Gift in chemo context

[Flylikeabirdinthesky]

I'm hoping that someone wiser than me will be able to give me some lovely ideas.

I want to buy a Christmas present for an older relative. She's typically very active and not the granny type at all. However, this year she has been very unwell - mastectomy and several rounds of chemo, which have (thankfully) finished now but she's still quite wiped out from it.

People with first hand experience of cancer treatment - what would you / your loved one have appreciated as a gift in similar circumstances?

Two other pieces of information - she's very well off so doesn't want for anything really. Also, the agreed present budget in our family is £25, which makes it more complicated still.

Anyway - your suggestions would be appreciated hugely!

We got my friend a magazine subscription. I can't remember how much it cost mind you. But, she found it hard to concentrate after chemo so she enjoyed the short stories as she could dip in and out of them.

I’ve had a lot of cancer treatment & been fortunate to have thoughtful friends & family that have given me some lovely things. Chemo often affects your skin so some nice gentle skincare products could be well received- Neals Yard or I love the dream cream from Lush. I also got given a lot of cosy, wooly socks which have come in handy & some nice teas & good quality chocolate. For me it’s partly just knowing that someone has thought about the impact of the treatment that is touching. It’s lovely that you are getting ideas OP.

Just to add a magazine subscription is a great idea. I got given a lot of books but actually didn’t have the energy to read them! I also got given a lot of temple balm/ hand cream which to be honest I haven’t used much.

I had that exact same treatment but probably younger. Sometimes people do like what you would have got them anyway so they don't feel their identity is now cancer patient.

It will also vary by person on what they normally like but I like things like L'Occitane sets, maybe the mini ones, or similar with nice smelling foam bath / shower gel, handcreams. Skin is fairly dry so moisturising type ones are better. I am also getting a scented candle, some champagne truffles, and some mini perfumes - just treat like things so good quality but not huge quantities.

Not Another Bunch of Flowers has lots of good ideas - it was founded by a woman who had breast cancer. Includes practical gifts and foodie treats that are suitable for chemo

My memory was affected for about 6 months, I don't tend to read books / mags but if they normally do that could be good. Neuropathy is quite common from chemo as well so socks are good or fleece things but 6 months after chemo I didn't want reminders of chemo. Though the main thing is a friend who cares and the gift is very much secondary.

Her treatment is over. I’d just buy something lovey and a bit luxurious like a neom candle or a sleep mist or similar. She won’t have forgotten she had cancer but equally might not really want to be seen forever more as a cancer survivor.

I have friends who swear that White Company cashmere socks are appropriate gifting for any occasion.

Thank you all - these are very helpful suggestions.

A luxury version of a thing she uses so eg fancy hand wash. Fancy soap

Nothing scented. I still heave years later with some of the smells give take me back, lavender I’m looking at you… some lovely gifts at the time but my senses were heightened and it wasn’t good. Have to agree with above, I appreciated nice warm socks, posh ones and also someone got me a fab blanket for when I had an afternoon nap. I still have it now. It was my favourite gift by a mile. I just remember being so bloody tired!!

It's the opposite here with lavender everywhere (partly as boy Maine Coon and DS love the smell but I love it too and don't associate with chemo). We have lavender soap, lavender bath foam, lavender air freshener, lavender plants. 😂