I need help with gift ideas please . . . .

Hi,

A friend of mine was so nice to me when I had both surgeries and complications. Over the months she has sent cards, flowers, fruit basket, and a gift. My favorite was a package that I received in the mail that was wrapped up in pretty paper. Inside was a pair of nice soft pajamas and a note.

Now she's facing major surgery of a different kind and is in the hospital. I'd like to do something for her too but I can't think of anything original. I'm sure she's received many flowers and magazines and things. I'd like to do something different that will make her feel happy like the pajamas did for me.

Any ideas fellow sisters? What was your favorite gift?

Thanks,

Ann Marie

I got a small, VERY soft teddy bear as a gift while I was in the castle. I adore it. You can get ones from Build-a-bear that have a recording in them... you could record a special message to her and have it put into a special stuffed animal. I think that would be very special!!
((hugs)) for your friend!

I am so glad that she was there for you and that you are there for her!

Hmmm...
How about a basket with everything wrapped individually w/ colorful tissue paper and a wish or note attached to each...

You can pick all kinds of stuff...cute...funny...feel goods...etc.

Put several cards in...one for each day of expected stay plus one extra...

silken eye mask...for those annoying lights when she needs her
beauty sleep

ear plugs...for when the noise won't let her rest...

lip balm/conditioner...to keep her lips pucker perfect...

facial wipes...to keep her silky and feel pretty...

hand/body wipes...for when she wants to feel clean or refreshed...

nail kit/polish... to pamper herself and give her something to do...

Journal/notebook...to write thoughts or feelings down...or for questions for DR....or to make future plans...

lotion(s)...
pretty deck of cards...
favorite mags...
books...
breath mints...
...etc...
....and...Chocolate...

I hope that you both will recover well and live happily ever after!

I thought of a theme- and did a basket based on it. The theme was "Pampered"- in it I put lotions, teas, chocolates... things that help me feel pampered- I gave it to my gyn's staff- but the same idea would work for anyone.
They loved it!! I had so much fun getting it together and delivering it, too. Good luck!

Can you help with taking a meal or two during her recovery?

We had two weeks of meals brought in from ladies at my church, it meant so much each evening to feel pampered and my family was taken care of. One family brought Kentucky Fried Chicken and a quart of Baskin Robbins ice cream. Homemade soups tasted so good to me. My favorite was the one who brought instant cappuchino and choclates for pampering myself later. I also received silky slippers, a candle, and Bath and Body stuff in the mail from my brother-how sweet!

I also appreciated and used the offers friends made to take me to the store or Doctor's appt.

I love the pamper basket idea!! You know your friend the best- what does she like? certain coffee or teas/specific authors/puzzle or word search books/does she sew or crochet/specific lotions (cetain smells)/small bottles of her favorite shampoo & conditioner/lip balms/hair accessories/ thank you cards for her friends...
the list can go on and on. I agree with the theme idea- she will love whatever you give because it is coming from your heart!

one of my friends sent me a stuffed animal that could be heated in the microwave and put on my belly. she sent a black lab one and that is one of our dogs. i also got lots of wonderful lotions. i appreciated junky type books--- that didn't require concentration.

Nick and Nora PJ's can't be beat. You might want to include with that some soothing bath soap, shampoo, a soft bath sheet (so much bigger and better than a bath towel) and a chamois or synthetic chamois. I use these with the kids at the pool!...dries their hair in no time and much fewer drips in the car. Walmart has one called The Absorber -- I think. It comes in a tube and 4-5 colors -- you can match it with the PJ's. It'll help her get her hair dry without having to hold the dryer up so long. For kicks, throw in a kid's toothbrush that matches (CareBears would be cute!) and some travel sized tubes of toothpaste.

Another cool idea is a "white noise" generator. One of those dohickies that make sounds like waterfalls, waves on the beach and so forth.

Good luck!

Thanks for all the great ideas. I knew my sisters would be able to help!

I think I'm going to make a basket of some nice soothing lotions, shampoos, pamper stuff like that.

Thanks again,

Ann Marie