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How do I Make a get Well Gift Basket?

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

A get well gift basket can be extremely varied and depends upon a person’s current illness. There are plenty of these baskets that are pre-made and available for sale, but they may primarily contain food. Obviously, such baskets may be inappropriate for people recovering from any type of abdominal surgery or the stomach flu. On the other hand, baskets loaded with certain types of food and extra items could be great for the sufferer of the common cold, respiratory flus or pneumonia. Thus the first rule in making a gift basket for another person is to consider the person’s illness.

Baskets that are food oriented can be great when encouraging people to eat healthy things again. For cold sufferers, chicken soup (either canned or homemade), a supply of cough drops in various flavors, fresh fruit, and a little bit of chocolate for coughs may all be good choices. Those creating the get well gift basket might also want to include some flowers that aren’t likely to enhance nasal irritation, a stuffed animal for kids, DVDs to keep people entertained, puzzle books, reading books, magazines, soft tissues, and any other things that could provide comfort to the sick person. Since these baskets are to encourage people to get well, consider adding a “when well” gift. A certificate for a massage or a trip to the movies may be incentive to recover sooner. More elaborate baskets could include soft cotton throws, slippers, tea, and a variety of other things.

A gift basket.
A gift basket.

When food should be avoided in a get well gift basket there are still plenty of choices available. Again, think about a “when well” gift like a gift certificate. Add anything else likely to contribute entertainment or a way to be comfortable. Movies, books, magazines, balloons, flowers, a soft bathrobe, silly or pretty slippers, and others can be included. Other things some people enjoy including are scented lotions or aromatherapy gifts, but be sure to choose scents that most people enjoy.

A scented lotion and candle could be included in a get well gift basket.
A scented lotion and candle could be included in a get well gift basket.

A gift basket for a sick kid can also focus on entertainment features, though a few snacks may be included depending upon the child’s condition. Coloring books and pens or crayons are excellent choices, as are sketchpads with colored or plain pencils. Kid’s magazines, special DVDS or videotapes, stuffed animals and comfy pajamas can be good choices too. If a child is in a hospital, chose pajamas that have a button or snap front opening, since these may be easier to use if a child has intravenous lines (IV lines). People who want to create pricey baskets could include handheld video game consoles and video games too, though these are expensive.

Chicken soup is a nice gift for cold sufferers.
Chicken soup is a nice gift for cold sufferers.

Any type of get well gift basket can be elaborate or simple. It’s also fine to simply bring a get well gift. Mylar balloons, a small stuffed animal, flowers, or a stack of magazines or puzzle books will do if there isn’t time to create a basket. For those who are more worried about time than money, there are premade commercial baskets which can be delivered to people in hospitals or at home, that can prove a source of delight and an inspiration to get well soon.

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent WiseGEEK contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

Learn more...
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent WiseGEEK contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

Logicfest

The secret to making a good "get well" basket is knowing the sick person well. My aunt sent a get well basket up to my office not long ago and it was full of stuff she knew I'd like -- Ricola cough drops instead of Hall's, Tylenol pain reliever because she knows that's the only thing I tolerate well, and an Android gift card.

It was an awesome gift that would have been decidedly less awesome if it was full of stuff that weren't appropriate to both my illness and my particular tastes.

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    • A gift basket.
      By: imageteam
      A gift basket.
    • A scented lotion and candle could be included in a get well gift basket.
      By: matka_Wariatka
      A scented lotion and candle could be included in a get well gift basket.
    • Chicken soup is a nice gift for cold sufferers.
      By: ksena32
      Chicken soup is a nice gift for cold sufferers.
    • Honey cough drops are a perfect edition to a gift basket for cough and cold sufferers.
      By: Mark Herreid
      Honey cough drops are a perfect edition to a gift basket for cough and cold sufferers.
    • A quilt is a lovely addition to a get well gift basket.
      By: Catherine Jones
      A quilt is a lovely addition to a get well gift basket.
    • A great get well basket may include relaxing bubble bath soap.
      By: sherrie
      A great get well basket may include relaxing bubble bath soap.