If you have a friend or a loved one who lives alone, a lovely way to show you care is by putting together a holiday care package. These packages are filled with items to bring comfort, joy, and a sense of warmth during the winter months. They serve as a gentle reminder that your loved one is always in your thoughts and supported.
One idea is to choose a specific theme, like tasty treats or a cozy movie night, or simply gather items that you know will make them smile. Consider selecting practical, compact items to ensure they can easily fit in their space. These items can be beautifully arranged in a basket or container that they can reuse for storage.
What to Include in Your Care Package
When creating a care package, it’s important to personalize it based on your loved one’s interests and preferences. Think about what activities they enjoy, their favorite treats, and what brings them comfort and joy when selecting items to include.
Here are some suggestions for what to add to a holiday care package:
Comfort Items
Everyone craves warmth and comfort. Add a scented candle, lip balm, cozy pillow, blanket, slippers, or robe to the care package. To amp up the coziness during colder months, include warm socks, a sweater, gloves, and a winter hat.
- Lap blanket or throw
- Fuzzy socks or slippers
- Journal and special pens
- Knitted scarf
- A playlist of favorite songs burned onto a CD
- Himalayan salt lamp
- Decorative plants or flowers
Activities
Consider adding entertainment-related gifts. Activities can include a subscription to a streaming service or gift cards to Amazon or Barnes & Noble for audiobooks, e-books, physical books, magazines, and more. You can also send activities like books, puzzles, games, adult coloring books, sketchpads, and pencils.
- Books or magazines
- Audiobooks
- A deck of cards
- One of their favorite games
- A Netflix or Amazon movie subscription
- Craft items (yarn, cross-stitch patterns, paints, sketching paper)
- Puzzles
- Crossword and Sudoku puzzles
- Adult coloring books and colored pencils or markers
Personal Care Items
Do they need some “me” time? Treat them to a bit of luxury with these personal care items:
- Fancy soap
- Body scrub
- Lip balm
- Lotion
- Pajamas
- Blanket
- Socks
- Slippers
- Scarf
- Pillow
Food or Special Treats
Nothing brings more comfort than their favorite foods. Fill it with cookies, snacks, teas, hot cocoa packets, or fruits to bring a smile to their face. For an extra special touch, offer to cook a home-cooked meal just for them. If they enjoy cooking, include a cookbook and apron in the care package. Remember to consider any dietary needs or restrictions they may have and choose snacks and treats that align with those guidelines.
- Specialty tea
- Homemade cookies or bread
- Favorite candy or snacks
- Freezer meals
- Fruit basket
- Gift cards to a favorite takeout restaurant
A Personal Touch
Scrapbooking supplies, photos, handwritten notes, gifts from grandchildren, digital photo frames, photo albums, and handmade items are often the most heartfelt gifts.
- Framed photograph of the two of you or a family photograph
- Something handmade
- “Coupons” for things you can do (housecleaning, making a meal, grocery shopping, walking the dog, etc.)
- Holiday cards drawn by your children or grandchildren
Don’t hesitate to send a holiday care package, even if it’s not during the holiday season. Showing love and support through a thoughtful gift is always appreciated. We hope these care package ideas have inspired you to create a special gift for your loved ones.
The Villi team is here to help.
Do you need help with a loved one? Then consider Villi’s homemaker and companionship services. Our team of friendly, compassionate Companions takes great pride in serving people in their own community who need light assistance with daily chores, some company and conversation, or convenient transportation for errands, appointments, or trips to the store.
Explore our services to learn more about our:
- Homemaker and companionship services
- Easy-to-use scheduling platform
- “Best Value” service pricing
- Only 1-hour service minimum
Sign up in seconds to enjoy free 24-hour access to our on-demand scheduling platform, where you can view our team of vetted compassionate companions.
If you have questions about our services, please feel free to call 1-844-624-5646 to speak to one of our caring service Advisors.
Resource links:
National Institute on Aging: Social isolation, loneliness in older people pose health risks
https://www.nia.nih.gov/news/social-isolation-loneliness-older-people-pose-health-risks
https://www.amazon.com/
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/