You’re just wonderful for being here. You want to treat your friend, or your family member, or your favorite colleague with something comforting. Or something luxe that they may never get for themselves. Or something that they need that they didn't even know they needed (our essentials for surgery recovery, chemotherapy sessions, and skincare here).
Below, we’ve gathered a collection of beautiful, intentional gift ideas. Some are a small luxury that will bring softness to a hard day, some are really nice practical items that quietly ease the hours spent in waiting rooms and infusion chairs. We love all of these, we love to give them, and we loved getting them.
(We Promise We’re Not Being Cheesy But the Best Gift Is…) The Gift of Your Time
In all our conversations, the primary thing we hear from our readers is that time together is the very best gift. When family and friends accompany us to a treatment appointment, walk with us (slowly) during surgery recovery, come over and cook a meal, walk our dogs, take our kids for a few hours to let us nap, hang out when we’re in surgery recovery bed rest, or just generally come over during the high gloominess: that’s the best thing.
Comfy, Stylish Clothing
Offer a matching sweatsuit in a very good colorway, a chic set of airy pajamas. Send something that will feel really good for them to wear, and also has a little elegance mixed in with the comfort. (We’re not trying to ban fuzzy socks and blankets, but these tend to be some go-to gift choices, and it’s likely we’ve already gotten a lot of them.) Marcella Kelson, a licensed social worker, who primarily works with new mothers and women with cancer and who navigated her own cancer diagnosis a few years ago (read our interview with her here), recommends Eberjey for elevated loungewear pieces.
Glamsquad (or Another Professional Beauty/Hair Treatment)
One of the top places that doctors tell the immunocompromised to stay away from is the nail salon. So a gift card or treatment from Glamsquad or another at-home beauty service gives us the chance to get our nails done. You could also pair it with a manicure/pedicure kit with fresh tools and polish, so there’s no sharing with other clients.
And if you want to treat someone who isn’t immunocompromised, a gift card to their favorite nail salon is always welcome. Also, we recommend gift cards to hair salons for a wash and blow-out gift card; this is one of Inside Edition reporter Alison Hall’s (read our interview here) favorite gifts to recommend. It’s a dream for people recovering from surgery, whose mobility may prevent them from washing their hair.
A Fun, Busy Distraction
Any gift that keeps us gently distracted is typically a good one. “Activities that are easy to do if you're tired and easy to help you pass the time in chemo are some of the best gifts I’ve received,” says Jolene Miller, who was diagnosed with breast cancer at 24.
Jadey editorial director, Maggie Lange, likes these Faber-Castell colored pencils and this set of acrylic paints for at-home artistry. If your friend likes to knit, get them some beautiful yarn; if they like jewelry, try a little bracelet making kit. If they’ve never been into crafting before, sign them up for subscriptions to a few of their favorite magazines.
Some Pampering
Lotions (They’ll Be Going Through a Lot)
Chemotherapy and other forms of cancer treatment often cause extreme skin dryness, which can be uncomfortable. Gifting a gentle, unscented hand or body lotion is never a bad idea, says Kelly McClure, a Philadelphia-based psychologist with a PhD in clinical and health psychology. She recommends avoiding strong fragrances, unless you know the recipient is not ultra-sensitive to scents right now; Jadey team loves Keihl’s Ultimate Strength Hand Salve.
Elizabeth Arden’s Eight-Hour Cream is a favorite for Lucy Prouten, who was diagnosed with primary mediastinal large B cell lymphoma at 22. “Someone got it for me… and [now] I can’t go anywhere without it,” says Lucy. Throughout treatment, even when she couldn’t get out of bed, her hands were always moisturized, thanks to this gift.
Hospital-Friendly, Ultra-Cozy Footwear
A pair of comfortable, non-slip slippers are so nice to have during chemo days or inpatient hospital stays.
Michelle Reiss, Jadey’s co-founder, recommends the UGG Dakota Slipper because of the rubber sole, which is crucial to help prevent slipping on slick hospital floors. “I particularly like this style because they slip on easily, but they're secure around your feet–you don't have to worry about them sliding off like other slipper styles,” Michelle says. “I also like that they look enough like a normal shoe that if you do wear them outside, you don't feel like you're walking around in pajamas.”
A Good Bad-Attitude Accessory
Give your friend something that makes them feel a little more like themselves. Jadey editors have loved getting a little bracelet that says “f*ck it” or a head scarf that has a secret profanity until you twist it around your head. Is this the antidote to everyone telling them to be positive? It might be.
A Journal for Big Feelings and Little Drawings
Going through cancer treatment can produce a lot of new emotions and thoughts. Therapists, psychologists, oncologists, grief counselors and people who’ve been through it all recommend: journaling. It’s an outlet for those emotions.
“It doesn't have to be elaborate journaling,” says McClure. “It can be just writing down some of your thoughts and emotions, your concerns, [and] keeping a log of the questions that you have.”
If you want to give a journal that feels especially thoughtful, you can search for ones designed with something niche they love; or get one monogrammed. Jadey Editorial Director Maggie received a tiny Smythson with her monogram, and says it’s perfect for bringing along in your bag.
Set-Up a Meal Train or Order Them Their Favorite Takeout
Cancer treatment can take up large chunks of the day and are often physically exhausting. A Meal Train can be such a gift: it organizes home-cooked meals (or takeout orders) for any nights that your friend or loved one could use a little help. “I had a meal train for two years straight… and it was life-saving,” says Dana Fox, a 48-year-old mom of two who was diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma in 2022.
Some advice for dropping off meals: food that keeps well in the fridge or freezer is the most helpful. You can write instructions for reheating on the containers.
You can also give gift certificates to Caviar, Seamless, or DoorDash; or prepared food delivery services. Jadey editors recommend CookUnity and Home Appetit, because there’s no prep required. (We don’t typically recommend meal kits, because, in our experience, energy levels for cooking can be totally unpredictable during treatment.)
A Gift Card for Uber or Lyft
Slightly less expected, and no less helpful, than a gift card for a meal is a gift card for transportation. Yes, it can be essential to and from appointments, especially if your friend or loved one lives in a city and walking or taking public transportation is not an option. But also, even getting to the grocery store can feel difficult, and knowing that you've got a car to drive you there and back can be just the boost you need.
A Donation to Their Favorite Organization
Marcella says her favorite gift was when loved ones donated to BCRF (the Breast Cancer Research Foundation) on her behalf.
“I felt so honored,” Marcella says, “Whether it’s funding research or a different organization that supports women going through various types of cancer, and I think it's helpful to find the organization that most resonates with you. You can point people in that direction, because it also gives people a lot of autonomy: they can donate $20, they can donate $500. I also think it allows people to feel like they're part of your journey in a way that a blanket doesn't really achieve.”
