Birthday present

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

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?

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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?

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