25 gift ideas for people who are in hospital (that are way better than flowers)
For many of us, the holidays are a time for joy, laughter and all-around merriment. But for some, the holidays can be tough, especially when you have a loved one in the hospital who's going through a rough time. Having a loved one who's sick is of course challenging any time of year, but it can be especially tough during the holidays when all you want to do is celebrate with them and include them in the festivities.
But finding a gift for someone who's in hospital presents its own unique hurdles. You don't want something that they can't use or that interferes with their treatment. It also needs to be something practical for a hospital setting, but that also feels special to them. And, more than anything, you want it to be something they'll actually use and that might bring them just a little bit of rest, relaxation and comfort.
When in doubt, we recommend gifting them little comforts of home that they might be missing, like some cozy loungewear, a plush throw blanket, a better bed pillow or a new pair of grippy slippers. If a visit from a hospital therapy pet isn't in the cards, perhaps a miniature personalized felted replica of their own furry friend would suffice?
Of course, not all of the ideas below work for all situations, but we hope they're a good jumping-off point if you're looking for creative gift ideas for someone in hospital who's going through a hard time. When in doubt, lean into gifts that are soothing and comforting. After all, someone else will definitely get them flowers. Take a look below at our full guide to alternative recommendations.