Condolences Gift Ideas: From Flower Arrangements To Books And Baskets

We all know that sending a condolences gift is common practice when someone is in mourning.

A sympathy card may be enough for some people, while others want something more tangible.

However, there are times when a card can’t fully express how sorry you are for someone’s loss or hardship.

Fortunately, there are also some other gifts you can send to show your sympathy. In the past few decades, the tradition has evolved from sending flowers and plants to sending sympathy baskets of food and other gift ideas.

Appropriate condolences gift ideas can also include toys, books, or a charitable donation in the name of the mourning person, if you feel that’s more appropriate.

It’s also sometimes difficult to find the perfect words, so sending for example a condolence gift basket can be more fitting.

Below is some helpful information on the available options for thoughtful condolence gifts.

Sympathy cards

Cards can be sent from anyone and they’rea quick and simple form of condolence gift. Well-made cards are also a treat to behold.

They’re also the least expensive option of this list, which is especially appealing if you’re looking for an inexpensive way to say sorry for someone’s recent bereavement.

Personalized cards with a handwritten message also add a personal touch that e-mail or text messaging cannot.

Don’t forget about the small details when it comes to sending your card, as details can make all the difference.

Don’t, for example, let it get torn or mangled, and avoid coffee stains or crossed-out text.

Make it look nice, and let it show that you care.

Sending condolences flowers

These are among the most popular condolence gifts; flowers speak for themselves.

Condolence flowers can help bring some light and color into a place where there is only darkness and sadness.

Sending flowers for condolences also represents love and caring to those who receive them, which may bring comfort during difficult times. They are also linked in people’s minds to birthdays and anniversary celebrations, and as such carry positive associations.

When sending flowers, it is important to know what type the recipient might prefer. In brief, the best flowers for condolences are the ones that create the least inconvenience.

For example, someone who is allergic to certain types of pollen might want non-allergenic flowers such as tulips, daffodils, carnations, orchids, or roses.

Also, try to arrange with the florist that the condolences flower arrangements are easy for the recipient to receive and set up.

Think here of avoiding tedious steps to receive the flowers, and unnecessary packaging that needs to be discarded somewhere.

Because the mourning family may be quite busy with practical and logistical tasks, condolence flowers can also be sent directly for display in the service. This applies to sympathy baskets as well.

Online flower shops are convenient in that they allow you to select from a wide range of different arrangements with just the click of a button.

Offline “brick and mortar” flower shops, on the other hand, are great when you want to send something that has been hand-picked by their florist, like fresh-cut flowers that will last longer than a pre-arranged bouquet.

If you have little knowledge about what kind of flower bouquets are appreciated in certain cultures, try asking someone within the family about what they would like to see at the ceremony.

Finally, look elsewhere on this page for examples of a (short) condolences flower message that you can send along with the flowers delivery.

Again, little details make all the difference in situations like these.

Sending a condolences basket

Condolences baskets are a great choice when you want something more than flowers, but don’t want to go overboard.

A condolence gift basket can be a wonderful gesture to let someone know that you are thinking of them during their time of loss.

The gift basket does not have to be extravagant or expensive, but it should include items which will comfort the recipient or remind them of happy memories.

The basket may also include a card that may provide words of sympathy and support for the bereaved family.

A condolence gift basket is a thoughtful gesture, perfect for times when words seem insufficient.

Keep in mind that different types of baskets mean different things in different cultures, so be sure to send one with the right meaning for the occasion.

People may also send condolence food baskets that contain staple food items that the bereaved person may not have time to buy themselves.

What should I include in a condolence gift basket?

A condolence gift basket is a thoughtful gesture that can be customized to suit the needs of the bereaved person.

The basket can include items that are specific to the bereaved person’s tastes or interests, whether that be snacks or books or wine or pasta.

For example, if you know someone’s favorite type of candy or tea or wine, consider putting those in your basket.

There is no one specific item that is appropriate for every condolence gift basket, but some good examples are things like:

• A favorite treat or snack: think here of candies, cookies, and other sweets
• Soothing beauty products such as bath salts and lotions
• A good (and ideally a meaningful and appropriate) book
• Candles
• A handmade card with condolences messages
• Plush toys
• Movies or music from their favorite artists.

Photo: by Dmitry Mashkin on Unsplash

Originally published at https://www.psychnewsdaily.com on December 14, 2021.