i’m matt james

professional event producer

  • 27 years event-planning experience
  • Winner of 30 industry awards
  • Clients include:
  • Elton John,
  • Stella McCartney,
  • Sarah Jessica Parker,
  • Kevin Spacey……and more

welcome

Matt James professional event planner
CONTENTS

ON THIS PAGE

01 MAKE IT SPECIAL

Thoughtful ideas that celebrate the person, focus on the feel-good, and make a retirement party special

personalized photo book for a retirement party or gift
Reasons We Love You photo poster for a retirement party
Custom 'Reasons We Love You' photo book with friends and family holding signs
'65 Memories for 65 Years' Share a Memory postcards for a 65th birthday

02 MAKE IT personal

How to add creative twists and personal touches to create talking points and memorable moments

custom face photo garland banner showing a man 'through the years' for a retirement party
Happy Retirement, The Legend has Retied custom photo collage retirement party backdrop
gray haired man in a suit standing next to a custom pinata of himself
custom photo personalized Happy Birthday m&m's for a retirement party

03 retirement party decorations

How to maximize your budget by concentrating your retirement party decorations in a few key areas

retirement party photo collage in the shape of the letters spelling ED on a party dessert table
custom retirement party yard card spelling out Happy Retirement outside a house
number 65 balloon mosaic 65th birthday party decorations
'The Legend has Retired' retirement party custom photo banner showing photos of the retiree 'then and now'

04 retirement party activities

How to break the ice, provide conversation-starters, encourage mingling, and create atmosphere

DIY vodka bar with mixers and fruit set up at a retirement party
Tony's retirement bucket list suggestions sign
retirement party guestbook alternative signing poster
retro telephone audio guest book set up next to an instructions sign inviting party guests to record a message

05 retirement party food

Why food stations geared towards small bites, tasting plates, and DIY options are better than buffets

Hors d'oeuvres and appetizers arranged in rows on a modern retirement party buffet table / food station
retirement party food presentation ideas: fish salad served in margarita glasses with forks
retirement party hors d'oeuvres: cheese bites served on forks standing vertically
retirement party food ideas: individual portion charcuterie cups

06 dessert tables

How a dessert table can lend visual spectacle, save time, and maximize budget for a retirement party

man next to a personalized custom caricature cookie of himself for his retirement party
black and gold striped custom party dessert table backdrop
dessert table treats arranged on a party dessert table
green sequin shimmer party backdrop behind a dessert table

07 retirement party drinks

Get that professionally-catered look and give traditional drinks a creative twist

custom photo personalized beer bottle labels for retirement party drinks
retirement party drinks ideas: boxwood hedge party drinks bar wall with shelves of self-service drinks for guests to help themselves to
custom photo 'Fun Facts about the retiree' retiremnent party napkins
custom photo edible wafer drinks topper with a photo of the birthday girl floating on a cocktail

08 retirement party invitations

Why invitations needs to excite, inspire, and give guests something to look forward to

Retirement party photo collage invitation showing the retiree'through the years'
animated digital video retirement party invitations displayed on mobile phone screen
balloon custom printed with retirement party invitation details
custom vinyl record party invitation for a retirement party

09 retirement gifts

Avoid uninspiring and clichéd gifts in favor of something that’s unique, meaningful, or a treat

man standing next to a custom muppet-style puppet of himself
custom personalized comic book for a retirement gift
custom bobblehead of a man alongside his photo for an 65th birthday gift
personalized viewmaster reel viewer for a retirement gift

10 retirement party ideas for men

Retirement party themes, decorations, and ideas aimed at men

'the man, the myth, the legend' custom name retirement party backdrop decorations behind a dessert table
retirement party beer tasting party supplies with bottles of beer in ice buckets
the silver fox custom birthday napkins with grey hair icon
retirement party beer tasting party supplies with a cheese board
ADVICE FROM A PRO

retirement party tips

  • Retirement is a significant life event, so you need to make an effort!
  • Avoid the obvious: generic store-bought decorations emblazoned with ‘Goodbye Tension, Hello Pension’.
  • Instead, make everything as personal as possible
  • Celebrate the person, not just the fact they’re retiring.
  • Avoid lame jokes and clichés about post-retirement plans like golfing.
  • Instead, concentrate on making them feel loved and appreciated.
  • Celebrate their life; their background, accomplishments, and all the things that have made them who they are today
  • Celebrate who they are; admirable qualities, characteristics everyone loves, and even their weird habits and obsessions that drive people crazy!
  • Celebrate your relationship with them; take a walk down memory lane, share memories, funny stories, embarrassing photos, amusing anecdotes, fun facts guests may not know, and indulge in a little sentimentality
  • Focus on things that are meaningful, because that’s what they’ll remember
  • If you’re planning your own retirement bash, you should still take the same approach. Make everything as personal as possible so that it’s a reflection of you; your tastes, your interests, and your sense of humor—with plenty of embarrassing old photos and fun facts
  • I’ll teach you how to design your retirement party like a pro; creating ‘beats’ or ‘moments’ that run throughout the event so guests continue to discover new things as the party unfolds
  • Think of the guest’s journey in terms of different touch points; arrivals, bar, room décor, food, entertainment etc.
  • Then, add a creative twist, person touch, or talking point to each
  • Don’t forget to include activities; things for guests to do that will break the ice, encourage mingling, provide conversation-starters, and create a fun atmosphere that includes everyone.
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MATT’S TIP

Matt James professional event planner
in this section

01 Make it special

celebrate the person, not just their retirement

  • Limit the gag gifts and decorations and focus on thoughtful, feel-good ideas.
  • Make them feel loved, appreciated, and good about themselves.

AVOID CLICHÉS

  • Don’t make the common mistake of theming everything around retirement.