a pleasant temperature, even on hotter summer nights. Our favorite part? It can be cleaned in a normal washer-dryer. The best gifts don’t require dry cleaning, after all.
Make it part of a bigger present with these other gift basket ideas.
Italian Night In
Leave Italian restaurants to the people hurrying back from work. In retirement, there’s nothing quite like bringing a savory meal to life at home with this Italian Night In gift basket. He’ll be able to begin a gourmet meal with a selection of meats and cheeses, followed by linguine and pasta sauce. Of course, there’s dessert: Chocolate biscotti bites to satiate his sweet tooth. It’s one of the retirement gifts for men we wouldn’t mind snagging for ourselves!
Personalized Wine Decanter
We’re all better after some breathing time, and this personalized wine decanter will breathe smoothness and flavor into his favorite wines. Made from glass and engraved with his name, the polished design will look great at the center of a table or stored until the next night. Make sure to order one of these retirement gifts for men (and a flower delivery) before his retirement celebration, so it can be used prior to a round of cheers.
Customized Barbecue Tools
Retirement seems synonymous with firing up the grill more often, and this bamboo barbecue tool set can be engraved with his name to commemorate his career. It comes with tongs, a fork and a spatula, all nicely stored within a customized box, which can also make it easier to transport them on vacation or when going camping. We recommend getting one of these retirement gifts for men for someone you’re close to, so they can thank you in hamburgers.
Thermapen
I’m not a retired man, but I received a Thermapen as a gift once, and at first, I was honestly underwhelmed—until I used it. Now, I can’t cook without it. For anyone getting serious about the art of cooking meat (or cooking meat stress-free), this tool is essential. Its temperature readings are very accurate, so you always know when something is ready, and safe to eat. It also has 1,500 hours of battery life, so charging can be an afterthought.
Now they’ll need a meat subscription box to keep their Thermapen hard at work.
Magic Bullet
Just because they have more time doesn’t mean eating healthy should take up a ton of time. This Magic Bullet blender set is compact enough not to add countertop clutter but lets him whip up tasty, nourishing smoothies easily and take them on-the-go, whether that’s to the golf course or the couch. The blender is versatile and can also be used for sauces or dips if he likes to get creative in the kitchen.
The Essential Set
Now that he has time to devote to the kitchen, this essential collection of pots and pans will help him take his cooking to the next level. Having the right tools is essential for recipes to sing, and these classy retirement gifts for men won’t disappoint. He can break out the cookbooks and expand his repertoire with this set of four pots and pans (from sauce pans to skillets and stockpots) and two universal lids.
Make Your Own Hot Sauce Kit
Sure, he could head to the grocery store to restock his hot sauce supplies. But where’s the fun in that? In retirement, he can dabble in spice with this hot sauce making kit, which includes a range of spices (including plenty of peppers), distilled white vinegar and glass bottles to store their concoctions. While we’re all for experiments, this kit does include a recipe book so he can master the art form.
Personal Pizza Maker
Pizza night’s getting a new meaning with this personal pizza maker. Now that they have more free time, they can experiment with different toppings as they whip up personal-sized pies in minutes. The finished product will be reminiscent of brick-oven pizza, perfect for nights with the family or inviting over friends who also don’t have to worry about work in the morning.
This pizza maker does require a grill, which also make excellent retirement gifts for men!
Chocolate Tasting Kit for Two
They always plan the most romantic date nights. Now you can return the favor with a chocolate tasting kit for two as you celebrate their retirement. It comes with 18 sample-size bars of rare, single-origin chocolate, all aged in different casks for luxurious flavors. You’ll also receive guides walking you through drink and cheese pairing recommendations, so you can make a full night of it.
Yoga Starter Kit
One of the first things my cyclist-skier-weight-lifting dad took up upon retirement was yoga, and he was a swift convert. This yoga starter kit invites new yogis to begin a practice and includes a mat, yoga blocks, a yoga strap and mat wash. And when they get more advanced, a new yoga mat becomes another perfect gift.
I’ve been using JadeYoga mats for years, and am a devoted fan for the quality of their products.
Shiatsu Neck and Back Massager
Going to the masseuse every day isn’t practical for most of us, and this neck and back massager is a good substitute. With three different speeds, it can knead away the stiffness from a few decades of working. Infrared heating provides extra relaxation while helping improve blood circulation (which can also help with soreness and stiffness). They can put it on while watching their favorite show or unwinding for some quick relief.
These soup gift baskets can add a little extra calm.
Harvest Garden
If gardening space is in short supply, or he’s craving greens with less effort, meet the Harvest. He can grow veggies, herbs, greens and flowers with seed packets (including multiple types of plants at the same time), a set up that’s meant to be faster and easier than traditional gardening. This set comes with a growing starter kit and a bonus lettuce seed packet, so he can get started right away.
Ember Mug
The days of office coffee runs are over. But the days of always-hot coffee aren’t. This fan-favorite, temperature-controlled mug will keep his coffee warm throughout the day, so he can sip slowly while his beverages stay at his preferred temp. He can even create custom drink presets through the app. You can add a monogram before gifting.
Meat and Cheese Gift Box
It’s easy to overthink gifts, but sometimes, all you need is to go back to basics. This meat and cheese gift box is everything a gift should be: delicious. It contains two types of sausages, three types of cheese, water crackers and honey hot mustard—they’ll be thanking you as they dig on in their first day of retirement.
We also love this charcuterie-style basket as a gift for a retiring coworker.
Monogrammed Leather Tech Catchall Tray
Now that they don’t have an office to store some of their things, this leather tech catchall tray will help keep home neater. It’ll create a stylish place to stash keys, bills and odds-and-ends from the day, and there’s a spot for a charging cable to sneak through. Monogram it to personalize it for him before gifting.
The Blue Zones Kitchen Cookbook
Blue zones are the areas in the world where people live the longest. Dan Buettner collected stories, longevity advice and recipes from each destination, compiling them into the Blue Zones Kitchen. Every ingredient used is intended to help with longevity, and the recipes are relatively simple and accessible, great for cooks of all levels.
I’ve gotten this for several retired family members, and they’ve all loved its advice and recipes.
Personalized Leather Dopp Kit
Whether he’s ready for a trip or wants to better organize his toiletries, this leather dopp kit is a durable and attractive gift. It’s made of full grain buffalo leather with a waterproof lining and multiple pockets for greater organization. Personalize it with their initials or name for an extra touch.
The bag is available in multiple colors and sizes.
Engraved Poker Set
No folding when it comes to gift-giving thanks to this customized poker set. The case, personalized with his name or initials, contains chips, dice and cards. Bonus: it’ll make storage easier between games and keep pieces from getting lost.
You can choose pre-set designs or submit your own logo or design to be included on the box.
Personalized Controller Stand
This personalized controller stand is ready for catching up on ‘Call of Duty’ or playing with the kids or grandkids. The handmade wooden stand can hold two controllers and headphones, and the small tray is an ideal place to stash glasses, Chapstick or a snack. You can choose between different colors. No better time than retirement to indulge in a few games.
Gardener's Tool Seat
Organization meets comfort in this Gardener’s Tool Seat, a welcome gift for anyone who spends their weekends in their yards or who are embracing freedom to finally plant some vegetables. Made out of steel and nylon, it has 21 different-sized pockets to accommodate all of their gardening tools, and it lets them give their knees a break and take a moment to relax and admire all of their hard work.
Personalized Whiskey Barrel
It’s almost like gifting him his own distillery. This oak whiskey barrel will age his whiskey of choice for a smoother sip and more delicious cocktails. Personalized with his name, it’ll also be a nice, celebratory addition to his bar or kitchen. You can choose between two different sizes of barrel and whether or not you’d like to include essence kits.
Personalized Leather Luggage Tag
His bucket list has always exceeded his vacation time, and now, he’s off to the airport with this leather luggage tag. It’s made of pebbled leather and can be personalized with his initials. There’s a wide range of colors to select the one that best matches his style—or that’s easiest to spot at baggage claim.
Customized Leather Portfolio
He may have stepped back from his 9-to-5, but he’s eager for the next venture. This leather portfolio customized with his name will be the perfect place to put his notebook for new ideas and all of his freshly-printed business cards. It comes in a variety of colors, and you can include a personalized quote on the inside cover.
MasterClass Subscription
Being retired is the perfect time to continue learning (which has great health benefits for you as you age, too!). A MasterClass subscription will give him access to countless expert-led courses on everything from entrepreneurship to baking to how to write a thriller à la Dan Brown. It’s also one of the best retirement gifts for men for someone who is still figuring out his hobbies—he can explore a wide variety here.
Retirement Gift Giving FAQ
What do you give a man when he retires?
It all depends on the man and his interests! But some classic gift options for men include hobby-focused items like barbecue tools, a poker set, fishing gear or sports memorabilia.
How do I make someone’s retirement special?
Personalized gifts, or something that reminds them of their accomplishments, is always a great idea. Think: an engraved watch, photo frame or shadow box filled with memories. It’s also a good idea to plan a retirement party or get-together in order to commemorate the milestone.
Are you supposed to bring a gift to a retirement party?
Yes! It’s always a good idea to celebrate the person’s career and major life change with a gift, whether that’s a group gift from the office colleagues or a personalized one from a friend or family member.
