Present for hospital staff: suggestions, please

[Bloodybridget]

I'm sure there have been threads about this in the past, but my search failed to find one.

I'd like to take a Christmas present for the staff on my chemo ward, and for my oncologist, her team and all the other staff in the oncology clinic. I can't think of anything beyond chocolates or biscuits, but wondered if anyone could inspire me with other ideas. It will have to be something I can order from Sainsbury's as I can't go into shops. Of course I'll take cards with an appreciative message too.

Suggestions from hospital staff especially welcome! Thanks.

When I was in the NICU a lady made brownies for the staff to say thanks and they all loved it.

Not saying you have to make them ofc lol

At the moment, individually wrapped chocolates or biscuits are going down well. Individual coffee sachets too.

Home made not a good idea right now.

@trixiebelden77 do you mean sachets of instant coffee, or ground coffee like coffee bags or something?
Thanks both of you for responding. @nmin I can make very good brownies and this did cross my mind, but I wasn't sure they would want home-made atm.

I have bought tea light candles from a local maker and put them into little organza bags tied to a mini Christmas tree. My last session is just before Christmas .
When I finished weekly chemo I bought a selection of hand creams, soaps and lip salves again from a local maker and put them in a small basket , they could then chose what they wanted .
I think that they can get overwhelmed with sweet things this time of year.
And ,yes, a card to thank them for getting me through some tough times .

I realise you said from Sainsbury’s but I am sure that they must do nice candles or hand cream . We only have Tesco where I live.

Oh hi @Trumpton, thanks, that sounds lovely, my last trip there before Christmas is on Monday so I won't have time to do anything that special, but I'll think about adapting your suggestion somehow. I did think they might have an avalanche of sweet stuff.

Yeah, at the moment anything either homemade or not individually wrapped will just get get binned. So you could do Quality Street for example. But a card or note that the staff can use for their appraisals would probably be very welcome, and just the gesture would help a lot because they are under a lot more pressure than the general public seem to think they are.

@Bloodybridget. Hi back at you .

A tea/coffee hamper always goes down well and also hand cream as a pp suggested! I was also going to suggest pens! Nhs issue bog standard biros that fall apart after a weeks use. A nice pen is always a real treat!!!

Tea coffee and biscuits would be appreciated. Ignore anyone who says home made stuff would be bonnes but honestly a range of tea bags would be lovely and is always welcome.

We just had a gift of mini hand creams on our ward. It was lovely, but honestly anything is always appreciated although I agree about hand made food not being appropriate at the moment.

From my understanding, biscuits and individuals wrapped chocolates are always being thrown out as they cannot have multiple handing going into one tube. If you have the time, maybe make a few goodie bags that you can give to individuals nurses

I work in oncology and we are definitely not throwing anything out!

Biscuits/chocolates are always appreciated. At this time of year as we get so many we put them away and then give each staff member a tin yo take home.

How about things like cereal bars that are individually wrapped and brioche and little bags of mini cheddars. Just for a bit of variety along with some chocolates and biscuits. The individually wrapped coffee sachets are a good idea too. I’m sure they are appreciative of anything they receive. I hope your treatment is going well.

The nurse definitely didn't throw those brownies away lol she ate them

Hand cream is always well received at the moment we all have very sore hands. Either tube or pump not pot as they aren't hygienic.

I'm just going off what I have been told by a relative who is a matron and is having to tell patients and their families not to bring in food as they cannot accept it but I'm sure every hospital and department run differently

Oh thanks everyone for all the suggestions! I haven't really got an opportunity to find nice pens, but a range of teas and some savoury snacks like mini Cheddars are a great idea, also cereal bars. I'm sure most of the staff are eating on the run.
@madasamarchhare let's just say I'll be delighted when the treatment is over! But I'm lucky to be under a fantastic team.

One time when my husband was in hospital I went to the Body Shop and filled a basket with travel sizes of shower gel and body lotion for the staff to share, Boots do a wide range of small sizes and they are often on 3-4-2.

As a nurse we appreciate absolutely anything given to us! But you can’t go wrong with chocolate, biscuits, tea bags & coffee I love the idea of the hand creams as well as they’re always needed! Even a bag of cheap pens would be well appreciated as they always go missing lol!

Pens!!!

We've been advised that any gifts need to be able to be wiped down. We've also been told not to share food etc. Since we spend more time in the office together than at home, we are largely ignoring the rules but others especially in higher risk environments might stick to the rules. Soaps & smellies etc sound wonderful!