Hospital Gift for a 15 year old

[Pooh_Friend#1]

My SO's 15 year old niece is having heart surgery at the Children's hospital in Boston. Her family is from FL and they will be flying into Boston. We would like to send her something to let her know we are thinking about her. Does anybody have any ideas what we could send her? We would like to keep it under $30.

I checked out 1-800 Flowers and they have some very cute arrangements, does anyone have any free shipping discount codes to use?

 

[barkley]

depending on the unit she's in they may not allow flowers in the room (dd had orthopedic surgery but was housed overnight in a unit of pediatric cases such that flowers were not allowed in any of the rooms). if you know which hospital you could call and see if they permit balloon bouquets.

depending on the girl (and her family's position on it) i think one of the best gifts is to send magazines and tabloids-they are fun to read and since the articles are short and varied they are perfect when your energy may go up and down. some hospital gift shops will let you order over the phone and do a delivery to the room.

when my step neice had surgery i learned that she would not be able to wear anything that she had to pull over her head (only button or zip up the front)-so i went to the store and bought a couple of inexpensive shirts she could use during recovery. you could see what stores are around the hospital-if it's a large enuf one there may even be some that will do a gift delivery.

 

[luvwinnie]

Sorry, I don't have any codes...balloons might be more affordable or cookies IF she is allowed to have them.

 

[briannesmom]

I would check with the hospital before you send flowers or balloons. When my nephew was in the hospital last month they could not have flowers or balloons in the room.
A gift basket with some magazines, chap stick, hand cream and maybe a hand held video game like solitare would be nice.

Amy

 

[AprilShowers]

Find out what kind of hand-held game system she has. All teens have them these days! And buy her a new game for it. They run around $30 each.

Also, does she have an ipod? Maybe you could get her a GC for itunes to download some new music before she checks in.

 

[tiggger1]

what about a cookie bouquet? they are cute and yummy!

 

[Alicia87]

Pooh_Friend,

My DD15 just had open heart surgery last March. She was unable to have flowers, however, she LOVED the gifts of magazines, Victoria Secret pj pants and cami (easily moved for vitals, tests, etc.), stuffed animals, and junk food baskets. Unfortunately, she didn't even really get to enjoy all of these things until she returned home because she just didn't feel "up to par" while in the hospital. Another one of her favorite "gifts" were cards that were made for her on the hospital's website by her friends and delivered to her room everyday (Children's Hospital in Columbus does this, and I bet all of the do too).

Saying a prayer for your SO's neice!!! Keep us updated!!

 

[tink_n_pooh]

Vermont teddy bears are adorable and a good option if you aren't sure if she will be able to have flowers/balloons or not. Maybe a pajama-gram? Neither one is exactly a 'budget' gift but they are very cute and the vermont teddy bears are excellent quality, they will last forever

 

[golfgal]

You can get handheld games like someone mentioned at Walmart, etc for around $10-12. You could get a couple of them and some extra batteries. DH has a handheld Sudoko (or however you spell it) and that would be great. They are also nice for the at home time when she probably won't be able to do as much as she is used to doing.

I also like the idea of comfy pj's or clothes to wear in the hospital.

 

[Pooh_Friend#1]

Thanks for all the ideas. I called the hospital and she can have flowers, but cannot have latex balloons.

I like the idea of the pajama-gram and the cookie bouquet. Where can I hook up with this?

 

[tiggger1]

here are a few

http://www.cookiepots.com

http://www.cookiepots.com

www.pajamagram.com

http://www.crazybouquet.com/

 

[Cool-Beans]

Where I work, flowers and latex balloons are removed from the rooms.

I'd also check before sending edible treats of any kind. She might not be allowed to have them.

Send a colorful, washable blanket or two. Hospital rooms are so drab and blankets really cheer the room up!

That's my advice!

 

[Evil Queen]

A nice journal and pen. A nice gel or even fountain pen?

 

[ducklite]

If she's got one of those portable DVD players find out what movies she doesn't have and send a couple of those. When my brother was recouperating after a traumatic accident having the DVD player really passed the time. He could turn the movie off if he got company or was tired and resume later.

Anne

 

[lucyanna girl]

DD loves slippers of all kinds, the only time I have ever know her to fib to her Daddy was when she told him she needed slippers because hers were all worn out. You can find some really cute ones. Also colorful socks.
She also likes to do her nails and there are some colors only a teen would wear. You could add some good smelling lotion.
There are some good books aimed at teens, check out the teen section at your local bookstore.
Have you seen a Disney Bear? DD got one at the Character Outlet in Orlando on our trip last week. It is adorable and very snugly.
A cute tote bag to carry her stuff or a new makeup bag. Even in the hospital a teen is going to want her makeup.
Hollister has some really good smelling cologne that DD and her friends really love.

I hope she gets well soon.

Penny

 

[TheDisneyTraveler06]

Magazines are always a hit! How about a special teddy bear?

My prayers are going to your niece.

 

[Pooh_Friend#1]

Thanks for all the great suggestions. You all have made is so much easier on me to send her a care package.

 

[Chuck-PA]

My son, when he gets hospitalized, is in for 2 weeks or more. We try to make his hospital room, "his room".

How about a poster --- a favorite group, singer, actor or actress for her wall.

Most children's hospitals allow them to wear street clothes as part of their hospital gear. Of course, this could depend on their wing.

A couple of new DVD's of her favorite movies.

During school time, you could send in some new school supplies.

How about Board games? Deck of cards. She may not be allowed to touch the hospitals games for fear of infection. A favorite at the hospital is UNO and Bingo. They may be grown ups on the outside but inside they still like their favorites when they were younger.

Socks to keep their feet warm or to walk around in on the floor (The ones with the plastic pieces on them for traction).

Have her friends call or write her at the hospital. They like constant outside contact, they do not want to feel forgotten by their friends.

Send in tape or something for her to stick her cards and such on her walls.

The more comfortable they are in their rooms the quicker the healing process begins.

 

[Pooh_Friend#1]

With all your ideas I sent in an awesome care package and I also had a cookie bouquet sent to the hotel where the family members will be staying. The bouquet included chocolate chip cookies, flip flop sugar cookies, candy, and drinks. I went over my budget, but at least they all will know we are thinking about them.

 

[Mackey Mouse]

How about some body products for her stay in the hospital...girly ones, like shower gel, body lotion, lip balm...it is so dry in those hospitals. Maybe put together a little basket with nice shampoo and creame rinse, shower gel etc. Magazine are always great, current teen ones...