It seems like everyone has someone close to them fighting cancer. In fact, we have at least two people close to us currently undergoing treatment. So when we were asked to participate in the kindness campaign being sponsored by the law firm, Environmental Litigation Group, P.C., we thought long and hard about what we would put in our Cancer gift basket.
Unlike my C-section gift basket and our sick mom get-well kit, this is a basket that I hate that I had a reason to make.
My sister’s mother in law, who my kids lovingly call, “Auntie Lyn,” is undergoing treatment for breast cancer. Before I agreed to publish these gift ideas, I asked her permission so the gift basket was not a surprise. However, she had no idea what we planned to put in the basket.
Cancer treatment is extremely taxing. Cancer treatment in the weather has to be even more so. The kids and I decided on a mix of handmade and personalized gift choices.
What we put in our Cancer treatment gift basket
Affiliate links are included where applicable for your shopping convenience.
Handmade gifts — cards, mohawk beanie, and a loom bracelet
I quit crocheting a few years ago after I had the great idea to make and sell custom crocheted beanies.
I made a killing. The money poured in and I purchased annual Disney World Passes for our entire family of four with “crochet money”. I crocheted so much in a span of two years that my hands were cramped and yarn took over our home. So I stopped. It was no longer fun being a one woman beanie factory.
However, Auntie Lyn requested a mohawk hat and so I dusted off my crochet hook. I actually enjoyed crocheting again. But I have no intention to start listing hats on Etsy again. Ever. (I do sell planner printables in my Etsy shop, though 😆 )
The kids made cards and Pea made a pink Breast Cancer Awareness bracelet with her Rainbow Loom.
Entertainment
Puzzles
Puzzles are a great choice for chasing away cabin fever. If someone is going through chemo or radiation treatment, they may not feel up to going out and about. However, puzzles are a fun way to pass the time with family members.
For times when a solo puzzle is preferred, we chose a Sodoku book.
Books
I knew ahead of time that my friend loves puzzles and what books she likes to read. (I used to check out her bookshelves every time we visited!) Books are always a great choice. If you don’t know what books to get, ask family members or grab some popular titles.
Comfort
It goes without saying that some days Lyn won’t feel up to puzzles or reading. So I included a warm/cold gel eye mask to help with headaches and a comfy throw (in Alabama’s color) for her to curl up in.
Huge thanks go to my sister Kathryn and my brother-in-law Andrew for hand delivering our gift basket. Andrew Bunn gets credit for the delivery pictures.
When it comes down to it, everything in our chemo care basket was included as a way to show her that even though she now lives in another state, we are thinking about her and cheering her on.
Even if you don’t personally know a patient, you can participate in this cancer awareness and kindness campaign by making a gift basket to bring to a local hospital. Nothing compares to being able to brighten someone’s day with a little gesture to show that you care. Find out more about the Kindness campaign here.
This post was sponsored by Environmental Litigation Group, P.C. however, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
I’d love to hear your gift ideas!
J. Ivy Boyter says
We’re putting together a basket for a friend who had a sudden diagnosis. And, we included a lot of the same things. I even found an adult coloring book like “F… Cancer” or something like that. I thought it was a great addition 🙂