Gifts for someone with terminal illness

Crossword or Su Doku perhaps? a lot of those to choose from and light to post.

paint by numbers....

Audio books, puzzles and crosswords, sodoku, poetry book and perhaps something nice treat to eat or a special handcream (for the lady).

For the lady something frivolous and luxurious, a beatiful item of clothing like a nightdress, bed jacket or if they are up and about, a beautiful throw or frivolous underwear. Get you your male relative a bottle of his favourite tipple

I suspect they are getting lots of sensible and practical gifts. What they well need is something to lift their heart and spirits and smile.

I was given a beautiful fine stole which I took into hospital, it was easy to slip round shoulders when sitting up. When I lay down at night the bedcover didn't reach my shoulders so I used the stole to bridge the gap. I was also given puzzle books and nice glossy magazines, sometimes the attention span is that of a gnat so weighty tomes not a good idea. DVDs are good and DH uploaded a lot of music on to an MP3 player.

I agree, M0nica. Most of the other gifts suggested do sound rather like 'time-fillers', which I'd have thought they'd already have plenty of.

Something gorgeous for the lady and something funny/and or comforting for the gent. You will know their personalities better than we do, bartonlady, I'm sure you will choose well

Our friend who is terminally ill has a fluctuating appetite. He still enjoys tasty food but not much of any one kind. When we visit we take little food (sweet and savoury) treats. The garden centres are good hunting grounds or a delicatessen. bartonlady I know you are not close by to your relations but if another relative does live close by maybe they could get something on your behalf? Otherwise I would agree, something frivolous you can post is better than serious or something designed for a sick person. My Mum loved to get hand and body creams, her skin got very dry and anything that didn't smell like a hospital was positive as far as she was concerned. Good luck with the hunting. Sometimes just a surprise is good.

A really funny book if you can find one

You are a good friend

There's a gift website created by a woman who had cancer, it is called "not another bunch of flowers" - there may be some ideas on there:

www.notanotherbunchofflowers.com/

I agree with the DVD's. I have bought a few from when I was a lot younger recently like The Duchess of Duke Street so maybe something from their younger days. I bought my dad a DVD of The Comedians from the '70's but I didn't get to share it with him unfortunately. On the hand cream front, my dad's hands and arms got sore at the end so just saying, he flinched to be touched. Maybe a very soft hair brush so someone could be gently brush their hair, nail polish and little nail jewels, a mini hamper of favourite jams, a newspaper from their youth/birth, naming a star, planting a tree. I have a friend who is terminal and haven't thought of taking anything as he has a big family, but you have given me some though that I should get off my bum and go. I did see him about four weeks ago but he was given six weeks then so it's time to go and visit and to take something he would like. Thank you. I hope your friends have lovely birthdays, surrounded by their loved ones. Take care. X

Thank you all for taking the time to give me your ideas! I'll certainly be using them. I knew I would get answers!

Thank you Grannyknot the website is brilliant!