100th birthday gift, any ideas?

You could look at the Good Gifts catalogue and see if there is anything that you could donate to charity on their behalf

Get them an "I waited table at the last supper" T-Shirt

My mother celebrated her 100th n recently her 101st she enjoys an afternoon tea. Some places provide afternoon tea n deliver or you could take her. Also an afternoon tea voucher that a family member could go with her whenever.

When Dad was 100 at the beginning of this year I arranged a card from the Queen and a bouquet of helium balloons with 100 on. He was very pleased with them both. Still displays the Queen and family cards in the cabinet. Think he was just pleased to reach the milestone birthday.

When my dear aunt was 100, I did a “100 bulbs for 100 years” present. I got nice large glazed pots and layered all the bulbs, layer of compost first, largest bulbs at the bottom, another layer of compost, right up to tiny bulbs at the top, finishing with a layer of little pebbles/grit. The biggest ones grow through and there is a succession of flowers. I needed 2 large pots as there were so many bulbs. There are lots of nice bulbs available in late August and September, and a nursery could advise you which would work best. I think I used tulips, daffs, grape hyacinths and Scilla in colours which went well together. And dressed the pots up with big bows. She was delighted, and rang me several times with updates of what had come up. They also reappeared the following year. Can prove expensive though, depending on which pots and bulbs you choose. Wasn’t an issue with my aunt, but you may not want to spend so much on a neighbour

I’ve had two aunts reach their 100th birthdays in the last few years. Sadly now both gone, one at 105 the other at 102 from Covid.
I bought a rose bush that she liked for older aunt and some pampering toiletries for younger aunt who was always very glamorous. Also made donations to their pet charities.

When we were invited to a neighbour's 100th party, we sponsored a guide dog puppy on her behalf and wrapped up all the documents and put them in a gift bag with a floating balloon. She'd had a couple of cataracts removed and her sight wasn't great so it seemed quite appropriate. By chance the puppy was called by her middle name, so that was a bonus!

Hello and it is so nice that you are thinking about this. As has been said much depends on your neighbour and also the nature of your relationship. Since you ARE thinking about it, it shows to me that you care and also want to get it 'right'. There is no right! To many especially under current circumstances company is an invaluable thing and I would humble suggest taking that afternoon tea hamper over yourself with you to share it... it might be a grand experience for you both. Hope it goes really well whatever you decide to do! x

I was going to suggest an afternoon tea or cakes delivered to their home.
If they have a garden, a rose bush - many can be grown in large pots or tubs. Even a planted basket can give lots of pleasure on a grey day!
Audio books if they enjoy reading
Sponsor something in their name, if they have a particular interest such as RNLI, Cats Protection, Rspca etc

I would like to add. Probably as I have a keen interest in charities focussing on animal welfare but I am guessing that you probably don't know of your neighbour's interests. Perhaps you could find out a little. It was rightly (IMHO) pointed out that someone reaching 100 probably doesn't need 'stuff', I do think that your time in an afternoon tea would be very valuable and also think that, considering that your neighbour is at this state frankly not contemplating much more life, it would be a grand thing to give to a charity of her interest - kind of saying to neighbout that you recognise no property required but wished to acknowledge the achievement of reaching 100. x

I like the flowers idea sent after the event. Also the photo album can be done on line in a book thro Freeprint App. Its a great idea to appoint yourself and be “official” photographer. Tell the family first.

You can get lovely cushions online with 100th on them and maybe a lovely soft throw for over his legs for the winter ahead.

I promise I am nothing to do with this Lancashire company, but seeing cakes reminded me of
www.littlebeebakes.co.uk/
The little cakes are divine and unique. She sends them freshly made by post. I've used them several times for thank yous and presents.

I also like the idea of a hamper with all her favourite things in there including a bottle of nice sherry if she likes it
Just because we are getting older doesn’t mean we have gone off a little drink now and then

I love Noname's idea of Lend With Care
Also Lulubelle500's idea of sponsoring a guide or assistance dog.
Indeed, any charity, home or overseas, that helps people improve their lives.
I would consider that a great gift.

I can't think of anyone I know who'd appreciate a donation to charity - unless they'd specifically asked for that - as a gift, particularly not for as big a milestone as a 100th birthday. It's not that we're a bunch of materialistic, greedy sods - but we give to charities as routine, and would much prefer a well thought out actual gift to show the giver had spent time and thought on it.

A lot of yoir choices will be determined by the person's sex, whether they can still see well and whether they're still dextrous or not.

Here're some of the things I'd suggest: a personalised 1921 genuine farthing pendant -

www.notonthehighstreet.com/ellieellie/product/100th-birthday-1920-farthing-coin-necklace?DGMKT=FID__TID_aud-1012721013587:pla-535176754992_PID_920149_CRI_535176754992&gclid=CjwKCAjw3MSHBhB3EiwAxcaEu5QCWr92ovVOPdh6ajA2tswiMKzWKkW96-ddeA-eEYtgoD94_QfvJRoCUZ0QAvD_BwE

a personalised cushion -

www.etsy.com/uk/listing/873871658/personalised-100th-birthday-cushion-name?gpla=1&gao=1&&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping_uk_en_gb_birthday_Home+and+Living&utm_custom1=_k_CjwKCAjw3MSHBhB3EiwAxcaEu1Mju8mscBtdGRUPHstFfm94FJwCgZdznLBrv1wBlFvflnv8SwVHGBoCf20QAvD_BwE_k_&utm_content=go_1714670619_69709019960_333557028140_aud-464693039977:pla-303628061699_c__873871658engb_222788847&utm_custom2=1714670619

A personalised to 1921 events print - less perishable than a newspaper -

www.notonthehighstreet.com/afewhometruths/product/100th-birthday-personalised-1917-print

If people aren’t sure about donations, I’m always willing to accept a tenner. ?

I like the idea of the photos of the day, a record of flowers, gifts and cards and opportunity for people to write a message. My mother celebrated hers last year but in a different country with few family on the day due to covid. It would have been nice to have shared the day with others far away.

I love the idea of a tree with the Woodland Trust. Failing that flowers or chocolates if she eats them. No objects at that age. I’m 62 and already thinking getting more objects makes no sense.

Take her out somewhere she wants to go.

Poshpaws: 75+ are the largest group who donate to charities in the UK, but one off gifts rather than 'as a routine'; most pensioners can't afford regular donations. I think a gift in their name would be much appreciated. I'm not even 80 yet and I certainly don't need any more stuff. As far as thoughtful gifts go, when my sis and I cleared out my mother's flat when she died we found two chests of drawers chockful of thoughtful gifts. What she loved most were visits from her family. She had eight grandchildren and when one of the boys was particularly broke he sent a card saying: Visit from Peep - her nickname for him! - to be redeemed any time! And his mobile number. This idea caught on with the rest of the family and became her most loved gift from all of us. There were no unclaimed Visit Cards when she died.

When my mom turned 100 she asked for donations to a children’s charity ad she said they are the future

Perhaps a Big Print Newspaper subscription. It's a weekly news summary and TV/radio guide with some quizzes, which arrives in the post.

I would ask the host is there’s any collection towards a special present eg theme day. You never know if fit enough the neighbour may have always wanted a balloon trip, or even skydiving so far better to contribute towards a memory day than fluffy slippers.

My Auntie was 100 this week and the family (and she) didn't want presents. She gets overwhelmed by too many things and at her age there's nothing she needs. Her children are planting some trees in a location that is special to her which seems a lovely idea and contributions to that were gratefully received.