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What would you gift self isolators?

(92 Posts)
Ohmother Thu 12-Mar-20 08:37:27

If someone without the virus but ‘Just in case’ had decided to self isolate for 14 days what would you gift them to keep their spirits up? To be left on their doorstep!

Elijah Thu 12-Mar-20 10:54:06

My FaceTime address! I know from experience that loneliness is the worse thing!

exFengirl Thu 12-Mar-20 10:54:46

Warning: please do leave the new Hilary Mantel, because it will take a long time to read, but leave a lectern or book stand as well because it is very, very heavy. Weight, not content.

Tillybelle Thu 12-Mar-20 10:54:52

My phone number, a jotter and pen and a message saying to write down anything she needs, and tell me if I may phone her regularly and leave her messages in the polythene bag on her doorstep with the pebble to stop it blowing away. Plus some flowers and something she likes e.g. if she bakes, ingredients, knits? wool, etc.

Jess20 Thu 12-Mar-20 10:56:50

If it was us, nitromores and sandpaper, we'll finish stripping the fireplaces and skirtingboards.

NotSpaghetti Thu 12-Mar-20 11:04:27

Does she have a garden?
Maybe something to enjoy there? New kneeling pad, some seeds or voucher for seed catalogue (if not already too late).

Madmaggie Thu 12-Mar-20 11:04:38

A handful of magazines they've not read a box of fancy biscuits, a bottle of their fav tipple. A book of crossword puzzles and a seed/plant catalogue if they've a garden. And some little packages to be opened one per day one of which must be maltesers smile

NotSpaghetti Thu 12-Mar-20 11:05:33

Ha ha Jess20 ?

Anrol Thu 12-Mar-20 11:13:47

A ready cooked/prepared meal; a pot of ... ; a casserole; a gratin; a bowl of salad; a pie; trifle; ice cream; etc, etc., you know the person likes.

Aepgirl Thu 12-Mar-20 11:17:26

Definitely jigsaw puzzles, flowers, books, and a daily phone call (at least). Maybe a special parcel of toilet rolls and hand gel!!!

Anrol Thu 12-Mar-20 11:18:17

BTW: I have just started listening to the new Hilary Mantel book via Audible, it’s already enthralling. There’s 37 hours of it, so that should help an isolated person while away the time!

wot Thu 12-Mar-20 11:21:35

Some hand gel.

Cornwallgal Thu 12-Mar-20 11:31:06

Flowers, wine and a reminder of my phone number so we can text

seacliff Thu 12-Mar-20 11:32:14

Fresh fruit and veg lovely for doorstep. But also, if she has a smart phone, suggest setting up a new WhatsApp group for yourself, her and any mutual friends. Then you can all easily chat/send pics regularly, and she will feel involved still. You can also have free phone calls on it. It's very easy to do.

Also to keep her brain occupied, lots of free short courses here. www.futurelearn.com/courses

Theoddbird Thu 12-Mar-20 11:34:38

Probably fruit and veg as this is something I have to buy regularly so presume others do as well.

farview Thu 12-Mar-20 11:43:37

polnan ???

Chardy Thu 12-Mar-20 11:58:51

Wool, a crochet hook and a link to Bella Coco on YouTube

NannyG123 Thu 12-Mar-20 12:12:47

Skype her. Magazines and wine.

Merryweather Thu 12-Mar-20 12:14:14

Two weeks of isolation sounds like utter bliss at the moment.
All I think I would like is chocolate and lots of it.
I'm happy to read the days away (I have several books in the unread pile, plus kindle at my fingertips), listen to music, be entertained by my daft cat and snooze when I feel like it. Being away from the children would be the hardest part. I love their snuggles and chatter.

Flakesdayout Thu 12-Mar-20 12:38:35

I have been stuck in after leaving Hospital and having very low immunity. What I liked most was phone calls and text messages from family and friends. A subscription to Netflix (via my son and daughter in law) , flowers and chocolate.

hugshelp Thu 12-Mar-20 12:57:49

Audio books that can be accessed online and regular phone calls or emails. If someone is self-isolating I wouldn't want to send items into their home since the virus can live on surfaces for up to 9 days, just more stuff to consider cleaning.

anna7 Thu 12-Mar-20 13:20:57

I wish I could think of something to keep my 90 year old mother entertained. She lives in a retirement block of apartments. She hates staying in and gets depressed but I think she would be wise to avoid supermarkets and crowds at the very least. I can easily do her shopping but she insists on going out. She is mentally as sharp as ever but physically frail with several underlying conditions. She has arthritis in her hands and failing eye sight so can't see, or draw and paint like she used to. She hates cooking and baking and doesn't eat much anyway. She likes to read and watches some TV but it's a problem.

SueDonim Thu 12-Mar-20 13:22:40

A small group of my friends has set up a list so that if anyone has spares of paracetamol/loo rolls etc they’ll mail them to anyone who is without. smile

If anyone wants to send me anything, I’d like a rubbish skip! I reckon I could do a decent declutter of my house in a fortnight’s enforced confinement.

winifred01 Thu 12-Mar-20 13:23:32

Subscription to Readly ,hundreds of magazines, so much cheaper than buying them. I love it!

sodapop Thu 12-Mar-20 13:34:31

Books, choc, Whatsapp with my family. That's me sorted. Suppose I had better include fresh fruit and veg to help me stay healthy.

NannanTo4 Thu 12-Mar-20 13:40:15

@NotRight
I have, today, self isolated.
Snowflake I am not!!
I wish I was so ignorant to be able to make judgement on others.
Having been through two separate episodes in my life that were explained to me as being medically ‘1 in a million’ on both counts - I know it can happen to me, you, him and her.
I am not prepared to invite it (C19) into my life.
My self isolation is my home, garden, car, and my daughters homes if they need me.
I would ask that you be kind and keep your not nice opinions to yourself.
My self isolation is not harming you in anyway
63yr concerned NannanTo4