What to to get for a depressed friend?
March 6, 2009 10:49 AM Subscribe
What to get for a depressed friend? One of my friends has had a very bad week. She found out she needs surgery and lost a ton of work because her flash drive was stolen. I want to get her a gift to show her everything will be alright and I am here for her. Some info, she is college age and very smart. She has a boyfriend though so nothing too romantic. Prefer something available locally due to time constraints, but I'm not against shopping online.
How about a new flash drive? Bonus points for adoreable color or character.
posted by Flipping_Hades_Terwilliger at 10:59 AM on March 6, 2009
posted by Flipping_Hades_Terwilliger at 10:59 AM on March 6, 2009
There, but for the grace of god, would my post have been.
posted by Flipping_Hades_Terwilliger at 10:59 AM on March 6, 2009 [2 favorites]
posted by Flipping_Hades_Terwilliger at 10:59 AM on March 6, 2009 [2 favorites]
Depending on what kind of surgery, and when, I like food-type gifts. Also, stuff to keep her occupied pre- or post-surgery. A flash drive is nice, but it's also something she's likely to do for herself. (That said, if you think she's unlikely to get a replacement, a flash drive is a lovely gift.)
posted by jeather at 11:05 AM on March 6, 2009
posted by jeather at 11:05 AM on March 6, 2009
Response by poster: The surgery is the week after next and its to remove a lump. I thought about a flash drive, but the one that was stolen she bought from me and she still has her old drive. I could make a lanyard for it though.
posted by DJWeezy at 11:14 AM on March 6, 2009
posted by DJWeezy at 11:14 AM on March 6, 2009
If she will have post-op recovery time in the hospital I am one of the few who still beleives in mix tapes... bonus points if you buy a flash drive with a cool lanyard and just fill it with music and videos for her to watch on her laptop.
posted by elationfoundation at 11:16 AM on March 6, 2009
posted by elationfoundation at 11:16 AM on March 6, 2009
Response by poster: Oh, forgot to mention, no post-op recovery time. It just an in and out and she will be recovering at home.
posted by DJWeezy at 11:18 AM on March 6, 2009
posted by DJWeezy at 11:18 AM on March 6, 2009
A book/movie/music to occupy her during recovery time (it sounds like just an afternoon or so, but having something new or new-to-you would be nice). Also, a complete dinner provided by you, either ready-made or cooked (main dish and dessert, of course)- doesn't have to be fancy because just having an evening without planning for or cooking dinner would be nice. The flash drive sounds great too.
posted by variella at 11:23 AM on March 6, 2009
posted by variella at 11:23 AM on March 6, 2009
When I was bummed because someone stole my bike, the best cheer-up gift was a cute card with an old-timey picture of a whole bunch of bikes and a comment about since they couldn't afford to buy me another bike, here was the next best thing. Maybe something like that, a picture of a library to replace the data she lost?
posted by salvia at 11:33 AM on March 6, 2009
posted by salvia at 11:33 AM on March 6, 2009
Get her a flash drive and put some hilarious pictures on it.
posted by kldickson at 11:35 AM on March 6, 2009
posted by kldickson at 11:35 AM on March 6, 2009
A stack of trashy girl magazines, a bag of Doritos, a pint of Ben & Jerry's, a gift certificate for a pedicure. All of those.
posted by thinkpiece at 11:46 AM on March 6, 2009
posted by thinkpiece at 11:46 AM on March 6, 2009
Get her a gift certificate for a day in a spa. Even smart people like this.
Other ideas
posted by jfricke at 11:49 AM on March 6, 2009
Other ideas
posted by jfricke at 11:49 AM on March 6, 2009
You could always give a little gift bag with her favorite snacks, some activity book, a few odd DVDs, or anything small that would make her smile. If you haven't seen how cute flash drives are now, do a search online and take a look. Oh, and I've been secretly pining for one of those wireless digital photo frames that plays mp3s too. I would want mine full of LOLcats!
posted by CoralAmber at 1:00 PM on March 6, 2009
posted by CoralAmber at 1:00 PM on March 6, 2009
Are you at all technically minded? If so, then you could set up a backup solution for her to make sure that this can't happen ever again. If not, then maybe you could purchase a year's subscription (or whatever you'd like to spend) on something like Mozy, Carbonite, SpiderOak, etc. (AskMe has tons of recommendation posts on backups.)
posted by philomathoholic at 1:43 PM on March 6, 2009
posted by philomathoholic at 1:43 PM on March 6, 2009
Meant to add: people who have just lost important data are most ready to do something about setting up good backups (which everyone knows they should be doing).
posted by philomathoholic at 1:45 PM on March 6, 2009
posted by philomathoholic at 1:45 PM on March 6, 2009
Fat Witch Brownies (warning *really* obnoxious music on the site) . They are a cure for most sucky days. I've sent them to many a friend for many different reasons. They will all vouch. I promise.
posted by dancinglamb at 6:11 PM on March 6, 2009
posted by dancinglamb at 6:11 PM on March 6, 2009
Oh, and the Cauldron Special is supposedly perfect for hoarding from other people in the house according to a girlfriend of mine.
posted by dancinglamb at 6:14 PM on March 6, 2009
posted by dancinglamb at 6:14 PM on March 6, 2009
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by By The Grace of God at 10:59 AM on March 6, 2009 [1 favorite]