Goodie bag to celebrate my one year anniversary of a stroke

December 2, 2024 8:38 AM

I had a stroke last January ar age 35 (doing well, mostly!). I want to invite some friends over on the one year anniversary to watch some movies and eat some snacks and I’d like to provide a gift bag. Only probably is that I have no idea what to put in a “thanks for coming over to celebrate the fact that I didn’t die last year” gift bag. Thoughts?

Also open to ideas for movies and themes - LOTR is my current thought, but could easily be swayed to different franchises OR separate movies altogether.

posted by firei to Sports, Hobbies, & Recreation (13 answers total)

If you're comfortable sharing such a thing, your healthy recent test results (or something like it) miniaturized and printed on a magnet would make me laugh, and I would put it on my fridge as an active use magnet and genuinely look at it every day and think "yes I am also so glad firei didn't die!"
posted by phunniemee at 8:48 AM on December 2, 2024 [2 favorites]

This might sound a bit strange, but breaking my wrist over the summer was a real life rather than theoretical reminder of the fact that we can all become disabled at any moment. Are there any accessibility items that you found very helpful this past year? Grippy socks? A pop socket for your phone/holder thing for your kindle? Pump containers for shampoo/conditioner? I’m thinking of sort of a “favorite things” type bag. Even things not health related like a copy of a favorite movie, etc
posted by raccoon409 at 8:54 AM on December 2, 2024 [7 favorites]

Chocolate.
posted by JohnnyGunn at 9:22 AM on December 2, 2024 [2 favorites]

If it's not too distasteful (?) you can get gummies shaped like brains.
Or Chocolate brains
Even more specific, chocolate brains party favors.
More at Etsy, including caramels, lollipops, cookie cutters
posted by Glinn at 9:57 AM on December 2, 2024 [5 favorites]

brain shaped stress ball!
less related to stroke but pen shaped like syringe

if you all like horror movies, zombie-related franchises seem relevant.
posted by crime online at 10:02 AM on December 2, 2024 [2 favorites]

Sparklers
posted by MadMadam at 10:30 AM on December 2, 2024

Compression socks? Anyone standing or sitting for long hours should be wearing them - they help prevent strokes and improve vascular health and most people don't own any.
posted by metahawk at 10:58 AM on December 2, 2024 [2 favorites]

Hey! I also had a stroke at about the same age. Four years on, I’m still here, doing well, no deficits, no more neurovascular excitement except the good kind.

I got an hourglass for my birthday the year after my stroke, it made me laugh as a mortality salience joke, but I have a slightly dark sense of humor, ymmv. They do make nice gifts though! Also +1 to brain shaped stress ball, I have received a few and they’re fun.

You could make or buy some bracelets that say “FALL RISK.”

(I have no movie suggestions — I also go for LOTR any time there is a movie night possibility!)
posted by Spinneret at 11:31 AM on December 2, 2024 [1 favorite]

The other funny thought I had was to get embroidery kits and print patterns of the Stroke Test words in pretty letters:

MAMA
TIP-TOP
FIFTY-FIFTY
THANKS
HUCKLEBERRY
BASEBALL PLAYER
posted by Spinneret at 11:35 AM on December 2, 2024

An photo of yourself with two thumbs up and a big grin. If it's a polaroid, or if it's in a frame, write something (funny, heart-warming, sweet) underneath. If I'm showing up to your place as a close friend to celebrate your continued existence, that would delight me.
posted by glorybe at 12:03 PM on December 2, 2024

MAMA
TIP-TOP
FIFTY-FIFTY
THANKS
HUCKLEBERRY
BASEBALL PLAYER

Or the cookie theft picture (1950s era original, or 2024 update)
posted by basalganglia at 1:23 PM on December 2, 2024 [1 favorite]

Print some tickets to an event 30 years in the future, because Of Course! You will be able to attend!
posted by CathyG at 3:14 PM on December 2, 2024 [1 favorite]

Fun! Glad you're okay. Maybe a little note telling people how much they mean to you? Some Aspirin and B12? A picture of you, plus one of you in 40 years? A flyer about stroke awareness, with stuff like the FAST mnemonic (if that's still used). Maybe seeds, sort of a celebratory life thing? Maybe buttons or red ribbons?
posted by toucan at 7:39 PM on December 2, 2024