The work landscape is changing, but it is still possible to celebrate together! Here are some ideas for how to still throw meaningful work retirement parties while remaining socially distanced or working globally as part of a virtual team.
People have worked hard to put in their time at work, this needs to be acknowledged and celebrated. It’s possible to celebrate their contributions to the team without putting everyone’s safety at risk. It just takes some creativity!
There are two different set ups: a socially distanced event or a virtual event. It’s possible to have a great time using either method. It is really up to your individual workplace and if everyone is on site or not. Read on for more ideas for how to have fun socially distanced work retirement parties.
Socially distanced work retirement party ideas
Farewell Parade
This is inspired by the drive by birthday parties that are a hit right now. Since you are going to do this on work time, it is going to be a “drive by” farewell. Create a party throne by decking out a chair where they can sit and people can come by to say goodbye between certain times. For instance. If there are twenty people, 5 people are assigned to the first 15 minutes, the next 5 people after them, etc…
To-Go Snacks
If you have a large enough space to socially distance everyone, you still have to think of the food tables. Instead of open bowls or plates of treats, they will be in easy grab individual portions.
Set Up The Environment
When we get a little too social, we can forget about distancing ourselves, so it’s great to have visual reminders. Arrange chairs so there is lots of room, perhaps have bunches of balloons that are 6 feet apart to remind people.
Socially Distanced Games
Alright, it might seem weird to have everyone sitting around on their phones, but it’s a fun way to still have fun with each other and stay safe. Ensure everyone knows what is going on so they can have everything preinstalled on their phone.
Jackbox Games – an online service where everyone plays on their phones or computers. Available games like You Don’t Know Jack, Dribbage, Drawful, etc.
Apps at the App store or google play-
- Psych! ( App Store, Google Play)
- Heads Up! on Houseparty ( App Store, Google Play)
- UNO (App Store, Google Play)
- Scattergories (App Store, Google Play)
Online Jeopardy – play the original game remotely with all your friends
Roblox – This platform is full of obstacle course games and other games that can be played as a group. Choose something that the retiree would be interested in!
Virtual work retirement party ideas
This type of party still requires some planning for who is going to give speeches, any gifts given to the retiree, a game, etc. Not everyone can organically break in to groups and socialize, so you will need to keep everyone engaged.
Essential requirement: video meeting
Pick a meeting platform, such as Zoom, Facetime, Skype, Webex, or Microsoft Teams to meet up.
Essential requirement: a timetable
This is shared with the group either ahead of time or quickly at the beginning so that there is some structure. Designate a speeches time, a gift time, and activity times. It can be a rigid as a time table or as loose as a little blurb at the beginning of, “We are here to celebrate Mary retiring. We are thrilled to be able to celebrate her time on this team, so we will kick things off with a video, then have some surprise games, speeches, and a final farewell (with present).” This way people won’t be randomly giving speeches throughout the party because they don’t know when this is happening.
Read more here for tips and tricks for how to keep virtual meetings on track!
Video Montage
Create video greetings or montages easily with services like Tribute.co and Vidday make it Send out a link to their coworkers early where they can record their messages. Create a compilation of the submissions for the retiree that can be shown for everyone to enjoy.
Party Kits
Create party kits to be distributed to attendees prior to the start of the party so that everyone can participate. Silly party hats, feather boas, signs in their background, anything to feel different than a normal meeting. If some attendees will be across country, let them know ahead of time to be prepared to get silly. Party kit snacks should be in take out containers or individual packages. (little bottles of bubbly are fun depending on your work culture)
Virtual Games
It’s fun to do an activity together. You can either send an activity ahead of time in a party kit or play an online game together. Ensure people know what is going on so they can have it preinstalled on their phone or desktop.
- Jackbox Games – an online service where everyone plays on their phones or computers. Available with games like You Don’t Know Jack, Dribbage, Drawful, etc.
- Apps at the App store or google play-
- Psych! ( App Store, Google Play)
- Heads Up! on Houseparty ( App Store, Google Play)
- UNO (App Store, Google Play)
- Scattergories (App Store, Google Play)
- Online Jeopardy – play the original game remotely with all your friends
- Roblox – This is a platform filled with “obbies” (obstacle course games) and other games that are fun to play as a group
Set A Dress Up Theme
Let everyone know beforehand the dress code for this party. Hawaiian shirts, silly sunglasses, or if the retiree is known for over the top ties, get everyone to wear their interpretation of the guest of honor!
Bottom line, have fun. Ensure that the guest of honor still feels special and celebrated. With a bit of planning, enjoyable socially distanced or virtual work retirement parties are completely possible!
Let us know in a comment below how your retirement party planning went!