An overnight hospital stay is never fun and feels like torture! Grab my list of the gifts men actually want when stuck in the hospital, so you can make their day.
As a nurse, I’ve taken care of a lot of men in the hospital over my career, and so I’ve seen some GREAT (and not so great) gifts for hospital patients.
Nobody likes to be stuck in the hospital. But, if that’s the place for healing, that’s the place to stay.
That said, it’s boring to be in the hospital or medical facility. The days are long, with a lot of nothing to do.
Here’s a listing of some of THE BEST get-well gifts for men I’ve seen – you know – the gifts men actually want when stuck in the hospital!
In a hurry? Get your printable list here.
Or, just click on one of the three most popular gifts so you can complete your to-do list and be on your way to being a hero:
- Noise Cancelling Sound Machine (#pdlink)
- Beef Jerky Flower Bouquet (#pdlink)(these are not real flowers, they’re flowers made from beef jerky!)
- A Huge Box of Individual Snacks! Crave Box (#pdlink)
Happy shopping and I hope your male patient feels better soon!
I’ve listed TONS of great ideas throughout this article, but you can use the quick-links table of contents right below for convenience. Also, there are bulleted gift idea lists under each category, and I’ve placed links (#pdlink) to some of these specific ideas to save you some shopping time.
Connection is the #1 Get Well Gifts for Men in the Hospital!
Hands down, in-person hospital visits (as allowed and appropriate – definitely call and ask first), or video chats and phone calls come at the top of the list.
Loneliness is a common complaint by people – even men – who have to be in the hospital.
If your friend needs a video device, an iPad (#pdlink) provides a great video experience, and here’s a super wallet-friendly tool (#pdlink) that will work for this too.
Morale Boosters – Best Gift for Male Hospital Patients
Invest a few minutes of your time with your male friend by:
- visiting in-person
- video-chatting
- talking on the phone
It’s a great way to show ‘your person’ in the hospital that you care about him. Plus, it’s a big morale booster for him too.
And, a short visit with his pet (again, only when & where appropriate) is sure to be a hit! A dog is a man’s best friend, right?
Men also appreciate short or informal visits with coworkers or neighbors. You don’t have to be a family member or best friend to feel okay about visiting.
Feeling a connection to others is a priceless gift.
My only caution is to visit alone or with just one other person at a time (not a big group). Large groups of visitors are exhausting to people while they’re in the hospital and can even prolong hospital stays.
Text and private social media messages are also appreciated, but visits, video chats, and phone calls are going to feel like more meaningful gifts to people who are in the hospital.
Gift Summary List – Connection
- Personal visit #1
- Video chat – iPad (#pdlink) or entry-level tablet (#pdlink) for short term use
- Phone calls or texts
- Bring his pet for a visit
Should You Send Flowers to a Man in the Hospital? YES!
YES!
Beef Jerky Flowers
A Beef Jerky Flower Bouquet (#pd link) is a no-fail plan. I mean – what’s not to love?
Well technically these look like flowers, but they’re not flowers, so they make great hospital gifts that aren’t flowers! They look amazing, smell amazing – and they taste amazing too!
Real floral bouquets are also great get-well gifts for men.
It’s fun to watch men receive flower bouquets (#pdlink). The man in your life wouldn’t probably suggest it to you as a gift to buy, but trust me, it brings a smile to a man’s face just like it does for a woman.
Flowers are one of the simplest gifts to send to hospital patients (if you’re not going personally).
How to send flowers to a patient in the hospital.
- Call your favorite florist (or call one closest to the hospital to save on delivery charges if it’s based on distance traveled)
- Place your order (or have them pick something out for you based on your price range)
- Ask them to write your personalized message on a little card
- Give them the person’s name, ICU or floor name, and the room number
The florist will deliver the flowers to the ‘hospital flower room’. A person in that room will accept the flowers, look up the patient in the patient directory, and then immediately take them to the patient’s room (or the ICU nurse desk).
That’s it!
Can you send flowers to ICU?
The answer: it depends.
In most cases, yes you can.
Flowers are great gifts for ICU patients because it gives the patient something uplifting to look at while they are lying in bed.
There are a few reasons (usually medically related) that flowers in the ICU will not be permitted, so you should always call the ICU nurses’ station to get permission first.
Gift Summary List – Should You Send Flowers
- Beef Jerky Flower Bouquet (#pd link)
- Bouquet of real flowers! (#pdlink)
Entertainment for Men in the Hospital – An Awesome Gift Idea (That’s Not Flowers)!
Tech – The REALLY GOOD Gift for Male Hospital Patients YOU LOVE
If the man you are visiting is a close friend or family member and you want to splurge a little, Apple’s Airpods (#pdlink) and a 30-day free trial of a Prime membership (#pdlink) are going to be on the list for gifts men actually want when stuck in the hospital.
Free movie access is going to be a game-changer for him!
Another great option is unlimited access to online music (#pdlink). It’s entertaining and can drown out the noise. It is NOT quiet in the hospital.
If he’s a reader, an electronic reading device (#pdlink) will be a hit, as well as a membership for unlimited access to books (#pdlink).
Video Gaming Supplies
Are they into video gaming? A Nintendo Switch console (#pdlink) is going to be a top request. Of course, a new Nintendo Switch game (#pdlink)is an awesome addition!
Noise Canceling Tech
This compact and portable sound machine (#pdlink) can provide white noise, or six different nature sounds to help with sleep.
And, if noise is interfering with listening to music or sleep he may appreciate these affordable but noise-canceling special earplugs(#pdlink).
Gift Summary List – Entertainment
- Apple’s Airpods (#pdlink)
- 30-day free trial of a Prime membership (#pdlink)
- online music (#pdlink)
- electronic reading device (#pdlink)
- unlimited access to books (#pdlink)
- Nintendo Switch console (#pdlink)
- Nintendo Switch game (#pdlink)
- sound machine (#pdlink)
- special earplugs (#pdlink)
FOOD! Gifts Men Actually Want When Stuck in Hospital
I think we can all agree that hospital food is not good. It just doesn’t taste good at all.
But, do you know what does taste good? Steak(#pdlink). (Psst! Be sure to check ahead for diet restrictions!)
One of the most popular (but not the most frequent) hospital gifts for guys I’ve seen is a steak dinner. Have one delivered, or send them an Uber gift card in a sweet or funny card.
Better yet, bring a hot, juicy steak dinner along with a baked potato loaded with butter and sour cream, soup or veggies (for good measure). And if you really want to show the love, bring a blooming onion (#pdlink) too!
Another well-received idea is the gift of tasty snacks – I like the Crave Box(#pdlink). These are such a cute and fun idea, and there are a variety of boxes to match different cravings. Filled with 50 salty and sweet snacks, there’s always something good to snack on! And it’s very affordable too.
If you are short on time, headed to the hospital, and don’t have time to pre-order something, run into the closet grocery store and grab a candy bar bouquet. Always a hit – I promise!
Of course, a supply of his favorite coffee(#pdlink) might be the smallest gift that packs the biggest punch!
Gift Summary List – Food
- Steak (#pdlink)
- Uber gift card
- A complete dinner
- a blooming onion (#pdlink)
- Crave Box (#pdlink)
- a candy bar bouquet
- favorite coffee (#pdlink)
Get-Well Gift Basket for Man
It’s no secret being in a hospital or care facility is boring.
If you’re wondering what to send a man (instead of flowers), bring something for your male friend to do to fill the time.
Pre-Made
A great way to put some great little gifts together is to make a get-well gift basket for him. Of course, you can order pre-made get-well gift baskets for men (#pd link) in the hospital.
Do it Yourself (DIY) Gift Basket
Or you can make it more personal, and make your own. Here’s how to make a DIY gift basket for a man in the hospital:
- Start with an empty basket (#pd link) and fill it with fun or useful things.
- The more you know about your male patient, the easier it will be.
- Focus on his hobbies or favorite brands.
- For example, you can get him stocked up and ready to return to the golf course with tees(#pd link), golf gloves(#pd link), balls(#pd link), and golf ball candy(#pd links).
- Or, he might enjoy a little pampering. You can find some good shaving cream (#pd link), an old-fashioned-looking razor (#pd link), or if needed an electric razor(#pd link), and a thick, soft washcloth (#pd links).
- A complete spa set (#pd link) with a men’s nail set (#pd link)will also be well received as get-well baskets for men.
- Finally, something simple and surprisingly well-received by men is a set of colored pencils (#pd link) and coloring books(#pd link).
- Anxiety is a common emotion experienced by long-term patients, so a calming activity is a good idea to add to the basket. Just the thought of dealing with the insurance company can create anxiety.
Gift Summary List – Get-Well Gift Baskets
- get-well gift baskets for men (#pd link)
- empty basket (#pd link)
- tees (#pd link)
- golf gloves (#pd link)
- balls (#pd link)
- golf ball candy (#pd link)
- shaving cream (#pd link)
- razor (#pd link)
- electric razor (#pd link)
- washcloth (#pd link)
- spa set (#pd link)
- nail kit for men (#pd link)
- colored pencils (#pd link)
- coloring books (#pd link)
Clothing – More Gifts Men Actually Want When Stuck in the Hospital
Clothing can be an excellent gift for hospital patients. But, the best clothing gift for a person in the hospital may not be what you’re thinking of right now.
While official sports team gear or brand name clothes might be what your friend likes to wear, it’s not what to bring a man in the hospital right now.
Ever try eating while sitting in a bed or reclined chair?
No, the clothing-related get-well gifts that men appreciate during a long stay are clothing basics that are stretchy, soft, and comfortable (and easy to put on or take off).
Especially helpful if a patient is doing therapy, non-skid socks (#pdlink) are a priceless gift during recovery. It helps by keeping his feet warm and prevents his feet from sliding while walking around.
Also, helpful pocket t-shirts (#pdlink) are a great gift. First, it’s not a hospital gown! And, second, a little pocket is handy if he has little items to keep track of while navigating medical equipment while he walks.
Underwear (#pdlink). Enough said.
Finally, not really clothing, but a bag with a zipper (#pdlink) is a helpful and convenient way to keep things together, close by, and safe while stuck in a small hospital room.
Gift Summary List – Clothing
Printable List of the Best Get Well Gifts Men Want When Stuck in the Hospital
In closing, having to stay in the hospital or facility for a long time is never fun or pleasant.
But there are certainly some great gifts for patients that can help make their stay more enjoyable – or at least bearable. I hope you now know what to get for someone in the hospital.
And don’t forget, as I said at the beginning of this post, that an in-person visit is the most priceless gift of all.
In fact, when it’s possible, I recommend you start with that!
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Hi, I’m Lisa! Thanks for visiting My Life Nurse, where we provide people who serve and take care of others with easy self-care plans and systems, wellness strategies, and scripture-based encouragement so you can stay happy, healthy and rejuvenated. I’ve found that many people struggle with caring for themselves while taking care of others, but they also feel called to serve others, so they keep working even when they’re stressed and exhausted. That’s why I combine my nursing expertise with Scripture-based teaching. Our readers love learning how to walk closer to the Lord to improve their self-care – so they can begin their journey to feel better – without feeling guilty. Be sure to grab your FREE Self-care StarTer Guide!