100th birthdays are rare and momentous occasions to celebrate lives well-lived!
Only about one in 4,500 Americans are centenarians. That said, people living to 100+ are the fastest growing population group in the world today, estimated to grow eight-fold by 2050 (that could mean you!).
Planning a 100th birthday event is not just about an age milestone, it’s a chance recognize seniors’ accomplishments and cherished memories. For some it can be an especially precious time for building their sense of identity, hugely beneficial for well-being and dignity.
Birthdays gathering loved-ones affirms feelings of love and support for your senior. But it also gives younger family and friends a unique chance to learn about their roots. Adult children and grandchildren (and great-grandchildren) often are fascinated to learn about their family origin stories.
As people age they don’t want more stuff, they appreciate positive experiences of times spent together. For a birthday event this could include ways to kindle memories such as:
Invite people to help create a scrapbook of written memories about the birthday person. These can be read aloud (and possibly embellished) at a party, a catalyst for lots of laughs and ahhhs.
Send out a call for photos... there may be some hidden gems not seen for years! Make a slide show for an event and a treasured keepsake book. Could be structured by chapters or decades of the person’s life.
Make a booklet of 100 things loved about your birthday person. Dedicate one page to each thought, makes for an incredibly uplifting and heartfelt read long after the party. Could even include illustrations or scrapbook items contributed by friends and relatives.
Ask guests who can't attend a party to take a video of themselves sharing best wishes and a great memory of the centenarian. Edit the videos into a presentation to play at the party and to share with everyone online or via email.
For those attending, film the guests during the party asking them to share a favorite story about the centenarian. Combine all the videos for a lasting gift for everyone.
Create a visual family tree, adorn the birthday person’s roots and branches with photos picturing (or just names identifying) generations past and present.
Go back in time to feature the birthday-person’s favorites – play their beloved music, serve drinks and food dishes they may not have enjoyed in years, maybe even dig out some vintage clothes and souvenirs.
Of course no birthday is complete without a cake and candles. Bring back the childhood joy of the traditional candle for every year with a Celebration Stadium candle holder. It holds 100 candles in a semi-circle around the cake. Allows for fantastic photos with the candlelight radiance and great videos blowing out the candles.
Over 100? Recognize this good fortune with additional candles on your Celebration Stadium adding more candles with Stadium clips.
See more examples of 100th birthdays with real people and their Celebration Stadiums.
Some wonderful media and government recognition opportunities:
Featured on the Today Show with Al Roker:
Complete the form online, or to send a written request download the form and mail it, with a photo, to this address. Centenarians are picked randomly to be recognized on the show:
385 East – 14
Attention: Al Roker Celebration
30 Rockefeller Plaza
New York, NY 10112
Receive a greeting from President Biden, submit your request at:
Include the following information in the comments box:
Name and home address of honoree(s);
Form of address (Mr., Ms., Mrs., Dr., Miss, etc.)
Exact date of birthday (month, day, year)
Age
Your (the requestor’s) name and daytime phone number
Any specific mailing instructions if other than to honoree’s address.
You may also mail the request to:
The White House Greetings Department
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, D.C. 20500
Receive a greeting from the King of England (for British and Commonwealth residents):
Send copy of birth certificate/proof of age to:
Assistant Private Secretary
Buckingham Palace, London
SWIA IAA
Write “Anniversary” in top left hand corner of envelope