It’s not always easy to know what to get our loved ones as holiday season rolls around – and I know it can be even more difficult finding something special for a friend or family member going through cancer treatment. You want the gift to be thoughtful, useful, meaningful and practical – and with stores filled with alcohol, rich food and stuff you’re unlikely to use more than a couple of times, sourcing an appropriate present is easier said than done.
I’ve put together this dedicated gift guide to help you find the perfect pressie for the special person in your life who is dealing with cancer. These lovely ideas have been carefully chosen with your loved one’s holistic health and wellbeing in mind, featuring festive yet thoughtful treats they’ll truly cherish and appreciate this giving season.
Not another bunch of flowers website
This fabulous website is a go-to all year round for me, not just during Christmas. They specialise in versatile, unique (and sensibly-priced!) hampers and gift boxes which come readymade but can also be customised with a huge variety of options. They’re a small, independent company whose founder started the business following her own cancer diagnosis, when she noticed there were no dedicated sites offering care packages and gifts for people going through serious illnesses. You can choose from lots of lovely themes including food and drink, wellbeing, positive vibes, at-home spa and cosy comfort.
Gift vouchers
Not everyone is aware of the dedicated holistic support that is available alongside traditional cancer treatment – and sometimes they may not think to purchase a session for themselves. Show them you care by giving them the all-important space needed to reset, renew and heal - a moment of calm which helps to relieve stress and tension. I offer a variety of vouchers suited to all budgets at my holistic practice, so you can give your loved one a chance to rest and restore with gentle nurturing care to soothe mind, body and spirit. Within my practice I provide specialised care tailored to individuals going through cancer treatment, helping them to prioritise relaxation and wellbeing. Gift vouchers can be purchased here.
Winter warmers
Anything that helps to keep the cold at bay is a great gift for a loved one with cancer. The impact of surgery, chemo and/or radiotherapy can leave you feeling raw and more exposed to the elements, and the freezing temperatures are felt much more strongly. Treat them to a soft cosy blanket or thick, fluffy dressing gown – you can now even buy plush heated throws which are also excellent for relieving pain and providing much-needed comfort during the colder months. You can also get them something to wear when they’re out and about – a lovely soft beanie hat, smartphone-friendly gloves or a thick scarf in their favourite style and colour are all great ideas for this.
A good book
Books get us through a lot of difficult times in life – and a cancer diagnosis is no different. With books we can escape to another world, get lost in a twisting tale or learn more about ourselves and the world with non-fiction and self-care guides. Books will always feature on my gift list for loved ones with cancer – and when it comes to buying, be sure to personalise the titles you pick to your loved one’s special interests and reading preferences.
Self-care essentials
Winter can really take its toll on our skin, and chapped lips, dry patches, tightness and discomfort can all be amplified due to the symptoms of cancer and side-effects of treatment. Sourcing nourishing lip balm, hand and foot cream (organic and as natural as possible) could be a real treat for your loved one which can help to soothe and heal suffering skin. Another great gift idea is a silk or high-quality satin pillow case – helping to reduce scalp sensitivity and discomfort during sleep and encouraging new hair growth for those who are post-chemotherapy.
Healing crystals
Not everyone is aware of (or interested in) the incredible healing power of crystals – and for those who are open to it crystals can be a really special and thoughtful gift. Try to source high quality, ethical crystals from a reputable trader wherever possible – most crystal shops will be happy to discuss provenance with you and can even guide and advise you on which crystals may be best for your loved one at this time based on the specific struggles they are facing. Crystals are wonderful because they’re versatile and can help with many different aspects of our overall health and wellbeing, with benefits for body, mind and spirit.
You could purchase some beautiful, eye-catching pieces for your friend or family member to place around the home, but one of my favourite things about crystals is that they’re wearable. A stunning, sparkly bracelet or necklace could lift their spirits and deliver some much-needed holistic help where it’s needed most. Labradorite is one of my go-to stones for cancer patients – so a crystal pendant necklace is a great all-rounder.
For more ideas and ways you can help and support a loved one with cancer, read more related articles here: https://www.physiocareholistics.co.uk/blog
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