Care package ideas for SIL on bedrest

WingGirl

So my fab SIL is on bed rest in the hospital with preeclampsia.

I'd like to send her a care package but could use some help with what to put in it.

If anyone here has been in the same situation (bed rest in the hospital) what was or would have been useful or comforting or distracting or.....???

Thanks all!

11 years ago

Off Topic

15 replies

Latest reply was from Isabel

Deborah

Veteran

Hi WingGirl,

I was in hospital for a week following surgery in 2010 (so obviously not for the length of time of your SIL) and then had 6 weeks recuperating at home. I was in bed for the around 2/3 weeks tho I could get up and about at home.

A friend brought me a lovely bag of goodies containing some overseas fashion magazines and some hair products. Other gifts I received from friends were a set of dvd's of a series my friend knew I hadn't seen but wanted to see:) I lay in bed and watched every episode of the full 6 series, and enjoyed it immensely. And another friend gave me a gift voucher...some shopping to look forward to when I was back on my feet

All of these were deeply appreciated.

xxx

11 years ago

Marmee

Veteran

How about some new books? Also, it might be silly to mali them, but magazines are always fun. An iTunes or Amazon gift card so she can watch movies on an iPad?

11 years ago

anne

Veteran

I think Movies/TV series (in whatever format) are great suggestions. My relative was on bed rest for a few months, and like Deborah, enjoyed the entire series of episodes for some shows she hadn't seen.

i love the idea of a magazine too.Since I'm the frugal type I never buy magazines except when I'm in hospital so if she's likely not to have already bought them it may go down well.

11 years ago

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

Aww, preeclampsia is no fun! Does she have any kids who may come to visit her? Some small games may be a good idea if her other kids will come and visit so she can play them with her.

I also like the iTunes gift card idea, most of us have some type of device with which to watch TV while in bed!

11 years ago

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

(website)

Veteran

Puzzle books. I always loved sudoku, and it's easy to set aside and pick back up later.

I know that anytime I have had to lie in one place for an extended period of time, it always made me feel stale and icky. So maybe a little bag of travel-size toiletries that she can keep beside the bed to freshen up - emery boards, Ponds facial wipes, a mini deodorant, hand lotion, sugar-free gum, small hairbrush...

And if they allow this , maybe a big fluffy extra blanket from home, or some slipper-socks? Everyone I have ever visited in the hospital complained that they were freezing.

11 years ago

crutcher

Veteran

What about wrapping a small silly present for each day she is in bed?...Then she would have a surprise to open daily...You could do things guaranteed to make her smile...Someone did that for me once and I loved it...
Best to this great SIL..preeclampsia is not fun...

11 years ago

Peri

Veteran

When I was knocked out with disc pain my Kindle saved my life. If she has one, an Amazon gift card would let her download lots of new books without feeling guilty about the cost.

11 years ago

Eliza

Veteran

Sorry that your SIL is going through this.

While many of these have been mentioned, I think things to read are good (short stories or magazines might work well with hospital interruptions), as well as small, special toiletries. Hospitals are so dry- lip balm, skin lotion and nice moisturizing shower gel in small containers can be great. Maybe a nail care mini-kit. Textured slipper socks are a great idea- the ones that hospitals provide lose their elasticity in an hour. Perhaps an insulated, lidded cup or mug for water or to keep hot drinks hot for awhile would be fun. Mostly, it's great for her to know you are thinking of her.

11 years ago

Kristin L

Veteran

You are so sweet WingGirl. I think books and magazines would be a great way to go.

11 years ago

Active Member

I always add a pair of fluffy socks to care packages.

11 years ago

viva

Veteran

I just bought my mother a gorgeous coloring book for grownups and a set of colored pencils. She loves birds so I bought her one with nature images. There is one on Paris, too.

While I was visiting with Mum, I sat and spent an hour coloring. It was so quiet and meditative. It doesn't have the pressure of a journal -- you don't have to write or draw anything: you just choose a colored pencil and start filling in the lines of a beautiful drawing (they are very high quality). Now DD wants one for herself, and I do too.

Not for everyone, but something very different to think about. Here is a link. (ETA: I found Mum's book at Michael's.)

http://www.walterfoster.com/bo.....1600584008

11 years ago

Freckles

Veteran

They're impossible to find but bed jackets are just the thing for hospitals. They are sort of like housecoats but really short and not restricting in any way. They provide a bit of modesty and warmth. The ones I like only have one button at the neck thus not irritating any stomach or other problems one might have. They are really nice to use at home too when on bedrest. I prefer them to a cardigan or a wrap because they are looser, modest, warm and totally washable. Something like this might just be the ticket if she doesn't already have a similar item.
Another thing is food. A bowl of grapes, small pack of cookies or granola bar, etc. If she can't get up and about to the kitchen having a little something in her drawer is divine.

11 years ago

chadya

Veteran

does she have an Ipad/computer and access to the internet there?
a friend of mine went thru the same thing years ago before we had all this technology and wished she had it then. If so how about GC so she can watch movies, like Netfllix or Amazon GC or even Acorn online if she likes Brit TV
Food baskets?

11 years ago

WingGirl

Active Member

I think my SIL is settling into a routine now that the initial shock is behind her. I am excited to put together a nice gift for her this weekend, now that I have a plan.

Thanks for all the great ideas, everyone!

11 years ago

Isabel

Veteran

I was on complete bed rest for 5 months with my second pregnancy. Your SIL may already have these things but some very useful things to me were just whimsical grooming things. YUP. A fun mirror, a fun pair of tweezers for my eyebrows,

http://www.sephora.com/art-of-.....Id=1596097

facial wipes ( since I couldn't get up to wash my face ), hand wipes or a fun hand towel and hand sanitizer, a fun sonic toothbrush

http://www.amazon.com/Violight.....38;qid=139

nail polish remover pads, nail polish, pretty tissue boxes, a cute trash bag

http://www.amazon.com/Vera-Bra.....d=13990921

Little things like this, filled with color, made my daily use of them fun. And of course magazines in a lovely canvas bag ( Even a pretty notebook and pen ), http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop.....g-open-top

Also, something that was a HUGE help for me was something that I could use on my top half to keep me warm but wasn't a full on robe. Something like a bed jacket :

http://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF.....%20jackets

A nice place mat for her hospital try table.

The bags were very important to me since everything had to be kept close to me since I couldn't get up.

And though I am not a big make up person, I LOVED playing with make up, so people would get samples of things for me and I could entertain myself for quite a while.

11 years ago

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