Recovering from illness and injury is — at best — a boring process. If you have friends or family members holed up in a hospital bed or stuck in their house, you might be wondering what you can do to lift their spirits. The current COVID-19 pandemic has also created new challenges for the sick who have to go without visits from family and most human contact in general — it’s a weird time to care for a sick person. Most morale boosting has to happen from afar — via gifts sent in the mail and virtual Zoom calls.
While visits are still too dangerous, the next best thing is a thoughtful get well gift. Whether it’s something practical to fill the time or just a nice reminder that you’re thinking of them, a nice gift will make a long recovery process go by faster. Chocolates and flowers will always be appreciated, but you can also find more personal, amusing or entertaining gifts that they’ll enjoy.
We’ve put together a list of some of our favorite get-well-soon gifts that are sure to provide a little sunshine for the recovering person in your life.
1. Nintendo Switch
BEST OVERALL
Video games offer escapism and adventure, which is why a game console is the kind of thing someone who’s recovering could really appreciate. If they’re in a hospital, a traditional console might not be feasible, but a handheld one is something they’ll be able to use. The Nintendo Switch can be used as a portable console or docked to play on the TV. It’s a great gift for a loved one or close family member.
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2. Naked by David Sedaris
BEST FOR BOOK-LOVERS
Laughter is the best medicine, and David Sedaris is one of the best humorists alive. This book features bite-sized autobiographical essays of Sedaris’ life and his thoughts and meditations on family, growing up and nudists. It’s not a book of jokes, but Sedaris’ humor undoubtedly shines through on every page.
3. Nixplay Smart Digital Picture Frame
BEST FOR RELATIVES
A single framed picture is nice, but if it’s all they have to look at, they might start craving variety. That’s what this stylish, smart digital picture frame from Nixplay offers. It can be stored vertically or horizontally, and you can securely share new photos via text or email that they can enjoy. The 10-inch size is large enough to appreciate the photos, without taking up too much table space.
4. Polo Ralph Lauren Mini Terry Kimono Robe
COZIEST GIFT
Anyone who’s recovering is probably spending plenty of time in bed, which means they may be looking to upgrade their loungewear. This cozy bathrobe comes in blue, black or white, and has a stylish white piping detail and Ralph Lauren’s iconic Polo logo. Unlike plush robes, it won’t be too heavy, so they’ll be cozy without overheating. It’s a men’s robe, but it could easily work for anyone and certainly makes one of the best get well soon gifts.
5. Tea Drops Sweetened Tea Sampler
BEST FOR TEA-LOVERS
This unique tea gift box includes eight different sweetened teas. They’re neither loose leaf nor tea bags. Instead, the tea leaves are packed together into small cubes that come in different shapes like stars and hearts. They’ll bring a smile to any tea lover’s face in a way that a regular tea bag can’t. They’re also easy to make. Simply drop them into your cup, add hot water, stir and enjoy.
6. Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Hand Lotion
BEST GIFT BASKET ADDITION
Mrs. Meyers lotions are made using essential oils and natural plant-based ingredients that offer the benefits of aromatherapy while also helping to moisturize dry hands and arms. The lotion is available in a range of pleasant scents like oat blossom, lemon verbena and basil. It’s a small gift, so it’s best as an addition to any DIY gift basket.
7. Oh! Nuts Holiday Nut and Dried Fruit Gift Basket
BEST CHOCOLATE ALTERNATIVE
If your loved one has already gotten more chocolate than they could possibly want, consider this healthier alternative. This basket includes a mix of tasty dried fruits and nuts, so they can sate their sweet tooth while still enjoying the nutritional benefits nuts and fruit provide. There’s a ton of variety, too.
8. Sunbeam Heating Pad for Pain Relief
MOST RELAXING
Lying in bed or on the couch isn’t so great when that’s the only place you can be. For anyone who’s stuck on bed rest, this heating pad can provide comforting warmth while also helping to soothe sore muscles. It’s made from a plush, blanket-like material that’s comfortable to lie directly on, and the simple one-button remote makes it easy to adjust the settings.
9. Anjou Essential Oil Diffuser
BEST AROMATHERAPY GIFT
Essential oils are a great way to enjoy natural scents in a more long-lasting way than live flowers. An essential oil diffuser is a great way to enjoy the therapeutic benefits of pleasant scents and aromas, without the risks associated with candles. This also has the added benefit of functioning as a humidifier. As far as get well soon gifts go, this is one of the best.
10. Stylish Face Mask 5-Pack
MOST USEFUL
You can never have too many face masks, and while they’re recovering from COVID-19 or another illness wearing a mask around roommates, friends or family they live with will be essential. These cloth coverings come in a pack of five of varying patterns and colors, and each one has a pocket for a filter insert.
11. Care/of Vitamin Subscription
HEALTHIEST
Caring for their health is probably on their mind, and a vitamin subscription can help them continue to care for themselves after the illness passes. Care/of is one of the best companies for vitamin delivery, as they tailor your daily regimen to you and your health needs and make it easy to remember your supplements. Gift your loved one a subscription and hopefully they’ll avoid sickness in the future.
12. Disney+ Subscription
BEST E-GIFT
One thing everyone does while they’re sick? Watch a ton of TV and movies — and the gift of a streaming service will do wonders while they’re stuck on the couch. Disney+ has an extensive library of old and new uplifting content, so if they don’t already have a login this is a great gift for someone who can’t do much else.