2006 Top 10 Get Well Gift Ideas from ButYouDontLookSick.com
After being hospitalized twice in 2 months for a week long visit each, I have received some great and unique "Get Well" gifts. In between those months, I was mostly homebound by my illness, and when people would come over I was blessed enough to have people bring me the most ingenious things to cheer me up.
If you are lucky, when you are sick you might have visitors, people may send cards or may call. But I know sometimes it is hard to think of something to bring to them either when they are sick or in the hospital. All suggestions listed are from $5- $40 so they give a range of affordable ideas.
Beyond the typical flowers and cards, I am going to pass on to you my "Get Well Gift" suggestion list for uplifting, thoughtful, and purposeful gifts for those who you love who may be feeling sick or recovering. I have personally tried all the products listed here, or have given them as gifts. You can find many of the product reviews for the stores/ products listed below under our product review section. Many of these stores are stay at home mothers, or work at home businesses. Many of these stores even give some of the proceeds to charity. Please make sure to tell them that butyoudontlooksick.com sent you.
It truly makes the whole day change and puts a smile on your face when you receive a gift of some kind- and why not have it be something that shows thought and will be memorable to the receiver!!
| Get Well Gift Ideas | For some good places to shop check out: |
| 1. Pretty stationary or thank you notes Why not give someone new stationary or thank you notes? It is nice to get something new and stationary is not something we often buy ourselves, especially the really pretty indulgent kind. I know I have many people to thank for the help that they have provided me when I first became sick etc. so I know these thank you notes will come in handy. For an added bonus... add some postage stamps, return address labels or a nice pen to the gift- even less work for person who needs to concentrate on healing, not finding the right stamp!
|
Find handmade specialty pens, papers, journals, note cards and more at: |
| 2. A Specialty Healthy Gift
Basket.
Forget the flowers! Make your gift stand out with the thoughtful consideration for the particular illness or surgery that your loved one is dealing with. These baskets have ingredients that are specifically geared toward whatever you are looking for "health wise". Not only are they pretty baskets, but they are helpful too- providing healthy snacks and treats to make the patient feel better. I personally love the selection at Wellbaskets.com but the idea of sending a gift basket with healthy foods or snacks etc shows that you put a bit more though into the gift and will sure to be useful.
|
Offering get well baskets
for the basic cold to the serious illness; healthy, natural gift baskets for any occasion; and all-natural bath baskets for women & new babies check out: |
| 3.
Laughter is the best medicine! They say that laughter is the best medicine, so why not get a gift that will put a smile on someone's face? Be frivolous! Be Silly! Sometimes the best gifts are the ones we would never buy ourselves. Many times when we are dealing with sickness money becomes an issue. It is fun to get a gift that you normally couldn't get yourself since you now how financial strain. Be completely silly, funny colored socks, funny stuffed animals... anything to make the patient laugh and smile. |
For TV, movie, or pop
culture T shirts check out:
For Illness/ disease related shirts check out: |
| 4. The Gift of Comfort. When I was in the hospital the things I longed for most was the "comforts of home". Anything to make the cold walls of the hospital seem less dreary. I ended up bringing with me my fuzzy blanket, soft socks and slippers, and my favorite heating pads. Sometimes it is the small simple things that can make a HUGE difference. Anything to keep me warm was essential. It made me happy and comfortable, which in a hospital is hard to do. |
For the most versatile
"every day" heating pads check out the Tortilla Wraps at:mothercatco.com If you are looking for a bit more luxury and more size options of heating pads, check out: For Heating pads that do not require a microwave etc, try: |
| 5. Always Wanted- Never
Bought. There are those gifts that you know the person you are buying for could use, has even mentioned wanting- but when it comes down to it, never buys it. Whether it is because of financial issues, or just never getting to spend time on themselves- this is a chance to surprise them with that special something. For me it was UV clothing. I always knew I should get some, for every day use but especially for vacations. When I got sick recently, it reminded me of how I should be taking better care of myself- but really couldn't afford to. When I received a few of these UV clothing items as gifts recently- I was thrilled. not only did it show that the person cared about me and the limitations of my illness, but it was a fun gift to get that I always never bought for myself. The idea here is to look for something that the person you are shopping for would never normally buy themselves but has been secretly wishing for. Or even something "custom" to their favorite color or style. Make them feel special! |
Find fashionable UV
clothing styles at:
Mimsi-Bags.com (custom made tote bags and purses)
|
| 6. A Little Sparkle Never
Hurt Anyone. There are all sorts of jewelry if you are shopping for a female. Do not be fooled, it does not have to be fancy, or expensive, or if you are feeling generous it can be! Anything goes! As long as it reflects the unique style of the individual you are giving it to. A bracelet, a necklace, or even earrings can immediately make anyone feel "prettier" even on their "sick days". Many charms have significant meaning and can show symbols of like hope, strength, or love. Many companies even give proceeds from your purchase to the particular organization that the person you are visiting might be suffering from. Jewelry of any kind is a gift that keeps giving as a reminder whenever the receiver wears it, that they were thought of.
|
For cute jewelry with a
variety of styles and prices check out:
|
| 7. Boredom! Give Me
Something To Do! I was bored out of my mind in the hospital. Although most healthy people might think that laying in a hospital bed with no plans or nothing to do sounds like heaven... it isn't! My body might not have been working- but my mind was crying out for entertainment. TV gets boring real quick. When visitors brought me magazines, books, playing cards or even small crafts I was thrilled. Craft items were not only good because they were "different" but I gained a sense of accomplishment when I was finished, or even when I was "working" on a project. It made the experience of being stuck in the hospital change from wasted time, to a chance to learn something new.
|
Scrap booking, card making,
crafts and other hobby supplies can be found here:
|
| 8. Candles, Spa and Beauty
Stuff I am not talking about your average soap here. I am talking about indulgent, pretty smelling, feel special just because you are using it soap! A simple shower, or just washing your face in the morning an be a chore when you are sick, so nice smelling soaps, lotions etc can really help start the day off on a better note. Candles are not allowed in most hospitals, but as soon as the patient gets home, some nice fragrant candles might do the trick to get the stuffy "locked up house smell" out.
|
Soaps, candles, lotions, bath accessories, lip balm and more! |
| 9. Make Life Easier Just because when you are sick your world stops, doesn't mean the world around you does too. When you get home there are bills, mail to open, phone calls to return, errands, food shopping and more. If you can, offer to help! Errands can be a huge task for someone with limited mobility or energy and a little help by you can go a long way to make the transition back home from a hospital stay easier. If you can't actually be there to help, there are some great tools and gadgets that can help. Can openers, "reachers" ergonomic dispensers and tools make great gifts for someone who may truly need it.
|
For gadgets that help make
day to day tasks easier check out these great stores: smarthome.com perpetualkid.com (twist and spout pourers) |
| 10. If all else fails, or if
you are a traditionalist.....The Old Stand By... Flowers! Flowers are pretty, bright and smell great. They are quick and easy to order and let someone know you care. You always feel special when a delivery man brings you flowers. If you can't be there to visit- then the next best thing is a delivery of a bouquet of flowers with a note saying you care. |
For one of a kind fresh flowers: |
If you enjoyed this article - you may also enjoy "10 Tips for Visiting Someone Who is Sick"
© 2006 by Christine Miserandino Butyoudontlooksick.com
