There’s no better time to spread cheer and lift spirits than the holiday season. It’s also the perfect opportunity to look beyond ourselves and our own families and give back to those who need it most. And who is more deserving of a great holiday season than brave kids battling cancer?
Here are a few gift ideas for the cancer-fighting kid in your life.
8 Holiday Gift Ideas for Pediatric Cancer Patients
1. Super Fun Socks
Hospitals can be cold and far from cozy. Although getting socks as a gift is a common joke, a new pair of super-fun socks can brighten a child’s day. Skip plain colors and boring designs and opt for something whimsical and bright. Hotsox has a great kids’ collection. At just $5 a pair, you can mix-and-match to make a week’s worth of socks for kids to flaunt their personality.
Sock It to Me has a selection of kids’ socks that include fuzzy, sparkly, and glow-in-the-dark varieties along with adorable prints.
Then there’s Bombas. If you want fun and some of the most comfortable and supportive socks on the market, look no further. Bombas has sizes available ranging from babies to adults and tasteful but fun collaborations with Disney and Sesame Street to choose from!
2. Cozy Comforts
Not only can hospitals be cold and uncomfortable, but so can the process of cancer treatment. Pediatric cancer patients are bound to wrestle with unseen side-effects from radiation and chemo, like bodily pain and discomfort. You can alleviate those pains with thoughtful creature comforts: a cozy new pair of pajamas, a snuggly new blanket, huggable body pillow, or backrest pillow.
3. A Room Makeover
If you want a more hands-on gift, make the offer of spearheading a room makeover. If the child’s parents give the okay, you can allow the little one to pick out a new wall paint color or theme – and then you do it for them! Cover the cost of paint and labor (unless you opt to DIY it!). A room refresh can lend a sense of fun, peace, and control in a season of life that is extremely challenging.
4. A Special Gift Box
There are plenty of specially designed gift boxes out there for pediatric cancer patients. If you don’t know what to give, a giftbox is just the ticket. Rock the Treatment has box options for all ages whereas BambaBox specifically targets kids by gender and age range. You can even purchase a subscription so the gifts don’t stop with the holidays!
5. Gift Cards
While a gift card might seem like the easy way out, they can be enormously helpful to kids with cancer and their families. A pre-paid Visa covers anything and everything, but you can get specific, too. Pick a family-favorite restaurant or an activity the child enjoys. If they play video games, for example, you can give gift cards for Steam (PC gaming), the Epic Games store, PS4, Xbox, and mobile gaming through the Apple or Google Play stores.
6. A New Friend
Never underestimate the power of a good stuffed animal. We recommend Slumberkins. They’re more than cuddly, cute companions. Slumberkins has a powerful mission:
“…we saw a need for an intentional children’s brand that reinforces a positive attachment between children and their caregivers. Our stories use evidenced-based techniques to teach little ones important social-emotional skills. Through pro-active and supportive narratives, each collection is intentionally crafted to build resilient, caring, and confident children.”
Each stuffed animal is paired with a book (or two) that reinforces targeted emotional well-being: from self-esteem and gratitude to family bonding, emotional courage, and everything in between.
7. Creative Outlets
A creative outlet offers the perfect distraction from the trials of a cancer journey. Give the gift of art supplies, craft sets, coloring books, and journals. Not only can these gifts offer the opportunity to make something with a goal and purpose in mind, but they can help children express their emotions in healthy, healing ways.
7. Favorite Foods
While cancer treatments can impact appetite and food preferences, you can still give the gift of snacks and family meals. Whether you put together a snack basket, provide a few home-cooked meals for the family, or cover the cost of takeout, it gives the family the opportunity to enjoy good food without the stress or cost involved.
You can research restaurants close to the child’s home or hospital that deliver – include a menu with your monetary gift, as well as enough to cover the delivery fee and tip.
When we give back to kids with cancer, we prove we’re on their team. Help a child feel loved, supported, and celebrated this holiday season. Kicking cancer isn’t just about finding a cure – it’s about giving the very best to brave kids with cancer!