How to Buy The Perfect Gift For Someone In The Hospital

It's not easy to see someone you care about laid up in a hospital bed. You can however make their stay much easier with some creative gift ideas to keep them busy until they are able to come home.

Here are just a few ideas that will make the time pass for them more quickly and will keep them in better spirits.

Things You'll Need

• Creative Thinking

Instructions

1. 

   Scratch Off Tickets. It is the rare person who doesn't get the little thrill of excitement at the possibility of winning money. Scratch off tickets will keep them entertained and will have them looking forward to cashing in their winnings when they are ready to leave.

2. 

   Blank Photo Albums and Boxes of Photos: - Most people have boxes hidden in their closets filled with photos they haven't had a chance to put into albums yet. Bring these to your patient to help them kill the time as well as enjoy some awesome memories. If they are the creative type bring some scrap booking supplies as well. If you have some family or friends photos that they don't have themselves, make copies of them and let them enjoy the fun of seeing those photos for the first time.

3. 

   Music or Books On Tape. This is the perfect idea for any patient. Download their favorite songs onto an IPOD and give them their own little set of earphones so they can listen to something else besides "hospital sounds." Or download an ebook or bring a portable tape cassette player with books on tapes to help keep them entertained.

4. 

   Laptop Computer. While most hospitals may not have direct access to the internet, there are still plenty of things to do with a laptop. Bring their favorite DVD movies that they can watch right in bed with their headphones on, bring CDs with their favorite songs, download PC games like mystery games that they can play. Then of coarse there is always computer solitaire to fall back on.

5. 

   Personal Care Items. The soap and shampoo in hospitals can be very antiseptic smelling and drying. Perk up your patient by bringing them their own shampoo, soap, moisturizer, makeup, hair accessories, electric razor, shaving cream, perfume or cologne. Anything that you think will make them feel more like themselves during their stay.

6. 

   Favorite Food. Hospital food ranks almost as low as airline food. If your loved one is not on any restricted diet, surprise them with some of their favorites. It can be Chocolate pudding, or homemade chocolate chip cookies. What is their favorite meal in their favorite restaurant? Order it to go and pick it up on the way to the hospital. They will so appreciate it and it will help build their strength up as well.

7. 

   The Gift of Your Time. Probably the biggest gift you can give someone stuck in a hospital is the gift of your time. You can bring small board games that you can play together. They have all sorts of board games made in "travel" size that can be played while a patient is in bed. Or simply bring a deck of cards. Though just a visit from you may be all they will need to lift their spirits.

Tips & Warnings

• Be sure to check with the patients doctor before bringing food because they may be on a restricted diet.

• Always be sure the patient does not have allergies before bringing flowers.