What to Gift a Loved One Living With Cancer
- The holiday season can be stressful for all of us — but those living with cancer or currently going through treatment may be feeling particular pressure.
- This guide features gifts to fit different price points and intentions — whether you’re looking to gift something practical, cozy, or luxurious.
- Gifts that lean more towards the practical side include meal plans, robo vacuums, chest port pillows, and more.
- If you think the cancer survivor in your life would prefer a luxury item, check out the cashmere throw or high-tech back massager.
To help you narrow it down, we’ve compiled a list of 10 products that make excellent gifts for those living with or recovering from cancer.
Read More1. Meal Subscription
Prepared meals arriving at the door can be a boon to those who don’t feel enough well to cook. We suggest a service that offers organic ingredients, such as Veestro, a vegan, no-preservative option. You can pause delivery or cancel anytime. (Veestro.com — $11.70 per meal for 10 meals)2. A Back Massager
Studies show that massage may reduce pain, fatigue, nausea, anxiety and depression. The affordable and top-rated Zyllion Shiatsu Back and Neck Massager is an ergonomic and compact pillow massager that makes the perfect gift.
(Amazon.com — $54.95)
3. Unscented Bath Salts
Some people in treatment are especially sensitive to smells so make sure when you purchase a gift meant to help them relax, it doesn’t contain strong scents. One suggestion is Ahava Dead Sea Bath Salt.
(Ahava.com — $14 for a 8.5 oz.)
4. Portable Projector
These small devices are great for watching streamed content on walls, ceilings — pretty much anywhere — which makes it especially convenient for people in bed, or who have found that one weird nook in the house they feel most comfortable. This portable mini projector can be connected to your phone, TV stick, HDMI, and more.
(Amazon.com — $59.99)
5. Cozy socks
There’s a reason cozy socks show up on all sorts of holiday lists: Clothes that keep people warm are perfect small gifts, particularly for cancer survivors at home or in the hospital. We like these Cozy Slipper Socks for a few reasons — they have slip-resistant bottoms, come in nine colors, and one size “fits most.”
(Choosehope.com — $9)
6. Headwraps and Headbands
Yes, there’s no shortage of headwear for people going through chemo. But this is an extra stylish selection and no wonder — it’s from geeg, founded by cancer survivor and fashion insider Gina de Givenchy, a family member of the storied Givenchy luxury fashion house.
(Geegny.com — prices vary)
7. Portable laptop tray/desk
Whether the person you’re buying for is working from bed or simply likes to sit up to stream Netflix, this laptop tray/desk from Wayfair is a great (and extremely convenient) buy. The tray comes with a pillow cushion topped with a sturdy laptop tray with a keyboard cushion and phone holder.
(Wayfair — $40)
8. Robo Vacuum
Cleaning floors can be taxing for people in treatment, and robo vacuums can do the work for them. The iRobot Roomba is an affordable (at least comparatively) option, available on Amazon, that can get the job done quickly.
(Amazon.com — $159)
9. Cashmere Throw
Soft, warm, cozy — need we say more? We like this throw from Horchow because, in additional to looking and feeling beautiful, it comes in 10 colors.
(Horchow.com — $335)
10. Chest Port Pillow
Seatbelts can make traveling uncomfortable and sometimes painful for those with a port for treatment. These tiny, cheerful-looking port pillows are handmade and each have a strap that attaches to the seatbelt so they don’t slip.
(esty.com — $6.75)
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.