How to Decorate for Retirement Parties for Men

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Things You'll Need

  • Tropical Vacation Theme:

  • Plastic palm trees

  • Potted tropical plants

  • Grass table skirts

  • Tiki torches

  • Hammock

  • Memory Lane Theme:

  • Memory book

  • Photo theme

  • Poster board

  • Golf Theme:

  • Golf turf

  • Golf balls

  • Golf scorecards

  • Golf carts

Celebrate his retirement with a party based on his interests.

Retiring is a special, bittersweet moment in a person's life; and it deserves to be celebrated in a big way. If a special man in your life is retiring, whether he is your husband, father or close friend, create a themed retirement party that combines fond memories and bright futures with something he loves. Although popular themes for a retirement party include relaxing on the beach with a drink, or golfing, consider the passions of the retiree when making a final decision.

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Tropical Vacation Theme

Step 1

Set up plastic palm trees around the perimeter of the space and fill-in with lush tropical plants, if possible. Put toy parrots in or around the trees, or rent real parrots, if you can.

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Step 2

Dress each table with a grass skirt and a tropical flower centerpiece. Place a hula lady figurine at each spot as a souvenir. Use bright colors for plates and utensils. If you are having a buffet, the buffet table should also have a grass skirt lining it, as well as the DJ table, if possible.

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Step 3

Set up a tiki bar and hire a bartender that knows how to make popular tropical drinks. See if he can mix up a special drink in honor of the retiree.

Step 4

Set up tiki torches throughout the party space. Don't use real fire however; Use battery operated tiki torches instead.

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Step 5

Set up a hammock between two trees and place a man's hat, and a newspaper in the hammock. Set a tropical drink on the floor next to the hammock to create the relaxed retirement scene.

Memory Lane Theme

Step 1

Set a up a memory book at the entrance to the party space, asking guests to record a special memory they have with the honoree.

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Step 2

Make a collage of pictures of the retiree on poster board, specifically pictures of him at his workplace throughout the years -- to use a tabletop decorations. Place the pictures under glass, so that guests can see the pictures; but they are protected from damage. You could also place a framed photo at each table of the retiree in different stages of his life and career.

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Step 3

Create an actual Memory Lane in the center of the party. Cut and attach several pieces of poster board together to create a "lane", then add pictures of the retiree from birth to now. Laminate the poster boards; then tape them to the floor securely.

Step 4

Place a banner above the video screen you should have to show a slide show or video of the retiree. The banner can say something related to the theme such as, "walking down memory lane", or "Thanks for the memories"

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Golf Theme

Step 1

Cover the entire floor area with golf turf, if possible; and leave an area free of tables that can be used as a putting green. Place giant golf flags throughout the party to give it the look of being on an actual golf course. Hang golf clubs on the wall.

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Step 2

Place a basket of golf balls at each table as the centerpiece. Provide permanent markers and have the guests write a message on a golf ball to the retiree. Use utensils designed with ends that look like golf handles and white plates to represent golf balls. You could also place a miniature set of golf clubs in a vase as a centerpiece.

Step 3

Have a couple of golf carts at the entrance to the party and have someone dressed as a caddy hand out the program for the evening, which should look like a golf scorecard.

Step 4

Set up an elegant bar and buffet area that looks like service you would get at a five-star golf resort, using white linens and fine china and have all the waitstaff dress as golf caddies.

Tip

Try to match the cake to the theme, such as a cake with a beach scene for the tropical vacation theme and a golfcourse cake for the golf theme.

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