Question:
Need Ideas for gift baskets
Our support group wants to start putting together gift baskets for people going to have surgery. Nothing too elaborate, we need ideas of things to put in there, stuff like lip moisturizer and things that people may not think of before surgery. Also, we'd like to put little notes in there and would like some ideas on what kind of things to say. Anyway, thanks in advance! Amber — Amber F. (posted on March 4, 2003)
March 3, 2003
What a great idea! Yes, some form of lip moisturizer is a must. A glass 2
oz. measuring cup, a package of baby spoons (really forcing you to eat
slowly), a water bottle, maybe a bone pillow (the small pillows that fit
perfectly into your neck), lotion, and body spray. Now if I were making a
basket up for a good friend (meaning I would be willing to spend a bit more
on it) I would add chewable vitamins, B-12 sublingual, Calcium Citrate, a
larger glass measuring cup (the glass ones are perfect for microwaving
small portions), and a package of the 4 oz. Glad Ware mini containers (they
come in a package of 8). I think the actual items we used early on post-op
are the best things to include in any gift basket. As far a notes go, what
about making a small journal in a jar? You could use one of the small mason
jars and put in slips of paper of things to write about early on. Topics
could include anything you can think of. Post-op Goals for 1 mo., 3 mo., 6
mo., 9 mo. 1 year. I would be specific in what you'd want people to write
about. Describe how you felt pre-op and post-op in 100 words or less. You
get the idea. These would be easy to do once typed up, printed on bright
paper and then cut into strips of paper. *shrug* Lots of ideas, hope any of
them help! Good luck!!
— Click
March 3, 2003
hi there :) this sounds like a very good idea. for the gift baskets, maybe
1 can of cambells chicken broth, chap stick, trial size baby lotion or any
little size lotion,little travel size wet wipes,comb? maybe alittle travel
size toothpaste and brush. maybe a little mini photo album so the person
can fill it with a preop pic and post op pics. . i know i needed lotion
real bad and chap stick, i got really bad chapped lips before leaving the
hospital.measuring cups. sometimes you can find them at a dollarstore to
keep the exspense down. some little notes could include, welcome to the
other side, to new beginnings! welcome to the new you! your journeys just
begun! ,the journey begins! welcome to the losers club. or, if your down,
and feeling blue, remember you will see it through. or , just think, your
ganna shrink! i hope these arent too cornball or cheesy LOL good luck to
you! :)
— carrie M.
March 3, 2003
How about:
a certificate/cash for one free day of TV service in the hospital, lotion,
a box of jello to take home, a beanie baby or other small stuffed thing, a
worry stone, broth to take home,Good smelling shampoo sample,disposable
camera.
— Diane M.
March 3, 2003
We do this at our support group! We have everyone bring something that
they want to add to the gift bags,we have gotten cards with phone #'s on it
so if they are bored in the hospital they can call someone, protien in a
zip lock bag with how to use it written on the bag, magazines new and old,
baby spoons, small containers to measure foods, candles,calling cards,
sugar free jello and pudding. We also have a little item in the bags to put
on their hospital door so when one of us goes to visit we know which room
to go into!! We get all kinds of stuff and we also keep a stack of index
cards on a table so people can give advice, write a prayer or anything they
would like the pre-op to know!
It has worked wonderful for us!
— Haziefrog
March 3, 2003
A small fan, not to expensive at your local dollar store, a bottle of
water, and a timer. Maybe a mug with a couple of tea bags, a few packets of
splenda and maybe 2 or 3 bullion cubes.
6/4/01 154 lost to date.
— KAREN T.
March 3, 2003
Its funny that this questions is here because I just put one together last
night for a friend that had surgery yesterday. In it, it has 3 different
flavors of Crystal Light powder, 5 CL bottles of juice, a can of chicken
broth, a can of beef broth, a package of SF strawberry-kiwi jell-o, a
package of SF white chocolate pudding and a sample of chocolate protein.
— Jessica D
March 3, 2003
A back scratcher... because Lord knows that morphine sure makes you itch!
Good Luck!
Mary Beth
— Beffy W.
March 3, 2003
How about a babyplate and spoon & sippy bottle.
— ~~Stacie~~
March 3, 2003
Peppermint tea! Saved me after surgery.
— mom2jtx3
March 3, 2003
Without knowing what your budget is for this basket, I would also include
Corrine Netzer's Complete Book of Food Counts. Fantastic resource for
carbs, calories, fat, sodium, protein, etc. I would also include breath
mints, and no, I'm not kidding. I got sick on sugar free Breath Savers but
Altoids are wonderful for me. What a wonderful idea.
— Yolanda J.
March 3, 2003
One of my new favorites is Sugar Free Friendship tea: 2 containers of
sugar free tang; 1/2 cup splenda; 1 cup sugar free (decaf) lemon flavored
tea; 1/2 tsp. cloves; 1/2 tsp cinnamon. Mix well. Add 1-2 teaspoons to 1
cup hot water. This is so nice to have, I feel so cold now since surgery
and this warms you to the bone. One batch could be divided into 5-6 little
gift baggies. (They sell cute little cellophane baggies at Paper
Warehouse) A card with website addresses would be nice too. I know this
and a few other web sites were so helpful to me. You are doing a very nice
thing. Good luck!
— Dana B.
March 4, 2003
This is a great idea, The one thing i wish i had when i came home from the
hospital was a strainer, I picked one up the following week at walmart for
88 cents. The hot cocoa recipe on one of these pages on this site is
awsome too.
maybe all post ops could write down their liquid recipes and soft food
recipes and compile a mini recipe book for your preops for when they have
surgery they have some that they can try. Thats the hardest thing i think
is comming up with a variaty of drinks and soft food recipes so things dont
get boring or sick. Chap stick is a must though, my lips were so cracked
in the hospital they hurt so bad.
I think all the answers posted to the question are great, good luck and
have fun with it.
— rachel W.
March 4, 2003
I'd also toss in some individual-sized protein powder samples, and a
homemade popsicle maker (so they can get some liquids in as popsicles -- I
froze diluted apple juice, crystal lite, s/f Tang, etc.).
— Suzy C.
March 4, 2003
You know, these gift baskets are such cool ideas. This site should look
into selling/shipping them as a $ raiser - it would be something neat to do
if you are serving as an angel, or have a friend locally who is undergoing
WLS. Just a thought....
— rebeccamayhew
March 4, 2003
Disposable salad plats, disposable bathroom drinking cups
grocery store gift certificates, a one-page printout of a list of protein
content in foods, with refrigerator magnet.
"Souped-up" soup recipes made from campbell's soups. Saltine
Crackers or Melba toast, peanut butter. Gift certificates of services from
members of your group: Example: Good for one Trip to the Grocery Store;
Good for one delivery from the pharmacy; good for 1 hour of baby sitting;
good for one ride to the doctor; good for one hour of house keeping such
as: washing dishes, vacuuming the floor, straightening the living room,
wash the sheets, wash hair. Some type of helpful service to that new GBP
patient that wouldn't put too much on the givers but be a most welcome
assistance.
>
Also a pedicure or manicure at a beauty shop gift certificate would be a
good thing and they are inexpensive. >>
You might even get your beauty shop or spa to donate some for free
advertising.
Hey, That's an idea, get your gift baskets sponsored by various businesses,
have the get well card created and listing each of the advertisers as free
advertising indicating what they donated. Many will give gift certificates
or discount coupons.
— Darlene P.
March 4, 2003
Hello! I am in charge of putting together goody bags for new post ops in my
local support group. This is my basic list:
carnation instant breakfast (no sugar added) envelopes,
protein drink envelopes, protein bars,
splenda or equal packages, soup envelopes and soup cans,
journals, sugar free candie,s packages of oatmeal, packages of
grits,applesauce, gift bags, sugar free drink mixes ,
peppermint tea, sugar free jello, sugar free pudding, chicken broth,
baby food, canned meats, baby spoons, picture albums
Ours are entirely off donations. People either bring in items off the list,
other items they think of, or donate money so that I can buy what's needed.
Everything on the list doesn't necessarily go in each bag..just depends on
what I find on sale and what's been donated. I put the items in a gift bag
and put cellophane wrap in it. I like your idea about notes..I might try
that. Feel free to email me if you have any other questions.
[email protected]
— sheltie
March 4, 2003
How about a small plate and bowl? These could be easily donated or picked
up at a thrift shop for next to nothing.
— J. C.
March 4, 2003
HI there Amber!
Wonderful idea!
No one mentioned something that I thought would be great!
How about motivational quotes to get them through their recovery time.
They can be from others that have been through it, and know what it is they
need to hear if they are struggling.
Also a list of the benefits of their new body to keep them positive.
Maybe a pair of warm socks for the hospital, bath stuff (to help with
comforting yourself) istead of all the junk food we are used to giving
ourselves.
I hope I get a basket someday!
— Michele B.
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