https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 04 Apr 2026 08:50:48 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gift-for-friend-with-dying-parent#post-2256324 Thu, 06 Aug 2015 09:50:19 +0000 .twist. 2256324@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When my dad was dying my good friends made up a cooler full of freezer meals for my family and my mom. It was honestly the best thing they could have done and was so appreciated. We didn't have to think about dinner or anything for about 2 weeks. </p> <p>Food is major and actual trinkets, for me, would only be a sad reminder. With food at least I was making sure to eat. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gift-for-friend-with-dying-parent#post-2256238 Thu, 06 Aug 2015 09:00:27 +0000 MrsYellowJacket 2256238@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks yall! Quick update - my friends sister moved up her wedding date to last week, so they had prof photos from the wedding and her bridal shower - otherwise this would have been my top choice!</p> <p>We decided on a large Harry and David basket and will donate the remainder to a local breast cancer research foundation. Thank yall very much! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gift-for-friend-with-dying-parent#post-2255341 Wed, 05 Aug 2015 11:11:46 +0000 Mrs D 2255341@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I didnt read the other suggestions - but what about hiring a photographer for some family portraits? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gift-for-friend-with-dying-parent#post-2255333 Wed, 05 Aug 2015 11:07:11 +0000 raintreebee 2255333@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My go to for things like this is a gift basket full of snacks/fruits. I usually order from Dean and Deluca or Harry and David. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gift-for-friend-with-dying-parent#post-2255310 Wed, 05 Aug 2015 10:44:24 +0000 Greentea 2255310@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@rachiecakes: oh yes, great ideas! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gift-for-friend-with-dying-parent#post-2255308 Wed, 05 Aug 2015 10:43:03 +0000 Greentea 2255308@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would probably gift some commemoration in honor of the mother or the family. I recently lost my dad and would like to purchase (through a special program in my city) a planted oak tree as a gift to a local park in his honor (comes with plaque in remembrance- but could be done in her honor, considering she is alive!), or a park bench I can visit with DD. If the family has an interest, such as a botanical garden, you could gift a tile in honor of the family (for instance, this is done at our city garden). </p> <p>Other than that I would consider gifting the mother a meaningful work of art or (reasonably sized) sculpture, something that depicts hope that they could enjoy together in her room and after she passes. </p> <p>I considered the photography idea, but am not sure that would be comfortable for the family depending on their culture/ preferences. Also, food etc., would be nice, but seems to border on money (although not the intention). </p> <p>Anything that honors the family or mother, or that allows them to enjoy together their time. </p> <p>Sorry for this! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gift-for-friend-with-dying-parent#post-2255216 Wed, 05 Aug 2015 09:20:36 +0000 rachiecakes 2255216@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@catlady: :heart: <a href="http://www.rosekennedygreenway.org/donate/mothers_walk/" rel="nofollow">http://www.rosekennedygreenway.org/donate/mothers_walk/</a><br /> It's especially nice to take a stroll around Mother's Day, when our winter is over and things are starting to bloom. It's a beautiful place to remember mom.<br /> There's also the carousel for LOs. <a href="http://www.rosekennedygreenway.org/visit/greenway-carousel/about-carousel-project/" rel="nofollow">http://www.rosekennedygreenway.org/visit/greenway-carousel/about-carousel-project/</a></p> <p>I had another friend honor their father with a paver at Fenway Park. That was a special place for them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gift-for-friend-with-dying-parent#post-2255176 Wed, 05 Aug 2015 08:45:58 +0000 catlady 2255176@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When I lost my mom, the things I appreciated most were:<br /> - Food (we got some immediately, plus giftcards for a meal service after the initial flood of food was over)<br /> - A couple books on dealing with grief and loss (not sure if this would be appropriate in your case though)<br /> - Donations in her name to the foundation most closely related to the cause of her death</p> <p>@rachiecakes: I didn't know about the Mother's Walk, but this is great. I may purchase one for my mom. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gift-for-friend-with-dying-parent#post-2255151 Wed, 05 Aug 2015 08:35:16 +0000 Mrs.Someone 2255151@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I lost my dad in a similar way. I hated flowers, but appreciated an edible arrangement. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gift-for-friend-with-dying-parent#post-2255121 Wed, 05 Aug 2015 08:22:25 +0000 MrsYellowJacket 2255121@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@peachykeen: Love the idea of the photographer!</p> <p>@rachiecakes: Great idea of a commemorative piece!</p> <p>@LuLu Mom: preparing for the crowd - like this too!</p> <p>The only other thing we came up with overnight was a donation to research in her name. Thanks for the ideas!! It's a rather larger group so I'll let majority vote win in this case :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gift-for-friend-with-dying-parent#post-2255092 Wed, 05 Aug 2015 07:51:29 +0000 LuLu Mom 2255092@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't know if they would consider this offensive, but when my coworker lost her child to SIDS, we threw together a care package of toilet paper, paper towels, snacks, paper plates, and other household items knowing she would have a flood of people at their house and no time to shop for extra stuff. We also did gift cards with extra money. She had another small child so we did toys for him too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gift-for-friend-with-dying-parent#post-2255030 Wed, 05 Aug 2015 05:54:24 +0000 rachiecakes 2255030@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsYellowJacket: not sure if something like this would work for the situation but my best friends mother passed in December. We wanted to do something as well. In Boston there is a 'Mothers Walk' on the Greenway and you can buy a paver and have it engraved. Many places have these, libraries, parks, ball fields, etc. maybe there's a place that would be special for them? Especially if you think a gift card or the like would be borderline offensive.<br /> I'm so sorry your friend is going through this. :( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gift-for-friend-with-dying-parent#post-2254973 Tue, 04 Aug 2015 22:21:54 +0000 peachykeen 2254973@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I just lost my mom to cancer a few months ago. I absolutely think restaurant (take-out) gift cards or other useful things are the best gifts. Flowers, picture frames, etc are thoughtful, but kind of just get set aside. A really nice option might be to pay for a photographer to come by and take some nice family photos (with the family's permission, of course). My mom actually set up a photo session for my family at what she thought would be our last time together, and I am so, so thankful for those photos today. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gift-for-friend-with-dying-parent#post-2254807 Tue, 04 Aug 2015 18:58:44 +0000 MrsYellowJacket 2254807@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@youboots: good question - were open to anything whether it be to him, his mom, or his family as a whole. I should also mention his family (4 of them) are all together during this time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gift-for-friend-with-dying-parent#post-2254805 Tue, 04 Aug 2015 18:56:18 +0000 youboots 2254805@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Is it a gift for the friend or for the Mom? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gift-for-friend-with-dying-parent#post-2254795 Tue, 04 Aug 2015 18:45:45 +0000 MrsYellowJacket 2254795@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hello! Unfortunately, we have a dear friend whose mother is close to losing her second battle with cancer. The dr's have given her a few weeks max at this point. Our friend is super charismatic, outgoing, and the life of the party. He is absolutely crushed as he and his mom are extremely close. Friends and coworkers are pulling together a collection and I would love some suggestions on what to do with the money. His family is well off and from a culture that would be somewhat offended if we just "sent money." His mom has been inundated with flowers so we'd like to avoid that route as well. I suggested something more "helpful" such as restaurant gift cards for take out meals, but that's bordering the offensive category. </p> <p>Do you wonderful ladies have any suggestions? I anticipate we'll have a few hundred dollars in the collection. </p>