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I am NOT expecting many to get back to me BUT...........

(100 Posts)
Maywalk Mon 28-Nov-22 14:59:56

What would you buy for a lifelong friend who will be 100 years old on the 3rd of December.

I have a present for her already but I wont tell you yet what I have got her because I am just curious to find out what others would think of getting her to celebrate her centenary.

I did not want to get her flowers or any ornaments because I expect others will get that sort of present.

She was a very talented woman and an ex Land Army Girl. Unfortunately age has now stopped her doing her wonderful paintings and craft work but she can still read.

She lives on her own although her daughter goes twice a day to make sure she takes the right dose of medication.

She has just received a birthday card signed by both from the King and his wife with a lovely photo of King Charles and Camilla the Queen Consort on the front of it.

My lovely friend must be one of THE first to receive something like this before the King is crowned.

I feel honoured to have had my friend aboard my train of life.

GreyhairedWarrior Wed 30-Nov-22 13:17:31

I echo the Alexa idea - I love mine and listen to audiobooks, music, radio and podcasts on it every day. Voice commands work well. You can also set reminders for things like taking medication and when dinner will be done, and ask it to call somebody.

nipsmum Wed 30-Nov-22 12:29:40

When my mum was 100 I found it difficult to buy anything that she needed ( she was resident on a Nursing. Home as she suffered from Dementia ) She received many many flowers but I decided to get family photos together and made her a Scrapbook using the photos taken over many years.
I also included a few things that meant something to her. It was on display at her 100th birthday party for all the guests to have a look at. When she died 6 months later it came back to me and is there for my daughter's to keep too.

Grantanow Wed 30-Nov-22 12:00:01

A donation of money or food to her local food bank in her name?

Theoddbird Wed 30-Nov-22 11:59:51

I think I would contribute to a charity that was dear to her...

LRavenscroft Wed 30-Nov-22 11:54:51

Lizzie44

A good quality, stylish mohair shawl - something a bit glamorous for a birthday girl.

Sounds lovely to me.

Blossoming Wed 30-Nov-22 11:47:41

I looked at your website when you posted on here a year or so ago (can’t remember when), it’s really interesting. I too love your poetry Maywalk

Lizzie44 Wed 30-Nov-22 11:46:40

A good quality, stylish mohair shawl - something a bit glamorous for a birthday girl.

Nanadude Wed 30-Nov-22 11:43:18

I would give her an electronic photo album with family photos and familiar places she has visited in her life.

Supergran1946 Wed 30-Nov-22 11:39:38

One if those Photobox books, made up of memories of her life, her children etc etc. I’ve had one as a present and loved it so much I have done one for my daughter

Damdee Wed 30-Nov-22 11:35:33

Someone suggested a shawl - but I think a beautiful rug or blanket would be better, and well received.

Coco51 Wed 30-Nov-22 11:28:30

A luxury warm shawl

DeeDe Wed 30-Nov-22 11:28:14

A special frame to safely display her Card from Charlie

Mamma66 Wed 30-Nov-22 09:59:50

When it was my late Mother-in-Law’s 90th all family members sent photos (electronically) and messages to me and I used Publisher to compile them into a memory book which I then printed and bound. She loved it and it was very helpful as her memory started to fade. She kept it at her bedside for the remainder of her life. It was split into early memories and then children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and even a Great, great grandchild. She was very proud of her family, bless her. Maybe something along those lines?

Mamma66 Wed 30-Nov-22 09:49:58

Why not get her a lovely silver frame for the photograph of the King and Queen consort?

annodomini Wed 30-Nov-22 09:26:11

I don't want to be a killjoy, but why buy someone a newspaper published on the day of their birth? What I would like would be a newspaper published the day after my birth which would then tell me what happened the day I was born. I would learn that on my birth date Franklin D Rooseveldt was elected for the third time., not just that he was running for re-election.

M0nica Wed 30-Nov-22 08:31:20

Not knowing the lady I cannot remotely guess at what her interests might be.

She may possible thoroughly enjoy receiving anything from a ride on a zip run to some new bedsocks and everything inbetween.

To be honest, I am not sure I would particularly want sight of the paper published on the day I was born, despite a long and active interest in history and archaeology.

Callistemon21 Tue 29-Nov-22 23:05:45

Maywalk

Thanks for the lovely idea Callistemon21 but I would not be able to do it because I am now disabled through brittle bones breaking at random, I am now completely housebound.
I cannot even get out in my garden.

I still think I am lucky though because I can keep in touch with my family on Facetime and by messenger with others around the world.
My I-pad comes in handy too when I have to spend time in the hospital. My fingers are too fumbly now for phones.

Keep well.

Oh dear, I'm sorry to hear that Maywalk
flowers

I think what you have decided on is a lovely idea and I'm sure your friend will be thrilled.

Wyllow3 Tue 29-Nov-22 23:05:13

volver

I'm not very good at suggesting presents Maywalk but I wanted to say, what an interesting post about your friend, and what a good friend you are to her.

Carry on being the lovely friend you are.

giving of your time is the best gift you can give.

(tho I do like the idea of a newspaper the day she was born as a good novelty gift, if her reading is OK)

V3ra Tue 29-Nov-22 23:01:03

Maywalk I'd noticed you weren't posting and hoped you were ok.
I'm shocked that people on here had been negative about how old you are.
Surely they'd rather be that age themselves one day than the alternative... 🤔

I love reading how people older than me get on with their lives, it gives me hope for when I retire!

Similarly I love reading the thoughts of younger people than me, they're often very thought provoking.

Maywalk Tue 29-Nov-22 20:52:29

She cant cook now Yammy and like me has to rely on microwave meals.

Yammy Tue 29-Nov-22 20:46:56

How about a cookery book or something similar from 1922? I got my neighbour a Be ro one when she was 90 she was thrilled with it. It had all the recipes from her childhood.
Or find out something special that happened in 1922 and get a book about it.

Esmay Tue 29-Nov-22 20:40:02

I made a book of events that happened on the day of an elderly relative's birth .
I also recorded important events during his birth year -history , politics , arts...fashions .

He enjoyed it shortly before he died .

Maywalk Tue 29-Nov-22 20:14:48

Many thanks Lovetopaint037.

I just put it down to ignorance and bad manners.

Its not worth me getting worked up about to finish up having any more Epileptic Seizures.
Take care.

Lovetopaint037 Tue 29-Nov-22 19:59:46

Maywalk

OurKid1

PS Why are you not expecting many to get back to you? #justwondering

Because OurKid1 when I first came back on here, after an absence when I had been looking after my hubby with Dementia, and stated my age and being an old member I got one or two rude remarks about being an older person.

I may be old but I was brought up to respect others.

Crumbs Maywalk! How old do you have to be before you are sidelined? I am in my eighties and love Gransnet. Have had so much help, interest and enjoyment on here. You have got me worried now so perhaps I need to name change and take some decades off my age. Joking apart I think you should ignore the odd ones who obviously were rude and had no understanding of what you had been through. I am so sorry for the situation you found yourself in. I have had experience of this cruel disease and my heart goes out to you. Hope you have a wonderful celebration with your fantastic friend.

rjack Tue 29-Nov-22 19:54:19

what about a framed 100yr.old document with all the people that have had a part in her life. my husband received this on his special birthday and everyone who has ben an important part of his family are mentioned. Even the dogs we had when we were much younger. I occasionally pick this up and read all the names. Brings back lots of memories throughout our life.