Opinions on a "thank you" gift for medical staff?

[indimom]

When DD was born, I sent a bouquet of flowers to the delivery nurse and 2 cookie/pastry trays to the nurses' station. DD had to go back in the hospital the following week, but they knew right away who I was and seemed truly grateful that their efforts had been acknowledged. If you think they might not appreciate homemade, send them a fruit basket or cookie tray.

Maybe I'll do a bit of both (homemade and fresh fruit). That way, they can pick and choose.

Something like this, especially if it is from a "regular" patient, would DEFINITELY get eaten with appreciation in my office!!!

This is not the same as homemade treats at Halloween. Heck, why in the world would you WANT to poison your care providers? And since the clinic KNOWS who gave them anything that made them sick, I don't think it would be a good idea.

Having your DD bake the goodies is extra nice. Be sure they know she did it!

Yeah, definitely NOT interested in poisoning these folks.

When I was a school bus driver, I received many home made gifts. I thanked the givers profusely, wrote notes to them in fact. I threw the home mades away for personal safety. I love home mades from my girl friends but I've been in their kitchens. We didn't even have pot lucks at the bus compound because so many expressed fear of eating stuff from someone else's kitchen. Have your daughter make a card oor write a nice note.

She'll definitely write a card regardless of what we decide to do.

I always bring in homemade treats for some of my doctors. Mainly my cardiologist, allergist, pulmonologist and therapist.

actually....my allergist jokes that she expects them when I come..haha

I have done:
fudge
chocolate truffles
cohcolate covered pretzels
peppermint patties
pumpkin scones
pumpkin gingerbread
cookies
brownies

The favorites are anything chocolate and the pumpkin gingerbread.

I am seeing my allergist again on Dec. 21st and I am bringing chocolate covered pretzels for her daughter (she has a 4 year old who loves the pretzels with sprinkles), peppermint patties for her husband (she said those were his favorite) and also gingerbread since it will be right before christmas.

That sounds yummy! I'll have to dig up a recipe for that so we can try it sometime.

I think you'll be good. A catered lunch is a good idea too but where I work now and at my previous job we do lunch catering, and the week before Christmas is the biggest week It's likely they have something going on that week anyway, or even that day.

You've got a good point...they could be doing their own pot luck, etc. I'll have to make sure whatever we do is somewhat "original."

When my dad passed away after being in the ICU for two weeks we sent an Edible Arrangement to the unit.

I've seen, but never tried one of those. Are they as good as they look??

I worked in Long term Care but we always loved and Ate the homemade and store bought goodies. My personal fav was the cheese, cracker and veggie try one person brought in every year, It became a running joke that I got my own tray otherwise I ate everyone elses. WE had everything from popcorn tins, to mixed nuts, to fruit baskets, to cookies, fudge ( a personal fav). Never got an ediable arrangement but boy are those yummy ( I bought DH one).

I guess that answers that question...

In a doctor's office setting, I would think the staff would be more inclined to eat a tray of goodies- especially if you've had a long standing relationaship with them. That being said, I am an ER nurse. If patients bring us cookies, they are usually tossed, although we do appreciated the gesture. It's just sometimes we deal with some intresting sorts and we never quite know who or what the motiviation was for the cookies. If they are store bought, sealed treats (someone sent us Cheryl's cookies) we are all over it

Hopefully we don't come across as the "interesting sort" (I'm pretty sure I get what you're talking about). We're just really appreciative of the time and attention they give her.

Nurse on a medical floor in a general hospital.
We eat homemade goodies.
I have never given a thought to what someone's kitchen might be like where the goodies were baked.

I'm a NURSE, for God's sakes...what could possibly be in someone's kitchen that I haven't been exposed to in my day to day job.

Back in the day, my unit had the first AIDs patient on it....before they knew what AIDs was and the instructions were "This lady has a weird virus. We don't know what causes it or how it is transmitted so wear ever piece of protective clothing that you can". The room was bleached afterward, the mattress removed and incinerated, along with the window valance and privacy curtain. I'm talking early 80's here.

I have been exposed to TB, shingles, lice, scabies, dengue fever and some stuff that was never figured out.

You think a homemade brownie is gonna take me down!:cool1:

Okay, you've got a real point there.
Of course, the folks I'm talking about are not getting exposed to that sort of thing every day, it's a retinal specialist's office. Hopefully they will not "fear the food."

I appreciate all the advice. I think we're going to do something homemade, but maybe we'll add a store bought item just in case. I suppose if they do throw it out, we're not going to know. But, hopefully, they'll enjoy it!

 

[karmic]

I am a nurse in a medical oncology office and we receive home made treats frequently and they are always eaten-

Let your daughter bake and let them know she did- they will think it is all that much special!

We appreciate everything we get and are always touched when people think of us!!!

 

[disfan07]

That sounds yummy! I'll have to dig up a recipe for that so we can try it sometime.

This is the recipe I used this past weekend. It makes either 2 regular loaves (9x5 pans) or 7 mini loaves. I did the mini loaves since I was giving some as gifts.

PUMPKIN GINGERBREAD
3 cups sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
4 eggs
2/3 cup water
1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground allspice
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cloves
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder

Directions
1.Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease two 9x5 inch loaf pans.
2.In a large mixing, combine sugar, oil and eggs; beat until smooth. Add water and beat until well blended. Stir in pumpkin, ginger, allspice cinnamon, and clove.
3.In medium bowl, combine flour, soda, salt, and baking powder. Add dry ingredients to pumpkin mixture and blend just until all ingredients are mixed. Divide batter between prepared pans.
4.Bake in preheated oven until toothpick comes out clean, about 1 hour 15 minutes.

For the mini loaves, I did 325 degrees for about 45-50 minutes.

 

[kirstenb1]

Nurse on a medical floor in a general hospital.
We eat homemade goodies.
I have never given a thought to what someone's kitchen might be like where the goodies were baked.

I'm a NURSE, for God's sakes...what could possibly be in someone's kitchen that I haven't been exposed to in my day to day job.

Back in the day, my unit had the first AIDs patient on it....before they knew what AIDs was and the instructions were "This lady has a weird virus. We don't know what causes it or how it is transmitted so wear ever piece of protective clothing that you can". The room was bleached afterward, the mattress removed and incinerated, along with the window valance and privacy curtain. I'm talking early 80's here.

I have been exposed to TB, shingles, lice, scabies, dengue fever and some stuff that was never figured out.

You think a homemade brownie is gonna take me down!

I love potlucks and have never been sick once from homemade food. On the other hand, I did get food poisoning one time from a fast food place. OP, I think it's a sweet idea.

 

[wdwmom2]

In my office, if it isn't nailed down, it is fair game!!! Homemade, store bought, doesn't matter!!!

One of our patient's moms makes us chocolate banana muffins and brings them in warm out of the oven!!! They are TO DIE FOR!!!!

 

[Mandychelle79]

Another Nurse Here.

It would be eaten where I work. Heck, the rule is if its on the table or if you have ever given me permission to get food out of of your locker, it is fair game.

 

[BLTby40]

Nurse on a medical floor in a general hospital.
We eat homemade goodies.
I have never given a thought to what someone's kitchen might be like where the goodies were baked.

I'm a NURSE, for God's sakes...what could possibly be in someone's kitchen that I haven't been exposed to in my day to day job.
..........

I have been exposed to TB, shingles, lice, scabies, dengue fever and some stuff that was never figured out.

You think a homemade brownie is gonna take me down!

I taught for years (when I got older, mostly small groups and kids with low incidence disabilities). When I was pg w/#2 I got very sick, and I had a virus that impacts preschool teachers and special ed teachers more than most people, because you are very close to the kids (and you have to change diapers at times).
They sent my blood to MAYO to figure out what I had and they called me in. "How LONG have you been teaching? It seems that you are immune to almost every virus in the book." I'd look your cookie in the eye, and CHOMP it.
What I did when my mom had surgery was buy some chocolate covered pretzels from a friend's candy shop. The wrapping on the box was amazing. You could make them with her by dipping big pretzels in melted chocolate and covering them with mini candies, like reeses or tiny M&Ms. Wax paper, white box, BIG RIBBON.
I'm also a fan of tea as a gift, or good coffee (Pete's, Starbucks, Dunkins) b/c even if it isn't their thing, they have a holiday hostess gift for someone else, and you saved them an errand. No mugs, unless they are filled with candy.
A family of a child who needed a lot of support gave me and all of this teachers a flower bulb (paperwhite? I forget), a bag of rocks, a flower pot, and directions on how to grow it. The fact that the flower thrived in rocks was a great analogy for this little dude who was a walking miracle. Every morning when I saw it, I felt more inspired to go to work. The fact 10 other people had the same present as me reminded me it took a team to get him to where he was.
Just a thought, because your kid sounds pretty amazing too.

 

[indimom]

We would absolutely eat them!

Food is always a wonderful token of appreciation to those who might not get a meal break.




LOL!! That about sums it up! Besides, baking will kill most stuff - lol. But I'll even eat homemade chicken salad!

Let your DD bake her goodies. I would be willing to bet they start eating them as soon as they are unwrapped!

That's my thinking too. Of course, it helps that I know we clean regularly and don't have pets. I know some people are really squeamish about animals on kitchen counters. (I'm one of em. lol)

I think it is a fabulous idea. My kids have a quarterly check up with a specialty doctor and it's never been near a holiday so it never crossed my mind...but maybe well bring some at the beginning of December just for the heck of it..

I've never done this kind of thing before either. We are typically really healthy and don't even see our GP/Ped more than once a year for checkups. This is the first time we've ever been in a situation like this and I really appreciate the support & care they provide.

I am a nurse in a medical oncology office and we receive home made treats frequently and they are always eaten-

Let your daughter bake and let them know she did- they will think it is all that much special!

We appreciate everything we get and are always touched when people think of us!!!

I don't doubt that you and your co-workers give so much more. That has got to be a difficult place to work at the best of times.

This is the recipe I used this past weekend. It makes either 2 regular loaves (9x5 pans) or 7 mini loaves. I did the mini loaves since I was giving some as gifts.

PUMPKIN GINGERBREAD
3 cups sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
4 eggs
2/3 cup water
1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground allspice
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cloves
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder

Directions
1.Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease two 9x5 inch loaf pans.
2.In a large mixing, combine sugar, oil and eggs; beat until smooth. Add water and beat until well blended. Stir in pumpkin, ginger, allspice cinnamon, and clove.
3.In medium bowl, combine flour, soda, salt, and baking powder. Add dry ingredients to pumpkin mixture and blend just until all ingredients are mixed. Divide batter between prepared pans.
4.Bake in preheated oven until toothpick comes out clean, about 1 hour 15 minutes.

For the mini loaves, I did 325 degrees for about 45-50 minutes.

Thanks. I'm gonna give that a try. I love Pumpkin!

I love potlucks and have never been sick once from homemade food. On the other hand, I did get food poisoning one time from a fast food place. OP, I think it's a sweet idea.

Thanks.

In my office, if it isn't nailed down, it is fair game!!! Homemade, store bought, doesn't matter!!!

One of our patient's moms makes us chocolate banana muffins and brings them in warm out of the oven!!! They are TO DIE FOR!!!!

That sounds really yummy! And Warm from the oven too!

Another Nurse Here.

It would be eaten where I work. Heck, the rule is if its on the table or if you have ever given me permission to get food out of of your locker, it is fair game.

I taught for years (when I got older, mostly small groups and kids with low incidence disabilities). When I was pg w/#2 I got very sick, and I had a virus that impacts preschool teachers and special ed teachers more than most people, because you are very close to the kids (and you have to change diapers at times).
They sent my blood to MAYO to figure out what I had and they called me in. "How LONG have you been teaching? It seems that you are immune to almost every virus in the book." I'd look your cookie in the eye, and CHOMP it.

That is sooo true. I've worked in child care for 15 years and haven't taken a sick day in almost 12 years. When the little ones are getting sick for a week, I might get a 12-24 hour cold. I think my immune system might look like yours.

What I did when my mom had surgery was buy some chocolate covered pretzels from a friend's candy shop. The wrapping on the box was amazing. You could make them with her by dipping big pretzels in melted chocolate and covering them with mini candies, like reeses or tiny M&Ms. Wax paper, white box, BIG RIBBON.
I'm also a fan of tea as a gift, or good coffee (Pete's, Starbucks, Dunkins) b/c even if it isn't their thing, they have a holiday hostess gift for someone else, and you saved them an errand. No mugs, unless they are filled with candy.
A family of a child who needed a lot of support gave me and all of this teachers a flower bulb (paperwhite? I forget), a bag of rocks, a flower pot, and directions on how to grow it. The fact that the flower thrived in rocks was a great analogy for this little dude who was a walking miracle. Every morning when I saw it, I felt more inspired to go to work. The fact 10 other people had the same present as me reminded me it took a team to get him to where he was.

The flower idea sounds beautiful. I love that!
And I think you have the right idea about adding tea or coffee packets. That would go well with cookies. And, if they are worried about the baked goods, they can still have a warm drink.

Just a thought, because your kid sounds pretty amazing too.

She's a good kid when she's not rolling her eyes at me. lol. (Maybe the doc can fix that too?? I'll have to ask... )
And, she is a tough cookie, I'll give her that. She doesn't complain.

Thanks again for all the input everyone!!

 

[princesspumpkin]

What a wonderful. heartfelt gesture! Nurses do appreciate it when families appreciate us.

That being said, there will be some nurses who will not want to partake of the goodies because they are homemade. And there will be some who don't care that they're homemade. At my job (hospital setting, maternity patients with quick turnover), it's about half and half. No nurses mind what the others feel - there's just more for the ones who will eat it!

If you want ensure that the treats get eaten by the majority, your best bet may be something that's not homemade. If you want to ensure that your daughter get to share in the making of the "thank you" to the staff, then definitely have her do it (and don't give it a second thought whether it's eaten by everyone or not). Eaten or not, the thought is appreciated!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I'm a nurse who's worked in hospitals for almost 30 years.

We eat EVERYTHING that families bring us, with rare exception.

One Thanksgiving a family made us an entire turkey dinner with all the fixins. We threw a sheet on a big table, put some flowers in a urinal and dug in!

Interns and residents, especially, will eat almost anything, lol.

I had a teacher friend tell me they toss everything and I couldn't believe my ears. I was over her house one day when a neighbor brought over a homemade lasagna and she tossed it in the trash the minute she left. That blew me away. I told her next time send it our way.

Medical offices might be different, IDK.

 

[mhsjax]

In my office, if it isn't nailed down, it is fair game!!! Homemade, store bought, doesn't matter!!!

One of our patient's moms makes us chocolate banana muffins and brings them in warm out of the oven!!! They are TO DIE FOR!!!!

This was our office. I fact I loved the holidays because so many patients and drug reps brought in goodies. I see here that people mention fruit, YUCK. sorry, no big deal. Hard to eat and frankly if someone is giving me something, I want something that is a treat and not a good for you piece of fruit. Not to mention, eating an apple or orange at your desk ins't easy, but a cookie or brownie you can just pop in your mouth. Everyone needs a little sugar.

 

[JusbKoz]

Our hospital had a rule that we couldn't accept gifts from patients. BUT we were allowed to take home made goods/food and put them in our breakroom for everyone to enjoy.

Another suggestion would be a candy tin of some sort(homemade or store bought candy). CANDY was always a hit with us. One year a special patient who we all got to know had given us cards with a picture of us together. I still have that picture and think of him fondly even though he passed on many years ago.