Forget Flowers! Here’s What To Bring Someone In The Hospital

Give the florists a miss and bring your loved one something more useful instead the next time you visit them in hospital.

Having a family member or friend in the hospital is a really stressful time for anyone. 

And it can sometimes feel even worse for those of us on the outside than it is the patient themselves.

As we worry ourselves sick and feel powerless to help them.

But no matter how worried we are about our loved one, it's our job to keep their spirits up as they try and get better again.

And you can do this by making their (hopefully) short stay in hospital as pleasant as it can be, by bringing them a few things to keep them occupied, entertained and comfortable.

But the question that often bamboozles people is 'What exactly should I bring for someone in the hospital?'.

Well the answer to this will obviously depend on the person in question, but to help you decide, we've come up with the following list of hospital gift ideas that will please your loved one in a number of different ways.

Why You Should Leave The Flowers At Home

Flowers may seem like the obvious choice when you are thinking of things to take when visiting someone in the hospital.

But there are three reasons why this is a really bad idea.

Bad news all round!

So when it comes to finding the best gifts for men and women in hospital, you should give the florists a swerve.

And consider some of the following suggestions on what you can replace the flowers with instead.

As these will prove far more useful and entertaining for your loved one while they are laid up in hospital.

Now we will assume that you are already covering the basics of what is good to bring for people in hospital, such as fresh fruit, soft drinks, chocolates and candy.

So instead we've focused on things that will make their stay in hospital a hell of a lot more pleasant and enjoyable.

1. An Upgrade To Their Hospital Gown

Helping your loved one feel comfortable during their hospital stay can be a vitally important factor in their recovery.

As they need to be able to relax in their minds and bodies to get well again in the fastest possible time. 

And one the easiest ways to make them feel more comfortable is to get them some comfy loungewear that they can wear during their hospital stay.

This can include things like pyjamas, loose fitting tracksuits, shorts and t-shirts that they can relax in.

And another option would be to get your loved one their own gown to wear, rather than having to use the standard issue hospital ones.

As Gift Gowns specialise in making hospital gowns that both look and feel much nicer to wear, with snap buttons on the sleeves and back that keep you covered up better than traditional hospital gowns, but still allow for easy access.

So they won't feel paranoid that they are flashing everyone else on the ward every time they move around when wearing one.

And they come in a range of designs and colours too, so your loved one will feel much more relaxed and comfortable in one of these.

So check out the full Gift Gowns range and pick out a design that would suit them.

And as an added bonus, Gift Gowns will donate a percentage for each gown you purchase to the Canadian breast cancer foundation.

So you'll be doing your bit for others in need with this gift too.

2. A Pair Of Anti-Skid Hospital Socks

Slips and falls are a big risk for patients in hospital wards as the tiled floors are shiny and are constantly being cleaned and disinfected, making them extremely slippery.

And when you couple that with patients who are unsteady on their feet after surgery or illness, and taking heavy painkillers that make them drowsy, it can be a recipe for disaster.

So a really helpful gift to get for someone going into hospital is a good pair of anti-skid socks, as the ones the hospital provide can feel itchy and uncomfortable. 

As this will give them the grip they need to be able to stay upright, and not add another injury to their list of ailments.

So you could check out a pair like the Rative non-skid hospital socks, as these have great grips on the soles of the feet.

However, if reaching down to put socks on is uncomfortable for them, another option would be to get them a pair of flip flops or slip-on indoor shoes.

As they can simply slide their feet into these with minimal fuss every time they want to go for a walk around the ward.

3. A Comfortable And Supportive Pillow To Rest On

Being able to sleep well and get plenty of rest is crucial for a hospital patients recovery.

As this allows their body to heal and repair itself against whatever it is they are fighting against.

However, hospital beds and pillows may not be as comfortable as what they are used to at home.

So getting them a really comfortable and supportive pillow to take in with them could be a game changer in their ability to relax and sleep soundly.

And one that ticks all the boxes for this is the Coop Home Goods shredded foam pillow.

As this one is filled with small pieces of foam that can be added or taken away to adjust the height, loft and feel of the pillow.

So they'll be able to make it exactly as they want.

However, before going for this you should check with their hospital first, as some hospitals don't allow outside pillows or bedding to be brought onto the wards.

4. A Warm Blanket For Sometimes Chilly Hospital Wards

Hospital wards can get a bit cold at times, especially during the night.

And there's nothing worse than feeling cold in bed and not being able to drift off to sleep.

While being hooked up to IVs can also make them feel colder, as this lowers their body temperature.

So a nice gift idea is to get them a warmer blanket to use during their hospital stay, as the ones they are given don't tend to be very warming.

And a blanket that will keep them warm throughout the night is the Bedsure Sherpa fleece throw blanket.

Although again, check with the hospital first that you are allowed to bring in outside blankets before ordering one.

5. A Back Scratcher For Those Hard To Reach Itches

For some patients in hospital, moving around can be a challenge, especially if they've just had an operation, or have broken a bone or two.

And being stuck in bed with limited movement is frustrating enough.

But it also leads to another potential issue, which is developing itches that they just can't reach to scratch!

As this can be a really irritating yet extremely common problem, as the more you can't reach the itch the longer it seems to last for.

So probably the most satisfying gift you could get for a bedridden hospital patient is an extendable back scratcher, such as the Wovte bear claw above.

As this way they'll never have an itch they can't scratch again.

6. A Reacher Grabber Tool To Pick Up Things Easily

Another problem for hospital patients that are restricted in their movement is being able to pick things up that are out of their reach.

As bending over or overstretching can be really painful for them.

So a really useful gift to get them is a reacher grabber tool, such as the one above by RMS.

As this will allow them to get what they want from their hospital bed, without overextending or hurting themselves.

7. A Blackout Sleeping Mask For Total Darkness

I've already mentioned the importance of sleep to a hospital patients chances of recovery, and the next gift idea is another thing that can help them to achieve it.

Because wearing a blackout sleeping mask can really help to give them the darkness they need to drift off into a deep and restorative.

And it will also block out distractions that are common for keeping patients awake on hospital wards, such as flashing lights and the movement of nurses around them.

So check out the Manta sleep mask Pro if you want to get them a really good one.

As this one is great for blocking out the light, and is also super comfortable to wear, due to it's deep, contoured eye sockets that won't press on their eyelids.

8. Foam Ear Plugs To Drown Out The Noise

Another major distraction when trying to get to sleep on a hospital ward is all the noises that go on throughout the night.

As you will be surrounded by beeping machines, fellow patients snoring, grunting, and worse, and nurses moving around doing their job.

So it can be a good idea to get a loved one some foam ear plugs, such as the ones above by Mack's, to take in with them.  

As these fit comfortably inside their ears to drown out any distracting and disturbing noises that may wake them.

Helping them to sleep uninterrupted, and wake up feeling well rested in the morning.

9. A Folding Bed Table To Put Things On

Getting a loved one a folding bed table to use while in their hospital bed can make for a really lovely gift.

As this gives them a place to put their food drinks, meaning they can eat more comfortably when they can't get out of bed.

These tables are also great if they want to do some drawing, colouring, or writing too.

And what patients may find most useful about them, is it gives them the perfect place to rest their laptop on.

Meaning they can surf the web or watch movies in bed with ease, and not have to worry about holding their laptop or balancing it on their lap.

So check out the AboveTek folding laptop table for one that is ideal for hospitals.

And you can also get tablet stands too, if they are more likely to watch movies on an iPad, with the Tablift tablet stand being a top choice.

10. A Kindle For Some Bedside Reading

One of the worst parts about being in hospital is having to deal with the monotonous boredom of the place.

Because you are confined to a bed on a ward with very little to keep you occupied and entertained, and this can make the time seem to pass soul-destroyingly slowly.

So any gift that can help a loved one stay entertained and occupied while in hospital is a good one.

And a great choice for anyone that loves to read is a Kindle Paperwhite.

As they can be loaded up with hundreds of books at a time, so they'll always have something interesting to read at hand.

And reading can provide some much needed escapism by transporting them to a world far away from the hospital ward, and taking their minds off any worries they may be having, which will help to aid in their recovery.

11. A Nintendo Switch For Gamers

If your loved one is more into video games than reading books, then they'd love a portable games console to play while in hospital.

So a great gift to get them is a Nintendo Switch.

As with one of these they can get lost for hours in their favourite games, and put their health worries to one side.

And this will definitely make their time in hospital go a lot faster, rather than staring at the walls all day.

12. Puzzle And Activity Books To Keep Them Occupied

Puzzle books are another great way of keeping a loved ones minds off their current situation and making the time pass a bit faster when in hospital.

So getting them a few puzzle books to work through while they are laid up in bed is a nice thing to do.

And you have a few options here depending on which types of puzzles they enjoy solving, such as: 

13. A Rubik's Cube To Work Their Mind

Want to get them a puzzle that also allows them to use their motor skills too?

Then how about a Rubik's cube?

As these things have been bamboozling kids and adults for decades.

And as they'll have so much time on their hands in hospital, they'll finally have the chance to master it.

14. An Adult Colouring Book To Relax Them

Another gift idea that you may not have considered for a loved one in hospital is to get them an adult colouring book.

As not only are these highly absorbing and strangely satisfying to colour in.

Doing so has also been shown to be very relaxing and calming too, which is exactly what hospital patients need to recover more quickly.

So the gift of an adult colouring book will give them something to do and also help them to relax.

And one that can make them laugh out loud is the Calm The F*ck Down adult colouring book.

As this is filled with funny adult messages and scenarios that can bring some light relief to a tense hospital stay.

Or if they would prefer something more serene and traditional, check out the Posh adult colouring book instead, with it's attractive and artful designs.

And throw in a set of colouring pencils so they have something to colour in with too.

15. Earphones So They Can Listen To Music

Listening to your favourite music while in the hospital can really help to keep your spirits high.

As it takes you away from the dreary and depressing hospital ward, and transports you to a happier place, helping to soothe and relax you.

And listening to music can also help you work through the difficult emotions that come up when you are unwell and stuck in a hospital bed.

So gifting a loved one a new pair of earphones so they can listen to their music during their hospital stay is a great idea.

And if you really want to treat them, you could get them a set of Apple AirPods Pro.

As these have outstanding sound quality, no wires to get tangled up in, and also help to block out outside noise.

16. Moisturising Skincare Products To Guard Against Dry Skin

Hospital wards are very dry and sterile environments, and they need to be this way to stop germs and bacteria from spreading.

However, this can really start to affect your skin, eyes, and lips if you spend more than a couple of days in there, leaving them feeling dry, sore, and irritated.

So getting a loved one some moisturising skincare products that can counteract these drying effects, make for brilliant gifts for people staying in hospital.

And for recommendations on what to go for, check out the following:

Just make sure that any skincare products you buy are non-scented and hypoallergenic, and always check with the nurses to make sure they are allowed to be used on the ward.

17. Bring Them Some Home Cooked Food

Hospital food is so bland and tasteless at times that it can really start to get you down after a while.

But this isn't the fault of the hospital cooks, as they are under orders to keep the salt and seasonings to the bare minimum during the cooking process, so that doctors can limit their patients salt intake.

So after a few days of hospital food, your loved one will begin to crave almost anything else!

Which means bringing them in some of their favourite home cooked meals will be akin to food heaven for them.

In fact, this may even be their favourite gift of the lot!

Just check with the doctors and nurses beforehand to make sure they are allowed to eat what you've cooked them, as there may be dietary restrictions in place depending on what they are in for.

18. A Cup Of Their Favourite Coffee

Similarly to the hospital food, an inpatient may also grow tired of the instant coffee that gets served up every day.

Especially if they're a bit of a coffee connoisseur themselves.

So bring them in a fresh cup of barista coffee from a local coffee shop when you next visit, and see their faces light up with joy.

As the hospital coffee cart is no match for an expertly made flat white. 

19. Some Quilted Toilet Paper For More Comfort

Now this one will have to be a discreet gift.

And it's probably only suitable for family members that you are extremely close to.

But a small item that may get overlooked when they are packing for their hospital stay (but which they will thank you for immensely afterwards) is a pack of quilted toilet paper.

Because the regulation toilet paper used in some hospitals can be a bit tough, and leave you feeling a bit sore and tender after your morning constitutional.

So tuck a couple of rolls of the good stuff into your bag the next time you visit, and leave them in your loved ones bedside draw.

Because take it from us, they'll be sitting a lot more comfortably afterwards!

20. Give Them Your Love, Care, And Attention

At the end of the day, what your loved ones need most from you while they're at a low ebb in hospital is for you to spend time with them.

Because hospitals can be lonely and scary places, especially when they are feeling under the weather and are worrying about their health.

So visiting them regularly, talking things over with them, keeping them entertained, and making them laugh, will all make a massive difference to their morale and well-being.

And this will give them the love and support they need to be able to regain their strength and get well again.

And Don't forget to treat the nurses too

When you spend any amount of time in or around a hospital, you realise that superheroes really do exist, in the form of nurses.

As they work tirelessly to take care of you and your loved ones.

Doing work that is emotionally and physically draining, and for far less money than they deserve.

Add in the shift patterns and the disrupted sleep that comes with them, and you begin to appreciate just what they have to go through.

Yet they still have that cheery nature about them, making sure their patients feel comfortable and reassured as they try to get better.

So thank heavens that there are still girls and guys out there that see nursing as a noble passion and calling.

As we all rely on them so much during our darkest and most vulnerable times. 

So if you or a loved one is spending time in hospital, make sure you treat the nurses to a little something to thank them for all their special care and attention.

With treats that they can enjoy on their breaks to keep their energy and spirits high being popular choices, such as.

As these will all make your nurse's day, and show them just how much they are valued and appreciated.

Rounding Up

Having a loved one in the hospital can be a really tough time for all concerned.

But while you may feel helpless, there is something you can do to make their stay more pleasant and easier to bear.

And that is by getting them a thoughtful gift that they will find useful in hospital.

These can range from gifts that help them sleep better, to gifts that keep them entertained, help them stay comfortable, and keep their minds occupied throughout the day.

And they will all play their part in helping your loved one to rest and get healthy again.

So I hope you've managed to find something suitable here among this list of gift ideas for what to buy someone in the hospital.