Simple Gifts Your Friends in the Hospital Actually Want

Always Check with the Hospital First

Before we get into the list, let’s lay down some ground rules.

 

You should always check with the hospital before bringing anything to a patient. Many hospitals have strict, hospital-wide regulations barring scents, latex balloons, and more.

 

Each hospital and unit within that hospital will have different policies, but a quick phone call can save you from bringing something you’ll just have to leave in the car.

 

After you check with the hospital, also make sure to talk to your patient’s care team too in case they have specific restrictions, such as dietary restrictions, mobility limitations, or medical considerations that aren’t obvious.

 

And remember, sometimes the most appreciated gifts are the practical comforts that make an unfamiliar hospital room feel just a little more like home.

 

Lip Balm and Hand Lotion

If you’ve ever spent time in a hospital, you probably remember how dry and sterile the air can feel. Combine the unforgiving air conditioning with frequent handwashing and hospital sanitizers, and it’s no wonder dry lips and hands feel inevitable. A little tube of lip balm and a travel-size bottle of hand lotion can make a surprisingly wonderful gift.

 

I’m a die-hard believer in Blistex’s DCT for dry, chappy lips, and I don’t think you can go wrong with Aveeno hand lotion. Remember to choose gentle, unscented products whenever possible.

 

Soft Tissues

You would think that hospitals would prioritize comfort for patients and staff, with nice pillows or soft tissues and toilet paper. Unfortunately, not so.

 

Hospital tissues have a reputation for being thin and rough, which is the last thing you want when you’re already feeling under the weather. A small, travel-size package of ultra-soft tissues is a functional gift that may feel lame but is actually thoughtful and helpful.

 

Pocket-size packages are especially convenient because they take up minimal room on already crowded bedside tables.  When everything feels uncomfortable, adding a small bump in ease and relief can go a long way.

 

Snacks

Hospital food is notoriously. . . not that delicious. If you friend is allowed to eat, bring by some simple, approved snacks like pretzels or a favorite sweet. But always always check with the hospital and your loved one’s care team before bringing food. Care and recovery always comes first.

 

Gift Cards for Coffee or Food Delivery

While some hospitals don’t allow you to bring food to patients, it doesn’t mean their spouse, parent, or other family member who is lending long-term support shouldn’t have a boost. Caregivers need help too, and a gift card to a coffee shop down the road or to a food delivery service can keep them going.

 

Good Toilet Paper

I know. It sounds a bit crass, but taking soft toilet paper can make an already painful hospital stay that bit better.

 

I remember after having my babies, everything down there felt awful. Stitches and swelling left me tender, and the thin, rough hospital toilet paper did nothing to help. Some gentle toilet paper would have been more than a welcome upgrade.

 

If hospital policy allows it, consider bringing a small package of softer toilet paper, like Charmin’s Ultra-Soft Toilet Paper. To keep it easy to store and to help it feel a little bit nicer, plop the rolls into a nice gift bag.

 

Flowers

Who cares if flowers are a cliché gift? They’re cliché because they really are a good gift. Especially when someone is stuck in a plain hospital room, a bright arrangement can add life and cheer.

 

Fresh flowers are usually permitted in general-care hospital rooms, but always check first. Intensive care units, neonatal intensive care units, transplant units, and more almost always prohibit fresh flowers because of the risk of infection. As much as your loved one may appreciate a beautiful bouquet, immunocompromised patients are too vulnerable to the bacteria that easily grows in potting soil and vases of water.

 

Hospital floors are made to be easily cleaned, but the vinyl and epoxy floors don’t exactly scream comfort. The cold floors make an already sterile, lifeless room feel especially uninviting. A new pair of soft, comfortable socks with non-slip grips on the bottom make an especially thoughtful gift.

 

Consider a cozy, slipper-like pair of socks or something bright to cheer up your patient.

 

Monitoring equipment, hallway lights, nurse check-ins, and possibly even shared rooms all make sleeping difficult at hospitals—an irony considering rest is crucial for recovery.

 

Help out your friend or family member by bringing them some sleep aids, like a silk eye mask, some comfortable ear plugs or even some noise-cancelling headphones. Headphones also give the added benefit of making it easy for your friend or family member to listen to music, their favorite podcast, or a movie.

 

Have you ever felt the hospital “blankets?” They’re really just glorified (or not so glorified) sheets. Not exactly cozy. A blanket is both a functional and comforting gift. Pick a material that isn’t too bulky, can be folded up easily, and that is easy to wash and bleach. Some patients prefer shawls since they can toss them around their shoulders easily.

 

A Good Book or Magazine

I personally think is one of the best gift ideas on the list. Books help us to escape into new worlds without any physical exertion. The University of Sussex found that even just six minutes of reading can reduce stress levels by up to 68%, which is a gift anyone in the hospital can appreciate. 

 

Between appointments and tests, patients spend a lot of time in limbo, waiting. Sometimes they have very little they can do physically, but that doesn’t always keep their minds from staying busy or worried. A book or magazine can help pass the time and give a much-needed distraction.

 

Books are also a great way to offer a sense of normalcy. Especially if the patient is a child, consider picking a few books or a magazine and then read it out loud together. When picking a book or magazine, just be considerate of your loved one. Consider a lighthearted novel that won’t add extra stress or a familiar magazine you know they love.

 

A Crossword Puzzle or Other Game

Similarly, consider taking a crossword puzzle, Sudoku, or other type of game. Even better, if you have the time, play the game or complete the puzzle together.

 

An Extra-Long Phone or Tablet Charger

Why do hospitals do this? For whatever reason, it seems like, without fail, the closest electrical outlet to the bed is just out of reach for a charging cord without your phone or computer having to lay on the ground.

 

Next time you’re grabbing something for someone at the hospital, snag them a charger that is ideally six to ten feet. A charged device can mean hours to chat on the phone, read a book, watch a show, or listen to music that brings them joy.

 

Printed Photos

You don’t need an elaborate photo album, but a handful of small prints of familiar faces and good memories can provide a little emotional comfort. You might place the pictures in a small frame so they can stay propped on on their bedside table.

 

Travel-Size Personal Care Items

Bringing your friend a few of their favorite products in travel-sized containers is a thoughtful gesture because it not only allows them to keep groomed but it also helps them establish a small sense of normalcy by helping them maintain daily routines they kept up at home. You’d be surprised how far a favorite mascara or cleanser can go in lifting someone’s spirits.

 

Comfy Clothes

I don’t think anyone has ever said that they like wearing a hospital gown. The ties that can come undone easily? And that open bum? No thank you.

 

If your friend will be in the hospital for a couple days, and they’re permitted to change clothing, consider bringing them their favorite pajamas from home, a new lounge set, or their own robe. Button-up tops are also a great idea for patients who need frequent medical exams.

 

Reminders of Home

Similar to printed pictures or a familiar set of pajamas, other bits of home can make a huge difference in an impersonal hospital room. Even if it’s something as small as their favorite pillowcase or the salt lamp from their bedroom, the little details to personalize a hospital room can make a long stay feel much less intimidating.

 

Old favorites or new delights alike make a huge difference in brightening the day of a child stuck in the hospital. From coloring books to stickers to a stuffed animal to hug and hold, toys can help distract and comfort the smallest patients.

 

I think we can all agree that a tactile, physical handwritten note is always better than a quick email or text. Plus, patients can display their notes and cards to keep their spirits up. Seeing the actual handwriting of supportive friends, acquaintances, and loved ones reminds them how personally they are cared for.

 

 

Your Time and A Listening Ear

By far the best gift you can bring is yourself. Hospital stays, even short ones, can feel very lonely, with patients often having hours of boredom and worry. A visit from you can help break up the long days and nights and remind them that they aren’t alone.

 

Your visit doesn’t need to be a big event; a simple, normal chat may be the very best thing you can offer for support and lending a bit of normalcy.

 

Ask how they’re doing, what they want to talk about, and really listen. Some might be worried and want to vent about their diagnosis while others may want to forget about it for a while. Follow their lead and lean into compassion.

 

If a chat feels too hard or emotional, you can even fill your time together with an activity, whether you’re reading to them, playing a game together, or watching a TV show they like. Even just sitting together can be enough.

 

Outside the hospital, you can offer yourself too. Take their dog for a walk. Water their plants. Bring dinner to family members. All service is meaningful, no matter how small.

 

Small Bits of Care Go a Long Way

It can be easy to feel the pressure when visiting a loved one in the hospital. You may be feeling worried or emotional too, and you want your gift to reflect your care. First and foremost, consider their energy and respect their medical needs. Beyond that, remember that you don’t need to spend much, if anything, to show your support. Whether you bring practical comforts or simply a hand held in silence, you know best how to show love.