We know how difficult it is to find gifts for those who are ill or recovering Here are our carefully chosen, useful and appropriate gifts inspired by our own experiences with illness, hospital stays, and being home bound. Some items are irreverent, others are whimsical, practical and inspiring; some are just plain awesome.

Suggestions for Hospital or Home Recovery Gifts From Our Customers 

What better way to to have an enviably stupendous gift selection than to ask those who have received memorable and useful gifts themselves. Here are some of the suggestions that we received:

• A new pillow and pillow case. A caveat: some people are allergic to down pillows.
• Magazines about the patient's hobbies.
• A gift of a house cleaning service the day before, or after the patient returns home.
• A gift certificate for a salon appointment.
• Portable board games.
• A prepaid cell phone if they didn't bring theirs to the hospital, or don't have one.
• Notecards and stamped envelopes.
• Send an email or an e-card. Tell the patient that it's not necessary to reply right away.
• A cool pair of pajamas.
• A warm blanket or throw. Receiving a new one always brings a smile and comfort.
• If someone is allergic to flowers, buy artificial ones. This is a good at-home gift since the patient won't have to carry it home from the hospital.
• Give the patient a funny coupon from you offering a ride to the doctor's office or to do errands. This is a powerful gesture.
• Give the patient a coupon offering your services for one hour in their home (cleaning, watching the children, caring for the dog).
• Something the patient doesn't have access to, e.g., gourmet teas or food especially for those who live far from a city. It's best to find a store that will deliver locally.
• A gift certificate to Amazon. It really is the world's largest shopping "mall". And they don't have to leave home to use it!
• Even though it's expensive, the iPAD makes an awesome gift. One can download books, watch video, email and surf the web with wi-fi or a wireless connection.
• Bring your dog over (that's if you have one, and the patient and circumstances are amenable).
• A gift certificate for your own "meals on wheels". This gift is one of the most appreciated. Always cook what they are allowed to eat. Or, you can coordinate a group of friends who take turns to cook meals for the patient.
• A DVD player and some movies. This beats the TV/cable stations that are broadcast in the hospital.
• CD or MP3 player with your friend's favorite music and books.
• A deck of cards.
• If the patient isn't already on Facebook, set up a page for them.
• The gift of an-in home massage.
• Shoot a video of the patient's children or pets and bring the patient a laptop, cell phone, or any other electronic device so they can watch it.
• Bring a favorite snack to the hospital. Chewing gum is also appreciated.
• Offer babysitting or pet sitting.
• Send a care package in an unusual package, maybe a child's toy "doctor's bag". Funky and weird is good.
• A diary and pen.
• A small voice recorder to tape what the patient's doctor says. As a patient, I find this to be a really practical gift. Who ever remembers all that the doctor says?

The links below are our suggestions that are suitable for "in the hospital", " welcome home", or an "even though you've recovered gift".