100th birthday gift, any ideas?

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

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 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 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.

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 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.

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 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

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

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!

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 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

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.

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.

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

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

Hi We run a company that creates personalised songs or musicals for Birthdays (also Weddings, Anniversaries) Would be amazing to put something together for someone's 100th! www.themusicaltheatrefactory.co.uk.

If you have the time a scrap book with key events the year she was born and perhaps every five years after Not just news. Music that was popular, people, remarkable pictures. Anything she might find interesting, there is so much information on the internet and old photos

When my Mum was 100 y o. I made a scrapbook for her using pictures of all her family over every decade. She received several lovely gifts too but my Sister asked that donations be made to the local charities that had been used by both my Mum and my very caring sister over the years, there was also a donation made to the Nursing Home that looked after Mum for her final 4 years. Most 100 year old ladies don't need and don't want stuff.

If you can get in touch with your neighbours relatives or a personal friend of your neighbour then they y are the ones to give you the best info.

Most people of advanced age don't want material goods - they are trying to give them away! Many people favour 'experiences': the poem idea above is a lovely one. My husband really appreciated someone doing a clog dance for his 60th birthday, and at mine, someone sang a song. I think it's significant that they are the only gifts I can remember from those occasions.

I suppose it depends on how independent she is..How about a pamper..a hand massage, a foot spa, or a hairdo.

If it was family I would suggest a sort of this is your life scrap book but failing that I would also go for the tree planting or name a star. I too have planted trees in memory of my grandmother and both parents with The Woodland Trust

There are lovely suggestions here, my suggestion depending on the person, colourful flowers or perfumed flowers?

One Christmas my daughter gave me a voucher for a charity’Lend with Care’ so I was able to use it to help out someone in a poorer country to establish or improve their small business. As they paid me back over time I’ve been able to reinvest in others to help them to a better life. Maybe an alternative idea for a gift?