Caregivers devote their time and energy to care for others, even during the holidays. For some, this may be a chosen profession. Others may enter a caregiving role for their loved ones. This role can be both rewarding and challenging. This is especially true for caregivers of patients with cancer, like mesothelioma. Sometimes, it can be hard to thank caregivers for all they do.
The holiday season is the perfect time to show appreciation for caregivers. For inspiration, we’ve listed 7 of the best gifts for caregivers below. And if you have any ideas of your own, you would like to share you can post them on social media (see the very bottom of this page).
The experience of being a caregiver for a mesothelioma cancer patient is unique. But these caregivers have many helpful resources available to them.
1: Holiday Baked Goods
What Makes This Gift Great
Nothing feels more like the holidays than festive, baked treats. Caregivers often spend much of their time taking care of someone else in their lives. These baked goods can be a way of returning the favor and making them feel celebrated and cared for.
You may want to bake something from scratch or choose a boxed kit for greater ease. Another option is to locate your caregiver’s favorite bakery and order treats. This can be a great alternative for people who may be unsure of their baking skills or who may not feel well enough to bake. Either way, holiday baked goods are sure to make a sweet gift.
- Many food websites list a collection of easy holiday recipes, like Ahead of Thyme’s 30 Best Christmas Dessert Recipes.
- You can find recipes online for specific nostalgic treats, like Peppermint Fudge and Iced Oatmeal Cookies.
- Many retailers also sell premade boxed desserts, like Frozen Dutch Apple Pie or Gingerbread Cookie Mix.
Gifters may want to ask about the caregiver’s allergies or dietary restrictions. It can also be a nice touch if you remember any of their favorite baked goods.
You can also think about whether you’ll deliver the treats personally or gift them in another way.
2: Holiday Cheer Basket
What Makes This Gift Great
Another great gift for caregivers is a basket of holiday cheer. You might choose to personalize this with some of their favorite things. Ideas for a holiday cheer basket include things like a cozy blanket, candles, ornaments, wine and seasonal soap. Ask yourself, when your caregiver has a day off, how do they spend it? Finding or creating the perfect gift basket tailored to their tastes can help caregivers feel the holiday spirit.
- Some companies, like Happy Hygge Gifts, sell premade festive gift baskets.
- Small businesses on Etsy also offer customizable holiday gift baskets.
- You can also assemble your own basket with a variety of individual products. Retailers like Williams-Sonoma, Target and Walmart have many possibilities to choose from.
Putting together a gift basket can be a fun and creative process. Think about what things your caregiver enjoys and what helps them unwind. You can also create a simple themed basket with a mug, hot chocolate and other holiday-inspired things. Filling and decorating the basket can also be a fun way to involve children, so they can say thank you too.
3: A Creative Activity or Class
What Makes This Gift Great
It can be easy to fall into a routine, especially when caring for others. Finding a fun activity for your caregiver can be a thoughtful gift to give. This may help add some spontaneity and creativity to their normal routine. Ideas for activities include a guided food tour, painting night, pottery class or cooking class. Giving your caregiver a unique experience might be just what they need this year.
- Groupon is a popular way to gift experiences to others. You can search in your caregiver’s area for availability. Groupon will give you a gift voucher that the recipient can activate when ready to use.
- Yelp is another popular search tool to find activities in specific cities. You can search by an activity name or just browse an area.
- Airbnb Experiences also offer unique activities, created and hosted by locals of an area. Activities include tours, excursions and other creative experiences.
Depending on what you purchase, dates may need to be selected in advance. It may be best to discuss this beforehand with your caregiver. If you prefer surprising them, there are many activities you can purchase without choosing dates.
It is helpful to be mindful of how far the activity is from your caregiver. Closer may be better for many people.
4: A Gift Card for Self-Care
What Makes This Gift Great
Caregivers spend much of their time helping others and making them comfortable. For a thoughtful holiday gift, let them be the one to recieve care! The specific type can vary based on their likes. This gift card could be for a business like a spa or nail salon or for a massage therapy session. Typically, you do not need to select a date for service when buying a gift card. This helps caregivers remember to take care of themselves, too.
Long-term mesothelioma survivor Heather Von St. James emphasizes how valuable self-care can be for caregivers. “Time away from caregiving to avoid burnout…even a staycation at a [local] hotel would be amazing.” Helping caregivers relax and recharge can be an excellent, thoughtful gift.
- Groupon is a popular way to gift self-care services to others. You can search for things like local spas. Groupon will give you a gift voucher that the recipient can activate when ready to use.
- Many hotels and resorts offer spa services. If you have any in the area, getting a gift certificate can be a luxurious treat for caregivers. The certificate may be valid for a meal at the hotel restaurant, too.
- Local businesses often sell gift cards. If you have one in mind, you may be able to email them or stop by.
You might already know a place your caregiver enjoys going, like a favorite nail salon or massage studio. This can add an even more personal touch to the gift.
Or you may be unsure which self-care service they prefer. One option is to give a gift card to a spa. There are usually many different services available. Your caregiver can then choose from services like manicures, facials and different types of massages.
5: Personalized Travel Mug or Tumbler
What Makes This Gift Great
Caregivers are often on the go, as they may run various errands or drive others to appointments. Getting them a customized travel mug can be a personal and useful gift. Depending on the maker, you may be able to put their name or a message on it. There might also be customizable shape and color options to choose from. A travel mug is the type of thoughtful gift they’ll be able to use year-round.
- Small businesses on Etsy sell customizable travel mugs and tumblers. You can choose from many different options and businesses.
- Shutterfly is another website that creates personalized products, like travel mugs. In addition to custom text, you can also add photos to many mugs.
This gift can be as personalized as you want. If your caregiver has a favorite color or phrase, this can be great to incorporate. You can also consider what mug shape they already use, if any. It may also be helpful to choose a shape that fits in most cup holders.
6: A Cleaning Service
What Makes This Gift Great
Caregiving for cancer patients can be a full-time job, with many people spending more than 41 hours a week providing care. The schedule can make it hard for caregivers to tend to their own needs, like everyday chores. Gifting a cleaning service can provide some welcome relief.
- National cleaning services like The Maids, Molly Maid and MaidPro offer gift certificates.
- Local house cleaners may also offer gift cards. You can find options online and contact them to see.
To keep the process as smooth as possible for your caregiver, you can offer to coordinate the service for them, too. That might include reading reviews, picking the right person and arranging a time for them to come.
7: A Meal Delivery Service
What Makes This Gift Great
Cancer caregivers dedicate so much of their time and energy to providing for their sick loved ones. Daily tasks like cooking can really add up, especially when you’re already exhausted. Providing prepared meals for them can be a lovely way to give them some time and energy back.
Ask about your caregiver’s diet and allergies to make sure a service is compatible with their lifestyle before buying the gift card. You can also set it up for them and let them just enjoy the food.
Choosing the Best Gift
At the end of the day, the best gift is one filled with thoughtful cheer. Caregivers do so much for those in their care. You can show gratitude for their help in many ways, like the ones in this list. For some people, the right gift may be a “thank you” card or framed photograph. It may be cliche, but for caregivers, it often truly is the thought that counts!
Sources
Abazari A, Chatterjee S, Moniruzzaman M. Understanding cancer caregiving and predicting burden: an analytics and machine learning approach. AMIA Annu Symp Proc. 2023;2023:243–52.
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Tara Strand specializes in writing content about mesothelioma and asbestos. She focuses on topics like mesothelioma awareness, research, treatment, asbestos trust funds and other advocacy efforts.
