Gifts Ideas For Cancer Patients

Communication

• Short visits (Due to treatment cancer patients may be very tired so don’t spend too long visiting)
• Letters and emails (Spend some time focusing on the positive aspects of your relationship with this person.)
• Phone calls (Again be mindful of the amount of time you spend.)
• Be a good listener.
• Ease up on expectations and commitments. (Do not expect the patient to travel during this time or bake large quantities of traditional holiday foods)

Gifts of Time

• Treat them to lunch.
• Treat them to a movie.
• Take them on a visit to a park or botanical gardens.

• Assist with daily tasks
  • Help with the laundry or ironing
  • Send or prepare a meal. Arrange a schedule of meal delivery with a group of friends.
  • Offer transport to and from treatments
  • Provide child care
  • Shop for groceries and gifts
  • Wrap gifts
  • Help decorate their home
  • Help with holiday baking and cooking

Material Gifts

• Cancer related books
• Uplifting books
• Cancer related nutrition books
• Books on their favourite hobby or interest
• Bookmarks with uplifting sayings on them.
• A selection of magazines
• Portable Music CD player (This is useful for the patient while in the hospital.)
• Music CDs
• DVDs – choose entertaining or uplifting films.
• Books on tape/CDs
• Answering Machine (This helps to maintain some control over precious time at home)
• A small stuffed animal or toy. (This is helpful for adults and children alike)
• Hats, scarves, baseball caps, wide brimmed sun hats. (Helpful for patients who are losing their hair due to chemotherapy).
• A personal calendar
• Electronic games to pass time in the hospital.
• Cell phone airtime (Include a note that they may call you any time they feel like they need a little “pick me up”)
• Special drinking mugs
• A quiet activity to occupy their time such as a scrap book kit, puzzles, cards or board games.
• Easy-to-move luggage with wheels for trips to the hospital
• Slippers
• Dressing gown
• Fashionable pyjamas
• Comfortable clothing (soft fabric and not too tight)
• Pot plants

Personal Items

• Gift certificate for a massage, facial, or manicure
• Shower and bath products
• Body Lotion (Water and aloe based lotions are helpful for patients undergoing radiation therapy)
• Aromatherapy
• A donation to a special charity or organization in their name.
• A journal or diary to help organise their thoughts and reflect on the experience.

Source: Oncolink http://oncolink.upenn.edu