
Hospital Care Package – Overnight Hospital Stay Gift
Recently, a very close friend of mine had to go into hospital for a major operation. It’s heart-breaking to see those we love facing such difficult times, and we can feel very helpless. But if there’s one thing I know, it’s hospitals – and so the Hospital Care Package was born!
Going into hospital can be very daunting – you’re not feeling at your best, you’re worried about the operation, and you may have long-term concerns for the future too. So when my wonderful friend was faced with an extensive overnight stay in hospital, I decided to put together the ultimate Hospital Care Package and it cost less than £15! Most of these items were sourced in pound shops (it’s amazing what you can find in those places!) and I bought “travel size” toiletries to keep costs and space to a minimum.
What To Pack In Your Hospital Care Package
Face Wipes
Top of the list in our hospital care package is face wipes because self-care is really important. The chances are, you’ll be stuck in bed once the operation is over. Having some face wipes within arm’s reach can make a big difference – you’ll feel so much more refreshed after you’ve washed your face, and ready to take on the day. Plus, hospitals can be really hot, stuffy places so face wipes are great for cooling you down too.
Ear Plugs
One of the worst things about an overnight hospital stay is trying to get some sleep. You’re uncomfortable, nervous, away from home, and the wards are noisy – it’s not going to be easy. But some ear plugs can help to block out the noise and help you feel more relaxed.
Eye Mask
Hospital wards are also permanently lit as nurses need to be able to keep checking on everybody. This makes it even more difficult to sleep soundly. The chances are, you’ll be having observations and medication through the night too, so you may be woken several times for those. Anything that can help you nod off quicker will really help.
Ear Phones
When you’re recovering from an operation, you might not feel up to doing much. But time passes very slowly in hospitals. Listening to music is a great way to relax and take your mind off the pain. So had to pop a set of cheap headphones into the hospital care package. You could also try downloading some audio books to listen to as well.
Water Bottle
You won’t want to jump out of bed every time you need a drink – having a water bottle on your bedside table will be a great help. It’s really important to stay hydrated so just ask one of the nurses to fill it up for you and you’ll be set for a few hours. Alternatively, you could pack a small flask so you can keep a warm drink beside you.
Deodorant
Similar to the face wipes – being able to give yourself a spray of deodorant can really lift your mood. You will probably feel quite lethargic and dependent on others during your stay, so being able to do small self-care tasks independently will feel important.
Treat
You might be nil-by-mouth (can’t eat) for a while, but having your favourite treat on standby can be a big motivation and something to look forward to. And when you’re in hospital, you deserve to have treats!
Tissues
You never know when tissues might come in handy so it’s always good to include these in a hospital care package. Plus, if you have a weepy moment, you’ll be very grateful to have a pack of these to hand.
Lip Balm
As I said, hospital wards can be warm, stuffy places, and it’s quite common to get dry lips. A bit of lip balm helps to take away that added stress and make you feel more comfortable.
Fan
And leading on from lip balm, a little handheld fan to cool you down can feel like the ultimate luxury! Even better – get your visitors to fan you while they’re chatting away!
Shampoo
The final item in the hospital care package is shampoo. Now it might seem like the last thing you want to do, but finally getting into the shower after an ordeal like this feels truly wonderful. It also feels like a big step towards coming home.
The finishing touches
So that’s a list of the essential items to include in a hospital care package. You can either make one up for yourself or give it to a friend who is facing an overnight stay in hospital.
My top tip, though, is to pop it all into a box so it’s easy to transport. We bought this plastic tub (along with most of the other items) from the pound shop. Storage space is limited in hospitals. Plus, you won’t want to root through your overnight bag looking for lose items like these. A handy box to keep everything in makes it much more accessible.
You can also enhance your hospital care package by adding some other more personal objects. Here are a few ideas to add some extra love to your box:
- Magazine
- Get Well Card
- Photographs
- A reminder something you’ve planned once you’re out
- Perfume
- List of phone numbers
- Money for TV hire or telephone minutes
- Special item from home (small!)
- New pair of socks
- Letters of encouragement from friends / children
I hope you found this list helpful. Let me know what you thought in the comments section below. Have you ever had stay overnight in hospital? What was the one thing you were most grateful to have with you? Or did you forget something that you really wished you’d taken? Do you have any other tips for helping out friends who might be going into hospital?
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This is a great care package! #BlogCrush
Great list! We hve spent a lotof time in hospitals over the last few years and I think you’ve got it spot on. #blogcrush
Oh what a lovely idea, really thoughtful. hope your friend recovers well. #blogcrush
this is such a fabulous idea. Very thoughful #blogcrush
Yes, a brilliant package. I was begging for lip balm when I was in hospital and wipes would have been great. I would have loved a flask of hot tea, and maybe a toaster and a loaf of bread with some butter…is that asking too much. I don’t know why but I craved toast all the time, lol.
That’s such a good idea, you managed to get so much for that amount I’m impressed. I think putting it all together in a box is brilliant too. Sending get well soon wishes to your friend, a bit of a scary time I’m sure! #BlogCrush
What a lovely thing to do, and well thought through!
The only thing I might avoid is the spray deodorant (or anything else with a strong scent) as there could well be others on the ward who are sensitive against perfumes and other strong smells.
Other than that, love this! #BlogCrush
This is such a good idea. Really handy and a practical way to help someone out.! #BlogCrush
Oh this is the loveliest idea! I do similar when my mum has had to go into hospital and I know it helps her to feel a little bit more like normal. I usually bring in a couple of arty magazines and a new wee sketchbook and a pencil case of mine with some art supplies as she’s very much a doodler! 🙂
Whoops, forgot to add in the #BlogCrush hashtag there! x
Lucy, this is such a grand idea! Earplugs especially would have been enormously helpful to me! #BlogCrush
Great care package. #BlogCrush
Awesome great idea, I had hospital time last year, wish i had something like this.
#BlogCrush This is such a nice thing to do! Yes to deodorant and face wipes! 🙂
This post was right up my street! An invaluable read for anyone #blogcrush
A well thought through care package. Reading material is always good to have for a hospital stay. Thanks for sharing.#blogcrush
Very thoughtful care package, and having done my fair share of hospital stays I can attest to all of these being very welcome! #BlogCrush
I hope neither I nor a loved one needs to have one of these made up but I’m so glad I read this, some of the items seem so simple but they would mean so much more in different circumstances. Such a thought provoking post. Thank you. And thank you for having me, a lovely idea for a linky.
This gift is a great idea and sure to win out over all the flower bouquets. So thoughtful. #blogcrush xoxo
This is a really good idea and when I had my girls I put together things that would cheer me up. However, one thing I couldn’t use were certain toiletries. So I guess it depends on what the person is in hospital for that will have a bearing on what you put in this. #BlogCrush
Such a thoughtful gift idea, this!
#blogcrush
Thank you so much! This is so lovely and very useful tips!
As a retired nurse and someone who has a clisecrelative who is poorly I think this is great. Really useful practical ideas. I’m planning something similar for my relative to take when attending for treatments.