100th birthday - gift suggestions please!

Thanks for all the suggestions. As I previously stated, we will be seeing her in person on the day, all being well. I’m sure we will be able to come up with something out of all the suggestions.

Many thanks!

A nice cardigan or pashmino

I suspect that once you get to a great age the one thing that’s nice even in assisted living is visits, not necessarily on the day as probably a big fuss will be made of her, but maybe a week later when the excitement has died down a bit

My mother got many cards and also the one from the Queen - it was the only one she kept out on display for the rest of her life. What about a nice photoframe to put it in and maybe allow the inside section to be visible as well?

I agree with creating a photo book of her and family - she would love it and love knowing that others in the family also had copies of this book, so by implication she will be remembered by later generations.

I have a bottle of scent to the last centenarian I knew......any sort of cosmetics would be acceptable I should think......what about a voucher for a manicure or, my favourite, a bottle of really good single malt.....but then I'm only 80!

Subscription to Audible so she can listen to books etc

This won't be suitable in your case, but I knew a gentleman who requested a stainless steel garden spade and fork for his 100th! I asked for the same as part of my retirement present at work.

If you have time, cartoonists on line will compose and print a picture made up of all the incidents, people and places you provide. We used some hilarious ones for retirements at work, they became the norm for these occasions. However, in those days it was a local artist who did them.

I hope the occasion goes well.

I'm not sure whether she spends most of her time up and dressed or in bed, but one elderly lady we know was very pleased with a beautiful bed jacket, though I agree with Minnieme that a pashmina would be lovely and serves the same purpose - nice ones are very expensive though.

Agree. I am nowhere near 100 yet but I am getting rid of 'stuff' would rather have 'presence' than 'presents'..as someibe abive said

Someone I know lives in a care home and the home had the greetings from the King framed for her. Perhaps you could do that?

My relative compiled a moving photograph frame to show photos of people that meant a lot to the birthday recipient throughout the 100 years of her life. It took quite a bit of effort to get good digital copies of old photos but it was like having family and friends in the room. A lovely gift if you have the time, patience and access to such photos, of course.

One of my more successful presents was a book of vouchers. Not your usual sort, but one of promises, like baking a cake, a bunch of flowers, taking her out, etc. She was absolutely delighted!

Daffodil afternoon teas are very nice with welsh barabrith etc

Jaxjacky

A special pedicure/manicure?

That would be lovely .. And also the hairdresser ..

Can’t go wrong with a pretty shawl

I think a lot of older folk can’t be bothered with flowers, especially bouquets. All that faffing, carting a heavy vase round to change the water.
I prefer to see them in a garden.

I think a beautiful.pashmina would be well received.. It looks elegant and is warm and cosy too, as well as being lightweight (as opposed to a bulky shawl which can be a bit of a nuisance to manage).

A really lovely frame for the letter from the King

When l bought this house it came with nearly all the previous occupant's personal possessions (died in her 90s).
The drawers and cupboards were full of the paraphernalia that she'd obviously received as presents over the years
Stratton powder compacts, perfume, hand creams, face and body potions and lotions, scarves/shawls/ pashmenas , handkerchiefs, picture frames, ornaments, jewellery, nighties, gloves, underwear.
Mostly these were brand new, unopened, unworn and mainly - due to smell, fading, age and various other conditions, unusable.
I'd stick with giving flowers, chocolates, biscuits.

As the birthday lady has failing sight photos are not a very good idea! I think a pashmina is a great idea, or favourite foodie and drink treats.

Does she have a favourite charity? I am sure she will be inundated with presents and maybe would be nice to donate some money to a worthwhile cause, you can usually get a card from the charity to say you have done this.

Lots of lovely ideas here, but if the lady has failing eyesight you need to take that into consideration and as one or two have suggested, maybe audio books - or even music which she likes, provided of course there is something on which to play the items! When my dear old dad’s eyesight failed him, he loved listening to his music and his “talking books”.

My aunt spent her last birthday in a care home (age 97) and was upset about all the flowers she was sent. Her room was quite small and very hot so every surface was crowded with vases of wilting flowers and her eyesight was poor so she hardly dare move for fear of tipping something over. She was so well fed that she didnt eat any of the food or drink gifts. She also struggled with audio books. When I asked her what was her best present she said visits from family and friends and her daughter sitting holding her hand and reading her favourite book (Black Beauty) to her.

I agree with Vito who suggested an audio book. If her eyesight is failing she may welcome being able to listen to a book especially if she has a favourite author.