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Ideas for Goody bag for friend’s hospital stay please!

31 replies

BaconAndAvocado · 16/01/2024 08:39

My friend is having major surgery next week and will be in hospital probably about 3 nights.

Really nice fluffy socks. If I could afford cashmere I’d get her those! ( I can’t).

Any other ideas?

OP posts:
Lampzade · 16/01/2024 08:40

Antiseptic wipes

LooksLikeIPickedTheWrongWeekToQuitDrinking · 16/01/2024 08:41

A good book.

Skippedthelightfandango · 16/01/2024 08:41

Long phone charger. Lip balm. Hand cream. Posh squash. You are a nice friend!

WorriedMillie · 16/01/2024 08:44

Some nice ginger or similar biscuits to nibble, post surgery and maybe some nice sweets

Riverlee · 16/01/2024 08:45

adult colouring book and coloured pencils

book - but nothing too heavy. I always find I’m woozy after an anaesthetic and can’t really concentrate for too long

Pashazade · 16/01/2024 08:45

Little handheld battery powered fan
Cheap and cheerful water bottle
A drawstring rucksack type bag so she can easily carry stuff around single handed if she needs to
Hello/OK for some undemanding reading, and this also means pictures if reading is too much!

EmpressaurusOfTheScathingTinsel · 16/01/2024 08:47

Earphones and an Audible voucher for listening to stories if she doesn’t feel up to reading them.

MyBigFatGreekSalad · 16/01/2024 08:47

Some nice snacks incase she doesn't like the hospital food

A book

A crossword/sudoku book

Houseplanter · 16/01/2024 08:49

I'd save the nice slippers/socks etc til she's home.. hospital floors need disposable slippers imo.

WormHoleInSpace · 16/01/2024 09:01

Lend / buy a power bank
Ditto head phones
Totes slipper socks
Check Audible, they often have a few months trial ( dont forget to cancel it)
Camping / travel towel
Puzzle books and a couple of pens

Snacks , individually wrapped cheese, look at Ilchester in tescos or baby bell.
Peparami
Boiled sweets
Nut free bombay mix
Don't get chocolate, it melts or nuts incase of allergies on the ward.

If you can For when she get home easy to reheat meals, some light easily digested and some comfor foods .

BaconAndAvocado · 16/01/2024 09:08

Wow! Thanks for all those brilliant ideas.💐💐💐

Her recovery will be a couple of months after she gets home so could be something for that time too.

OP posts:
nevertrustanyoneagain · 16/01/2024 09:12

I am having major surgery next week. Are you my friend?😆. If so magazines would be great please😁

Petrine · 16/01/2024 09:19

If she’s having major surgery involving several nights stay it is likely that she won’t be feeling well enough to do much whilst there. Hospitals send patients home very quickly now so by the time she’s feeling well enough to appreciate nice things she’ll probably be home.

I’d buy a nice basket and fill will things for when she goes home… nice toiletries, soft PJ’s, socks, etc.

Unabletomitigate · 16/01/2024 09:29

Does she do any handicrafts, like knitting, crochet, cross stitch? A small new project to keep her occupied might be nice.

Fraaahnces · 16/01/2024 09:34

Nice dried fruit (like dried pineapple and dried cherries) to ….“help things along”. An alcohol-free body spray (citrus is good to make you feel fresh). Dry shampoo. Netflix, etc, subscription for a month. A lovely robe. Backless slippers for easy access. Soft eye mask or better still, an eye mask with Bluetooth speakers. Some sugar-free flavored mineral water. Chewing gum to help freshen up.

Summertimesunshineandfizz · 16/01/2024 09:36

Depending on what the surgery is she may not be able to bend to put on socks/slipper socks so nice soft slip on slippers might work better.
Lovely smelling hand cream
a magazine
Nice things to eat
eye mask as it never gets properly dark

SingsongSu · 16/01/2024 09:52

I’d do a few little wrapped gifts, one to open each morning while she’s in hospital. Lots of great suggestions from PPs.

Weenurse · 16/01/2024 09:55

Eye mask, ear plugs, pashmina or similar for light weight warmth.
Lip balm, sugar free chewing gum (good for getting the gut going) but check any dietary restrictions, it is sad to see a beautiful delivery of fruit when the patient is nil by mouth.
Some nice tea or coffee, hospital stuff is caterer’s blend and vile.
Books or puzzles

Thehamsterthatcametotea · 16/01/2024 09:57

A little hand mirror and brush.
Photo album of nice memories and loved ones to lift her spirits.
Lipbalm and hand cream.

Whiskeypowers · 16/01/2024 09:58

Eye mask
ear plugs
nuce aippy
bottle type things and some lovely squash
boiled sweets
Dry shampoo
fragranced baby wipes for wing under her arms round her neck etc
her own pillow from home

what a nice friend you are and hope her op goes well

ManchesterLu · 16/01/2024 10:14

Petrine · 16/01/2024 09:19

If she’s having major surgery involving several nights stay it is likely that she won’t be feeling well enough to do much whilst there. Hospitals send patients home very quickly now so by the time she’s feeling well enough to appreciate nice things she’ll probably be home.

I’d buy a nice basket and fill will things for when she goes home… nice toiletries, soft PJ’s, socks, etc.

Yeah, I was going to suggest this. I think she will appreciate it a million times more once she's comfortable and back in her own home.

Whataretheodds · 16/01/2024 10:25

Cook meals or homemade meals that can go in the freezer.

A voucher for a cleaning company.

I'm due in for surgery next week and wouldn't appreciate loads of little smellies - they're faffy. One nice thing that you know isn't going to irritate her skin (is she going to be able to shower/bathe? I've seen a bottle of shower gel with a hook recommended for post c-section to avoid bending over).

Ferfecksackmammy · 16/01/2024 11:26

Decent Teanags or coffee and a mug. Chewing gum *can help get the gut going, scrunchie/hairband. Lip balm, puzzle book.

Snowflakecookie1989 · 16/01/2024 11:34

Boiled sweets,sugar free gum,a nice lip balm and hand cream.

Snowflakecookie1989 · 16/01/2024 11:35

A heated throw for recovery at home.