Gift for a sensitive situation

August 8, 2008 10:08 AM

I need gift ideas for the fabulous nurses and staff at a chemotherapy center.

I've been going once a week to get an IV iron treatment at my local cancer center. Other than being severally anemic, I'm healthy and my time at the center has made me very thankful for my current good health.

The nurses and staff have been so wonderful. Not just to me but they treat all the patients that are getting chemo with such respect and kindness. I know that it is their job but they are going the extra mile. They have had to deal with some very sick people and they always go out of their way to make the treatments a little bit easier.

My last treatment will be coming up in a few weeks and I'd like to do something for these wonderful people. I want to be very aware of something that several people can share and enjoy but no odors or anything that might make sensitive patients at the clinic ill. Please give me any ideas or suggestions that you may have. There are probably 15-20 staff members and I'd like to stay under $200.

Thanks for the ideas!!

posted by pearlybob to grab bag (8 comments total)

Treat them to some morning pastries like donuts, or a nice cake dedicated to the team.

If most of the nurses are female, they love flowers. A nice big bouquet dedicated in their honor.
posted by Zeker at 10:19 AM on August 8, 2008

Well, I was thinking that the smells from both flowers and food items might not be a good idea. Some of the patients are VERY sensitive to smell and I don't want to make anyone ill. Good ideas, just not for this situation.
posted by pearlybob at 10:25 AM on August 8, 2008

It sounds like you've got about $10 per person. Some beautiful pens which are also unisex can be had for about that and they will likely use them at work and remind them of you and your generosity.

Thank you for thinking of these people!
posted by Sophie1 at 10:35 AM on August 8, 2008

My wife is a nurse, and she and her coworkers love gourmet chocolate.

They're good at what they do and they get it frequently.

She just had breast cancer surgery herself and she's getting some Godiva for the wonderful staff at that hospital.
posted by imjustsaying at 1:31 PM on August 8, 2008

I like the idea of food but if that's off the books, what about something that won't disappear eventually? These bears are very cute and they come with little t-shirts you could have customised with something - either text or graphics, maybe particular to the ward or hospital.

The website is hard to shop on with the options badly laid out, but if you email her I'm sure she'd help you out. They're in your budget, anyway.

As another option, you can post an Alchemy request on Etsy. State that you need a gift for 20 people and your budget is $200 including shipping and let people come to you with ideas. Some really wonderful things are made on Etsy, but you don't have to take any bid if you don't like your options.
posted by DarlingBri at 1:51 PM on August 8, 2008

We sent one of those fruit flower baskets to my mom's chemo center (ok, we sent four, chemo, radiation, floor nurses and I can't remember the other group) and they all LOVED it, they get tons of sweet stuff and they liked that the fruit was a little different since rather than whole fruit its the stuff thats cut up to look like flowers.
posted by legotech at 2:27 PM on August 8, 2008

I second the chocolate idea. But you could also write a (short) letter stating everything they have done while you were there that you've appreciate. Such a positive feedback can go from hand to hand among the nurses and bring some support them also.
posted by nicolin at 1:15 PM on August 9, 2008

Chocolate, large bags of mixed candy, gel sole inserts for tired feet. Special flavored coffees. A subscription to some decent magazines.

Special pins made up that say, "Nurses do it 24/7" or "Nurses do it standing up." "Nurses do it with care"
posted by Grlnxtdr at 4:28 PM on August 9, 2008