Retirement party?

Question

planning a surprise retirement party. within 2 months and small budget.

Answer 1

Get some coupons from your local pizza/sub/chicken place.  Genereally only one per customer, have a few co workers pick stuff up too.  Have the rest of the guests provide 1 dish, plates, cups, etc and a 6 pack of drinks each.  

For decorations it's a lot cheaper to do a solid color than to do a theme.

Another think to do is make a scrap book.  Have all the guests sign the book with a little note and take pics with the person and use a glue stick to glue it next to the note.  If you or one of your co workers doesn't have a digital camera with printer pick up a cheap polaroid.

For dessert buy a sheet cake from a supermarket.  I don't know where you live, but around here we have Hannaford that makes great cakes and will write on them for free.

Answer 2

I retired 2 years ago.  Don't waste the money on flowers for the female...they die.  Why not get her something for her hobby too?    OR a gift card at a local store that he/she shops in quite a bit.  

I was given a photo album with old & new pictures of my co-workers.  (Not to be ungrateful, but it wasn't something I would have chosen....and it's been in the closet ever since I got home with it.)

Use the budget for the cake, plates, plastic ware, centerpiece, balloons,  & whatever items you can't get volunteers to bring.    

Get volunteers to bring other food items (more cakes, peanuts, mints, punch, sandwiches,  & tablecloths, music, etc.

Answer 3

For ideas check out these sites for decorations, themes, etc...

www.shindigz.com

www.partyamerica.com

www.partycity.com

www.orientaltrading.com or www.mninternational.com (great for buying bulk party supplies)

Answer 4

okay. get co-workers of the retiree to bring in food (chips, dip, cheese / fruit tray, soda, cups and plates) that way you aren't responisble for everything. you can handle a cake (from bakery or decorator- depending on how much your willing to spend)

the actual party can take place at someone's house- no charge there. If your retiree is female I suggest getting flowers too- it makes girls happy (I suggest get them at target and buy vase then arrange- $15 less than getting them from florist)  If he is male find something to do with a hobby- (golf, football, reading . what ever works)

and make sure when you send out invitations that it is a SURPRISE party!