Self care package ideas?

[verycontrary247]

One of my best friends lost her mom a month ago, and her grandma a few days ago. She's understandably struggling.

I've got several freezer meals prepped and will make fresh bread to include the day I drop it off. I also want to put together a self care package to go with it. Any ideas for what to put in?

What I have so far:
Shower steamer tabs
Sheet face masks
Fancy chocolates

[mysteriouswife]

I needed more tissues than humanly imagined. I also really liked easy grab snacks. Also fresh cleaned fruit for easy grabbing.

[eb777888]

Does she drink? Wine?

Maybe a gift card for a coffee, or a small gift card for something she'd enjoy.

[verycontrary247]

Mar 19, 2023 20:16:04 GMT -5 eb777888 said:

Does she drink? Wine?

Maybe a gift card for a coffee, or a small gift card for something she'd enjoy.

She does not drink alcohol, but loves coffee, tea, bubble tea

[VillainV]

Honestly I think anything would be very much appreciated.

I’d recommend setting a reminder in your phone for a month from now, and reaching back out. After a few weeks it feels like everyone goes back to normal, so it can be nice to know that someone still recognizes that you’re grieving.

[blondemoment123]

Doordash gift card
Tissues
A text every once and while letting her know she's not alone

[Rainyday]

Mar 19, 2023 20:18:13 GMT -5 verycontrary247 said:

Mar 19, 2023 20:16:04 GMT -5 eb777888 said:

Does she drink? Wine?

Maybe a gift card for a coffee, or a small gift card for something she'd enjoy.

She does not drink alcohol, but loves coffee, tea, bubble tea

I would get her a fancy jar of raw honey.
I use it in my coffee and tea, probably something she wouldn't by herself.

[starburst604]

I think you have some great ideas already and from PPs, I just want to say you’re a great friend. I think that even the smallest gesture is so appreciated when someone is going through a hard time.

[mofongo]

Super sweet and thoughtful of you:)
Personally, I prefer consumables.

[sju]

I think what you have is perfect. If you want to add more, I like the idea of tea and a pretty jar of honey.  And I agree with checking in with her every so often. It meant the world to me when people reached out after I lost my dad.  

[cattledogkisses]

I remember having a lot of trouble sleeping while going through intense grief. Maybe a soft blanket or pair of slippers for if she's up during the night? I also read a lot when I needed an escape from reality. If she has an e-reader, maybe a gift card for e-books?

[SusanBAnthony]

Nice Kleenex (puffs plus with lotion all the way!)

Fancy tea or hot cocoa or coffee

Easy to grab snacks like dried fruit or fancy chocolate

Fresh cut up fruit (helps to know if this is something she would like but most people do if it's all cut up and ready to eat!)

An offer to come write funeral flower thank you notes (maybe pre-write them for her?)

[heygrey]

Gift cards for meals in the future. Is she single? $15-20 to easy places so she doesn’t have to cook dinner when the meal train/food gifts have run out.

Does she have a hobby? Something small/gift card to get her back into that.

Something cozy. Socks? A candle?

[cuadrado]

A pair of barefoot dreams socks

[shauni27]

this is making me tear up; when my dad died unexpectedly, I got so many sweet things like this. Even if it was not my taste, it was SO thoughtful and I will never forget it.

all that to say, you are kind and a great friend. no matter what you give her, she will appreciate it and you.

[coltsfan85]

Mar 19, 2023 20:52:13 GMT -5 cattledogkisses said:

I remember having a lot of trouble sleeping while going through intense grief. Maybe a soft blanket or pair of slippers for if she's up during the night? I also read a lot when I needed an escape from reality. If she has an e-reader, maybe a gift card for e-books?

This reminded me: one thing I still do for a friend who is an avid reader is warn her when cancer comes up unexpectedly in a murder mystery or dystopian book. She still is very raw about her mothers death which was a long and drawn out battle with ovarian cancer and doesn’t like running into this unexpectedly. I feel similarly to car accidents & brain injuries (Great Alone by Kristin Hannah, anyone?) after my experiences with my husband. Just something to consider.

[bex1973]

What about a cooling eye mask? Like the gel ones you put in the freezer. If she's been crying that can be so soothing.

[Gato]

You are such a good friend!

When I was grieving, I really loved having little packages of snacks, tea, and hot chocolate. It would have been wonderful to have some gift cards to restaurants that deliver. Since I'm a reader, books would have been a welcome way to take my mind off things. Something comforting like Mary Oliver poetry would be great.