The Best Gifts to Give a Loved One with Cancer

We are often asked what the best gifts for cancer patients are to show your support that they would appreciate. Gift-giving is difficult. You want to give your loved one something that is unique, meaningful, and special. You may have never been directly touched by cancer and you don’t know what they need, what they want, or what they would appreciate.

This is the exact dilemma that Leaping Love aims to solve. We have been there. We know what cancer patients need, want, and would appreciate. With that said, here are our top suggestions and tips for gift ideas for cancer patients.

1. Care Packages - This is a great way to show your loved one your support, especially if you are not local to the patient. Cancer care packages offer a more personal touch and are a unique option. And not to toot our own horn, but Leaping Love care packages are the perfect option. The boxes are curated with cancer patients’ special needs in mind and provide functional and beneficial self-care products. Plus, we include a personalized, handwritten card with the gift.

2. Your time - Proposing to help your loved one and their family with everyday errands, chores, and household responsibilities is another way to show your support. You can offer to take their daughter to soccer practice, pick up groceries, cook the family dinner, mow their grass, do their laundry, or go to appointments with them. You can also just be a shoulder to cry on and be a compassionate listener.

3. Gift cards - If you aren’t local or a gift card is still more your style, you can give your loved one a grocery or meal delivery gift card, a massage gift certificate, or home cleaning services. Netflix and meditation app subscriptions are also excellent gift ideas.

4. Messages - Sending encouraging text messages or phone calls are great alternatives to physical gifts. Mailing handwritten cards is great because they can keep them displayed as a gentle reminder that they are not alone.

5. Skip the flowers - Flowers carry pollens and fungal spores that can place patients at a higher risk of infection. The smell of the flowers can also be unpleasant and cause nausea. Additionally, flowers may trigger emotional distress when the plant wilts or dies. Fresh fruit bouquets or silk flower arrangements are good alternatives.

All of these are great gifts for cancer patients. It's important to remember that cancer treatment is often a long and ongoing journey, spanning months or even years. Your support from the initial diagnosis through the entire treatment process is incredibly valuable to your loved one. Regardless of how you choose to express your support, the primary goals are to offer genuine care, sincerity, and a comforting presence.