Posted by Shelby G
on September 20, 2026
Wow. Retirement. What a huge milestone.
My mom recently retired, and I couldn't be more excited for her. After years and years of working, caring for people, and giving so much of herself to her career, she has stepped into a new season of life.
And I have to say, I think she's going to be really good at it.
To celebrate her retirement, my mom invited me to join her on a trip to Croatia. Living overseas in Asia, I don't get nearly as much time with my mom as I'd like. So getting to travel with her—just the two of us, as adults—felt like an incredibly special gift in itself.
There's something different about traveling with your mom as an adult.
You're not rushing from one conversation to the next because kids interrupt every few minutes. You're not trying to squeeze in a quick visit between work commitments. You just get to be together.
We got to explore, laugh, eat really good food, sit by the water, and just enjoy being together. We made memories that I'm pretty sure I'll treasure for the rest of my life.
And somewhere along the way, we discovered a new favorite word.
Meet Fjaka
Fjaka.
It's a Croatian word, particularly associated with the Dalmatian coast, that is difficult to translate perfectly into English. It describes a state of complete relaxation—a slowing down, a peaceful enjoyment of simply being. It's sometimes compared to the Italian dolce far niente, but fjaka has its own distinctly Dalmatian flavor.
Basically?
It's the art of not being in a hurry.
And I loved it immediately.
Because when I thought about my mom and what I hope this next season holds for her, fjaka felt like the perfect word.
My mom has always taught me to work hard.
But she's also taught me to play hard.
She enjoys life. She gets out in the sunshine. She loves being on the lake. She makes time to visit us here in Asia. She knows how to work hard and give her best—and she also knows that life is meant to be enjoyed. Upon learning about fjaka she said, “I have been living fjaka in retirement before I even knew it existed!” Of course she has. 😂
For years, she poured herself into her career and cared for so many people. She went above and beyond. She gave her time, energy, and heart to others.
And now?
I hope she gets to slow down a little.
I hope there are long mornings and sunny afternoons. More time on the lake. More trips. More family dinners. More adventures.
A lot more fjaka!
A Retirement Gift With Meaning
So when it came time to find a retirement gift for my mom, I knew I didn't want to buy her something just because it said Retired on it.
I wanted something personal.
Something that represented this new season.
So I created her a one-of-a-kind engraved bracelet with fjaka engraved on it.
I love that she can wear it and remember what it means—not just the word, but the amazing trip we took together and everything I hope this next chapter holds for her.
A life that isn't quite so hurried.
More time to notice the beauty around her.
More sunshine.
More adventures.
And, selfishly, more mother-daughter trips where we get to go somewhere beautiful and make memories together.
That's what makes a retirement gift meaningful! It's not necessarily about finding something that says Congratulations on Retirement! in big letters.
It's about finding something that says, “I see you. I know what you've given. And I'm so excited about what's ahead.”
What Can You Engrave on a Retirement Gift?
If you're looking for a retirement gift for someone you love, an engraving can be a beautiful way to make it personal.
And you don't necessarily need to put their retirement date on it.
Think about a word, phrase, or idea that represents the life you hope they'll enjoy in this next season. Not what they are retiring from, but what they are retiring to.
A few ideas:
Adventure — for the person who has a long list of places they want to see.
Freedom — because retirement can mean finally having the freedom to choose how you spend your time.
Enjoy — a simple reminder not to rush past the good stuff.
New Beginnings — for someone who is excited about what's next.
Go Explore — for the person who has already started planning their next trip.
Or choose something completely personal—a favorite saying, a meaningful date, a place, or even an inside joke.
Sometimes the words that mean the most are the ones that only the two of you—and apparently the whole country of Croatia 😂—understand.
Retirement Gifts for Men
And retirement gifts aren't just for Mom.
My dad hasn't retired yet, but I'm already dreaming about what his retirement might look like—and what I'll give him when that day comes. He has his eyes on sailing, so I have a feeling I know exactly where I'd start.
Our Men's Compass Necklace can be engraved with a special message on the back, which feels particularly fitting for someone who is dreaming about spending his retirement sailing away.
Maybe I'd engrave something simple.
Find Your Way.
Or maybe something only our family would understand.
Or maybe the Pillar Bracelet, which already carries words that remind me of my dad: Brave. Kind. Wise. Strong. Steady.
Those are the qualities I see in him, and they're the same qualities that make him such a strong presence in our family and community. The bracelet feels like a pretty wonderful way to celebrate someone who has spent his life being a pillar for the people around him.
Maybe I'll have to start dropping retirement hints.
The Best Retirement Gifts Tell a Story
I think that's what I love most about giving a meaningful gift.
Years from now, you don't necessarily remember the gift itself.
You remember the story.
You remember who gave it to you. Where you were. Why they chose it. What was happening in your life when you received it.
For my mom, I hope that every time she sees fjaka on her bracelet, she remembers our trip to Croatia and the beginning of this new season.
And I hope she remembers that she has earned every bit of it.
So if you're looking for a retirement gift for someone you love, don't feel like it needs to be complicated.
When I think about my mom's retirement, I don't think about the end of her career. I think about everything I hope she gets to do now.
More sunshine. More time on the lake. More travel. More family. More adventures. More mornings without a schedule. And, of course, plenty of fjaka.
That's what I wanted her bracelet to remind her of.
So if you're looking for a retirement gift for someone you love, think about what you're celebrating—not just what they're leaving behind, but what they're stepping into.
You did it. Now go enjoy your new season of life. ❤️
Author: Shelby Gleadow
Shelby Gleadow is the Asia Director of Sales & Marketing Development at Starfish Project. She believes stories have the power to bridge people around the world and connect us to something bigger than ourselves. Having called Asia home for more than 20 years after growing up in Austin, Texas, she loves connecting people with the women and artisans behind every Starfish Project piece. When she's not working, she's raising her two energetic boys alongside her artist husband, traveling with her family, or chasing the next adventure—hello, Enneagram 7!
