Help me make a care package
February 14, 2020 10:48 AM   Subscribe

Sad things happened to my friend, and she's just moved into a new place. I want to send her a care package. What should be inside it? More info inside.

So my friend, who I really love and who is a legit Good Person, had a bunch of sad stuff happen: long relationship ended; prolonged period of unemployment; the necessity of selling a beloved home. There's even more but those are the biggies. She just moved into a new living situation and I want to send her a care package. What should I include?

-- she's in her 50s
-- she has a beloved and aging dog
-- this is in the Pacific Northwest
-- she's a leftie
-- the basic message is a combo of acknowledging that bad shit has happened + optimism for the future
-- she does not have any explicit needs of household necessities or the like

I know I could just do the usual -- tea, candles, whatever -- but I thought I'd ask you creative minds for some suggestions.

(I had previously asked this question which is also related to her. That purchase isn't ready yet so I plan to give it to her at another milestone moment which will be happening in a month or two.)
posted by BlahLaLa to Shopping (9 answers total) 1 user marked this as a favorite
 
If you are remote, then maybe a massage/spa package? I know when I'm sad, human touch really heals. If you're local to her, maybe a visit and treat to a nice lunch. You are a good friend to think of her this way.
posted by dbmcd at 10:59 AM on February 14, 2020 [2 favorites]


Response by poster: (I am remote.)
posted by BlahLaLa at 11:03 AM on February 14, 2020


To avoid: Don't make the care-package too future-dog-centered because, the world being what it is right now, namely a laughably horrible dystopian hellscape, the next terrible thing will of course be the death of the beloved aging dog. If the care package features the dog, it should include lots of immediately consumable dog things, if possible a few beautifully framed photos of the dog (maybe she posts cute dog pics to the socials?), and few to no things that will be useless after the dog is gone. (A friend of mine lost her three beloved cats last year, one after another, and a day or two after the last one died, a new co-worker who drew her name in the Secret Santa drawing gave her a basket full of cute cat hats and cat sweaters at the holiday party. Nightmare for all concerned.)
posted by Don Pepino at 11:05 AM on February 14, 2020 [3 favorites]


Is she outdoorsy? Would she like a pass to a nearby national/state park, or a gift card for the local ski resort? Or a gift card to the local REI so she can pick out some new hiking boots, backpack, whatever? Just to give her something to look forward to and keep her busy.

I don't know what your budget is, but a throw in a beautiful color can help make a new place cozy. (C&B just stopped selling the one I'd recommended for years, a gorgeous one in a light alpaca, but there are other options. The Feathered Friends down throw is a bit more rustic in style but super warm and beloved of my guests.)

Keeping Don Pepino's caveat in mind, there are a near-infinite supply of fancy dog treats out there. Lamb lung can be particularly popular with dogs who may not have all their teeth anymore. My chi-terrier friend with like three teeth left adooooores it. Just make sure it's manufactured in the U.S., Canada, or Europe.
posted by praemunire at 11:17 AM on February 14, 2020 [2 favorites]


Best answer: This is so kind!

Some ideas related to future hope:
-A cool calendar or planner.
-Packets of seeds that work in the zone of her future home, if she gardens.

Random stuff:
-Homemade cookies/edible treats.
-Fun/luxurious socks or blanket.
-Homemade music mix - a CD or even some songs loaded on a flash drive.
-Handwritten card or letter.

Really leaning on the homemade angle just because those kind of things can be extra personal and heartfelt.
posted by prewar lemonade at 11:17 AM on February 14, 2020


I recently bought my friend ridiculous but wonderful slippers.

They hit just the right note of total luxe, ridiculousness, and comfort.

Otherwise, since you are in the US, you can probably find some great places that deliver treats right to her door.

Send the same person this Cupcake. IT made her laugh.

Amazon is excellent for finding stupid things that just cheer people up
posted by Ftsqg at 11:52 AM on February 14, 2020


Flowers or a flowering plant. They always cheer me up.
Cookies.

and get online, find the funniest stuff, and send a silly email a day for awhile.
posted by theora55 at 12:47 PM on February 14, 2020 [1 favorite]


If you're sending homemade treats and she cooks, send a copy of the recipe too.
Draw or paint or cut out or print out fun little pictures for no reason-- flowers, animals, trees, martini glasses, whatever shared symbols you have. They don't have to be useful (as in, ornaments or cards or frame able art) just something to say you're thinking about her.
Postcards with stamps on them.
posted by winesong at 3:25 PM on February 14, 2020


When I send care packages to people, I like to include a couple of nice local treats like hot sauces, spice blends, chocolates, small local artwork, jewelry, etc. Not only am I supporting local small businesses, but it adds a bit more of a personal touch to even more generic care package staples like candles or bath bombs without having to make the things yourself (unless you have those skills and want to).

Of course, if it is the case that she USED to live where you are and now is being forced to relocate to the PNW, that might have the opposite effect and just make her homesick? Unless the focus is on "here are some things to remember Place X by"? Oh no, I am overthinking this now! You will know better than I do if your friend would like this idea.

Also, a lefty-friendly pen and a nice lay-flat journal might be a nice thing to include, if you think she might like to journal.
posted by helloimjennsco at 10:40 AM on February 17, 2020


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