Birthday present

Could you take her out for afternoon tea somewhere posh..

That's a good idea Tanith. We took MiL out for afternoon tea for her birthday last year, and she loved it. Especially being made a great fuss of by the country house hotel manager

Another idea - a voucher for a luxury manicure/pedicure?

You could obtain a facsimile of the front page of a newspaper published on the day of her birth and frame it.

Another idea would be a voucher for a hairdo at her favourite hairdresser. My mum always liked this one.

We take my 91 year old aunt for a pub lunch on her birthday. Sometimes she brings her friend. I have also bought her a tub of plants from the local garden centre to put by her front door and she seemed to like that.

Lovely ideas here, thanks. I have been looking in the shops but it's hard finding a gift as such, as she has all she needs, so taking her out is ideal. Much better than a box of chocolates!
I know she will enjoy this, and also having some company for a few hours.
Appreciate your replies- the tub of plants is a nice idea too.

My elderly (almost 98) friend likes to receive plants for the garden, food for the birds, bottles of cognac.

Whatever gift you choose I think the gift of your time will be the most precious. That's been my experience with older friends who don't really need anything.

I gave an elderly friend a padded and decorative hot water bottle and she was very pleased with it.

I used to put together a box of necessities for my grand mother - writing paper, hair nets, chocolates. I sometimes give my mother (95) a box with shampoo, washing up liquid, biscuits, body lotion etc. The cost of necessities adds up. I also give her an M n S card with money on it so she can buy what she wants. Her grandson buys her a subscription to her favourite magazine every year and that gives her hours of pleasure. Maybe a subscription to the Radio Times?

how about subscribing to one of those services that sends a bunch of flowers every month?