Take two clowns and call me in the morning.

January 24, 2007 7:25 AM

ChicagoFilter: What creative cheerer-upper can I have delivered to a sick sister? Who can deliver it?

Yesterday my 25 year old sister was diagnosed with her second horrid chronic illness and I want to make her smile if just for a minute. Trouble is, I'm 2500 miles away. Flowers have been done before and she doesn't like pizza... what can I have delivered that would be out-of-the-ordinary? I was thinking of a singing clown or balloon bouquet, or maybe have her favorite Cheesecake Factory meal delivered to her work...? If Second City made guest appearances that would be awesome as she's an improv genius. Probably a bit pricey, though.

The more creative, the better.

(I feel like this has been asked before, but for the life of me I can't find it. I'm sorry if it's a repeat. Thanks, MetaFilter.)

posted by orangemiles to grab bag (12 comments total)

Edible Arrangements. But I do like your Cheesecake Factory idea too. Mmmmm... fire roasted artichokes, thai wraps and key lime cheesecake with raspberry sauce.
posted by Sassyfras at 7:41 AM on January 24, 2007

A friend of mine had a singing chicken come to our office to sing her happy birthday and she was horribly embarassed. Maybe your sister would like it, but you might be cautious there!

I personally love LUSH - I don't know if your sister would be into it, but when I'm feeling particularly stressed or freaked out, their little bath bars and bombs always do the trick by reminding me to do something nice for myself. Not exactly something designed to make her smile, but a nice gift that you can have sent to her that would be approximately the same price as flowers, but different.
posted by pazazygeek at 8:06 AM on January 24, 2007

Is this an illness that keeps her bedridden, or can she get out for occasional fun when she's feeling good?

Chicago awesomeness:

Food - Carson's Ribs (which can be delivered, I do believe), Lou Malnati's Pizza (but like your sister, I'm one of about 10 people on earth who doesn't like Pizza), Portillo's, Eli's Cheesecakes, Garrett Popcorn. All of these are available for delivery from tastes of chicago but you may get the restaurant to deliver directly for cheaper depending on the situation.

Tell you what - I might even be able to save you some dough and deliver it. I could use some good Karma. Drop me an email steve AT openingbands DOT com...


If she's up for getting out, Blue Man Group is a great time and is a show that has nothing but funny and uplifting content. Tickets aren't super cheap ($50 or so a piece) but they're worth it. Also very popular around here is Wicked.
posted by twiggy at 8:53 AM on January 24, 2007

Maybe she doesn't like pizza, but surely she likes something. What neighborhood?
posted by j-dawg at 9:01 AM on January 24, 2007

Ya, I don't get back home til tomorrow, but depending on where she's at I might be able to lend a hand.
posted by FlamingBore at 10:18 AM on January 24, 2007

You are so kind to help me out!

She lives near the intersection of Lincoln and Fullerton-- is that Lincoln Park?

She has had ulcerative colitis for 7 years and was just diagnosed with crohn's, so she's definitely mobile but lots of food is out of the picture (popcorn, fruit, etc.) And she lived with a Malnati for a while, so she's had her fill of what they have to offer. And she has a friend who's a Blue Man so she's seen that. (See what I mean about needing to be creative? Sheesh, sister. Way to make it tough!)

But thank you sincerely for the suggestions. So far the Lush idea is the frontrunner. Although, if I can find a balloon bouquet I might do that. I'm going to research the singing chicken.

j-dawg, she loves Cheesecake Factory and Coldstone Creamery. Actually, pretty much any ice cream.
posted by orangemiles at 10:43 AM on January 24, 2007

orangemiles: That's Lincoln Park, yes. It's not too far from me (I'm in Logan Square), so delivering something wouldn't be a problem at all, nor would picking something up if you come up with any ideas for items from somewhere that doesn't deliver.

Not sure if chocolates are out, but Frango Mints are a chicago staple, and oohhhh so tasty.
posted by twiggy at 10:49 AM on January 24, 2007

Two ice cream suggestions, one from close to the neighborhood, one from farther away:

Bobtail, which is in Lakeview, and is very tasty.

The Penguin, which is up near Albany Park and makes Argentine Gelato, and is probably one of the top three ice cream places in town. The dulce de leche is amazing of course, but I could eat their grapefruit sorbet every day of the week.

Good luck!
posted by j-dawg at 11:30 AM on January 24, 2007

FRANGOS! Is there any way to obtain a Frango Mint Pie?
posted by orangemiles at 12:06 PM on January 24, 2007

Macy's (which took over Marshall Fields) sells many different frango-related items, but unfortunately no such pie.

Anything I can come up with on google doesn't use actual frango mints, but is instead a chocolate mint pie that "attempts to capture the flavor of a Frango mint"...
posted by twiggy at 12:15 PM on January 24, 2007

If you want different kinds of food delivered, try the two main restaurant delivery services in Chicago: Dining In and CEO Deliveries.
posted by MeetMegan at 5:11 PM on January 24, 2007

Thank you all, especially twiggy and Flamingbore who offered to personally help out. I'm touched and amazed that "strangers" would be so generous. You all get one million karma points just for offering. She's sensitive about people knowing her whereabouts so I'm not going to take you up on the personal offers of assistance, but thank you for the suggestions!!! I'm so grateful!
posted by orangemiles at 5:58 PM on January 24, 2007