Back in April I wrote a post about having so many flowers in my hospital room that it started to look like a funeral parlor.  If you have a loved one battling a serious illness, consider buying one of these non-flower gifts to lift their spirits and brighten up their hospital room:

One of Emily Mcdowell’s amazing Empathy Cards: 

Add some razzle-dazzle with this fabulous gold planter from the Oh Joy! Collection for Target.  Btw, I own this ladyface planter and she makes me so happy!  If you really want to give flowers, place a colorful orchid inside, or fill it with hospital necessities: lip balm, facial wipes, sleep mask, earplugs and candy (if they’re able/allowed to eat it).

If the patient is in the hospital any longer than a week, a colorful lightweight blanket is perfect.  When I was in the hospital I had a bright red blanket, it was cozy and it helped to make my room feel less institutional/jail-like:

Indigo sells this blanket in several colors:

A sleep mask makes a great gift for both men and women.  Trying to sleep in the hospital – with the God awful hospital lights blaring at all hours – is frustrating as hell!  Here is my partner sporting a handmade mask that I bought in downtown Los Angeles (LOL!):

More conventional, but no less colorful sleep masks, are available at many drugstores, Bed Bath & Beyond, large bookstores, Amazon, Sephora...💤💤💤

Finally, a framed photo of your beloved pet is a wonderful idea for a hospital room.  When I was trapped in the hospital for two months, my old dog walker brought be a framed photo of my precious dog Leroy.  Seeing his face each day kept me going; I knew I had to focus on getting better so that I could see him again.❤️🐾❤️