Make a Get-Well Basket for a Sick Friend
Wrap up a Gift for Each Day of the Week
Friends and relatives are most needed when someone is feeling blue. This is a time for their friends to show them in small and big ways that they care, and that the relationship is important to them. Friends find many ways to send cheer. Flowers, phone calls, visits, and cards all help bring cheer to a person who is confined.
In her article "10 Things to Say to a Sick Friend," Dr. Elvira G. Aletta explained that at a time when she was confined to her home a friend would call her to ask if she needed anything from the grocery store. Even though she usually said "no," Dr. Aletta said the phone call would bring a smile to her face and make her feel better.
Here's a way make the long days of recovery seem shorter. Make a gift basket filled with gifts – enough to last a week or two.
Collect Colored Wrapping Paper
Be creative. Buy a variety of brightly colored wrapping papers and ribbons. Save any scraps of paper and ribbon throughout the year when wrapping or unwrapping birthday or holiday gifts. Raffia or twine can decorate some of the gifts. Think outside the box. Even newspaper can serve as wrapping paper. Hand-paint or color some of the paper, or ask a child to do it.
Gift Suggestions
Gifts don't need to be expensive. Pick up small items when you go to the grocery store. Trial or travel containers of shampoo, toothpaste, and other toiletries are appreciated. Begin collecting gifts and store them in a drawer or box so they will be ready when there is a need. Here are other gift ideas:
- sugarfree gum
- packages of tissues
- small boxes of candy
- small packages of nuts or pretzels
- lotion, nail polish, lipstick
- note cards
- picture frame
- wine
- cheese
- book, magazine
- cross word puzzles
- shaving cream or other toiletries for men
- refrigerator magnets
- lip gloss
- granola bar
These are only a few ideas. Others will come to mind according to the age, sex, and age of the friend.
The Basket
The basket doesn't need to be expensive. The only requirement is that it be big enough to hold the number of gifts to be given. Many people already have baskets on hand, and they can be found at large department stores or thrift shops. Baskets from vegetable markets are perfect.
Preparing the Gift
Wrap each gift in brightly colored paper, newspaper, or hand-colored paper. Tie the gifts with brightly colored ribbon or string. Decide how many gifts to wrap and put in the basket. Enough for one to be opened each day for one or two weeks is ideal. Make a label for each day of the week and glue one on each gift.
Arrange bright tissue paper in the bottom and on the sides of the basket. Place the gifts in next, piling them up inside the basket. Put a homemade or purchased card in the basket with the gifts explaining that only one gift is to be opened each day. Finish the basket with a big brightly colored bow and deliver it with love.
A Basket of Love
Just a basket, a few inexpensive, brightly wrapped gifts; one for each day, brings cheer to last for a week or more. It is surprising how much these little baskets are appreciated by people who are confined in a hospital or at home. Begin collecting paper, ribbon, and gifts and collect them throughout the year. When a friend is in need a little time is all that is needed.
Many commercial enterprises sell get-well baskets, but one that is homemade and delivered with love is especially meaningful to a shut-in. For other ideas about helping sick friends, see Children's Health Care of Atlanta . The organization offers 27 more ways to be a friend to someone who is sick.
Get-Well Basket
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