Let’s talk about flowers. I know many people who’ve experienced cancer, say not to buy flowers, even though they are beautiful and very thoughtful. During your treatment, flowers are quite an effort to look after, particularly as making yourself a cup of tea is even too much on some days. It would be helpful to give flowers in a vase or a house plant instead. Remember, some people during chemo don’t like certain smells, and they can be triggering later on, so maybe avoid strong-smelling flowers.
Hot water bottle with a difference… a Cosymajig by Belinda! I was so cold, all the time (and still am), and especially during treatment. I constantly had a hot water bottle stuffed down my leggings until summer started. This super lady has invented the Cosymajig… a hot water bottle that you can wear across your tummy, front or back and it’s even got pockets to keep your hands warm on the front. Belinda also had breast cancer hence the design. (She gives them to homeless people too, what an absolute angel.) I’m now using mine every day, thank you Belinda.
£ 85 – £105 plus P&P. To order
This magazine is like a work of art. It’s full of it, uses beautiful fonts, is easy on the eye and not full of adverts, just a few.
The Simple Things believed there was a better way to create and publish magazines – where the readers were as important as the advertisers, where the paper quality and design were valued and where the words and pictures weren’t always trying to sell stuff. They didn’t want to portray perfection, didn’t tell people what to do. They wanted their readers to feel better, not worse.
They did it! It works! It’s beautiful!
£58 for a year subscription including, P&P. A 6-month subscription is also available.
To order. use code MYFRIEND
Beautiful and tactile mug… if your friend has a dog and loves the sea, this could be a wonderful gift. Every time I held my hot drink in my mug, I felt the wash of the sea, and the thought of seeing my dogs running on the beach again gave me something to look forward to and hope for the future. Believe me, I dreamt of the beach daily, but I just didn’t have the energy to get there.
These unique mugs are made by hand to order, photos are examples only.
£30 plus P&P. To order please email julie@whatcanigetmyfriendwithcancer.co.uk
My friend made me a beautiful bangle; I never take it off. It’s unique, handmade and solid silver. They come in small, medium and large and you can deal with her directly here. Her name is Nikki and she’s awesome. She also makes hearts on a silver chain.
£25 Silver hearts with a silver chain and £40 Silver Bangles (includes P&P).
To order please email nikkinewcombe@gmail.com
100 % Cashmere Beanie. So, here’s one of the reasons I started this website. This gift was one of the most comforting things I was given. I found wigs scratchy and uncomfortable, and wearing a cashmere hat felt like a second skin, it kept me warm but also cool during those hot flushes. You can also buy cashmere socks from The House of Bruar; these were another lovely gift I was given.
£39.95 plus P&P. To order
Silk Pillowcase. I never knew about these at the time of my treatment, but they have come highly recommended to me by a friend who also lost her hair due to chemotherapy. Silk is known for its beauty and softness. A pure 100% mulberry silk pillowcase is a delight to sleep on because it is so gentle on the skin.
£37 – £70 plus P&P. To order
Letters from Afar. This is such an amazing idea. I couldn’t concentrate on reading a whole book, but receiving a letter once a month – particularly one that is so beautifully illustrated and gives hope of travelling in the future – was a perfect gift. I love to travel, so learning the culture, cuisine, wildlife, landmarks, oddities, heritage and more about countries I’ve never been to was perfect. The company also donates a percentage to help schools in less privileged communities worldwide. Approx £40 for 6 months subscription. American website, ships worldwide.
My friend has children – what gifts might be helpful?
If you have experienced cancer and have any other helpful gift ideas, please let me know.