Holidays & Entertaining Gift Guide 2023: 101+ Best Gift Ideas 35 Practical, Helpful Gift Ideas for a Sick or Injured Loved One Send a get-well gift that says you really care—and that you know what’s really helpful. By Lisa Milbrand Lisa Milbrand Lisa Milbrand has more than 20 years of experience as a lifestyle writer and editor, writing thousands of articles on topics that help people live better and healthier lives for Real Simple, Parents, and dozens of other top publications. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on December 8, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products—learn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. Real Simple / Sabrina Jiang There are plenty of things you can do to help out when the people you care about are sick, injured, or recovering from an illness or surgery—whether it's bring over meals, help walk their dog, or send a sweet card or gift to let them know you're thinking of them. Care package ideas are great if you're packing up a whole box to send your far-flung buddy, and flowers or food are traditional gift ideas for people who are sick or injured. But some of the best gifts for sick friends can be practical, comforting, and home-focused: You want to encourage your friend or family member to stay home, rest, and get healthy again. Even if you can't be there to give them a hand, these gifts can really help them out. The Best Ways to Help a Friend Deal With an Illness or Injury Our Top Picks Away The Everywhere Zip Backpack at Awaytravel.com Jump to Review Canopy Canopy Humidifier at Getcanopy.co Jump to Review Galanz Retro Electric Kettle at Amazon Jump to Review Instacart Gift Card at Amazon Jump to Review Republic of Tea Immunity SuperGreen Tea and Manuka Honey Set at Republicoftea.com Jump to Review Parachute Classic Turkish Cotton Bathrobe at Nordstrom Jump to Review Quince Mongolian Cashmere Ribbed Beanie at Onequince.com Jump to Review Bestinnkits Gravity-Induction Mug Warmer at Amazon Jump to Review Pottery Barn Fireside Cozy Sherpa Reversible Throws at Pottery Barn Jump to Review L'Occitane Pillow Mist at Loccitane.com Jump to Review Away The Everywhere Zip Backpack Away View On Awaytravel.com If they're heading to the hospital—or just need to bring a lot of stuff with them on doctor's visits—a backpack is the perfect hands-free way to stash everything they need. Away's travel backpack features a locking zipper and a second hidden zipper so they can secure any valuables they're bringing with them. It's made of water-resistant nylon to minimize stains and spills, and has plenty of room for everything they need. (And bonus: This will definitely come in handy when they're ready to head somewhere a lot more fun!) Canopy Humidifier Canopy Humidifier 4.2 View On Getcanopy.co Dry winter air can make colds and sore throats feel worse, skin feel dry and flaky—and even help transmit viruses to other people. Add humidity to the air seamlessly with Canopy's easy-to-use humidifier, which runs for 36 hours on a single fill, can be cleaned in the dishwasher, and keeps up to 500 square feet of space nicely humidified. Galanz Retro Electric Kettle with Heat Resistant Handle and Cordless Pour Amazon View On Amazon View On Home Depot View On Macy's A hot cup of tea may be just what the doctor ordered when they're feeling under the weather. Having a cute (and cheerful) electric kettle on hand can make a quick cup of tea—or an instant soup or other meal—super easy to manage. This kettle has automatic shutoff and boil dry protections, to ensure that the kettle's just as safe as it is stylish. Instacart Gift Card Instacart View On Amazon View On Instacart.com If they can't get out and about (and you're not there to run errands for them), an Instacart gift card lets them order just about anything from their local pharmacies, grocery stores, chain stores, and more, and have it delivered in a few hours right to their doorstep. Republic of Tea Immunity SuperGreen Tea and Manuka Honey Set Republic of Tea View On Republicoftea.com Tea seems to have magical powers to help you feel better if you're under the weather. This Republic of Tea set pairs immunity-boosting green tea with equally immune-boosting Manuka honey to help soothe scratchy throats. Parachute Classic Turkish Cotton Bathrobe 5 Parachute View On Nordstrom View On Parachute Keep them undercover in the hospital or while they're convalescing at home with a superplush bathrobe. Parachute's posh Turkish cotton version comes in unisex sizing for both men and women. Quince Mongolian Cashmere Ribbed Beanie Quince View On Onequince.com Even if they're not getting out and about, a comfy hat will help them stay cozy at home and cover up messy bedhead or treatment-related hair loss. This ultra-soft cashmere version will be especially welcoming for your favorite patient. Bestinnkits Gravity-Induction Mug Warmer Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart This ultra-popular mug warmer will keep a mug of broth or tea perfectly piping for hours, to help ensure they stay hydrated. Pottery Barn Fireside Cozy Sherpa Reversible Throws Pottery Barn View On Pottery Barn There's nothing better than an ultra-soft throw when you're feeling lousy. This super affordable (and incredibly plush) throw will help them feel comforted as they recuperate. L'Occitane Cocon de Sérénité Relaxing Pillow Mist L'Occitane View On Loccitane.com Help them drift off to sleep with this comforting pillow mist, which can be sprayed on their pillow or in their room to infuse them with the soothing scents of lavender and bergamot. Reef Cushion Homey Snuggles Women's Slippers Reef View On Reef.com These easy-to-slide-on house shoes can keep their feet comfy while they're sick or injured—and are durable enough (and cute enough) to wear out on errands when they're on the mend. The cozy slippers are made of 100% recycled plastic wool felt and faux shearling. (And there's a men's version too!) KickIt Home Recovery Pajamas KickIt View On Kickitpajamas.com A pair of comfy pajamas may just be the perfect gift for someone who is sick or injured. These super-soft PJs are designed for people who are recovering from surgery, but they're pretty enough for anyone who's under the weather. They're buttery soft, feature a wrap-style top and a super-gentle waistband to avoid pressing hard on any tender spots. The interior pockets are great for protecting and carrying any drains, tubes, or wires, while the exterior pockets can manage anything else they want to have handy. (And they look cute too!) Levoit Core 300 True HEPA Air Purifier Courtesy of Levoit View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Target Clean air is an essential for good health, whether they're sick with something contagious that they're hoping not to pass on to the rest of their family, or they're hoping to avoid sniffling and sneezing due to dust or pet dander while they're convalescing. Levoit's top-rated (and super-quiet) air purifier features a true HEPA filter that'll clean the air in a typical bedroom in less than 15 minutes, removing airborne particles 0.3 microns in size. Bath and Body Works Warm Vanilla Sugar Moisturizing Hand Sanitizer Bath and Body Works View On Bathandbodyworks.com When you're constantly washing or sanitizing your hands, it's all too easy to end up with dry, scaly hands. These moisturizing hand sanitizers come in a bunch of different fragrances, and feature shea, aloe, and vitamin E to help keep hands soft. ChappyWrap Herringbone Shawl ChappyWrap View On Chappywrap.com A cozy shawl is the perfect easy-on, easy-off way to warm up when they're feeling sick—and it can even be used as a mini-throw for their legs or feet instead. It's made of a super-soft cotton blend so it's easy to wash too. (And obviously, this will look chic when they're finally feeling better!) EllieGrid Smart Pill Box Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart If your gift recipient has a lot of new pills to manage, this smart pill organizer can keep them on track. The generously sized slots can hold up to seven different meds (and up to a full bottle of each). The app will alert them when it's time to take their meds—and the box itself lights up to show which meds to take, to help ensure they never miss a dose. Lush Twilight Gift Set Lush View On Lushusa.com A little pampering can go a long way toward helping someone who's sick feel better. This set features Lush's uber-popular, lavender-infused Sleepy fragrance in their signature bath bombs, shower gel, and a creamy moisturizer that'll help your loved one feel less stressed and ready for rest. Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) 4.8 Amazon View On Amazon View On Target View On Home Depot Yes, this get-well gift will play music, tell them the weather and the latest news, and serve as an alarm clock or a white noise machine. But paired with smart devices, it can help them control electronics around the house from their bed. And if there are other Alexa devices (or loved ones with the Alexa app on their phones), they can use Alexa's "announce" command to send out an APB for help throughout the house, or the "drop in" command to connect with a certain device to chat with their loved one. (The higher priced Echo Shows also feature a screen where you can upload images for an ongoing slide show, or connect with streaming services to catch the latest on Netflix, Prime, or Hulu.) Beekman 1802 First Kiss Lip Balm Set Beekman 1802 View On Beekman1802.com Doesn't it always seem like your lips get chapped and sore the second the rest of you isn't feeling well? This collection of goat milk-infused balms feature shea, sunflower seed oil, and other emollients to help soothe and heal chapped lips—and come in four different scents to keep it fresh. Klorane Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk 4.8 Amazon View On Amazon View On Macy's View On Skinstore.com Hair washing can be tough when someone's under the weather (especially after a surgery, when they may not be able to shower or bathe). This highly rated dry shampoo helps soak up oils and grease—and leaves behind a soft, pleasant scent. Brooklinen Adelphi Jumpsuit Brooklinen View On Brooklinen Help your friend feel pulled-together while staying absolutely comfy by giving her a jumpsuit as a get-well gift. This super-soft jersey version from Brooklinen, which is easy-on, easy-off—and a little bit roomy—comes in pretty colors and won't pinch or push against tender spots. SAIJI Adjustable Laptop Stand Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart It's a little on the pricey side, but this sleek lap desk can do just about everything—it's roomy enough for serving meals or working on a laptop, tilts to make it easy to watch shows on a tablet or read, and has a clever storage drawer where they can stash their glasses, meds, and other items they want close at hand. Axelrod Orthopedic Adjustable Wedge Set Amazon View On Amazon Bed pillows just won't cut it when they're trying to get comfortable to read, sleep, or eat in bed or on the couch. This plush set of pillows can be configured in all sorts of different ways so they can find the perfect position to rest and recover. (And they'll likely find it comes in handy for relaxing after they're feeling better too.) TrekProof Reusable Hot and Cold Therapy Gel Wrap Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart Be prepared for every ache and pain with these reusable hot and cold packs, which can be microwaved or frozen, depending on their preference. Apple iPad (9th Generation) Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Target The ultra-lightweight tablet offers plenty of ways to entertain a hospitalized or bed-ridden patient, from games and books to movies and video calls with loved ones. Throw in an Apple Pencil so they can do artwork or take notes when they ask their doctor questions. Ostrichpillow Eye Mask Ostrichpillow View On Ostrichpillow.com This puffy mask (from the folks who made that infamously odd-looking travel pillow) comfortably blocks all the light without putting any pressure on their eyes so they can catch some Zs, even in a busy (lighted) hospital room. Spoonful of Comfort Get Well Soon Gift Package Spoonful of Comfort View On Spoonfulofcomfort.com Soup is almost universally beloved when you're ill or injured—and these cozy care packages can come stocked with several varieties of soup, rolls, cookies, and other get-well gifts. Bombas Gripper Slippers 4.7 Bombas View On Anthropologie View On Bombas.com View On Dick's These hybrid slipper socks are lightweight yet cozy, with grippy soles that help prevent slips and falls—perfect for staying cozy in the hospital or at home, long after they feel better. GE Full Color Direct Connect Smart Bulb GE View On Amazon View On Best Buy Smart bulbs may seem like a weird present, but hear us out: These easy-to-install bulbs sync with their smartphone—and your favorite patient can easily turn them off and on (or change the hue) using voice commands and an Amazon Alexa or Google Home product—or the apps on their phones. The New York Times Mini Crosswords, Volume 2: 150 Easy Fun-Sized Puzzles The New York Times View On Amazon View On Barnesandnoble.com View On Nytimes.com For the fan of Wordle (and other word-related games), this book offers a collection of some of the most challenging crossword puzzles on the planet in a small, compact size that's perfect for tossing into a hospital bag or keeping bedside. GrubHub Gift Card Grubhub View On Amazon View On Grubhub.com Whatever the reason, they're likely not leaving the house much. Help them enjoy good food—and convenient meals—with a gift card to a food delivery service, which will let them order their favorite meals straight to their door. Hydro Flask Standard Mouth 18oz Water Bottle 4.3 Amazon View On Amazon View On Academy.com View On Ems.com Double-wall vacuum insulation preserves liquid temperature for hours; your stuck-at-home friend or family member will be able to keep temperature-perfect fluids close-at-hand all day long without constantly needing to get up for more ice or to reheat, so they'll be more comfortable and better hydrated. Apple 2m Lightning to USB Cable 4.5 Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Target If they're stuck at home, they're likely resting and recuperating—and if not, no one likes leaning over an outlet to keep their phone charging. This extra-long charging cord is four times as long as the standard one, so they can rest and relax far from the nearest outlet without giving up their phone. (This may also mean more FaceTiming for you!) Crutcheze Crutch Bags Crutcheze View On Amazon View On Crutcheze.com An injured limb is difficult enough to manage, but crutches—a mobility solution—come with their own set of problems. Alleviate a few with a crutch bag, which has room for essentials they'll want to carry with them even when they don't have a free hand. Yuni Shower Sheets Amazon View On Amazon View On CVS View On Dick's Whether they need to keep their surgical dressing or cast dry, or they're feeling too out of sorts to hit the shower, extra-large citrus-mint shower sheets will help them feel fresh—no rinsing required. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit