What should you take when visiting someone in hospital? Are some items banned? It’s always best to check with the staff if you are unsure. Flowers, for example, are not permitted in many hospitals.
A hospital stay can induce quite a bit of anxiety. Both for patients and loved ones. Not to mention it can get very boring stuck in bed all day!
Naturally, you will want to help them feel at ease. Spending time together will be valued most, but being in hospital is also the perfect excuse to get spoiled!
Make their stay more comfortable and entertaining with these ideas.
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1. PJs
Cosy pyjamas are the perfect gift. After all, they must wear them 24/7. And we all know you can’t have too many pairs! Add a nice pair of fuzzy socks.
2. Slippers
A pair of warm slippers that they can wear around the ward will come in handy. Toasty toes are happy toes. Get ones that are easy to slip on and off so they can nip to the loo more easily.
3. Flowers
Flowers cheer up any space and make us happier, don’t they? While fresh ones may be forbidden, why not add some colour to their room with paper or paper mâché flowers?
4. Tiny Gifts
It can get very crowded around the hospital bed. Save room with a tiny gift. Make a sweet get-well-soon matchbox with a mini gift inside.
5. A Surprise
It helps to have something to look forward to. A focus on life after the hospital. Book something or give them a coupon to choose a treat. It could be a short break away, a theatre trip, or anything else you know they would enjoy.
6. A Cuddly Toy
You’re never too old for a soft toy. And this simple thing can bring a lot of comfort to someone staying in hospital. Don’t be afraid to get them a cute little bear or their favourite stuffed animal to keep them company.
7. A Soft Blanket
Blankets make us feel safe. They offer warmth, cosiness, and a pop of colour. In the hospital where everything is mostly white, a blanket in a cheery or warming colour, will transform the room. And their mood.
8. Books
When I need to consider what to take when visiting someone in hospital, the first thing that comes to mind is books! I could not imagine being in hospital without a book. If you know they love reading, ask them for suggestions or get a couple of new releases in their favourite genre. Are they a Kindle reader? Get an Amazon gift card so they can stock up their digital library.
The Library Matchbox Gift Card Holder
9. Magazines
Like books, magazines, provide a healthy escape from reality. Get a few different ones as they may fly through them with lots of free time. A great way to get a ton of different magazines, at a super low cost, is a digital magazine subscription. Readly have a 30-day subscription that provides access to thousands of magazines, and you can get back issues too. Make sure you cancel if you only want it for one month though.
10. Drinks
Take a nice hot beverage you know they’re gasping for. Perhaps coffee is their go-to hot drink, or maybe they would appreciate a calming camomile tea. A jar of coffee or a tin of tea is nice if they have a bit more of an extended stay.
11. Food
After consuming hospital food, for however long, they will be very grateful for anything else. Whether it’s a takeaway from their favourite restaurant or some home-baked treats, it will be a break from the standard hospital grub. Freshly baked cookies will be very welcome! And of course, fruit is always a good idea. Just be sure to check with the staff that it is ok to bring in food from outside first!
12. A card
Get as many of their loved ones to sign the card. Knowing lots of people are sending them good wishes will help them to keep cheery and upbeat. A handmade card will be even more cherished.
13. Wellness Hamper
Make a little box with a few goodies they can use during their stay. Include things like hand cream, relaxing wrist oil, eye mask, books, tea sachets, socks, and slippers. Add a few of their favourite nibbles too. A cheeky chocolate bar, nuts or a bag of sweets will go down well.
14. TV Subscription
If you have no clue what to take when visiting someone in hospital you can’t go wrong with a tv subscription. Being in hospital is the perfect excuse to binge on TV! Get them a Netflix or Amazon subscription so they can watch on their laptop or tablet. They can pop in their earphones and escape the ward for a few hours.
15. Music
If music is their jam, get a subscription to Amazon Music or curate a special playlist on Spotify. Or give them a gift card so they choose their own music. For a cute gift, go retro and load up an old MP3 player or iPod with their favourite tunes. Get a pair of noise-cancelling headphones if they struggle with switching off.
Black Cassette Matchbox Gift Card Holder
16. Give Them a Hug
We all know the power of a hug. Give a pocket hug so they can tap into that feeling anytime. Make a tiny box and pop in an equally tiny bear and make their stay more bearable. Get it? Sorry, I know. You can either buy the bear or make one yourself out of clay. Or how about a polymer clay Hedgehug or a bug hug for ladybug and nature lovers?
Shop Mini Matchbox Pocket Hugs
17. A Notebook
Give them a beautiful notebook. Who doesn’t love a new notebook? And, a nice pen, of course! It may help to journal about their experience or make plans for when they leave.
It can be tricky knowing what to take when visiting someone in hospital. Just remember that their time in hospital will be much better if they are comfortable, entertained and know how much they are loved. There are lots of things that they can enjoy if they feel well enough. Try one, or more, of these ideas to make their hospital visit more manageable.
