Anyone who experiences that in their own family usually wants to make something special of it, something that does justice to a very long life and to all the people who were part of it in one way or another. At the same time a centenary also brings practical challenges that do not come with an ordinary birthday.
Why a hundredth birthday is different from any other
At one hundred it is no longer only about the birthday person, but about a whole life that has stretched across generations. Children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, former neighbours and sometimes even people who knew the birthday person decades ago all want to say something. On top of that, the birthday person is often less mobile at this age, which means the celebration has to wrap around them rather than the other way around.
Who wants to be involved
Around a hundredth birthday a much wider circle often forms than at any other occasion. Distant family who now live across the country or even abroad, former colleagues from a career decades ago, neighbours who have since moved, and not rarely the municipality as well, which likes to honour a resident who has turned one hundred.
How to organise a centenary in practice
Choosing the place and time
A centenary is best organised in a place that is easy for the birthday person to reach, for example the care home, their own home or a nearby hall. The time is ideally set for when they are usually most alert, often earlier in the day.
Who to invite and how to let everyone know in time
Because the circle of people involved is so large, it pays to start notifying people early. Not everyone can or wants to be there in person, and for them it is important to know in advance how they can still contribute.
Why a digital wishes page fits perfectly here
Spread-out family and old acquaintances who cannot be there in person
Not every grandson, great-granddaughter or former neighbour can be there on the day itself. Via a birthday wishes page they too can leave a message, photo or video wish, which is then shown together with all the other contributions at the celebration itself.
The link with a municipality that wants to honour a hundred-year-old resident
More and more local authorities are looking for ways to celebrate hundred-year-old residents, something we have written about before in our content for municipalities and public authorities. A shared wishes page fits that seamlessly: the municipality can add its own message beside those of family and friends, without two separate tracks being needed.
Frequently asked questions
How do I keep it clear if there are a great many contributors?
All messages end up on one page, instead of being spread across cards, texts and phone calls. That way the birthday person, or whoever is organising the celebration, sees everything at a glance.
Can the municipality add its own contribution too?
Yes. A municipality can leave a message via the same link, just as family and friends do. That makes it easy to show an official congratulations and personal wishes together.
What if the birthday person cannot manage a screen themselves?
That is no problem. A family member or carer can show the full page on a tablet, laptop or large screen during the celebration, so the birthday person can look at everything calmly without having to do anything themselves.
