green retirement gifts are a great idea
Giving a plant or some flowers isn't just thoughtful - it can actually have a positive effect on the recipient's mental and physical health. It's proven that gardening and interacting with greenery is good for your health and gives peace of mind, reduces stress, improves mood and physical health.
1. A gardening kit as a retirement gift
Gardening is a retirement cliche for a reason - why not lean into it? Send your newly minted retiree out into their garden, patio or balcony with everything they need to get started. What you include in your kit will depend on the situation of the recipient, but a good place to start is a good-quality spade, shovel, rake, watering can and gardening gloves.
If space is limited, you could also consider getting them a pot plant suited to balcony living. Discover beautiful plants for every type of balcony here.
2. give a vegetable garden as a retirement present
Another fun (and tasty!) gift idea for people who are retiring is supplies for an edible garden. You supply a few plant pots, potting soil and seeds or small plants for them to grow, and they'll do the rest. Great options to start out with include aubergines, peppers, cucumbers and tomatoes, as well as herbs such as rosemary, mint and chives.
If space is at a premium, consider a plant rack to stack greenery on top of one another to maximise real estate. And when the garden bears fruit, get inspired by our recipes:
- Focaccia with edible flowers and herbs
- Tartelets with edible flowers
- Red velvet cake with red roses
- Pistachio-lemon cream cake with sugared begonias
- Pancakes with primula
3. A BOUQUET OF DRIED FLOWERS for A RETIREMENT GIFT
A beautiful bouquet is a boon at any retirement party, but it's always a shame that the flowers will eventually die. Instead, why not give a bouquet of dried flowers that can be enjoyed for months or even years?
For the best of both worlds, you could gift a bouquet of flowers that dry easily, to be enjoyed both fresh and dried. Alternatively, accompany your bouquet with a flower press, so the recipient can dry the flowers from their farewell bouquet as a memento.
You could also think bigger and give your favourite retiree the supplies to create their own garden of flowers ripe for picking. Check out the supplies and tips for making a floral picking garden here.
4. A TREE AS A RETIREMENT GIFT
A tree is a powerful gift that represents life and longevity. While trees need some extra attention right after planting, they will last for years, giving a beautiful and lasting reminder of both working and retired life. Need inspiration for tree gift-giving? Take a look at ideas trees below and find out which tree and its symbolism best suits the person.
- Fig tree: many of Buddha's insights were received under a bodhi tree, or a sacred fig tree. With this gift, you're giving wisdom.
- Birch: a birch represents new beginnings and strength, making it a perfect match for the new phase of life a retiree is entering.
- Tree of life: the name alone shows the appropriateness of this present. The tree of life owes its title to the medicinal and calming effect of its oil.
- Citrus tree: sweet, bright citrus fruit is a fresh reminder of the freedom and leisure that retirement can bring.
- Apple tree: apples symbolise knowledge and awareness - a perfect gift for someone who's spent years working hard.
- Chinese Fringe Tree: although technically this tree is more of a shrub, it's a beautiful bloomer throughout spring and summer, demonstrating the new bloom of life your retired friend is about to start enjoying.
5. a floral diy or workshop as a retirement present
No more getting up early, no more traffic jams to the office, no more deadlines...in short, plenty of time for fun and play! If your loved one has creative inclinations, this is the perfect time to get stuck in DIYing. They could put their creative spirit to work by making a floral still life, for example. You could gift them some DIY supplies such as a candle making kit or a Kintsugi kit to make a beautiful and symbolic Kinstugi vase.
MORE GREEN GIFT IDEAS
Need more inspiration for green and floral presents? Check out our ideas for housewarming gifts, presents for new parents and ways to express gratitude.
