What to Send Someone After Surgery: Get Well Soon Gift Ideas
Someone you know and love has had surgery and you want to send them something nice.
Easy enough, until you actually have to decide what.
Flowers? Maybe. Grapes? We’re not sure anyone has genuinely wanted a bunch of grapes since about 1987. A giant teddy bear? Lovely in theory, slightly less lovely when it has to share a hospital bedside table with six water jugs and a blood pressure monitor.
The best gift after surgery is usually something that makes the next few days a little nicer.
Not necessarily practical. Not necessarily expensive. Just something that says I’m thinking about you and gives them a small lift when they're probably sore, bored and thoroughly fed up with being told to rest.
Here are a few ideas.
Something to read
We are obviously slightly biased here, but a really good book is hard to beat.
Recovery can involve a lot of waiting around. There are only so many episodes of daytime television a person can reasonably be expected to endure.
A novel gives them somewhere else to go for a few hours — even if physically they're still on the sofa under a blanket.
The trick is choosing something enjoyable rather than something that feels like homework. This probably isn't the moment for the 900-page literary masterpiece you've been insisting they must read.
A good page-turner wins.
A few really nice treats
Chocolate, biscuits and other little treats can make a lovely addition to a recovery gift, particularly once someone is back home.
But use a bit of common sense here.
After some operations people may have dietary restrictions, little appetite or specific instructions about what they can eat. If you're not sure, don't build the entire gift around food.
A mixture of things is often a safer bet.
That is one reason we like gift boxes for get-well gifts: there's something to enjoy now and something to save for later.
Something that makes staying at home feel less boring
After the initial relief of getting home comes another problem:
boredom.
If someone is going to be taking it easy for a while, think about things they'll actually enjoy during the downtime.
A book, nice chocolate, cosy socks, a journal, lip balm or a small pampering treat can all work.
You don't need to recreate an entire spa in their sitting room. A few lovely things to open can be more than enough.
A get well soon gift box
If you're staring at twenty browser tabs trying to assemble the perfect recovery package yourself, this is where a gift hamper earns its keep.
You get several little gifts rather than having to put all your faith in one grand gesture.
At The Book Resort, our Get Well Soon Gifts are packed in Waterford and have books, chocolate and a variety of gifts chosen to make staying in and recovering a little more enjoyable.
Every gift also includes a handwritten card, so you can send it directly to them rather than receiving it yourself, repacking it and making a second trip to the post office.
Life is complicated enough - let us help you.
Can you send a gift directly to someone in hospital?
Yes. We deliver gifts directly to hospitals throughout Ireland, as well as to home addresses.
If you're sending to a hospital, give us as much information as you can when ordering — the recipient's full name, hospital name and any ward or room information you have.
It's also worth checking that the person is likely to remain in hospital long enough to receive it.
People are sometimes discharged earlier than expected, which is obviously excellent news for them but considerably less exciting for the gift travelling in the opposite direction.
If they're likely to be going home shortly, sending the gift to their home address may be the better option.
What should you avoid sending someone after surgery?
This depends enormously on the person and the operation, so there isn't a universal forbidden-gift list.
There are, however, a few things worth considering.
Lots of food
If you don't know whether they have dietary restrictions after surgery, don't make food the entire present.
Strongly scented products
Some people love them; others really don't — particularly if they're feeling nauseous or sensitive after an operation.
Anything that creates work
A gift shouldn't arrive with an instruction manual and a three-hour assembly time.
This is recovery, not IKEA.
Alcohol
Even if they'd normally love a bottle of wine, medication and post-operative advice can make alcohol inappropriate. Save it for another occasion unless you know it's suitable.
Flowers for a hospital stay
Flowers are lovely, but hospital rules vary and some wards may not allow them.
If you're sending directly to hospital and aren't sure, something that doesn't require a vase, water or looking after is considerably easier.
What do you write in a get well soon card after surgery?
You don't need to produce a masterpiece.
Something simple and genuine is usually best:
“Thinking of you and hoping you're feeling a little better every day.”
“Sending lots of love. Rest up and take it easy — doctor's orders for once!”
“Wishing you a smooth recovery. Hope this gives you something nice to enjoy while you're taking it easy.”
“No need to reply — just wanted you to know we're thinking of you.”
That last one can be particularly nice. Someone recovering doesn't necessarily want another obligation appearing on their phone.
What if you don't know them very well?
This comes up surprisingly often.
Maybe it's a colleague, neighbour, client or the partner of a friend.
You don't need to suddenly become incredibly intimate because they've had an operation.
Keep it warm and simple:
“Wishing you a speedy recovery and hoping you're back on your feet soon.”
A small gift with a short handwritten message is plenty.
When should you send a gift after surgery?
There is no rule saying it has to arrive the moment they're wheeled out of theatre.
In fact, a gift arriving a few days later — when the initial flurry of calls and messages has quietened down — can be particularly welcome.
If they're recovering at home for several weeks, something arriving halfway through can be a lovely surprise too.
Recovery isn't only difficult on day one.
What is the best gift for someone recovering from surgery?
There isn't one.
And that's probably the most useful answer.
Think about the person rather than the operation.
Would they love disappearing into a book for the afternoon? Send the book.
Are they a chocolate person? You know what to do.
Would they enjoy opening a box with several little surprises inside? Send a gift box.
And if you're still completely stuck, don't overthink it.
The thing they'll remember isn't whether you found the world's scientifically perfect post-surgery present.
They'll remember that you thought of them.
Sending a get well gift in Ireland?
The Book Resort's Get Well Soon Gifts are packed in Waterford and can be delivered directly to homes and hospitals throughout Ireland.
You can add your own message, which we'll handwrite on a card and include inside the gift.
Shop Get Well Soon Gifts