Thoughtful Gifts for Someone Recovering from Surgery

Having been through illness and major surgeries myself, I know how overwhelming recovery can be. When a friend or relative is sick or healing, though, I often feel unsure how to help. In this post I’ll share practical, creative gift ideas, including a special printable set of 30 daily encouragement notes to help you show love and support every day.

What recovering from surgery is really like (from my own experience)

Over the years I’ve dealt with various health issues that led to 4 abdominal surgeries. Two were of the “old-fashioned” kind, with long scars to prove it. My first major surgery came when I was 12, and thankfully I was blissfully unaware of what recovery would be like!

Later I had 2 laparoscopic surgeries, and my most recent was a full hysterectomy (you can read my hysterectomy story here.) My mom was my helper and nurse through at least 2 of my surgeries (maybe even 3? I can’t remember!), and my husband was an excellent caregiver for my latest one.

If you’ve never had to recover from surgery, I’m so glad for you! Here are a few things I learned while going through surgery and recovering from it:

Someone else has likely gone through the same health issues and surgery as your friend. They are not alone! I encourage you to be open and talk about it if you feel comfortable. People will often be glad to share their story if you want to learn from it. Be specific about what would help. Much like childbirth, some people have “easy peasy” stories and some have horror stories. If you’re fearful, be sure to say so when you’re not up for hearing graphic details!;)
Recovery usually means managing pain with medication while also getting your digestive system working again. Anesthesia and pain meds have some unpleasant side effects (like constipation), so eating, drinking, taking pain meds, and getting things moving is a full-time job in the first few days after surgery.
The third day after surgery is often the hardest and most painful.
Recovery can be slow and discouraging. Some days you feel quite good and can see real progress and healing. Other days you can barely get out of bed. And, unfortunately, it’s hard to predict what kind of day is coming…
Depending on the surgery, the first few days at the very least will likely call for extra care from someone like a friend or family member.

How can I help a friend or family member who has had surgery?

After all my experience with recovery, you’d think I’d be an expert at advising others on how to help. Still, I often struggle to know what to do for friends and family.

Personally, I want to show and tell them that I care. But I also don’t want to be a “bother” or intrude if they’d rather be left alone!

So I did my own research and asked my team of “experts,” my community on Instagram. As always, they had great ideas and suggestions, which I’ll share below.

Some of these ideas are physical gifts, and others are thoughtful gifts of time and service.

Physical Gifts for Someone Recovering from Surgery

Disclaimer: I am an Amazon affiliate and the following contains affiliate links.

The most thoughtful and delightful gift I received after my hysterectomy was 2 big gift bags full of little tissue-wrapped presents. I was told to open one every morning. “They are everything from the ridiculous to the sublime!” my friend said. I can tell you I LOVED having that daily gift to look forward to each morning.

Here are some of the things she tucked into those gift bags:

a book of crossword puzzles
a paperback novel
a beautiful single-serve teapot (This teapot has a lot of great reviews and comes in many pretty colors.)
a teacup to match the teapot
purse-sized tissues
cute stickers
a fridge magnet with a fun saying
a bookmark
a seasonal dish towel
lip balm
body lotion
chocolates

Many of those things you can probably find at the Dollar Store. Or you can pick up special little items for “sick friend gifts” at thrift stores, estate sales, or yard sales.

Gift card for books
Flowers
A cozy fleece oversized shirt (Look at this amazing blanket sweater!!)
Uber Eats gift cards
A warm throw blanket
A pretty journal and pen (This is a best-selling prayer journal with over 45,000 reviews! And here is a plain journal that’s also a best seller.)
PJs: This cozy set has lots of positive reviews and comes in a variety of colors.

Action Gifts for Someone Recovering from Surgery

Someone once pointed out that “Call me if you need anything” is a very well-meaning thing to say. (Yes, I still say it all the time…) However, when a person is really sick, they often can’t put into words what they need.

Here are some practical ways to help your sick friends and neighbors:

Call or text and have a normal conversation about everyday things, not just their illness. Use a regular, cheerful voice rather than a low, slow, sad one.
Go for a short visit
Drop off dinner for the family. (Chicken Noodle Soup was a favorite!) You might want to set up a “food train” for the week after surgery with a group of friends or family. Food in containers that don’t need to be returned, and that can be frozen for later if needed, is a thoughtful choice. Some ideas are make-ahead lasagna, ready-to-bake or freezer meatloaf, tater tot casserole, biscuit cheeseburger casserole, and taco soup.
Send a thoughtful card.
Bake Christmas cookies for them if it’s near the holidays.
Offer to vacuum, clean the bathrooms, water the plants, and tidy up the house.
Run errands for them, like picking up groceries or prescriptions.
Ask which day the garbage bin needs to go to the end of the driveway, and take it out for them.

Give the Gift of Printable Daily Encouragement Verses

Here’s an idea you might like. I’ve created a set of 27 printable daily encouragement verses for you. Print them on your home printer using 3 sheets of cardstock. Cut them apart (I like to use a paper trimmer) and place each one in a small brown paper coin envelope like this one. Number the envelopes 1 to 27, and they make a fun thing to open each day!

Just click here or the button below to have the printables sent straight to your inbox.