Gifts for Caregiving Gift Baskets

By Anna Hazard

Introduction

Caregiving can be a exhausting, stress-filled and seemingly thankless task when it comes to bearing the burden of being in charge of someone else's well being. For that reason personalized caregiving gift baskets are a popular choice when it comes time to give a gift to a caretaker for their birthday, other holiday, or just as an expression of thanks for all that they do.
 
As opposed to large single gifts, a gift basket can be filled with many different objects that can be personalized to an individual's taste, that can be used in various different situations, that can cover a wider range of both necessities and  non-essential fun items, and yet still remain on the relatively inexpensive side.
 
Besides items that are explicitly related to caregiving, small objects for self care & stress relief tend to be particularly well received when it comes to gift baskets. Some further suggestions include...

Books & Magazines

• Small paperback books & magazines can provide hours of entertainment & information for a relatively inexpensive cost. These can be novels or non-fiction books & magazines in the favorite genres or otherwise covering particular topics of interest for the caregiver. Caregiving support books & magazine issues such as Caregiver's Survival Handbook & Chicken Soup for the Soup for Family Caregivers are also recommended.

Spa Care Items

• These would include such small items as bath salts, bath bombs, hand & body lotions, body sprays, soaps and other such related bath & spa related items that can help a caregiver pamper themselves while indulging in a bit of personal hygiene & grooming. Bath items that particularly focus on relaxation & stress relief such as those containing lavendar, peppermint, chamomile, valerian root, and epsom salts are recommended.

Aromatherapy Stress Relief Items

• These are small inexpensive items that are known to help with relaxation & stress relief through their soothing scents. Suggestions including calming essential oils (such as lavender, lemon, bergamot, ylang, ylang, jasmine, rose, chamomile, clary sage, lemon grass, and orange), naturally scented candles (preferably soy based which does not release soot), scented sachets, and potpourri.

Fresh Flowers

• Studies have indicated that the smell & sight of fresh flowers can be a potent mood booster with aromatherapy related benefits (for those who do not have any related pollen allergies). A few fresh buds can be added into a caregiving basket for a bit of added color & a completely natural way of taking advantage of the benefits of scent. 

Soothing Music & Ambient Sounds

• For those more aurally focused, a better source of stress relief & relaxation may come in the form of their favorite music genre or from CDs of soothing music & ambient sounds meant for helping one calm down & sleep. For those who have moved away entirely from CD players, a cheap inexpensive MP3 player can be filled with such sounds & songs or a gift certificate for Amazon, iTunes, or another digitally music site can be subbed in instead.

Stress Relief Toys

• Small inexpensive stress relief toys can be quick fillers for gift baskets while also providing a safe method for a caregiver to release a bit of pent-up stress or anxiety. Our guide to stress relief toys goes into further depth, but some suggestions for inexpensive pre-made stress relief gadgets include fidget spinners, foam squishies, gel filled balls, stretchy string, tangle sticks, and sealed cups of slime, goo, fluff, putty, or stress dough.

Massagers,& Stress Relief Gadgets

• Small handheld massagers can often be found for less than $5 and can be a quick & cheap way for a caregiver to work out some kinked & tired muscles. Small acupressure, pressure point or massage balls are another inexpensive option that would readily fit in a small gift basket. 

Anti-Stress & Headache Pillows

• These small pillows are meant to be chilled or heated and then placed either across the head or the neck area to help relieve tension, stress, and other causes of headaches. If space is a source of worry, then thinner migraine wraps can be subbed in for full pillows.

Comfy Slippers, House Socks, and Warm Blankets

• For those caregivers whose tasks often keep them at home, a small gift of comfy slippers, fuzzy socks, a warm throw or blanket, or other suitably snuggly & comfortable item are also popular choices for adding to a gift basket.

Gift Certificates, IOU's, and Thank You Notes

• Another small token of appreciation can be gift certificates for take-out or restaurants, movies, or other small services that can be used at home or provide a bit of entertainment when the caregiver is free to leave their house. IOU's for providing home cooking, chores, or sitting services (allowing the caregiver to go out for a brief break) are also a greatly appreciated gift that has no monetary cost. Personalized thank you notes can also be slipped into the gift basket.

Gourmet Teas, Coffees, & Healthy Snacks

• A tin of gourmet coffee, tea, or other pamper-worthy food item that a caregiver likes but may not normally indulge in tends to be a highly appreciated gift. In addition, healthy snack items such as fresh or dried fruits and nuts can be an inexpensive & delicious way to help a caregiver try to maintain their own health.

Caregiver Mugs, Tumblers, and Bottles

• What better way to match a gift basket filled with a caregiver's favorite coffees, teas, and other drinks then with a matching cup, travel mug, tumbler, or other suitable drink ware. Pre-made mugs for caregivers are readily available across the internet or create your own personalized mug for your special caregiver at a site that specializes in customization such as Vista Print, Shutterfly, or even Walmart.