What can I send my friend in hospital to cheer her up?

[Moonflower12]

My lovely friend is in Gloucester hospital with a rather frightening set of symptoms. She is understandably quite upset and distressed. We live 2.5 hours away. If I didn't have a really shitty cold I'd go and see her in heart beat- but I doubt she'd be very pleased if I gave her this cold!

What can I send her to help cheer her up and show how much we're thinking of her?

I've googled but can't find out if GRH allows flowers or not? Does anyone know? She's on the Orthopaedic ward.

Was she expecting to be admitted? And does she have any help? If not toiletries, slippers, casual lounge wear or pjs could be good, or reading material if she can concentrate.

Does she have her phone? Messages and stupid memes would always be welcome if I was in her position. And yes, nice fluffy socks or a fruit basket might be good.

A big package of magazines/
books and some decent snacking food.

What does she really like?

When I was admitted to hospital in similar circumstances a friend who knows me really well brought me

A pile of library books by my favourite authors
Her iPod on loan loaded up with some cool podcasts
Big bag of peardrops (my absolute favourite)
Woolly socks (I get cold feet)
Insulated mug cos my tea kept going cold

This still makes me smile 10 years later, it is just a list of my favourite things in all the world, and she knew me well enough to hunt them down and bring

But if you aren’t sure, then lip balm, sweets/chocs magazines are always good.

I know I sound like a complete misery guts, but having had multiple hopsital stays recently and now bedbound at home, I'd stick to sending a nice card for now. You could say that you'd like to send something, but d9nt know what would be appropriate and give her some options.

I was sent lots of gifts and, whilst it was lovely that people were thinking of me, I actually found it quite stressful and overwhelming having extra clutter that I didn't necessarily need/want.

Definitely don't send flowers. I don't think many wards accept them nowadays.

Hand lotion; something that smells divine like Aveda or Molten Brown.

A £20 gift card for M&S/Costa etc as there’s bound to be a foodhall in the bloody lobby

Fancy slippers/pajamas would pep me up but I’m as shallow as a car park puddle

Thank you for all your replies.
She didn't expect to be admitted but has a DP at her beck and call so she's ok for general stuff.
My daughter is popping in to see her so will take magazines etc.
The fruit basket idea seems a good plan. I'll look online for that.

Just want her to know how much we're all thinking of her. She's been there for me in shit times so I feel bad I'm no longer around for her in her shit time.

@WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo
Thank you. I was worried that a card on its own wouldn't cut it but I'll bear what you've said in mind.
Sorry to see you've been in so many times recently.