100th birthday ideas

The number one hundred appears in an art-deco style font on a white background.

Milestones don’t come much bigger than a 100th birthday. Turning 100 is a major accomplishment for anyone—not just in years lived, but in lives impacted. It’s a major occasion that deserves a major celebration.

If someone you know is approaching their 100th birthday, finding just the right way to show them how important they are to you might feel daunting. That’s why we’ve gathered a list of great 100th birthday ideas to get you started. From party decor to cake to gifts and beyond, read on for a great list of ideas to inspire you as you celebrate the guest of honor.

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100th birthday party decor and theme ideas  

  • Photos through the years 📸 Print out one picture of the guest of honor during each decade of their life and use them to decorate the party space.
  • Jobs, hobbies, and interests 📋 Incorporate decorations that honor various jobs or hobbies they’ve had throughout their life. (You could also use various favorite movies/movie stars or other interests instead.)
  • A hundred-year playlist 🎶 For the party, put together a playlist with songs they love from each decade of their life. Play it progressively during the party and consider letting guests know each time you switch decades.
  • Tell them their impact ⭐️ Take time during the party to focus on all the ways the guest of honor has influenced the lives of their family and friends.
  • Storytelling circle 📖 Everyone at the party undoubtedly has at least one standout memory with the guest of honor. Gather around and spend some time reminiscing about the great moments you’ve shared.
  • Turn their life moments into fun 🌀 Create a trivia game based on their life and use it as an activity during the party.
  • Make a compliment list ☀️ Work together with family and friends to create a big list of “100 Things We Love About You” and read it (or just gift it) during the party.

100th birthday cake ideas  

  • Three-cake combo! Make three separate number-shaped cakes to form the number “100” (a 1 and two 0s) in three different flavors.
  • Fill it with candles. Go all out with a cake that literally has 100 candles on it. (Recruit grandkids or great grandkids to help light and blow them out, if necessary.)
  • Bring in some nostalgia. Use a favorite cake recipe that they’ve made, or one that they enjoyed when they were a kid.
  • Skip the cake completely. Plan an ice cream social. This is also a great way to create natural chances for guests to mingle and take turns chatting with the guest of honor.
  • Take any cake up a notch. No matter what kind of cake you choose, take it up a notch with some DIY cake toppers.

Need some cake ideas that will make you look like a way better baker than you maybe actually are? We’ve got you. 🎂

100th birthday food ideas  

  • Nostalgic foods 🍭 Include favorite foods from childhood, young adulthood, middle age and now.
  • Take their order 📝 Ask the guest of honor what they’d like. This will help you ensure you’re serving food they’ll enjoy.
  • Call in the caterers 🥘 Order catering from a restaurant you’ve enjoyed going to together over time.
  • Honor their own culinary skill 🧑‍🍳 If the guest of honor is a cook themselves, honor them by serving some of their own signature dishes from over the years.

100th birthday gift ideas  

  • Create a personalized quilt. Have family members each donate a fabric square and use them to create a personalized quilt—a personal and multigenerational gift that will keep the recipient warm!
  • A recipe scrapbook. Include family-favorite recipes over the last 100 years. Family members can add their own stories and memories about their favorite meals.
  • A box of mementos. Make them a memory box or book with photos, stories, tributes and memories from family members.
  • A meaningful card shower. Organize a card shower with family and other loved ones to remind them how much they’re loved and valued.
  • The gift of time. If you live near enough, set up a time to come by and have a meal with them. If you’re out of town, make plans to come visit next time you’re in the area.
  • Handwritten letters. Invite party guests to give a handwritten letter sharing a favorite memory.
  • Help them remember their special day. Take a photo at the gathering and send them a large, framed photo or canvas of it that they can hang up to remember the celebration.

100th birthday card message ideas  

  • So many people have been so blessed by being a part of your life. Thank you for the amazing legacy you’ve created!
  • When I turn 100, I hope I’m just like you. So happy to celebrate you today!
  • You’re such an example of how to live with joy, faith, and strength. I’m so grateful for the way you’ve impacted my life and the lives of so many others. Happy 100th birthday!
  • 100 years is an amazing accomplishment, but what’s even more amazing is all the lives you’ve touched. Thank you for being the amazing person you are.
  • The world is so lucky to have had a whole century of you. And I’m so grateful to be a part of your life.

For even more ideas on what to write in a birthday card, check out this list to get you started.

We hope these 100th birthday ideas help you celebrate your loved one in a way that feels unique, meaningful and just right for them. Happy celebrating, and happy 100th birthday to the guest of honor from all of us at Hallmark!

 

Get more birthday ideas to help you celebrate loved ones of any age here: