100th birthday - gift suggestions please!

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.

A really lovely frame for the letter from the King

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).

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.

Can’t go wrong with a pretty shawl

Jaxjacky

A special pedicure/manicure?

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

Daffodil afternoon teas are very nice with welsh barabrith etc

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!

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.

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?

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

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.

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.

Subscription to Audible so she can listen to books etc

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!

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.

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 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

A nice cardigan or pashmino

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!

If you're on Etsy, you can get a journey through the years card with her name and date of birth on. Or a poster to be framed

My cousin is in a care home, for her birthday I sent her a box of three small bottles of very nice hand cream and a silk scarf, my other cousin tells me she was delighted with the gifts.

Thortful do a journey through the years birthday card. (My vote is always for a Photobook too)

Good idea!

You could make a family photo album , including lots of her self and her homes or life at all stages, as many relatives as you can with their names, . and perhaps get some of them to write a little personal memory or message to go with their photo . You can type them up to be more legible (and match).

Lots of memories for her, and she can show them off to her carers and cronies.