Just what the doctor ordered. These care packages for sick and recovering friends will bring a dose of happiness to their healing.
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20 Care Packages to Help Them Get Well Soon
Updated on Jan. 09, 2025
When I broke my collarbone, I didn’t realize how down it would make me feel — but it did take a toll. Then, the flower deliveries started rolling in. Friends I hadn’t spoken to in a bit send them; so did friends I didn’t know would ever think to buy flowers. The gestures meant an incredible amount.
When we’re sick, fighting a difficult disease, or recovering from an illness or loss, like a miscarriage, care packages are more than just a gift. While they do offer presents, they can also be incredibly useful — food when someone isn’t feeling well enough to cook, treats to lift their mood, tea to sip on to help with a sore throat. But, most importantly, they’re a gesture of your love and care and remind that you’re thinking of them during a difficult time.
We found care packages that are more traditional, like those with soup and tea, to those suited to particular tastes and desires. Some offer more immediate support, while others can also be enjoyed after they’re well again.
When selecting care packages, think carefully about what your friend is going through and what matters most to them. What food always makes them happy? What activity do they enjoy in their free time? Making sure the details line up with their preferences makes it even more impactful.
And, with every gift or care package, don’t forget the note! At the end of the day, that’s the most important part.
For the Tea Drinker
Tea Gift Package
Tea is a classic gift when someone’s feeling in need of some extra care. And this tea collection goes far beyond what they’ll find at the store. All of the blends are single origin from farms around the world, yielding brilliantly strong flavors that will make them realize, that’s how tea is supposed to taste. The gift-of-the-month club also comes with steeping recommendations and detailed descriptions about the tea and where it’s from.
Note that this comes as a 3-month, 6-month or 12-month gift. Each month delivers different teas.
For the One Fighting Off a Cold
Doctor's House Call Gift
Just what the doctor ordered! This care package will get them on the mend in no time, with classics like lemon & ginger tea and chicken noodle soup, along with butterscotch candy buttons and kettle corn for a little extra sweetness. Of course, recovering from a cold isn’t just a matter of tea and soup. This gift basket also includes games to keep them occupied, like a word search and a deck of cards.
For the Snacker
Healthy Gift Basket
That lovely middle ground of tasty and healthy snacks, this gift basket sets them up with nibbles that are on the “better-for-you” side to aid with recovery. With a mix of salty and sweet, it’s a great food gift for someone who’s getting better but could use some of their favorite snacks as they get back on their feet. This care package for a sick friend also comes with a box of immune-boosting tea.
For the One Who Needs a Hug
Sweet-Stuffed Gift Box
If you can’t be there with them in person, this sweet-stuffed gift box is as close to a hug as any care package for a sick friend we can think of. The cheerfully blue box contains gourmet candies, chocolates and sugary treats to raise their spirits as they recover. The tantalizing chocolate gift basket includes shortbread cookies, yogurt-covered pretzels and chocolate truffles.
For the New Mom
Postpartum Care Box
New motherhood is beautiful, but it can also be challenging. This postpartum care package provides thoughtful, comforting gifts as she recovers and reminds her how much you care about her. The postpartum cream can soothe skin, while the lavender Epsom bath salts help nourish tired muscles. There are even a few treats for baby, like a muslin burp cloth.
To make the new mom smile even more, add a personalized gift message to appear on the lid.
For the One Who Loves Gourmet Snacks
Cheese Basket
It’s hard not to feel better when gourmet cheese shows up at your door, and this cheese basket features an expert-curated collection of five cheeses from five different countries. Each cheese in this care package for a sick friend is 3/4 lb, so there’s plenty for sharing, and the selection includes manchego, comte and other tasty finds. The package also includes crackers and jam. Want to send them a new selection each month? Try a cheese-of-the-month club instead!
For the One Who Eats an Apple a Day
Exotic Fruit Gift Basket
An apple a day keeps the doctor away, but what about pineapple or kumquats? This gift basket filled with exotic fruits sends them eight pounds of bright, delightful fruits that they may not usually encounter. Depending on the season and availability, they’ll receive produce like coconuts, starfruit, tamarillos, passion fruit and much, much more in this fruit box.
For the One Whose Love Language Is Sugar
Sweets Assortment
If they have a sweet tooth, nothing boosts moods better than a gift box full of a wide range of baked treats (which Martha Stewart has ordered, so you know they’re good). They’ll receive 24 cookies in a variety of flavors, from caramel to chocolate to coconut, brownie edges and truffles. That adds up to more than 40 different treats in this gift basket, and they can be frozen for up to three months for ongoing decadence.
For the Protein Pro
Butcher's Choice Box
While they’re recovering, give them the gift of high-quality meat without a trip to the grocery store. This gift box features the founder’s top picks, including steaks, pork chops and bacon. This care package for a sick friend can be sent one-time or as an ongoing monthly subscription; the latter includes an additional assortment that changes with each delivery. The pasture-raised meat in this meat delivery service comes from small farms throughout the country.
For the One Ready to Unwind
Spa Crate
This spa crate helps them find serenity as they recover. It includes a lavender-scented eye mask, a candle, bath soap, hand cream, and more. Beautifully packaged in a gift box, the soothing scent of lavender encourages relaxation. It reminds them that you’re thinking of them while encouraging them to integrate some self-care into their days.
For the Breadhead
English Muffin Gift
Is there anything more comforting than English muffins slathered with jam? This gift box evokes comfort with five different types of English muffins, with flavors like San Francisco-style sourdough and cinnamon raisin. The muffins are paired with two types of preserve — strawberry and blueberry — along with a breadbox tin for easy storing. It’ll make for easy, delicious food gift when they’re not feeling that hungry or don’t have the energy to cook.
For the One Who Knows the Proof Is in the Pudding
Best of Magnolia Bakery Sampler Pack
If they know that sweets are the antidote to sickness, this Magnolia Bakery sampler pack brings an iconic NYC treat to their house. It features the chain’s famous banana pudding, as well as four blondies and four brownies. It’s the kind of food delivery gift that sparks joy, especially if they’re a long-time fan of the brand or if a little sweetness always makes them smile.
For the First-Time Parents
New Parent Package
Baby’s home—and this care package provides support and treats for the whole family. Soup and rolls mean mom and dad don’t have to worry about cooking some nights, and a half dozen cookies offer a sweet pick-me-up. There’s plenty of baby gifts for the new kiddo, too, including bandana bibs, swaddle wraps and a cute fox plush toy. It comes with a note card, so you can write them a personal message congratulating them!
For the One on a Cancer Journey
Cancer Support Gift
Support them through this difficult time with a care package filled with healing and cozy items, from thick reading socks and an eye mask for sleeping to lemon ginger tea and gin gin chews, which can help settle upset stomachs. This care package for a sick friend comes beautifully packaged — a meaningful way to remind them that you’re there as they are awaiting treatment or recovering.
For the One Who's Tired of Being Sick
Feel Better Gift Basket
It’s hard not feeling our best, and this beautiful woven gift basket will help make recovery that much smoother. They can smother honey wheat pretzels in a honey mustard dip and enjoy some warming English Breakfast tea while nibbling on white chocolate raspberry cookies or a tropical dried fruit mix.
Pair this care package for a sick friend with a phone call from you to make it even more meaningful, or opt for a snack subscription for a gift that keeps on giving.
For the One Who Loves to Season
Indoor Herb Garden
Even if they aren’t feeling their best, this indoor organic herb kit lets them exercise their green thumb without too much effort. It includes everything they need to get started, including non-GMO heirloom seeds for sweet basil, thyme, and Italian parsley, among other herbs. The herbs will fill their kitchen with color and delicious scents, and the herbs’ health benefits could help boost their immunity in the future.
For the One Who Loves a Good Breakfast
Breakfast Gift Hamper
There’s nothing like a homemade breakfast, and this gift hamper provides everything they need to have a gourmet start to their day with little effort. It’s packed full of sweet and savory items, so it can last someone a few meals or feed a larger family with candied salmon, smoked salmon, sliced country ham, pancake mix and more, all in a reusable hamper.
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For the One Who's Tired of Netflix
Blind Date With a Book
Books are the perfect companion when under the weather, and this gift box takes a creative spin on a typical present by pairing a surprise book with teas, cozy socks and snacks customized to the text. You can select the book’s genre, so you know they’ll get something they’ll enjoy, and it will awaken their imagination while they sip a warm cup of tea.
For the Gourmand
Flavored Olive Oil
This collection of four extra virgin olive oils is made in the Aegean, bringing the vibrancy and robust flavors of the Mediterranean to their kitchen. Even if they’re not feeling up for cooking right now, this gourmet olive oil collection adds a little spark to simple meals (I love the garlic or chili over avocado toast) as they get better. When they’re feeling 100%, the oils are on hand to elevate everything from pastas to roasts to salads.
For the One Who Needs Some TLC
Get Well Soon
Whether fighting off the flu or recovering from surgery and a charcuterie gift is just too heavy, this gift package features the quintessential treats that help make healing a little easier. There are 4–6 servings of soup, so they can have a nourishing meal with little effort, 6 rolls and 6 cookies. The package also comes with a ladle for easy serving, and you can include a note to help brighten their day.
FAQs
How to make a care package for a sick friend?
For quick illnesses, you can get them comforting items like a fleece blanket or their favorite candy. If you have someone in your life who is dealing with a more serious condition, you can give them a card with kind and positive words, a heating pad (or cooling bag) and things to occupy them while they’re in treatment. Most of all, it’s important to let them know that they’re supported and you’re there for them.
What are some care package gift ideas for a significant other?
It depends on what your significant other likes, but anything cozy is a good idea. Some of our most comforting suggestions include soup, new pajamas, a puzzle, a book, supplements and fuzzy socks. You can also give them your login to their favorite streaming service, like Netflix or Hulu!
How to help a friend who is ill?
It’s always better to say something than stay quiet. Show them that you’re there for them and respect their boundaries. Call them to check in, ask if they’re okay or if they need anything and accompany them to appointments if they need it.
What is the best gift for a bed-ridden friend?
Pre-cooked meals and entertainment-based gifts (video games, books and puzzles) are always good options. You can also offer to spend time with them or help with housekeeping, errands or care for their pets or children.
