Sympathy gift ideas?

[melmel48]

Hi everyone,

My uncle passed away overnight. I would like to send a sympathy gift to my other uncle (his brother) and aunt. 

My uncle is diabetic and my aunt doesn't want sweets in the house, because he will sneak them. Cookies etc. aren't an option. I feel like sending flowers is a good option, but something others may already be doing.

Can you help me think of something unique, but will not clutter their home? My aunt is a minimalist when it comes to decor, etc. 

Thank you! 

[bex1973]

Wind chimes are something I like to send.

[melmel48]

Jul 26, 2022 11:06:44 GMT -5 bex1973 said:

Wind chimes are something I like to send.

This sounds beautiful. My aunt would love this, I think.  They have a beautiful property to hang one up! 

Funny story; my aunt actually has one inside the house (not sure why!) and my cousin is 6'7". He is constantly hitting his head on it.    It just lovely in the middle of the night when he comes downstairs to use the bathroom and knocks his head on it. You would think my aunt would have moved it by now! 

[bex1973]

Jul 26, 2022 11:09:11 GMT -5 melmel48 said:

Jul 26, 2022 11:06:44 GMT -5 bex1973 said:

Wind chimes are something I like to send.

This sounds beautiful. My aunt would love this, I think.  They have a beautiful property to hang one up! 

Funny story; my aunt actually has one inside the house (not sure why!) and my cousin is 6'7". He is constantly hitting his head on it.    It just lovely in the middle of the night when he comes downstairs to use the bathroom and knocks his head on it. You would think my aunt would have moved it by now! 

LOL - great story!

[namasteak]

Someone sent me a kit with soup, bread & cookies after my mom passed. It was tasty and a nice way to help take of me from a distance www.spoonfulofcomfort.com/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwof6WBhD4ARIsAOi65ajD7tAwXTaBxefHAVI8gxwTo_6ulJaFtrtMGyclwdk2PNoom6ADdXYaAl3DEALw_wcB

[Jalapeñomel]

I’m sorry for your loss.

I’d get a GC to a local grocery store.

[fernweh]

Jul 26, 2022 11:09:11 GMT -5 melmel48 said:

Jul 26, 2022 11:06:44 GMT -5 bex1973 said:

Wind chimes are something I like to send.

This sounds beautiful. My aunt would love this, I think.  They have a beautiful property to hang one up! 

Funny story; my aunt actually has one inside the house (not sure why!) and my cousin is 6'7". He is constantly hitting his head on it.    It just lovely in the middle of the night when he comes downstairs to use the bathroom and knocks his head on it. You would think my aunt would have moved it by now! 

That’s too funny. Is your cousin still young? Maybe this is her alarm so she know if he tries to sneak out.

[melmel48]

Jul 26, 2022 11:11:28 GMT -5 namasteak said:

Someone sent me a kit with soup, bread & cookies after my mom passed. It was tasty and a nice way to help take of me from a distance www.spoonfulofcomfort.com/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwof6WBhD4ARIsAOi65ajD7tAwXTaBxefHAVI8gxwTo_6ulJaFtrtMGyclwdk2PNoom6ADdXYaAl3DEALw_wcB

Another great idea. I bet my uncles girlfriend (uncle who passed away) would really enjoy this. I have a huge family; the uncles can get confusing! 

Thank you!

[melmel48]

Jul 26, 2022 11:18:36 GMT -5 fernweh said:

Jul 26, 2022 11:09:11 GMT -5 melmel48 said:

This sounds beautiful. My aunt would love this, I think.  They have a beautiful property to hang one up! 

Funny story; my aunt actually has one inside the house (not sure why!) and my cousin is 6'7". He is constantly hitting his head on it.    It just lovely in the middle of the night when he comes downstairs to use the bathroom and knocks his head on it. You would think my aunt would have moved it by now! 

That’s too funny. Is your cousin still young? Maybe this is her alarm so she know if he tries to sneak out.

Nope!!! He is 50! This is at their lake home; so when we are staying there.    She has had it there for as long as I can remember; so he has hit his head on it for as long as I can remember! 

I know he did plenty of sneaking out as a kid though. LOL. 

[cricketwife]

Another vote for Spoonful Of Comfort.

[underwaterrhymes]

I also vote for Spoonful of Comfort. I’ve given it as a gift often, and asked my mom to send it to me after my mastectomy when she asked what to send me because everyone had raved about it so much I wanted to try it. It’s delicious.

[quesyrah]

My parents passed away recently and we got a lot of flower arrangements which were just another thing for me to have to manage.

Heartfelt and handwritten cards were what I appreciated most. I also got some Uber eats gift cards that were incredibly helpful.

I am not a tchotchke person at all and received a few that mean nothing to me and just take up space in my home and in my mind. I would steer clear unless you know it’s something they would appreciate.

[kdubs923]

Jul 26, 2022 11:09:11 GMT -5 melmel48 said:

Jul 26, 2022 11:06:44 GMT -5 bex1973 said:

Wind chimes are something I like to send.

This sounds beautiful. My aunt would love this, I think.  They have a beautiful property to hang one up! 

Funny story; my aunt actually has one inside the house (not sure why!) and my cousin is 6'7". He is constantly hitting his head on it.    It just lovely in the middle of the night when he comes downstairs to use the bathroom and knocks his head on it. You would think my aunt would have moved it by now! 

If you do decide on a wind chime, you could get a personalized one as a memorial. After my Dad passed, I received one with his name and years lived. It makes me happy whenever I hear it out my window.

28collective.com/collections/memorial-wind-chimes?gclid=Cj0KCQjwof6WBhD4ARIsAOi65ai1DiUGj7jbv-x9QkmM47L1fscxKhSecXQUu1UsgD45iOS6uDV3uh4aAi6AEALw_wcB 

*I just googled Memorial Wind Chime. I have no idea if this is a decent company, I was just looking for pictures that are similar to the one I received

[cjcouple]

I got wind chimes that was specific for sympathy/loss and I love them.

[hazelden]

We got these wind chimes in size large for my parents for Christmas. They're supposedly musically tuned to the notes in Amazing Grace and the wood plate at the bottom can be engraved (probably if you buy them from another retailer). I remember there was a website for them where you could hear the sound they make and the large sounded better than the medium, it was a much richer tone.


Woodstock Chimes AGMS Signature Collection, Amazing Grace Medium (24'') Silver, Inspirational and Memorial Wind Chimes for Outdoor, Patio, Home or Garden Décor a.co/d/5J3mWX6

[eddy]

If I know the person has a yard or likes plants I give a gift certificate to a local garden shop.

I planted a hedge of roses from gift cards after my mom died. I love it and it always reminds me of her as they were her favorite flower. I now try to return the favor.

And honestly just a nice heartfelt card is enough when you have lost someone. Gifts are nice, but just knowing people are thinking of you goes a long way.

[livinitup]

Do you have a nice family photo of him or with him that you can easily copy and send? It doesn’t even have to be framed, but that photo with a few lines of a nice memory could be meaningful right now.

Also, skip this idea if it’s hard to pull off. I only mention it in case you have something convenient to share.

[melmel48]

Jul 26, 2022 13:16:45 GMT -5 livinitup said:

Do you have a nice family photo of him or with him that you can easily copy and send? It doesn’t even have to be framed, but that photo with a few lines of a nice memory could be meaningful right now.

Also, skip this idea if it’s hard to pull off. I only mention it in case you have something convenient to share.

I do, and even better! I have some of my uncle with their dog! 

[melmel48]

Jul 26, 2022 13:08:56 GMT -5 eddy said:

If I know the person has a yard or likes plants I give a gift certificate to a local garden shop.

I planted a hedge of roses from gift cards after my mom died. I love it and it always reminds me of her as they were her favorite flower. I now try to return the favor.

And honestly just a nice heartfelt card is enough when you have lost someone. Gifts are nice, but just knowing people are thinking of you goes a long way.

I just talked to my aunt. They are planning a celebration of life in a few weeks; inviting 150 people. I said please, tell me whatever I can do to lighten up the " to do" list. There is going to be a lot to do and I am able to help.

She replied and said that is the greatest help she could ask for. 

[simpsongal]

Pictures and a note with a personal sentiment. Throw in a gc if you want but the former will be far more cherished.

[skidunks]

Another vote for Spoonful of Comfort. A group of friends sent that to our family after my mom passed away and it was just wonderful.

[circa1978]

My aunt hasn't eaten a full meal since like 1962 so when my uncle died I got her a Barefoot Dreams cardigan and fancy soaking salts and a few other creature comforts. It went over really well.

[fumbalina]

If you want something consumable, you can send tissues. After a death, people tend to go through a ton of them. However, if you want some keepsake, it will really depend on that person's favorite things.

[shauni27]

Jul 26, 2022 16:36:03 GMT -5 simpsongal said:

Pictures and a note with a personal sentiment. Throw in a gc if you want but the former will be far more cherished.

I received so many thoughtful things, but one of the best was a card from a distant friend who shared memories of my dad. It was so thoughtful and meant a lot.

I also really like Spoonful of comfort and uber eats.

We got lots of flowers and plants and I loved that.

Lastly, one person brought tons of SNACKS. Not a meal, but a tray of pre portioned things like trail mix, granola bars, etc. that was so thoughtful and helpful.