It is easy to become so consumed with our plans for retirement- choosing a new hometown, moving, constructing or purchasing a house, etc. that we forget to actually celebrate it with the people that are closest to us. Here are ten tips for planning your retirement party. Enjoy!

Tip One: Assemble the Guest List.
Assembling your guest list is an important first step since knowing how many guests you will have is necessary for many other decisions. Choose a number of guests you will be comfortable with, and that allows you to celebrate with those you really want to be there.

Tip Two: Choose a Venue
Depending on the size of your guest list, you may choose to rent facility and caterer, or host a smaller gathering in your home, church, or a local restaurant. Ask for an availability calendar, as well as inquiring about certain times of the week or year where discounts may be available.

Tip Three: Choose a Date
Be sure to let guests know ahead of time about when your party will be occurring. Since retirement usually means moving, you want to be sure that as many of your guests can make it so you can say farewell.

Tip Four: Arrange for Entertainment
Some retirement parties feature music and dancing, some a slideshow of old pictures, some just great dinner and conversation.. Again, the entertainment you choose should fit you and your spouse, as well as the circle of friends and family you are inviting to be a part of the event.

Tip Five: Choose a Menu
Choosing the menu should be based on your venue, budget, and consideration for your guests. Be sure to consider the time of day your event is being held, then plan accordingly. If you plan the party for 6:00 p.m., guests will probably assume you are serving dinner. Let guests know by a simple note on your invitation what they can expect to be served, whether heavy hors d oeuvres, dinner, or dessert and drinks.

Tip Six: Send out your Invitations
About 4 to 8 weeks before the event, send out your invitations. There are so many varieties of ways to invite others to your party today. You can use a traditional printer/engraver, design and print invitations in your local greeting card store, design and print online and have the invitations shipped to you by mail, or use “e-vites” – invitations that go out and are responded to by email.

Tip Seven: Ask for Help
One of the smartest moves you can make in planning a retirement party is getting some help for the actual event. Of course, if you are hiring a catering service, or having dinner at a restaurant, you may have al the help you need. If the party is at your home, a church or club, etc. you should ask one or two individuals to help you with the details for the day of the party. The guests you invite really are coming to see and celebrate with you, so you don’t want to be shuttling coats back and forth, or seeing to kitchen details throughout the evening. Remember, you are celebrating the end of work!

Tip Eight: Personalize the Event
A great idea to make guests really feel a part of the evening is to prepare a speech, or written letter that details the special ways that the attendees have contributed to your life and working career. It’s a great way to stir memories, make each guest feel honored, and help guests get to know each other better. Be sure guests know about your plans after retirement as well. Including a few words about your new retirement home in the Villages, Florida is a great way to do so.

Tip Nine: Give Guests a Way to Keep in Touch
At the party, provide guests with a favor or gift with your new address in the the Villages, Florida incorporated. This can be a small picture of you with the address printed on the back, a bag of candy tied in tulle with an attached tag, or even something engraved. Whether your gift is simple or extravagant, it will provide an excellent way to stay n touch with your friends, neighbors, and former coworkers.

Tip Ten: Give Guests a Glimpse of Your New Life
Last, get together a few pictures of your new home or home site, along with photos or brochures from many of the local areas where you are retiring. You can put these pictures into short slideshow for viewing during the party, or create an album that guests can pass around. This is a great way to give guests a picture of where you are headed, and maybe even encourage a visit!

Author Bio: For more information on retirement and Terra Vista of Citrus Hills, please visit our website, at The Villages FL or call 800-511-0814.

Category: Advice
Keywords: retirement party,great story,great music,party guests,great memories