Ways to cheer up best friend?

Re: Ways to cheer up best friend?

• peachy13 member

  

  March 2015

  I bet your availability to talk to her on the phone really helps her out a lot and it sounds like you're a great friend. What about doing a little research and finding a massage parlor or nail salon in her area and sending her a gift certificate for a little spa day so she can relax?

  
  
  
  

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• Maggie0829 member

  

  March 2015

  When she has down time (which seems to be few and far between) what does she like to do?  Is she a spa type of girl?  Maybe a few hours of pampering would be a nice way to help her relax and de-stress.

  
  

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• mikenberger member

  

  March 2015

  Would she like a massage or something? Maybe buy her a massage or pedicure or something at a local spa? 

  
  

  Or just a big box full of stuff that may help out: coloring books/crayons, crosswords, puzzles, little weird things that you may share that'll make her laugh (for my favorite long distance friend and I, it was boxed mac and cheese. Shit stays "good" FOREVER.)... DVDs or maybe a redbox rental card? Lotion, sunscreen (get out and get some vitamin D, girl!), smelly pick me ups, or maybe lavender to help with sleep... 

  
  

  I could do this shit all day. I love sending careboxes. When my brother was in Afghanistan, it was my job to send the care packages. And then I got employed to send care packages to half of his group haha. It's one of my favorite things to do!

  
  

  
  

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• novella1186 member

  

  March 2015

  My friend was in a pretty bad place last year; she grew up here in Indiana, her family moved to California, she moved to PA where she didn't know anyone to start a PhD program there, and was single, and sad about being single, and super stressed from school, etc. 

  
  

  I sent her a care package full of stuff that was kind of nostalgic to us. I went to Whole Foods (where they have so much good chocolate!) and got her the kind of chocolate we couldn't stop eating when we were travelling in Europe, some veggie chips like the kind her mom always got us for "movie nights," some herbal teas, a hand cream and a couple products to pamper herself a little, a cute scarf for the chilly weather, etc. and packaged it all with sparkly pink tissue paper. 

  
  

  She called me when the package arrived and said it made her feel so good, and so comforted, that she actually cried. 

  
  

  I felt bad that I couldn't be there for her in person, so the care package was the next best thing, just to show her that I'm there in spirit and I care and want her to cheer up.   

  

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• southernbelle0915 mod

  

  March 2015

  Could you afford to sign up for a meal/food delivery service? When I'm super busy, the hardest thing for me is eating healthy.

  
  

  One of my girlfriends is finishing up rotations for general surgery. She's in my area so I bring her a pan of lasagna or something now and then. But if she wasn't local, I'd probably look into a local food delivery service. I googled Baltimore and a couple I found are Hometown Harvest and Hartland Home Foods. 

  
  

  Or just a nice, encouraging card. If you have an old picture of the two of you together, make a copy and send it along.

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• onefootinthebayou member

  

  March 2015

  Man, I totally understand how she feels and nearly had a nervous breakdown this year with travel, not feeling like I had a home, and a residence we were renovating that didn't go well and left me feeling like I was dwelling in a construction site.

  
  

  I think a care package is a great idea, one of my favorite items is a plush blanket from Bed, Bath, & Beyond (around $25).  Wrapping yourself up in it feels like you're getting a giant hug.  Perhaps a care package with the blanket, some tea, a good book, some candy (that won't perish) will make her feel at home wherever she is.  You can also get the plush blankets at TJ Maxx & Homegoods.  

  
  

  Agree with @Peachy13, just being there for her probably makes her feel somewhat anchored.  You sound like a wonderful friend, I'm sure your efforts will cheer her up and just remind her that this is the toughest part - she's chasing her dream and making people well in the process.  That career path is one sacrifice after another, just keep reminding her how proud you are of her and her choices.  

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• bizzy592 member

  

  March 2015

  I'd go with a gift certificate for a massage. She's probably on her feet, dealing with unthinkable stress round the clock, so even a brief respite would help.
  
  Also, if you send her a care package, please include this:
  
  http://bucky.com/40-blinks-sleep-masks/
  
  I used to work in a hospital, and even in on call rooms there's usually a light on. That's the only eye mask I found that blocks it all out.
  

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• OliveOilsMom member

  

  March 2015

  I think a care package would be really appreciated!  I would probably get food, but stuff that is vacuum sealed or canned, etc.  Something that if it sits outside her door, it will still be good when she gets to it.

  If you know anyone with a food saver, you could bake her something and then vacuum seal it closed once it cools to mail to her.  It will stay fresh!  When H and I went on vacation last year, I got us a big container of Wegmans Ultimate Chocolate Chip cookies.  THE BEST COOKIES EVER! I vacuum sealed them in the food saver resealable bags, since we drove I brought the little sealer with me.  Those cookies were just as fresh the first day as they were the last day.

  

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• jenna8984 member

  

  March 2015

  Thanks for the great ideas!!

  Her mom & grandma from Greece make some of the best treats so I'll see if maybe they want to make anything to include! I like the massage idea too, or something pampering. And from the 10 wedding pictures that I was left with, there's a good one of DH, me, and her. Maybe I will print that out!

                                                                   

  
  

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• katiekessler123 member

  

  March 2015

  Awww..that's really hard.  Maybe send her a gift card for mani and pedi?

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• onefootinthebayou member

  

  March 2015

  bizzy592 said:

  I'd go with a gift certificate for a massage. She's probably on her feet, dealing with unthinkable stress round the clock, so even a brief respite would help.
  
  Also, if you send her a care package, please include this:
  
  http://bucky.com/40-blinks-sleep-masks/
  
  I used to work in a hospital, and even in on call rooms there's usually a light on. That's the only eye mask I found that blocks it all out.
  

  I'm stealing this idea!  I'm on a red-eye to Europe several times a year and have yet to find a decent mask.  Thank you!

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• theartistformerlyknownas member

  

  March 2015

  Would she like a massage or something? Maybe buy her a massage or pedicure or something at a local spa? 

  
  

  Or just a big box full of stuff that may help out: coloring books/crayons, crosswords, puzzles, little weird things that you may share that'll make her laugh (for my favorite long distance friend and I, it was boxed mac and cheese. Shit stays "good" FOREVER.)... DVDs or maybe a redbox rental card? Lotion, sunscreen (get out and get some vitamin D, girl!), smelly pick me ups, or maybe lavender to help with sleep... 

  
  

  I could do this shit all day. I love sending careboxes. When my brother was in Afghanistan, it was my job to send the care packages. And then I got employed to send care packages to half of his group haha. It's one of my favorite things to do!

  Ooh ooh get her one of these and some colored pencils!

  
  

  
  

  http://www.amazon.com/Art-Therapy-Colouring-Book/dp/1782434437/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1427822420
  

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• theartistformerlyknownas member

  

  March 2015

  Another option:

  http://www.amazon.com/Unicorns-Are-Jerks-coloring-exposing/dp/1477468528/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1427822830&sr=1-3
  

  
  

  
  

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• jenna8984 member

  

  March 2015

  @lolo883 SOLD.

                                                                   

  
  

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• classicalandedgy member

  

  March 2015

  bizzy592 said:

  I'd go with a gift certificate for a massage. She's probably on her feet, dealing with unthinkable stress round the clock, so even a brief respite would help.
  
  Also, if you send her a care package, please include this:
  
  http://bucky.com/40-blinks-sleep-masks/
  
  I used to work in a hospital, and even in on call rooms there's usually a light on. That's the only eye mask I found that blocks it all out.
  

  
  
  
  The bucky sleep mask is awesome, I have been using them for years!

  I'm sure a care package would be much appreciated, maybe of things that will remind her of home and your friendship. 

  

   

   

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• anniewalkerx member

  

  March 2015

  Something free that I used to do with my BFF when we lived far apart was hold a "Gals Night In."
  
  We'd get on Skype with huge glasses of Wine. Chat for a while, start watching the same TV show/movie, etc.  Basically, just keep the call going for a few hours, even if we're not chatting, and it felt like we're hanging out.
  
  My favorite night we decided to also pick up some KFC and had dinner "together." Her roommate walked in while we were eating fried chicken together, silently, on Skype. My BFF just turned around and was like "Uhhh don't worry about it."
  
  I realize this is maybe a weird suggestion, but it was hilarious and honestly made me feel less lonely during a lonely time for me.

  

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