In November of 2023, my estranged husband died. We had been separated a little over six months when he found out he had stage 4 cancer, and eight months after that, he was gone. We had stayed fairly close, and since his cancer made him non-verbal, I had been making all of his phone calls and appointments and things like that. So it was a very strange time, and when he passed, a lot of people didn’t really know how to address it with me.
Enter my boss and co-workers. They put together a sympathy basket (well, technically it was a box or two), full of items that really made me feel like someone understood. Someone got that self-care is important and takes many forms, and that humor is always appreciated even when it might not seem to be the best approach.
I Use This Mug Every Day and It Makes Me Smile
It’s a simple phrase — Sometimes you forget that you’re awesome, so this is your reminder — but when I first received this mug, it gave me all the warm fuzzies. Warm fuzzies are exactly what you need when you’re feeling sad. Now I smile every time I reach for it for my coffee. (Small caveat here - do not put this mug in the dishwasher.)
Choose Bath & Body Products With Care
I’m a sucker for things that smell good and/or make me smell good. A bubble bath or hot shower works wonders to restore my faith in humanity and my own nerves. If you're going to include items like these in a sympathy basket, aim for things that they might not already have. Sure a bath bomb or bubbles are really nice, but it's easy to go beyond these and find unique self-care items. These two items stood out to me and really made me feel pampered.
This Sugar Scrub Smells Like a Vacation
I have to admit, I’m not a huge fan of everything smelling like coconut all the time. But this heavenly sugar scrub has so much more going on! Pineapple is actually the strongest note here, with all of the other beachy/vacation vibes playing along nicely with it. And it’s really quite scrubby. Not harsh like you’re going to look sunburned when you’re done, you'll just feel nice and smooth and energized.
These Shower Steamers Make Your Daily Wash-Up a Spa Experience
Shower steamers are like bath bombs for people who want to be upright when they clean themselves. They’re little pucks full of essential oils and fizzies that smell amazing as your shower. These shower steamers by Cleverfy come in great scents, from energizing to relaxing, and those good smells last for hours in my bathroom. I used them up and bought more right away.
Go For a Bit of Laughter
Sometimes you just have to fall back on humor. I’m a fan of dark humor and sarcasm, and having a laugh is quite often the best way to deal with stressful or painful situations. This item was at the bottom of the collection of gifts, and it made me laugh out loud, even though I was crying over how thoughtful everything in the basket was. And I'm happy to say that this book has gotten plenty of use since.
An Adult Coloring Book That’s Perfect for Almost Any Situation
Looking for the perfect gift for a friend, co-worker, or family member who needs a little support? This curse-filled coloring book will make them laugh, and then prove to be useful as a productive way to let out a little frustration and stress. Bonus: It comes with double-sided markers, too. It’s like sweary creative therapy. (Not safe for children, of course.)
Know Your Audience
In the end, the best gifts you can put in a sympathy basket are those that the recipient will love. Things that make them feel supported when they're used are the perfect items — and a selection of quick-use things like bath products, along with extended-use items like the mug and coloring book, make a thoughtful collection of things that will make them smile. And cry, but it's the good kind of crying, because they feel loved and seen. And we all need that in our lives.
