Well, I didn't expect that, damnit!

[Redshoesandtheblues]

Trying to get organized early this year for you know what... happens every year on the 25th of the last month.

I asked my sis what she would like......
And I got the suggestion that I buy an emergency bag and contents for a hospital grab and go scenario.

I get a list of what it needs to contain.

Apparently, her and her friend had been talking about the practicalities of living alone, so best to be prepared.

I get that. But its hardly a nice gift is it?
Or am I not 'getting it'?

Spare bag for dirty washing.
Snacks, sweets tins of drink with a long shelf life.
Magazines are easier to flick through than concentrating on a book or kindle.
Pack of playing cards if she can play patience etc.

In terms of cost
Vaseline - 1
Handcream - 1
Nightwear - 12
Fleece to keep her warm if she's put sitting on a chair - 12
Hairbrush - 1
Shampoo, Conditioner, Bodywash - 3
Toothbrush & toothpaste 1/2
Tissues 1
Flip flop style slippers 3
New knockers 4
Book she'd read 2
Charger (long) 8?
Coins random
Tweezers 1

Backpack 10 max for a cheapo one.

Where I've put 1 pound, I'm intending pound shop/Wilkos also good for minis

It's coming to £50 odd! I'm sure she intended just a nightie/shampoo/conditioner/toothrush/toothpaste

You could leave out the fleece to reduce cost and the charger.

I'm a hospital emergency veteran and I'd say my top 10 are:

Spare phone charger
Contact lenses case/solution (or glasses case)
Spare underwear
Fluffy bed socks
Something to do (book, colouring, whatever she likes)
Pjs (hate hospital gowns)
Toothbrush and paste
Hairbrush and bands
Vaseline/lip balm
Moisturiser

I'd add lucozade and oat cakes as well but they are better added then and there.

All these people suggesting paperbacks / kindles / puzzle books

I never and nor can I remember seeing any mother having just given birth with her newborn.... reading or doing sukuko.

Gazing at her newborn, cuddling her newborn, breastfeeding, playing around on her phone, taking photos - yes.
Reading a book or doing puzzles? No!

PS, it's a cool present. I like your sis lol.

Lovemenorca - the woman is a great grandmother - I doubt there'll be any newborn gazing!

definitely no born gazing !!!

The most useless present I ever received was from my dsis. I was size 6-8. She got me a purple (she knows I hate purple), 'sexy' neligee and gown.

In a size 12!

My top tip for hospitals, apart from a charger, is a pair of flip flops in case she needs a shower (am going by post natal wards where the showers can be quite grim). Re cost, I would put in your essentials up to your budget for now, but then you can add more next birthday/Christmas - it is the gift that keeps giving!

I'm feeling a lot better about the present as the morning as gone on.
Thanks!
She is going to great emergency bag, thanks to you lot!

@Lovemenorca this is a gift for a woman in her 60s, not a mother to be.

I will add in eatables but make a note of date and change them over when i see her.

Good idea about tea bags , she is particular about her tea!!

get

Things to find out:
What size she is and whether she prefers jammies or nightie.
You can get decent 'loungewear' as they call it in Primark which looks half like they're clothes/half nightwear (I have been known to go shopping in them )

Also, a list with her GP surgery and her NOK details would be useful. Along with allergies.

OhDearie got her size.....but I'm still waiting for nightmares or jammies question.

Oh well - we've now added nightmares and knockers to the list. Pretty comprehensive I reckon.

I'll ask as im putting it together for her nok and meds etc. Type , print and put them in folder.

This used to be my life OK list of top 15, this is for the patient. My list for the person staying with the patient would be different and item no 1 would be MUG because the relatives' rooms never have one but often there's a kettle, mocking you that a cup of tea is so near and yet so far:

1. Pashmina style scarf - it's a blanket, it's a cover-up, it's something soft and colourful to cheer your up, it's a parachute if you get stir crazy...
2. carrier bag size plastic bags with a handle - to use as a wastepaper bin when bed-bound, they can generally hang off the over-bed table
3. Favourite teabags - having tea that doesn't taste institutional is a tiny treat when everything is yuck
4. Kindle and charger
5. Phone and charger/power bank (I am assuming the phone also has music on it here, and possibly audio books)
6. Headphones
7. Wipes
8. Moisturiser that you can use everywhere, hands, face, whatever
9. Soap and flannel

10. Toothbrush and paste (is it bad this is so far down my list? It's because the hospital can supply this in extremis, so it isn't a disaster if forgotten) 11. Notebook and pencil case (for writing down all the stuff drs say so 18 sets of visitors can read it for themselves when you get confused or fed up of repeating it. Or when you forget yourself!) 12. Birkenstocks or similar. Not slipper socks because the floors can be wet. 13. Nightwear of preferred kind 14. Hair bands or clips 15. Small amount of cash in case there's a trolley/you're able to toddle down to buy a paper or a twix (don't take too much cash, the bedside cupboards don't lock and I have had things stolen. Actual valuables can be locked away by the nurses though.)

If NOK is not her DH, make sure it's someone who'll be able to relay information accurately. She might know already who it is.

Anything else?

Im going to buy her a personalized trinket box so she can use it at home but also easy to grab by anyone.