Hospital Gift

Depending on the size of the facility and how far from their home: some way to pay for meals, some crossword or word search puzzles, snacks, hotel room assistance, books,... Some facilities have methods of pay-per-view movies or DVD rental.

Do you know a teenager you could bribe to borrow a hand held video game system like a Nintendo DS and a few games? The DS has "grown up" games like Sudoku that could be purchased second hand at a video game store like Gamestop for.

Comfy slippers. Magaizine's, deck of cards, bag of hard candy, cross word puzzles. Etc. Etc. I am an RN in a hospital setting and people that have to stay in the hospital get So BORED!! So just something to help occupy time would be very nice.

One of the times I had to be hospitalized, I was brought a gift basket that I have never forgotten. The basket had a bath gel, lotion, deodorant, crossword book, find a word book, a couple of ink pens and mechanical pencils, a bag of miniature snicker bars, trail mix, peanut butter snack crackers, gum, snack size packets of peanut, granola bars, some make-up products, a bottle of body spray, a travel toothebrush, a trial size tube of toothpaste, a memo pad, some "footie" socks, and a really thick book. It meant so much to me because it had a little of everything I could need plus it was brought in a nice basket that I could use at home later.

When my hubby was in the hospital after he broke his back, the dr. suggested Silly Putty and things that would help to keep his hands busy. Hubby had a back injury so we knew he'd be down for a while. I also found a couple of other gag type gifts that were fun. Puzzles and such are nice, but if he's like most men, something that is funny he'll like better. I found a thing that looked like an ice cream cone that you could shoot the styrofoam "ice cream" ball at people. He loved it!

Hi,
Cheryl and Co. cookies are great and you can get a variety pack.

I liked a lot of the suggestions offered, but I'd like to add one: a deck of cards. Good luck to your friends!

Depending on their financial situation, a gift card to the hospital's cafeteria, or to a nearby restaurant, or just a VISA gift card may be useful and appreciated!

A home made warm healthy meal is surely going to help. With a loved one in the hospital there is usually no time to cook and stay healthy plus nearly no one wants to cook for one person only.

I recently sent a Darden gift card to a friend who's baby had been in the hospital for two months. (Darden is the company that owns Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Longhorn Steakhouse.) I figured that way if she and her husband needed a break from the hospital, they'd have a choice of where they could go out to eat or - and this would work better in your friend's case - they could get some good food to go and bring back to the hospital.

Also, I'm a big fan of handheld Tetris... I got mine for like $7 at Wal-Mart and take it with me whenever I'm going to be sitting a lot - doctor's appointments, flying, etc.

Depending on what he is in for, they might like a couple of games. When I was being induced with my son, we play some games and it really helped pass the time. Of course we like games and if your friend doesn't, I guess I would suggest some magazines of his favorite topic. Good Luck!

I would say magazines, games, craft things, etc.. And I would probably try to line up some friends, family & neighbors of you friend and have them prepare dinners for them while he is in the hospital and once he gets home. Then his wife's attention could be on him and not trying to prepare meals.

Hey D.!

My aunt was recently in the hospital for a couple weeks recovering from a pretty bad stroke. Anyhow, I wanted to get her something to keep her spirits up that she can use everyday. I ended up getting her joke books. She said they were her savior some days. Just a suggestion!

D., anything to help occupy him. I know the two days I had to stay after giving birth was boring. So Crosswords, Word Search, Sudoco sp?, or a book. Take Care C.

Pictures of his family might help him not miss his family so much, especially if he's in a unit where visiting hours are very limited.

Another thing to keep in mind is any foods that he likes, can have, but the hospital doesn't provide. When I was in the hospital I really liked cherry coke zero, but the hospital didn't provide it. It was nice when my sister brought me a couple of bottles.

Whatever you get, make sure he is allowed to have it in the hospital. I had a friend give me a HUGE basket with all kinds of shower gels and stuff and most days I wasn't even allowed to get out of bed to shower.

As for her - a meal that she can just warm up would help - it does get tiring doing her work, alone with what he does around the house, and visiting him at the hospital.

Anything to keep the mind occupied that's not TV! Hand held game systems are great, if he likes that type of thing. Puzzles would be something to fill the time, if there is enough room for a table to build it on. If he/she is up for the challenge, those 3D puzzles are pretty crazy! It's something they could do together too. For her, I would offer to take her dinner a few times a week. Maybe make a casserole or lasagna. Something she can put in the fridge or even freeze part of and just warm up in the microwave. You could even freeze it in individual portions for her. If they have kids, babysitting or offering to take the kids anywhere they need to be would probably be a HUGE help. Best wishes to your friend and her husband. I hope has a speedy recovery!

How about giving or loaning some good books that you've enjoyed that they could read together or individually? Or a gift card to a bookstore where they could pick out their own. Or you could offer to pick up some things from your local library for them.

When my husband was in the hospital for a month, the best thing a friend did for me was to share some of her Easter dinner with me. I had been eating on the run, just quick stuff between working and running to the hospital. The home cooked food was so very much appreciated. It would depend on her situation, but if she is going home at night, I bet a couple of home cooked dishes she could heat up would be appreciated. Doesn't have to be too fancy. I would have taken about anything home cooked. : )