30 Gifts for Someone Going Through Chemo

Sarah Dickinson tells SELF that when she had breast cancer, she received a “really nice set of pencils” and a coloring book. She says filling it in “was a [welcome] change of pace during a very intense and stressful moment in time.” On chemo days, she turned to the book instead of watching TV: “It was very calming, and got me out of my head.”

This particular book is filled with intricate fairytale scenes and boasts over 5,000 five-star reviews on Amazon. For something different, there’s a reverse coloring book of unfinished watercolors for them to outline. Or, if coloring isn’t their jam, a book of crossword or sudoku puzzles could offer them another good way to pass the time and get their mind off of treatment.

Breast cancer survivor Zandy Fretts notes that a warm scarf or shawl—like this one from Athleta—would be a great addition to any chemo care package. “It doesn’t get wrapped up in IVs like a sweater, and is easy to take on and off if your temperature fluctuates,” she says.

When you go through chemo, daily tasks (like making dinner) might start to feel incredibly daunting. To help ease that burden, a gift card to a grocery-delivery company (like FreshDirect, Shipt, or Instacart) can go a long way, since these services handle the shopping for your loved one. “Your tastes can change dramatically during chemo, so it can be helpful to let the patient pick out what they want,“ Rafte says. Other food delivery platforms, like DoorDash, will allow them to order almost anything they’d like from nearby restaurants, grocery stores, and more.

Another option is a meal-kit delivery service, which could be ideal for people who enjoy cooking but don’t have the bandwidth for tons of prep work. Many of these companies (including the SELF Certified Home Chef) offer low-effort, oven-ready dishes as well.

Patients “will likely experience many emotions while undergoing treatment,” Abbey Kaler, MS, nurse practitioner in the Department of Breast Medical Oncology at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, tells SELF. It can be nice to have a journal (or journaling app) to jot everything down and help process it. This notebook has a beautiful cover that can be personalized with their name or a special quote.

Olivia Mannion, a stage-four Hodgkin’s lymphoma cancer survivor, tells SELF that she was grateful for the bath bombs she received while undergoing treatments. “Following chemo, my body was incredibly sore, fatigued, and achy,” she says. “Bath bombs with Epsom salt or lavender helped tremendously to relax my body and mind.” She enjoyed the gift so much that she now gives them to other friends who undergo chemo.

This bath is made with colloidal oatmeal which may reduce itching. It’s also fragrance-free, and thousands of Amazon reviewers love the way it gently soothes dry skin.

Chemo sessions are held in medical centers, which patients say are often very chilly. Keep your loved one cozy with a pair of slippers. “I received beagle-themed slippers, which I wore to every treatment,” Mannion says. “They kept me warm and reminded me of home and my puppy. I always looked forward to putting them on while preparing for the treatment ahead.”

These Ugg Ansley slippers are both chic and functional—they have a grippy rubber sole, so they’re suitable for walking to the car and around the building.

File this under “different, but oh-so-meaningful”: Mannion went through 12 rounds of chemotherapy, and her mom gifted her 12 polished stones at the beginning of that journey. “After every treatment, I would move a stone from one bowl to another,” she says. “This helped me visualize a complete treatment, and being that much closer to the end of chemo.”

She says that knowing you have a certain number of sessions ahead can be overwhelming, but seeing tangible markers “helped to keep in perspective that I was always moving forward.”

“Every Saturday after treatment, my aunt would send flowers with an inspirational quote, and I always looked forward to seeing what arrangement she picked,” Mannion says. “Having a consistent delivery to look forward to the day after treatment boosted my mood each time.”

You can gift your loved one an UrbanStems subscription, which sends flowers on the day of your choosing (for a one-time or regular delivery). The company also offers next-day delivery for some bouquets.

Sleep is crucial to recovery, and it can be hard to get it in bright, noisy hospital rooms. “My amazing work friends got me a beautiful pure silk sleep mask and lavender pillow spray,” Montejo says. “They’re so relaxing that I’ve even managed to fall asleep during some chemo sessions—with a frozen scalp cooling cap on my head!”

This adjustable blackout mask from Manta comes with freezable cooling eye cups to soothe sinuses and is made with soft fabric that won’t snag. For a less expensive but still high-quality pick, try Brooklinen’s Mulberry Silk Eye Mask.

“Chemotherapy can cause your skin to become extremely dehydrated, sensitive, and prone to rashes,” Ann Marie Fitch Akana, who went through chemo for breast cancer, tells SELF. One gift she appreciated during her treatments was lip balm to help with dryness. Aquaphor’s signature moisturizing lip balm seals in moisture and prevents chapping.

“We got my mom a big tote to transport everything she needed to sessions with her: a blanket, her iPad, headphones, snacks, etc.,” Carolyn Murphy, whose mother went through chemo, tells SELF. This cute Baggu Duck Bag is roomy enough to hold a laptop, sweater, water bottle, and more. It can be worn as a hand-carry tote or shoulder bag, and your loved one can toss it in the wash for easy cleaning.

When Sally Moores underwent high-dose chemotherapy for stage-four blood cancer, she says one of the best gifts she received was a wide-brim hat to protect her scalp. “During chemo, you have to stay out of the sun, and shading your face and neck can be difficult,” she tells SELF.

This North Face hat is made of a soft material woven with UPF 40+ sun protection. It also has an adjustable drawcord, which helps keep it secure on a windy day.

Meditation has been linked with reductions in stress, and research shows that patients are increasingly using mindfulness-based therapies in various stages of cancer management. Montejo says her mother bought her a subscription to the guided meditation app Headspace, which she now uses regularly. “I’m definitely noticing the benefits,” she says.

Fuzzy throw blankets and socks can help a patient feel more at ease during a chemotherapy session and at home, Alison Snow, PhD, assistant director of cancer supportive services at Mount Sinai Downtown Cancer Centers, tells SELF. Many people going through chemo opt to do cold cap therapy, which works to reduce hair loss by limiting blood flow to the scalp and, therefore, the amount of medication that makes its way there. As you might guess, it’s really, really cold.

“Toward the end of treatment, when the cap feels even colder because you inevitably have less hair, electric blankets are invaluable,” Montejo says, noting that she borrowed a few during her journey. A heated blanket or pad can also come in handy if your loved one has stomach pains or muscle and joint aches, which she says plenty of people get during chemo.

Murphy says that when her mom was watching TV shows or listening to music during her infusions, high-quality headphones were “a must.” If your loved one spends many hours at the hospital on treatment days, choose headphones or earbuds with a long battery life.

The SELF editor-approved Beats Powerbeats Pro feature winged tips that keep them snugly in place, plus they have up to nine hours of listening time with one charge (or over 24 hours when paired with the charging case).

It can be hard to find the energy to clean your house on a normal day, let alone when you’re going through something as physically demanding as chemo. That’s why Mastrippolito says a house-cleaning gift she received was amazing. You can choose a local service or buy a gift card from a national company like Maid Bright.

While some oncology centers offer massage services for patients, they’re not the same as what you’d receive at a spa, says Fretts. A gift certificate for a professional massage can provide your loved one with a little pampering (and a welcome distraction). You can also give them a gift card for a service like Spafinder, which lets them book an appointment at a local provider of their choosing—just make sure to check that there are participating businesses in their area.

It can be tough to find baggy clothes that allow a patient’s care team to easily reach their ports to take labs and deliver medicine. This shirt discreetly creates access to these areas—no more rolling up sleeves, stretching out collars, or shedding layers.

Gift them a gorgeous puzzle to help pass the time. This one, with its intricate image and uniquely shaped pieces, provides a new way for your loved one and their visitors to work on something together that’s totally unrelated to cancer. Less expensive, but just as pretty: A double-sided puzzle they can frame afterwards, complete with gold foil.

If you know your loved one enjoys reading, make sure they never have to go through a treatment without a good book. They can download a new one any time on this Kindle Paperwhite, which one SELF editor loves for its small, lightweight design; its long battery life; and the fact that it's waterproof.

It’s hard for folks to feel like themselves when they’re going through chemo, and keeping up with self-care rituals that make them feel good can easily fall by the wayside. Help your loved one out with a gift card to get their nails or toes done—they’ll appreciate the chance to relax and be pampered without having to plan it themselves. A card from Pick Your Polish will give your giftee access to services at 15,000 nail salons nationwide.

The Nekteck Shiatsu Neck and Back Massager is a favorite of SELF staffers—it has 8 heated massage nodes that wrap around shoulders to ease tension at home or during hospital stays.

Ports may make it difficult to wear a seatbelt comfortably, but this little gift can fix that problem. It Velcros onto any seatbelt to provide extra padding and protection over tender areas.

With an Audible membership, your loved one can buy audiobooks using their credits, and they’ll always have a story to dig into. They can dive into classics or brand new bestsellers anywhere (as long as they have headphones).

Gift them this bestselling travel pillow so they can get some rest during car rides, treatments, or infusions. It has asymmetrical sides, so they can twist it to find the perfect position, and a washable cover that’s easy to care for.

Outlets can be tough to come by in hospitals—so if a heated blanket or pad just isn’t an option during cold capping sessions, this puffy, heated vest may be a better fit. It’s battery-powered and lasts up to 10 hours on a single charge, keeping them cozy even in a frigid treatment room.

Pets can be so healing—but they’re still work, and it can be a lot of pressure for someone to take care of more than themselves. A gift card to a service like Wag, which can send someone over to take a dog for a walk, play with a cat, or care for another animal, can take one more thing off your loved one’s plate and give them peace of mind that their pets are still getting plenty of attention.

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