Thoughtful gift for bereaved friend (not the usual flowers etc)

[Crunchymum]

An old friend of mine had sadly just lost her second parent.

I can't make it to the funeral but I want to send a gift. Something thoughtful but for my friend - something to symbolises hope and strength.

So far I'm drawing a blank. Any suggestions very welcome.

I received a gift card for a book shop from a friend incase I needed distraction and also a coffee shop gift card for when I needed time out of the house. Both were very thoughtful.

I lost my beautiful mum two weeks ago, I don’t need any gifts just thoughtful messages from my friends .

https://www.davidaustinroses.co.uk/products/remember-me?srsltid=AfmBOopjR_f8ozI7tejanafU7QCd6Hw10_P85cFT5tRZQ8T6SHOlh4ko

Something like this? I’ve bought one for someone in a similar position and they said it was nice knowing it would bloom when things were a bit brighter. David Austin roses are particularly lovely I think.

When my aunt died last year I knew my uncle was well provided for with meals and food so that wasn't a concern but I sent a rose bush for the garden. I took ages to choose it and in the end I sent a plant called "Loving memory". My uncle really appreciated it. I sent it a month or so after the funeral when I knew he was back in the garden because I didn't want to give him something would demand anything from him when he was too overwhelmed to do it.

I’d send a fancy candle or letterbox brownies, or bath oil, along with a card. I think it’s a lovely thing to offer. Cook vouchers are also great.

https://www.thebirdboys.co.uk/

If she has a garden, these are really lovely bird feeders.

What was her mum like? If she loved flowers and nice china, you might buy your friend a little floral china teapot. If her mum was a great reader you might give a nicely bound hardback book by her favourite author or poet. If you have a good photo of her mum and your friend together, you could frame it.

Soul analyse jewellery are quite nice with messages on

Thank you. I have been looking for a rose to plant for my lovely late husband and this is just perfect.

There are.some very sweet cards and prints here @Crunchymum nicethingsbyhelena.com

I think perhaps around the time of the funeral is too soon to send a gift, even the most thoughtful item takes head space they probably don't have. But in the weeks that follow I think it is a lovely gesture to reach out and show you care and are thinking of her. Is your friend a reader, perhaps a book of poems if they have a writer they particularly love. Otherwise maybe a little care bundle, soft tissues, some nice hand cream, a blanket. What about some relax or sleep aromatherapy oils/ pillow spray.

Either chocolate/crisps (not gift boxes, just big bards of chocolate).

Or a just eat voucher.

As someone who never eats sweet things, I wasn't interested in food but did get hungry and wanted to snack.

You know your friend best, but maybe something for comfort. Depending where you are bed socks, a throw or blanket. If it’s warm now and likely to stay warm then the cuddly toy, possibly weighted. Unless your friend likes bigger things maybe small or even on a key ring

Consider just a card now and talk with her in a few weeks and maybe get a gift that you can guage on how she is - eg if she mentions finding it hard to sleep/feelibg the cold…

https://www.notanotherbunchofflowers.com/

Anything here she might like? They do a huge range of gifts, as well as some 'thinking of you' cards.

You can get necklaces/bracelets with messages in morse code (using beads etc). They are really pretty, and your friend would know the meaning without it being obvious to everyone. E.g:

www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1685241402/morse-code-one-day-at-a-time-bracelet

Reading your updates, how about a cd of her favourite music?

someone gave me a grief journal and I sent one to a particular friend when her beloved dad passed away but after the funeral. Only you would know she would appreciate it.
Donna’s poems soothe the soul for some people https://amzn.eu/d/07QhgLdE.

Other than those ideas what about the hug in a basket type gifts or did you want something more personal?

I have also given pocket tokens for friends for different things but on one occasion for her dads funeral so she had something to touch to ground her when doing the eulogy. It was a lovely glass token a little bit like thishttps://amzn.eu/d/0cdYdLAi

A friend bought me a rose bush, that was lovely, nut I love gardening as does she, si it was appropriate and she chose the right one for my garden.

Could you send her a song? Your post made me think of 'Brighter Days' by Emili Sande but there may be others that you can find to express the sentiment?

@Crunchymum I think it's a lovely idea.

We are all different, you know her & think that she'd like this.

I was going to suggest a small wind chime/sun catcher for the garden so that it's not too 'This is because you lost a parent' but just a nice thing (if she'd like that kind of thing)

But if you don't want to send a parcel then I'd go with a takeaway/supermarket voucher. Maybe a nearby cake shop/bakery?

Or you can get those little 'Angel on my shoulder', 'Hug on my shoulder' type pin badges, that would fit in the envelope with a nice card. I'm sure you'd find something on Etsy.

I have seen a Winnie the Pooh book with beautiful illustrations and words of wisdom on each page.