Suitable birthday gift for a 100 year old?

[JDgreen227]

Guys, this coming weekend I am attending the 100th birthday celebration for the mother of my step mom, and am clueless as to what to get her. Anybody have an idea...because I sure don't !!! :laughing:

 

[Brad_Blazer]

Something pretty and consumable. Corsage, bouquet, fruit basket.

 

[dave1949]

The New York Times, for one anyways, offers reprints of their front page on a given date, such as her birth date. Probably not enough time to do that by this weekend.

 

[forgeblast]

For my Gram, we restored pictures and put a scrapbook together and a family tree.
I found these examples below on line.

When I worked at an assisted living home and one of the residents turned 100, everyone made sure her day was extra special! That night we made a path of 100 balloons from her room to her table in the dining room where she was greeted with flowers, a tiara, and her favorite breakfast. After breakfast, they took her to the beauty salon to get her hair, nails, and makeup done and then took her out to some of her favorite places! When people get that age, it is not the material gifts that mean anything to them, it is people spending time with them and making them feel loved and important!
suggest restoring an old photo of her and her siblings, parents, or her wedding in a beautiful frame. Even finding something of her past that wil spark some sort of warm spot within her. Maybe get the family to take photographs by generations I think that would be the most heart felt gift to look at all of her off springs with pride! Place them all in a nice frame and present them to her this is a gift that is priceless and timeless.
How about collecting favorite memories about Grandma? For our great-granddad, I sent e-mails and notes in Christmas cards (sorry that won't work) and asked relatives, friends and neighbors to put short tales on strips and squares of colored scrapbook paper (you can send them outwith the requests)I also made some put them on paper at a superbowl party. I put them in a clear plastic jar with a cover and a bow. We made a label "Special Stories about Granddad". Because I put them in, I knew some of the funiest, and pulled them in an envelope and read them when we gave him his container. I learned so many things that he had done, and we got to celebrate and laugh while he was alive. He died a year ago today, and I was just reminiscing about that with my daughter. It was a great project! Good luck!

 

[EddieWalker]

Once a person reaches a certain age, they don't really need anything, but they always appreciate something sentimental. I've used Picaboo.com to create photo books that are always a big hit, and I've always found a nicely framed picture so somebody they care about is always a success.

Another idea that you might consider is to volunteer a day to do chores or fix things for her.

Eddie

 

[/pine]

I agree when folks get to that age there is not much in the way of material things they really need...IMO the greatest gift you can give to elderly loved ones is your time

 

[JDgreen227]

Thanks to all who gave ideas...I have decided to do the photography work for the celebration using my extensive collection of equipment, and create memory books for members of the family. I just learned there will be close to 150 guests so I am sure there will be many opportunities for good pictures.

 

[jeff9366]

I suggest a tractor.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I agree when folks get to that age there is not much in the way of material things they really need...IMO the greatest gift you can give to elderly loved ones is your time

I agree, even at my age, it is hard to find a gift for me (at least my kids/wife say so. Spending time together is always special and much more preferable than a gift.

 

[JDgreen227]

I suggest a tractor.

Don't laugh, but my step mother has a picture of her mother seated on a John Deere 60...the family tractor they owned for many years. Sadly, I doubt if the assisted living facility the birthday lady resides at would want her at the wheel of anything motorized...

 

[dmccarty]

How about a 100 year old bottle of single malt scotch or port? After all, you only hit 100 years old once. :laughing::laughing::laughing:

Later,
Dan

 

[TripleR]

Can't miss with the album, my mom is in her 90's and that's what she prefers over anything.

 

[Wagtail]

It seems that every time I read about someone reaching 100(+) years of age, the question asked is what they attribute their longevity to. The typical answer seems to be a drink/nip of some sort of alcohol and a few cigarettes a day. :laughing:

So you couldn't go wrong with a bottle of whiskey & a carton of Marlboros. :thumbsup:

 

[farmgirl19]

I don't think there is a female alive that doesn't like to be pampered, once in a while. I like the idea of the spa, with a massage and manicure and facial. Something she surely doesn't get very often, and pampers her and makes her feel special and pretty. :2cents:

 

[jerrybob]

My wife's mom just turned 90. We had a family party.....my wife made her favorite coconut cake. She was surrounded by kids, grandkids and great grandkids. The great grandkids drew her a wall poster about 5 ft long. She loved it and still has it up on her wall. After the party.....my wife put together a picture album of her party......she has shown it to all her friends. At 100 years old.......it's not the gifts.....it's the family, friends and love that matters. Enjoy!!!!:thumbsup:

 

[creekbend]

First of all, Gongrats to her for attaining the Century Mark. All Women love being Hugged. If she is capable of it, why not do a slow dance with her?Find out what her favorite song is and dance to it. I guarantee you that there will be TEARS. Best wishes.

 

[/pine]

Nice suggestion ...:thumbsup::thumbsup:

 

[Piston]

Another idea that you might consider is to volunteer a day to do chores or fix things for her. Eddie

This is what I just did for my grandfathers 95th. Except, it turned into a 3 day chore day and possibly going on 4.

 

[RobertN]

My Grandmother is turning 101 next month.

We get family together. For presents, presence can be most important. And, for presents, we do consumables. She does not need more "stuff". But manicure, pedicure, dinner out etc is nice.

Presence though, is best present.

 

[chad22]

You could give her a 100 million dollars. lol

I wish I had that much money.

I'm always broke every month after paying the bills.

Chad