Christmas Gift for someone who has 4 weeks to live?

henpecked1

Someone I know has only a few weeks to live and it is Christmas next week.

I have struggled with a Christmas card as Christmas isnt going to be much fun. It isnt going to be a Happy New Year either.

He is bed ridden so no slippers.

He cant eat so no chocolates

I could get Pajamas with a Gift receipt...

I dont want to buy something that clearly will surpass his life expectancy, i.e. a John Lewis TV with a 5 year guarantee wont inspire... very stuck.


All in all, what does one buy someone with a limited life expectancy....
He doesnt have much humour either so an M&S wooden overcoat wont go down well.

Errata

The most valuable thing you can give is your time.

gingin_2

I would say something to put by his bed, so maybe a sentimental photo in a frame, or if that is not suitable, a plant. We bought my grandad a tiny christmas tree with tiny baubles to put by his chair.

I have to agree with Errata as well.

rachbc

Audio book that they can listen to? Likewise fav music etc. Beautiful plant that can be enjoyed now but also palnted somewhere as a bit of memorial?

henpecked1

Audio Book!!

Brilliant... well done.

Any suggestions? I mean, if it is going to be the last book and all, I wouldnt want to balls that one up

escortg3

How old is this person please.

Perhaps a cd of his favourite music. Perhaps a photo book he can look through of happy times.

Not much help really sorry

honeypop

You don't say how old the person is, but I'm 30 and if I was bedridden I would absolutely love something to pass the time with, so perhaps a good book (nothing too depressing), some magazines, some sort of music definitely, maybe DVDs? All of these things have no problem being 'short-term' gifts, when they've been used once they've done their job in helping to pass time while bedridden or cheer the person up a bit hopefully.
Again if it were me, if I couldn't manage to read a book I would love for someone to spend a bit of time every now and then reading it to me, same for magazines - could you do this? If I didn't have a music/DVD player in the room, I would love for someone to lend me one and set one up for me for the few weeks I had.

Errata

henpecked1 wrote: »

Audio Book!!

Brilliant... well done.

Any suggestions? I mean, if it is going to be the last book and all, I wouldnt want to balls that one up

TBH anyone who only has 4 weeks to live will be in a pretty poor state already with little energy to spare to be entertained by books, CD's & etc.
Spending time with them requires no energy on their part and they can doze on and off with comfort knowing someone cares enough about them to just sit and be with them.

maryotuam

I have been really ill at times and you don't feel up to reading or doing much so my suggestion is a relaxing classical music CD that could be played in the background or an audio book of short stories. To be honest he probably doesn't care that it's Xmas.
Another suggestion is to ask this personif there is anything they need. When I was ill what was most useful to me was someone prepared to listen to me whinging!

andrealm

A pair or really nice warm socks as they are probably quite frail and feel the cold?

onlyroz

What about some flowers? The audiobook suggestion is good - I'd go for something light and funny, e.g. Terry Pratchett.