What to Send Instead of Flowers: Gift Ideas for Every Occasion
Flowers are a beautiful way to let someone know you're thinking of them. But sometimes you want to send something different — something they can open, enjoy and perhaps keep long after the flowers would have faded.
A book, a hamper of treats, something lovely for a quiet evening, a meal delivered to their door or even a handwritten letter can all be wonderful alternatives to flowers.
The best choice depends on why you're sending it and, most importantly, the person receiving it.
What Can You Send Someone Instead of Flowers?
If you're looking for a gift instead of flowers, some of the best alternatives include:
A book chosen to give them a little escape
A gift hamper filled with treats they can enjoy over several days
Chocolate or favourite foods
A candle or something for their home
Pampering treats such as hand cream, body care or bath products
A meal or food delivery, particularly when practical help would be welcome
A handwritten card or letter
A voucher for something they genuinely enjoy
A donation to a charity that matters to them
Your time — sometimes calling, visiting or offering practical help is the best gift of all
You don't necessarily need to spend a lot. A small gift that suits the person and the moment can mean much more than something expensive.
If you'd like to send a few things together, you can browse our gift hampers, which combine books, Irish treats and gifts in one beautifully presented hamper.
Sympathy Gifts Instead of Flowers
Flowers have a long tradition as a way of expressing sympathy, and for many people they are exactly the right thing to send.
But they aren't your only option.
If someone has recently lost a loved one, you might prefer to send something that can be enjoyed quietly in their own time.
A book can provide a little escape when they feel ready to read. Chocolate and other treats can be shared with family or saved for later. A candle or small gift for the home can remain after the first difficult days have passed.
Practical gifts can be equally welcome. Dropping off a meal, arranging food delivery or offering to help with an everyday task can sometimes be more useful than anything you could buy.
And don't underestimate the importance of your message.
A few genuine words written in a card can become one of the parts of a sympathy gift that someone keeps.
If you'd like to send something comforting that doesn't demand anything from the recipient, The Original Hug in a Box® includes a new book, Irish chocolate, cosy bamboo socks, soap and hand cream.
What to Send Instead of Flowers When Someone Is Ill
When someone is recovering from an illness or operation, flowers may be lovely — particularly if they're recovering at home.
But there are plenty of alternatives.
Think about what would make the next few days a little nicer.
That might be:
an engrossing novel
chocolate or treats
cosy socks
hand cream or pampering products
a puzzle or activity
their favourite food
a gift hamper they can dip into when they feel like it
Books can be particularly good for someone facing a longer recovery because they provide entertainment and escape without asking much of them.
If the person is in hospital, check the hospital or individual ward's rules before arranging a delivery. Hospitals can have different policies about flowers, food, gifts and deliveries.
For something you can send directly to them, our Get Well Soon Gifts include a range of hampers for different budgets.
One option is the Get Well Soon Hamper, which includes a new book, Irish chocolate, a candle, soap and a card with your personal message.
Thinking of You Gifts Instead of Flowers
Not every difficult moment has a name.
Sometimes someone is having a terrible week. They may be going through a break-up, feeling overwhelmed, caring for somebody else or simply having a harder time than usual.
You don't need an official occasion to send something.
A small hamper, favourite chocolate, a good book or something comforting for home can simply say:
I was thinking about you.
In situations like these, we particularly like gifts that don't create any obligation for the recipient. They don't need to arrange anything, go anywhere or even reply immediately.
They can simply open the gift and enjoy it when they're ready.
Our Thinking of You Gifts were created for exactly these sorts of moments.
The Thinking of You Gift Hamper, for example, combines a new book with chocolate, cosy socks, soap and hand cream — a little collection of things to enjoy rather than one big present.
Birthday Gifts Instead of Flowers
Flowers aren't only sent during difficult times, of course.
If you usually send someone birthday flowers and want to do something different this year, think about what they would genuinely enjoy after their birthday is over.
A book they've been looking forward to, beautiful chocolate, a candle, skincare, a bottle of something special, an experience or a hamper combining several smaller gifts can all work well.
This is also where knowing even one thing about the recipient helps.
Do they love reading? Long baths? Chocolate? Coffee? Gardening? Cooking? Going out for dinner?
Start there rather than looking for a generic "birthday gift".
If books and treats sound like their idea of a very good birthday, you can browse our Birthday Gifts Ireland collection, with options ranging from smaller birthday hampers to larger luxury gifts.
Gifts That Last Longer Than Flowers
Sometimes the reason for looking for an alternative to flowers is simply that you'd like your gift to last a little longer.
That doesn't mean every part of it needs to last forever.
Chocolate will (hopefully) disappear.
A candle will eventually burn down.
Hand cream will be used.
But that's part of the pleasure of receiving them.
Other elements can remain. A good book might sit on their bookshelf for years. A handwritten card may be tucked away. Even after everything else has been enjoyed, they'll remember who sent it and why.
The gift they'll remember long after it's opened.
That's what we believe a really good gift can be.
What Should I Send Someone Who Has Everything?
This is one of the reasons hampers can work particularly well as an alternative to flowers.
Instead of trying to find one impressive object that they somehow don't already own, you can give them a collection of smaller pleasures.
Something to read.
Something delicious.
Something to use.
Something they wouldn't necessarily buy for themselves.
And because many of those things are enjoyed rather than stored, you're not adding another permanent possession to someone's home.
If you're not sure which occasion-specific gift is right, our complete gift hamper collection is a good place to start.
Can I Send a Gift Directly to Someone's Home?
Yes.
If you're ordering a gift from The Book Resort, simply enter the recipient's address as the shipping address when ordering.
You can add your personal message and we'll handwrite it on a card to go inside their hamper. We don't include a receipt or pricing in the gift.
You can also choose a preferred shipping date in your cart if you're ordering ahead for a birthday or another occasion. If you don't choose a date, we'll prepare your order for shipping as soon as possible.
Orders placed before 3pm Monday to Friday are usually dispatched from Waterford that same working day. Orders placed after 3pm, at weekends or on bank holidays are normally dispatched the next working day.
Once dispatched, delivery within the Republic of Ireland normally takes 1–2 working days and is tracked.
Choosing the Right Alternative to Flowers
There isn't one gift that's right for everyone.
For someone grieving, quiet support or practical help may be best.
For someone recovering at home, entertainment and little comforts can make long days easier.
For a birthday, you can have much more fun with it.
And sometimes the perfect alternative to flowers isn't a gift at all. It's showing up with dinner, sending a message three weeks after everyone else has stopped checking in, or making time for a cup of tea.
The important part is letting someone know you were thinking of them.
And if you'd like to send something they can unwrap and enjoy, explore our gift hampers, Get Well Soon Gifts, Thinking of You Gifts and Birthday Gifts, all prepared in Waterford and available for shipping in Ireland.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good gift to send instead of flowers?
Books, gift hampers, chocolate, food, candles, pampering products, handwritten letters and experience vouchers are all good alternatives to flowers. The best choice depends on the recipient and why you're sending the gift.
What can I send instead of flowers for sympathy?
A sympathy or comfort hamper, food, a book, chocolate, a candle, a charitable donation or practical help can all be appropriate. A personal card or letter is also worth including, particularly if you can share a genuine memory or a few words about the person who has died.
What can I send someone in hospital instead of flowers?
A book, packaged treats, comfortable socks or small personal-care items may be suitable, but always check with the hospital or ward first. Hospitals can have different policies about flowers, food, gifts and deliveries.
What can I send a friend who is going through a difficult time?
You don't need to find something elaborate. A book, favourite treat, small hamper, meal delivery or handwritten card can let them know you're thinking about them without expecting anything in return. Our Thinking of You Gifts are another option if you'd like to send something directly to their door.
Is a gift hamper a good alternative to flowers?
Yes, particularly when you'd like to send several small things the recipient can enjoy over time. Look for a hamper that suits the person rather than choosing one simply because of the occasion.
Can I include a personal message with a gift from The Book Resort?
Yes. Add your message when ordering and we'll handwrite it on a card to include with the gift. Pricing and receipts aren't included in the hamper, so it can be sent directly to the recipient.