You know what it’s like when you’re sick or recovering from an illness, injury, or surgical procedure. You don’t want to feel forgotten. But you also aren’t up to having visitors stop by or Facetiming with someone.
Think of how you’d feel when someone you know could use a little cheering up. A text or two is OK. But sending something that has “I’m thinking about you” written all over it is a great way to show you care.
Care packages aren’t just for kids at summer camp or college. They can bring a smile to even the weariest face. Here’s how you can create a sunny get-well-soon care package for someone under the weather.
Make It Quick and Convenient
A quick and convenient care package is designed to be savored by the recipient. Companies that specialize in creating a consoling get well care package filled with comfort food have done all the research. Soups, carbs, and cookies are panaceas to those who need nutrition while they’re down.
They say that chicken soup is good for the soul. It’s also good for the stomach that may not be ready to tolerate heavy foods. And when it arrives on the doorstep, the recipient will appreciate the cheerful packaging, flavorful options, and a personal note.
Even if you’re leading a busy life, you can still send someone a gift that shows you care. These gifts are fast and easy for the person to fix and enjoy. Moreover, they make it quick and convenient for you to deliver some much-needed comfort in just a few clicks.
Do Some Research
If you’re going to create a get-well care package on your own, you’ll need to start with a little research. You will, of course, want to include items that may help them in their recovery. But you’ll also want to avoid items that may be inappropriate or counterintuitive for the person you’re sending them to.
For example, if they’re recovering from strep throat, lozenges are good options while hot sauce is not. If they’ve had the stomach flu, electrolyte-replenishing drinks will be great while energy beverages won’t be. And if they’re on bedrest following surgery, a comfy throw is a better choice than a new pickleball racket.
Putting together the best package will require some thought to make it useful to whomever you’re sending it to. And while something like a bottle of good wine might normally cheer up that person, leave it out. You can save it for a time when you both have something to celebrate.
Make It Personal
Gifts that truly reflect the recipients are the best ones. Even ready made care packages you can order online can be customized according to preferences. Make yours personal.
Composing a note of good wishes or including a photo of you and the recipients might bring a smile to their faces. If they’re gluten-free or vegan, make sure food items you send are as well. And if they have pets that might not be getting as much attention as usual, add a toy or treat that might occupy them.
Laughter may or may not be the best medicine in certain cases, so use it wisely or not at all. Adding something funny may make them smile or cringe. You’ll need to give that some thought before you ship it out.
Gather the Items
If you take the readymade but customizable care package route, you can bet it will be put together attractively. If you’re taking the DIY road, gather the items you’ve collected in one place. That’s the first step in avoiding a haphazard presentation.
Most packaging options will have a front and back. If yours does, place smaller items in the front, graduating to the largest or tallest in the rear. Figure out if you need to add tissue paper or packing materials between items to keep them in place.
If creating an attractive display isn’t your bailiwick, you might be able to find someone to do it for you. Gift-wrapping stores or florist shops may be willing to assemble items in a basket or other container for a fee. Or just ask a crafty friend who always makes everything look great to lend you a hand.
Package and Deliver
Packaging and delivery of the get-well care package is taken care of by an online vendor. If you’re doing it yourself, you’ll need to make a few decisions. The first is whether you’re shipping it by mail, courier, or making a personal delivery.
It can be tough to keep a beautiful gift basket, for example, looking that way by the time it arrives. If you’re shipping it, you’ll need a large enough box to hold it upright and pack material around it to keep it that way. Don’t spare the “this way up” and “fragile” labeling on the outside.
If some of the items are breakable, make sure you use a little bubble wrap around them for the journey. No matter how the package travels, the content will be jostled to a degree. Remember, the point of sending the care package is to bring comfort, not despair.
Send Comfort and Joy
You have the power to bring a little sunshine into the day in the life of those who are under the weather. You can take advantage of the professionals and hop online. Or, you can create, arrange, package, and deliver your own. Either way, you should use your power for good and make someone else feel better.
