Gift ideas please

[CupOfCake]

I'm trying to think of gift ideas for friend who is stuck at home waiting for an operation that keeps being cancelled. That's a gift that is not chocolates or flowers.
She has the kids at home too as they've all had to isolate.
It has to be sent as they can't have visitors either!
Any gift ideas would be greatly appreciated.

There are sellers on Etsy who will send a book and a bar of chocolate for about a tenner. Under gift boxes or similar.

Oh, that sounds nice, but was trying to not get chocolate.
I'm happy to spend £20.

Of course. You actually said that.

This has a small packet of biscuits and something else in it. TBF most of them seem to contain some treat food. Maybe the seller would swop it out for you?

I know you said no chocolate but how about cakes?
Are there any local independent cupcake shops that would make up a box and deliver?
I'd be touched if you sent something my dc could also enjoy.

When I was poorly my best friend had “ afternoon tea” sent to me. She didn’t tell me, it just came out of the blue. It was fabulous

@Ahwig

When I was poorly my best friend had “ afternoon tea” sent to me. She didn’t tell me, it just came out of the blue. It was fabulous

That's so lovely. Can you remember the company?

I would google letterbox gifts - there's a fair few providers out there.

Cohorted for one and I've had good experience with them ( not specifically letterbox from them though ).

Something activity based. “Escape room” type, puzzle, Lego, board game.

What kinds of thing does she like OP? It's so subjective. I'd hate a letterbox afternoon tea and wouldn't likely consume it other than to use it up. I always think people must have these things at home.They usually boil down to a couple of days old plain scones and individual tea bags with little hotel jam packets. Of course the gesture is a nice one and that's what counts but still I do think a lot of the letterbox gifts are overpriced and not particularly substantial for the cost.

If they're isolating I'd call and ask what they'd like, and drop off dinner perhaps if local. Otherwise book vouchers (amazon will deliver next day), just eat/deliveroo/dominos e-voucher for a treat meal as a family, board games, COOK meal vouchers if she's unwell and cooking is a problem etc.

Frankly if a friend wired me a voucher for a takeaway, a nice thoughtfully chosen book or a box of brownies etc I'd be on cloud nine.

I've had various letterbox gifts over the years and it is so lovely to be thought of but they do feel a bit generic and naff and rarely have anything in I'd actually use so much as end up forcing myself to use up or gove away (little hand creams, bath salts, sleep masks, room sprays, tealights etc).

Dinner would be nice so a takeaway voucher or something since they can't go out 🤔

A small hamper of goodies

A box of brownie

Pick n mix (I like Sweetzy)

Pampering goodies

Are you dropping off or posting? That could make a difference

Do you think she and the DC would enjoy a jigsaw? Jan van Haasteren jigsaws are fun, and lots of different themes so you might find one associated with her interests