OK - here's my question - I have a friend who has been pretty much bedridden for the past 2 1/2 years with migraines and she is turning 40 next week. I would like to get her something for her birthday letting her know I have missed her friendship these past years as she has not been able to get together with our group of friends very often. She is trying to make more of an effort (I think there is some depression or bi-polar going on also) lately to get out and be part of the gang again, but she is almost trying to overdo it and plan all kinds of activities that she may not even be able to be part of due to her migraines. What kind of gift suggestions does anyone have? I have gotten her a book about getting older - kind of a spoof on old age, but wanted to get her something nice too. She does not have any particular hobby like scrapbooking, beading... she does like to read, watch movies, and in general be catered to... I don't have a fortune to spend either.
Thank you all for you wonderful ideas for my migraine ridden friend who turned 40 Friday! I ended up combining a few of the ideas I received and gave her a basket filled with books, movies, Dove chocolates, and encouraging Bible verses tucked in the books and scattered throughout the basket. She also went to the Cleveland Clinic on Thursday where they gave her several nerve blocking shots in the side of her face and she woke up Friday with no headache for the first time in 2 1/2 years - she was very excited! After having been to the Chelsea Pain Clinic, Mayo and other not so desirable options being discussed, she is very happy that so far, this is working!
Thanks to all Mamasourse friends for your great tips!
Rent a movie and watch it together... something inspirational. Or, even better (but more expensive), take her to one. Depression and Bi-Polar disorders are tough. Hang in there; Be her angel, and don't give up on her. However, don't let her take advantage of you either.
Good luck!
How about some aromatherapy items. If she is spending so much time in bed they can be a comfort, an eye cooler ( you know those gel things we stick in the fridge) some candles, a neck pillow with herbs in it that can be microwaved to hold the heat and still smell nice. Some scented lotions, and how about a foot rub from a refelexologist( sp.. so sorry ).I know that they will make house calls and usually are not to expensive.
E. in Howard City, Mi
I attended a party and there was a theme gift given by all. You can search it on the internet, but the idea was 40 of different everyday items with a special use for each item.
40 balloons to bring you up when you are feeling down. 40 sheets of paper to continue the next chapter of your life, 40 paper clips for when you feel like you are falling apart. You could do 40 messages in a jar to cheer her up as well- she could open them when she feels down.
Okay, since I don't know what you budget is, I am going to suggest a couple different things.
1- A gift certificate to a spa for manicure, pedicure, etc.
2- Since she likes movies, whatabout doing a themed basket up. A gift certificate to where she rents movies, popcorn, peanuts, pop, etc.
3- If there is something else that she really likes, do a theme basket around that. I once did one around ice cream sundaes
4- I think something that I would do, would be set a date that you and her go out. Don't tell her, where you are going to take her. Have reservations somewhere and hopefully the rest of your gang will be there.
5- Also you could do a balloon bouquet instead of flowers.
6- Take her somewhere the two of you can be like kids, amusement park, etc.
7- This one requires the whole gang. What about everyone writing a letter to let your friend know how they valueable the friendship, and what she means to them in their life. I would put all these letters together in an album.
To me, it sounds like she doesn't have a lot to look forward to. Hopefully I have given you some ideas that will work for you budget.
Have Fun
K.
Why not make her a gift basket of Books,DVDS,etc.Alot of Dollar stores carry real good books and movies.Throw in some popcorn maybe a little candy? I can understand the money situation.I have gifted alot of nice things just by shopping there myself.
Good Luck!
~J.~
Hi P. - what about a dvd about friends...I'm not coming up with anything myself right now, but that's a simple activity she can do anytime...gc to a bookstore...pretty notecards. Sorry that your friendship with her has gotten so complicated. Beth
I just read about a situation yesterday in a magazine-the woman went to a chiropractor and it turned out to be some pinched nerves causing neck and migrains. In just a few visits she was cured! Maybe try a certificate to one.
You could get her a few chick flicks and some things to do a home pedicure if she's stuck at home a lot. I was bed-ridden for a few months with a tough pregnancy and my newborn spent over 10 weeks in the hospital after that and my sister gave me a nice journal (leather cover from Fossil) with a bunch of encouraging Bible verses on cards to keep with me that were on nice stationary and cut out on cool backgrounds. I'd be happy to send you all of the verses - I still have them all.
I don't have any clever suggestions for gift ideas. I do know of an excellent center for treatment of migraine headaches, however. The Michigan Headache and Neurologic Institute in Ann Arbor. There's an inpatient unit in Chelsea for those who have particularly complicated. I don't work there, but occasionally interact with some of their patients. They come from all over the country. I've been amazed at the number of people who come in having completely dropped out of life and addicted to pain meds due to their headaches - who then walk out on no narcotics and nearly or completely pain free. Putting her in touch with someone who may help her get her life back may be the best gift!
Here's their website:
http://www.mhni.com/default.aspx
A massage gift certificate is always nice! My office is in Allen Park. Let me know if I can assist you in any way.
The greatest books ever are chicken soup for the soul the make ya laugh and cry and all the good emetions my girl friend bought me one and so did my sister. there are all different kinds of books .
R.
Magnesium - that's what helped the most with my husband's migraines.
My girlfriend & I both turned 40 last year and we treated ourselves to a morning at a spa.
Hi P., I swear i just read this in a good housekeeping mag. people with migrains should wash their hair with a shampoo that has tea tree oil....that it takes away the headaches. They did a study to prove this... I know, it sounds wacky...but I had some shampoo that had some in it. It felt like spearmint in my hair, like my head was breathing. lol. Even if it doesnt take the headaches away, it makes your head feel great!!! I dont have a certain name of one, but look online, or perhapes a health store... I think I got mine from Big Lots, but of course, it was only there once. good luck and happy birthday to your friend
For my 40th, my sister gave me lunch and a peticure. It was nice to spend the day with her, and the pedicure was very relaxing (massage chair and all). Perhaps you could get a couple of friends together for a girls day out. That way, you can all pitch in to pay for the birthday-girl's lunch and pedi.
Try a gift where she can pamper herself. Go to my website and check out the mini pedicure set for $15 or of course there is a larger one. My web address is Warmspirit.org/R. the products are natural and we even have a migraine formula. Let me know what you think.
Anything Thomas Kincaid. You can't beat it.
First, in your card, write exactly what you wrote about your friend to your friend. We all need to hear that we matter to others and it would be great for her to be ablel to read and re-read this message whenever she wants.
You may ask if she'd like gift certificates for services like housekeeping or meal making/delivery. The day to day stuff can pile up when you aren't feeling well and she may need to take a day off from trying to get it back together. A spa day would be good if she is able to have massages (ask first). You may want to make sure this is at a spa only (not a solon where the chemical smells could make her sick or irritate her).
The best gift is time. Offer her coupons to take her out, just the two of you and do what she wants (movies, lunch, jet ski whatever). She's probably missed all of you and wants to know that she is still loved.
Wish her a great birthday from me.
I think a gift certificate to a book store or a movie place would be nice. Place the movie one in a picnic basket with some movie type candy and microwave popcorn. With the book store one get a nice blanket to wrap up in to read.
Dear P. B.,
First of all, pray and ask God what He would suggest you buy your bedridden friend. He always has the best ideas and sometimes they sound strange but fall right in line with what the person would really like to receive.
Secondly, I wonder if that "Head On" product I see advertised on t.v. would be of any help to relieve her severe headaches. It would be so great for her to get a break from this.
I just read one of the responses about Tea Tree Oil in shampoo and I buy this type of shampoo at a local cosmetology school for a much lower price than the regular salons and it is so much stronger than what you can buy elsewhere. That means you don't use as much and it lasts much longer than the lower-cost stuff.
Hope this helps some.
L. C.
L. C.
Hi P.,
My name is K. Henderson. I am a Independent
Beauty Consultant with Mary Kay. Our founder, Mary Kay Ash,
has been noted for desiring to "enrich women's lives."
She knew that a facial and a new make-over made a gal feel so much better about herself. It would be great to have your gang of friends over, let your special friend be the hostess. She would recieve all the special pammpering and special "Vitual Make-over" as the rest of you join her
in trying all the Mary Kay Products. You could have balloons and a Birthday Cake. She would be the one to earn
the hostess points and earn the free product.
I would love to help you pamper your friend so she could
see that her friends cared about her and desired to make her
"very special on her big day." If this sounds like a good idea, please give me a call at ###-###-#### or e-mail me at
____@____.com
Looking forward to hearing from you soon.
K.
How about a gift certificate for a massage or spa treatment? Sounds like she could use it! Poor thing!
Buy her some visits to a natural healing doctor! Migraines and depression frequently are caused by hormone imbalances and food allergies. go to www.ahccenter.com Read the testimonials. This is a great group with lots of success stories.
Greetings P.,
You sound like a wonderful friend!
Here is a gift suggestion for you that is creative and inexpensive. Since she likes to be catered to invite her and a couple of friends over for brunch or dinner. Have everyone bring something she loves to eat and a gift. Sing Happy Birthday to her, watch her favorite movie and cater to her. Have all of the friends present make cards that tell her how much she is appreciated. Along with the book, you can give her a DVD movie that she loves but doesn't have. Take pictures of this special event and at a later date present her with a scrapbook you made especially for her.
Much success.
Joy, Peace and Love,
S.
Well if she is a big reader (which seems odd with headaches) get her a gift card to Amazon. Of course if you would like to do something really special for her maybe a massage or a pedicure something like that would be nice and possibly relaxing for her too.
Hi P.!
By nice I'm assuming you mean something unique and meaningful - perhaps something she'll treasure? Barefoot gifts are for just this type of occasion. Please take a peek at my site, www.barefootparties.com/laurarenton. Click on shop, then catalog and feel free to browse. I know you'll see lots of things that will make her smile.
If she likes to be pampered and spends lots of time at home, you can't beat our adorable and incredibly comfy bunny slippers (page 34.) If you'd really like to touch her heart, our "You are the Gift" bracelet on the same page is a great choice. I have at least a dozen additional gift suggestions, some witty and some heartfelt, but you know her best. If you see something you like, I keep many of our most popular gifts in my inventory. I'll be happy to get you something quickly and save you shipping.
Please reply if I can be of assistance. Thanks! L.
