What would you put into a care package for a friend/family member who’s in hospital?

9 comments

1. It would depend completely on what their interests are and what they’re allowed to have.

   Anything from food they enjoy to puzzles or something else related to their hobbies.

2. Definitely get them a bunch of things to read, books, magazines, comics, whatever. Puzzle books or interactive mystery books if they enjoy those. When I was admitted I almost had a full mental breakdown from how stressed and frustrated I was just watching streams and staring at my phone all day long. Getting to hold a real book or comic and read actual pages did so much for my psyche that I never could have imagined it would.

   A fan is probably welcome to, the air in there can get so stale and stuffy. A lip balm and hand lotion, snacks if they’re allowed to, maybe some cleansing wipes and a dry shampoo if their ability to shower and wash are limited?

3. Puzzles, snacks, socks, blanket, magazine, and a sweatshirt.

4. Chocolate

5. Depends how long they’re staying and what that hospital’s rules/regulations are…

   If it’s a relatively extended stay, I’d probably directly ask the patient what they need… because there just may be unexpected things they found out they’d need (more) of, or things that aren’t provided/easy to get since staying in the hospital…

   Snacks/Drinks (that don’t require refrigerating, and are single packaged) are easy go-to things… USB wires, powerbank, wetwipes, face towels, mini face wash/toiletry things, underwear, slippers/flipflops, small mirror, “fidget toys” (brain teasers, rubix cube, pack of origami paper + instruction book), a small handmade something, etc..

6. Things tailored to that person and the requirements imposed by their illness, obviously. Slippers, food and a book or game to fill the time usually go over well.

7. As someone who has spent more than half of my life in & out of hospitals some things I’ve loved/appreciated:

   * Plushies – I’ve kept every single one I’ve ever received since I was a kid. One of my favourite gifts was a Mike Wazowski Squishmallow.

   * Snacks – I’ve enjoyed everything from beloved favourites to fun/cool/weird new-to-me things to try. I love getting various flavoured popping candy.

   * Books – my favourite form of escapism. One friend used to lend me books they’d made notes in and encouraged me to add my own. It also gives me something interesting to talk about instead of my failing body.

   * Cosy stuff – hospitals are notoriously cold and their super stingy with the useless thin blankets so I adore it when I’ve received stuff like fluffy socks, a snuggly robe, oversized hoodie, silly slippers, cute pyjamas and once a lovely floofy throw blanket.

   * Wish Bracelets – a friend used to braid me colourful string bracelets since I couldn’t wear any proper jewellery with all the MRIs and procedures and stuff. It always made me smile when I’d catch sight of it.

   * Little pampering things – things like lip balm, face mists, a nice handcream, a sheet mask, cute scrunchies, a sleep mask, those calming aromatherapy rollerball thingies.

   * Craft-y supplies – One of my favourite gifts was receiving several balls of yarn and a crochet hook. As a lover of lists I’ve also appreciated beautiful blank notebooks and colourful pens.

   * Gift cards for e-books/audio books/Crunchyroll/Disney+ subscriptions – I have an older family member who used to buy me manga and Pokemon cartridge games when I was just a little kid who was constantly in and out of hospital and now that I’m all grown still gifts me stuff like this when I’m having an extended stay & I don’t even have the words to express how grateful I am.

   * Miscellaneous – kinda random but I love it when friends send me links to their favourite playlists and forward me really good fanfics from shared fandoms.

8. Skincare! A nice moisturizer or mask, or serum, lip oil or lip balm a nice face cleanser.

9. Earplugs. Giod sleep matters so much!