Finding the Perfect Gift for a Loved One with Breast Cancer: Little did I know when I was gathering gifts for my sister that in a few short years, she would be doing the same for me!
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When my sister was diagnosed with breast cancer, I wanted to do something to support her, but finding the right gift felt like an impossible task. I did what most of us do—I turned to Google and searched for “gift ideas for someone with breast cancer.” Unfortunately, I was pretty disappointed with what I found. The majority of the suggestions were loaded with inspirational quotes, prepackaged soup mixes, or items she already had in abundance, like water bottles. I wanted something different.
Now, don’t get me wrong, I understand why generic gift bags exist, and I’m sure they work for some people. But when it comes to supporting someone close to you during a tough time, I wanted to find something more personal. My sister didn’t need to be reminded of her battle every time she opened a gift—she was already more aware of her reality than anyone. Instead, I set out to find gifts that could bring her joy, comfort, and a sense of connection, without constantly reminding her of her current situation.
A Local Treasure Hunt for the Perfect Gift
My first stop was ACME Gift in downtown Manhattan, KS. If you’ve never been, trust me, it’s a goldmine for quirky, unexpected finds. ACME has some of the best books and most unique items you never knew you needed, and they didn’t disappoint this time either. My favorite find was a book titled “How to Survive a Garden Gnome Attack.” Seriously, how could I resist?! As soon as I saw the title, I burst out laughing. I knew my sister would appreciate something random and funny, especially during such a stressful time. We all need a little humor in the midst of chaos, and this book was perfect.
Cancer is serious, and so much of the process is heavy, overwhelming, and emotional. That’s exactly why I wanted to give her something completely off-the-wall—something that would make her laugh or take her mind off things.
Next on my list was THREADS in Aggieville. My sister and I may live over 500 miles apart, but I wanted to give her something to keep us connected. I thought back to our childhood when our parents (like many others) used to dress us in matching outfits. With that memory in mind, I decided we needed matching t-shirts. I knew exactly what the shirts would say.
Our Grandma Eva was the backbone for us growing up, and even though she passed away years ago, her wisdom still guides us. One thing she always said was to “go to the garden.” Gardening was her therapy, her way of creating beauty and finding peace. Inspired by Grandma Eva and one of my favorite movies, Practical Magic, I had the shirts designed with the quote, “Always throw salt over your left shoulder, keep rosemary by your garden gate, plant lavender for luck, and fall in love whenever you can.”
With the help of the amazing staff at THREADS, we incorporated a salt shaker, rosemary, lavender, and a heart into the design. It felt like the perfect tribute to Grandma, and a way for my sister and me to feel connected, even from miles apart.
Practical Comforts and Simple Joys
I also stopped at some local shops downtown to pick up a few more thoughtful items. I carefully selected lotions and sanitizers, being sure to check the ingredient list to ensure they were safe for her sensitive skin. Chemo changes the way you think about even the simplest things, and we’ve become much more cautious about the products we use.
I knew my sister would also need a few distractions for those days when she just wanted something simple to occupy her mind. So, I grabbed some fun puzzles and activity books—the kind that require just enough focus to distract you, but not so much that they feel like work. I also included some practical items, like ginger candy chews, mint gum, and Quesy Drops to help with the nausea from chemo.
Of course, I had to throw in something funny, too. Enter, "The Office talking button!" It plays hilarious one-liners from the characters of The Office—perfect for a quick laugh when you need it most. I’m not the biggest fan of The Office myself, but who can deny the power of laughter?
The Amazon Finds That Made the Cut
For the finishing touches, I turned to the internet’s go-to: Amazon. I found a coloring book called “Maybe Swearing Will Help,” and I knew immediately it was going in the box. Of course, I made sure to throw in a fresh box of crayons too—because what’s a coloring book without a new set of crayons?
And then I stumbled upon the Damn It Doll. If you haven’t heard of these, let me introduce you: they’re little dolls designed to take a beating when you’re frustrated. I found the perfect one, the Cancer Damn It Doll, which was made of tough material and decked out in pink camo. Anytime my sister needed to vent her anger or frustration, she could take it out on this little doll. It was perfect.
A Chemo-Day Surprise for My Sister
Then, I took the idea that my cousin's wife gave me and I wrapped each gift into individual packages—one for each of my sister’s chemo appointments. Then, I shipped them all to her house, addressed to her kids. My instructions were simple: each chemo day, the kids were to pick one package and give it to her. Not only did this give my sister something to look forward to on those tough days, but it also gave the kids a chance to be involved in their own special way.
The kids did a great job of keeping the gifts hidden and making sure each one was a surprise. It wasn’t always flawless, but it worked, and that’s what mattered. On those long, hard days, my sister had something to brighten her spirit, and we all felt a little bit closer because of it.
Finding the right gift for someone going through cancer treatment isn’t easy. It’s a deeply personal process, but my goal was simple: to bring a little joy and a lot of love into my sister’s life. If you’re in the same boat, I encourage you to think outside the box. Humor, comfort, and connection go a long way, especially when you’re facing something as challenging as cancer.
-Some of the links above are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.
