Are you supposed to bring a gift to a retirement party?

Unless the person giving the retirement party has stipulated 'no gifts' then yes, you should bring a gift and a card. If you aren't sure what to get them phone the person's mate to ask them if others are putting money into one large gift (this can happen often) to send the retired person on a nice vacation and simply give what you can afford. You need to know the personality of the person retired. Here are some other gift ideas: Gift certificate to a nice Golf Course Gift certificate to a sports center such as fishing, hunting store so the retiree can choose what they want. If the person is into cars then get a gift certificate to a good store that sells accessories for cars, etc. Gift certificates are a better thing to give so the retired person doesn't end up with gifts that they will not use. It also saves the guest money in the long run should the retiree not use the gift they give. Although 'fun gifts' to tease the retiree is sometimes appropriate too much of anything is good for nothing. I will often phone the wife or husband of the retired person and ask them if everyone is chipping in for one large gift. Personally I feel this is a much better gift for the retiree in the end.