AA Gifts & Baskets Idea Blog

Archive for the ‘Get Well’ Category

Aromatherapy has been around for a long time. It’s simply the use of scents to target benefits like relaxation, sleep, well-being, headache relief, etc. If you want to give an aromatherapy gift basket, it’s really easy to make one yourself.

The first thing you should do is choose a scent. If you’re not sure what scent your friend would like, do some thinking. Have you smelled candles burning in her home? What scent and color were they? Does she wear a certain perfume? What does it smell like? These are some clues into some of the scents she may like. If you still don’t have a clue, go with something like vanilla or buttercream which just about everyone likes.

Once you have chosen your scent, choose a vessel to put it all in. Often times inexpensive baskets work well, but you can also place everything in a decorative hat box or other display box that she can use again. If you want to make her a travel basket, put it all in a large cosmetics pouch that zips so she can take it with her on the road.

Aromatherapy baskets can include just about anything. Most include relaxing elements designed to help the recipient de-stress and unwind. Candles with strong but pleasant scents are nice as is incense. You do have to be careful to choose a scent that is meant to relax, like lavender, if you intend it for stress relief. If you give a basket full of peppermint or spearmint scents, the opposite effect will occur. Your friend will be much more alert instead of relaxed. Peppermint makes a great gift to give as an aromatherapy pick-me-up basket for someone at work who always hits that 3:00pm slump.

Arrange all your items on some sort of packing material. This can be shredded paper, recycled Easter basket grass, or even just tissue paper. The idea is to make each product stand alone in its own little spot so the basket doesn’t look thrown together. Include a simmering pot for spices or a candle warmer, which allows wax to be heated without a flame. Great for the office or around kids.

You might want to include soap and a soap dish, shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, a neck pillow, or an herbal pillow filled with buckwheat that can be used hot or cold for neck pain relief. There are hundreds of scents and thousands of products to choose from. So your options are limitless when putting together an aromatherapy gift basket. Include natural bamboo towels and face cloths, slippers, or a robe.

Tie it all up with a big ribbon and present it. Your friend will absolutely love getting a basket filled with products she can use right away to change her mood and her day. Whether it’s relaxation or alertness you are going for, research the different scents and what each one is thought to enhance. There are so many out there that you will definitely find one for the lady in your life. Don’t settle for the first one you find. Do some sensory research. You’ll have fun doing it and just may relax yourself, too.

Many times you want to offer a gift to someone who is ill. But you don’t want to show up with a basket of fruit or perishable foods. The recipient may not have an appetite and the food would be wasted. Or perhaps you’d just rather not send food because you have to ship it across country. Whatever the reason you’d like to, you can make or purchase a gift basket as a get well present that does not include any food.

Once you start your search for a get well gift basket, you will find that most come loaded with food. That’s not a bad thing, and most of the foods are gourmet, fresh, and delicious. But if you want to avoid sending food, it can be hard to find anything appropriate. One thing you can do is change your concept of the gift basket. We tend to think of a gift basket as one overflowing with upscale products or fresh-baked cookies and luscious fruits. But what if a gift basket were a total departure from the usual?

Depending on the situation and the severity of the illness, you will need to use your judgment as to what to send. But here are some ideas to get you started:

• A Book Gift Basket: For a person who has broken their leg or has a non-life threatening illness, you can fill a basket with lots of fun reading material to help pass the time. Include books you know they will like such as light romances or comic books. You can include the latest issues of magazines as well.
• The Puzzle Basket: For the person who’s up to some brain-twisting fun, send a basket that includes Sudoku and crossword puzzle books. Include a good pen and some sharpened pencils, too.
• The Pick Me Up Basket: For someone who is going through chemotherapy, you can put together a spa gift basket filled with beautifying spa products. Chemotherapy can cause a person’s hair to fall out, so provide her with some products that will pamper herself. Include powders, shower gels, and even a lipstick. Write a nice note that tells her how beautiful a person she is. Your gift will be perfect.
• The Child’s Gift Basket: If you know a sick child, ask her parents what she really loves and then go find it and create a Get Well Basket for Kids. Make it a sort of a wish basket. Put in things that she has been wishing for like those popular rubber band bracelets or another hard to find, but inexpensive, child’s toy. She will love that you thought enough to find exactly what she wanted. A sick child will also love soft stuffed animals and a fleece blanket in a pretty color. Think comfort. Anything that can reassure a child in the hospital that she is loved will be most welcomed. Her parents are the best guides as to what would make her really smile.

When you need to send a gift basket that conveys a get well message, appropriately consider how sick the person is. It’s not appropriate to send a terminally ill person the same things you might send someone who had their appendix out. So do some thinking and then send a heartfelt note with your beautiful basket. Your gift will make someone smile, for sure.

When a person you love is ill, it’s hard to know what to say. That shouldn’t stop you from writing a card or a note to say how much the person means to you. Delaying the sending of a get well card is never a good idea. You want your card to be timely and thoughtful. But if sending it late is the only way to send it, still do go ahead and send it.

Here are some ideas of what you can write inside a get well note or card.

• Dear Ben,

I was so sorry to hear that you had broken your arm while skiing in Colorado. I know how much you had looked forward to the trip. If there’s anything I can do, please let me know. I will be thinking of you and hope you can use this time to get some much overdue rest. Don’t worry, you’ll be back to golfing in no time!

Sincerely,

Don Patterson

While this note may be specific to one situation, it gives you a guideline to start with for any get well letter. Start by saying you’re sorry the person is ill. Mention the illness unless it’s a long term illness. Saying, “sorry you have cancer” comes across as thoughtless, but you could say something like, “I am sure you are in excellent hands with your doctors.” Next, make an offer of your time or to be there if the person needs you. They may never have to take you up on it, but at least you offered. Be short and sweet. Don’t go into long rants about things that are bothering you, problems at the office where you both work, or any other downers. Just a few words about how you’ll be thinking or praying for a person can brighten their day. And try to be lighthearted if you can. A card that’s morose is not going to pick anyone’s spirits up. Sign it with your full name in case someone else opens the mail or the envelope gets lost. They may be wondering “which Don?” if you don’t spell it out.

• Dear Aunt Rose,

Mom told me that your rheumatism is acting up again when I called her last week. I am so sorry to hear that. I know you are such a trooper about your condition, but don’t overdo it. We are all praying for you and are looking forward to being able to visit you at Thanksgiving. Take care and know that you are loved and cherished by us all.

Love,

Peg and the kids

For a family member who you don’t see every day, you’ll want to write about how you found out they were ill (again, perhaps) and make a sincere comment about their personality. Are they always up and about and now saddened to be slowed down by illness? It’s ok to mention it. Tell the person you’re praying for them or that they are in your thoughts. If you are truly going to be able to get out to visit, say so, but never make an empty promise that you can’t keep. If there are children in the family, let them sign their names to the card too. A child’s chicken scratch can be a delightfully cheerful addition to a get well card.

If you'd like to send a little something extra to brighten their day, fruit gift baskets are a great idea.  Not only do they send a thoughtful sentiment, the nutrients in fruit can help speed their healing!

If a child in your life is sick, you’ll want to give them something to cheer them up and make them feel better. A broke arm or a case of the Chicken Pox can really get a youngster’s spirits down. When you show up with a get well gift for kids, the day is instantly brighter.

Some good ideas for gifts in the hospital are board games and toys that don’t make a lot of noise. A stuffed animal is always welcomed, but just check with the nurses as some floors can’t have stuffed animals due to infection precautions. But most times you’ll be invited to come in with your furry gift. Balloons also make kids smile. Most kids don’t really care about flowers, but a balloon is big time fun. Choose a shiny Mylar one in a fun shape and you’ll see the mood lifting.

Before you bring over candy or cookies or other goodies, check to see if the child has a restricted diet. For tonsils, ice cream is still the best remedy. Ask what flavor is the child’s favorite and then bring over a carton.

Other fun gifts for a bed-ridden child are DVD's they can watch to pass the time. Buy something that they don’t already have and is popular at the time. You may have to ask mom or dad if they already own a particular title. Show up with microwave popcorn and juice and you can make an afternoon of movie watching with the child.

Even if a child is older, you can still surprise them with a fun toy. Many games of mind skill will allow them to still rest in bed while playing. You can also be the hero of the day and show up with a new Wii or Nintendo game. Again, find out what the child already has.

While adults might like a good novel, check to see what the child enjoys reading before showing up with a book. You might think that a child would like a particular author, but you may be way off on their reading level and interests. Give them the book they really want by asking ahead what’s on their wish list. Often you can surprise them with several books in a new series and they’ll be entertained for hours.

It’s not a bad idea to bring over a new pair of comfy pajamas. If the child has to stay in bed, they might as well have new pjs. Bring slippers too so they’ll be ultra-snuggly. If you’re unsure of sizes ask or buy a bigger and a smaller size and you can always return one.

Sometimes all you need to do is show up to brighten a sick child’s day. Make them a homemade card with glitter and ribbons and hand deliver it. Include photos or make a little book for them to read that includes a story about a girl or boy with their name. They’ll love hearing a story with their own name in it. It’s the little things and the thought that counts sometimes. Don’t feel like you have to show up with an expensive item just to visit a sick child. You will be a welcome sight whether you come bearing candy baskets or not. And if you’re far away, be sure to send something in the mail as children love getting mail.

There are plenty of get well gift baskets on the market, but if you have the time you could create a personalized basket just for them to cheer them up and make them smile.

Any kind of container will do for the basket. You could choose a small laundry basket or plastic bin.  Check the kids bedroom/storage area of a store like Target or Walmart for fun totes, baskets, etc.

First of all, let's think about food. There are plenty of healthy snacks that kids love like fruit snacks, crackers and granola bars.  Fresh fruit and drink pouches could also be included.  And if you really want to put a smile on their face, you could add their favorite candy!

Reading books and activity books make great gifts to put into the gift basket. A coloring book could keep them busy while they're stuck in bed.  Don't forget the crayons if you go for this option.

Playdoh and clay make great activities for a sick child, especially as they have the time to put some thought to it (and can get some help from you). Some masterpieces can be created, in this time of illness, to put in a place of honor for all to see.

There are plenty of children's movies on DVD that you include in the gift basket. Or maybe a tabletop game like chess, mini monopoly or scrabble that you can play with your child while they are ill.

Last, but not least, don't forget the cuddly plush animal - an essential friend in the recovery process!

It's easy to just go in a shop and buy a get well card. Yes it might take the time to choose one that would be just right for the recipient, but a homemade get well card shows that even more thought has gone into the get well soon sentiment.

When you create a card from scratch, you are thinking about the person while you are creating it and end up with a unique card, which no-one will receive ever again! No more having to worry about getting the same card from a shop, especially if the person receiving the card has a particular love of owls, frogs, elephants, cars, sailing, or whatever it might be.

You can easily get into the fun of creating homemade cards for every occasion.  It goes hand in hand with scrap booking as the techniques are pretty much interwoven. People find it a very relaxing hobby.  There are all sorts of different methods you can use to create unique cards.

Making homemade cards is even more fun if you have kids, as then you can all sit around the table and create unique cards, chatting, and laughing together. If you don't have kids you can set up a homemade card making group with your friends. Then you can enjoy the togetherness while making cards.

When you create cards yourself, you never have to worry about not having a card on hand when an occasion pops up. Instead you can get out your card making materials and create something unique and wonderful, wherever your imagination takes you in the wee hours.