The art of showing you care: Thoughtful alternatives to flowers 

Giving is such a wonderful feeling, which is why so many people love to celebrate birthdays and holidays. It can, however, be a bit of a different experience to send a gift to someone cared about during a challenging time. When a loved one has experienced a loss or has been ill, showing care in a way that expresses feelings with depth becomes important. And because flowers can seem overdone to a lot of people, here are some alternatives:

1. Care packages 

Few things say “I care” like a care package. Flowers die pretty quickly, and they don’t always get the sentiment across. Plus, they aren’t always as personal as one might like. When someone is going through a tough time, showing up for them in a way that helps them feel less alone becomes essential. The message should be, “I’m here for you.” Care packages can be filled with personal items, comfort foods, and gifts specific to the person receiving them.

What really makes a care package great is the ability to tailor it to anyone in any situation. Building a basket with sympathy gifts, a get-well-soon package, or just a basket to show thoughtfulness is possible. It is important to include items the recipient will love, tailored to their interests. This could be cozy socks and soups, cookies and slippers, or anything that demonstrates a deep understanding of the recipient. Slipping in a card with a handwritten note is even an option.

2. Books and magazines

For the reader going through a tough time, a great book or magazine can be a wonderful escape from their current struggle. Indeed, when someone is going through a difficult experience, it’s hard to get out of their heads. There are often worst-case scenarios and lots of gloom and doom taking up mental space. And, especially in the beginning, it can be hard to talk to other people about their pain or discomfort. 

A gift basket filled with great books or magazines can help take their minds off things for a while. It is important to include a good mix of both, allowing the recipient to pick and choose from longer or shorter reads. Sometimes, a novel can feel too overwhelming when in a tough headspace. Choosing a book of short stories offers a quick retreat into a different world that doesn’t require too much commitment.

3. Self care items 

One of the best ways to show someone care is to provide them with the self-care essentials they may need and not even realize it. When times are trying, it’s so easy to slip out of basic self-care that people forget to even take care of their personal hygiene. That reaction to a struggle can become a slippery slope that leads to isolation and depression. It’s much harder to pull out of those dark times than to prevent them from coming in the first place.

Helping with this prevention by supporting loved ones’ basic self-care practices is crucial. Including nice soaps, shampoos, conditioners, and lotions in a basket filled with other items like bubble baths and candles can make a significant difference. If the loved one has kids, and one is local, offering to babysit for an hour or two so they can take time to bathe and get a break from the stress can help take down any barriers they might have to self-care.

4. Coffee and tea

A wonderful comfort item that shows care is an offering of coffee or tea. There are many ways to make this offering, and all of them send a clear message of sympathy or empathy. Almost everyone loves either coffee or tea, and if not, it’s likely they just haven’t had a high-quality coffee or tea yet. Now is the chance to introduce one or both to a loved one. It’s important to focus on high-quality products and then find a way to share them.

Inviting a friend or family member for coffee or tea at a favourite cafe can be an ideal way to lift spirits. Offering to handle transportation by picking up and dropping off the guest can alleviate concerns about travel. For those not in the vicinity, sending a gift through the mail that comprises a nice mug and bags of favourite tea or coffee is a thoughtful alternative. Including a note with the gift that explains the best way to prepare the beverage enhances the personal touch of the gesture.

5. Potted plants

Finally, one awesome alternative to flowers is a potted plant. The biggest downside to flowers is that they die, and they often die quickly. Then, the loved one will have to find a place to store the empty vase and get rid of the dead flowers. Those dead flowers might remind them of darker times. Completely flipping this experience by gifting a potted plant instead allows for it to be placed in the home or planted in the garden.

“Be sure to choose a lively, hard-to-kill plant in a bright colour. Knowing the loved one’s hardiness zone is essential, as it allows for the selection of a plant or flower that will grow well should they decide to plant it. When giving an indoor plant, including fertiliser can help it thrive indoors. As an added gift, offering to spend time outside with a friend or family member planting the plant together can enrich the experience. Bringing coffee or tea along for the activity can transform it into a triple gift.

There are many wonderful ways to show love and care, going well beyond the traditional offering of flowers. The most important step is to consider the recipient’s preferences, interests, and potential reaction to the gift in the given situation. Personalizing the gift allows for a demonstration of thoughtfulness and support during significant times. Taking this extra step to personalize a gift creates a lasting memory for the loved one, enduring well beyond the physical lifespan of the gift itself.

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