An overnight hospital stay is never fun and feels like torture! Get a list of the gifts men actually want when stuck in the hospital, and make their day.
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.
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. And, recently, my brother spent over a month in the hospital.
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!
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 (#paidlink or #pdlink) to some of these specific ideas to save you some shopping time.
Happy shopping, and I hope your male patient feels better soon!
Connection is #1 – Get Well Gifts for Men!
Morale Boosters – Best Gift for Hospital Patients
Hands down, in-person hospital visits (as allowed and appropriate-call first), or video chats and phone calls come at the top of the list. (#paidlinks If he needs a video device, an iPad provides a great video experience, but here’s a super wallet-friendly tool that will work for this too).
Loneliness is a common complaint by people – even men – who have to be in the hospital.
Invest a few minutes of your time visiting in-person, video-chatting, or talking on the phone with your male friend. It’s a great way to show ‘your person’ in the hospital that you care about him. It’s a big morale booster for him.
Or, a short visit with his pet along (again, only when & where appropriate) is sure to be a hit! A dog is a man’s best friend, right?
Men do appreciate short or informal visits with coworkers or neighbors. You don’t have to be a family member or best friend. 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 delay hospital stays.
Text and private social media messages are also appreciated, but visits, video-chats, and phone calls are more meaningful gifts for hospital patients.
- 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!
Floral bouquets are 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.
You can call your favorite florist (or call one closest to the hospital to save on delivery charges if it’s based on distance traveled) and 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, and 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 it 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.
- Yes, send flowers! (#pdlink)
Awesome Hospital Gifts That Aren’t Flowers!
Finally, you’ll find some super get well gifts for men throughout the rest of this list if you’re wondering what to send a man INSTEAD of flowers.
Entertainment for Someone in the Hospital
Tech – The REALLY GOOD Gift for Hospital Patients You LOVE
If the man you are visiting is a close friend or family member and you want to splurge a little, (#pdlinks) Apple’s Airpods and a 30-day free trial of a Prime membership 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 (#pdlink) online music. It’s entertaining and can drown out the noise. It is NOT quiet in the hospital).
If he’s a reader, an (#pdlink) electronic reading device will be a hit, as well as a membership for (#pdlink) unlimited access to books.
Video Gaming Supplies
Are they into video gaming? A (#pdlinks) Nintendo Switch console is going to be a top request. Of course, a new Nintendo Switch game is awesome too!
Noise Canceling Tech
This compact and portable (#pdlink) sound machine 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 (#pdlink) special earplugs.
- Apple’s Airpods
- 30-day free trial of a Prime membership
- online music
- electronic reading device
- unlimited access to books
- Nintendo Switch console
- Nintendo Switch game
- sound machine
- special earplugs
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? (#pdlink) Steak.
One of the most popular (but not the most frequent) gifts 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 (#pdlink) a blooming onion too!
(Psst! Be sure to check ahead for diet restrictions!)
Another great product is a gift of snacks – I like the (#pdlink) Crave Box. 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 affordable.
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 (#pdlink) favorite coffee might be the smallest gift that packs the biggest punch!
- Steak
- Uber gift card
- A complete dinner
- a blooming onion
- Crave Box
- a candy bar bouquet
- favorite coffee
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. A great way to put some great little gifts together is to make a get well gift basket for him.
Start with an empty basket and fill it with fun or useful things.
Something simple and surprisingly well-received by men is a set of (#pdlinks) colored pencils and coloring books. Anxiety is a common emotion experienced by long-term patients, so a calming activity is a good idea. Just the thought of dealing with the insurance company can create anxiety.
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 the best gift 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, (#pdlink) non-skid socks are a priceless gift during recovery. It helps by keeping his feet warm and prevents his feet from sliding while walking around.
Also helpful (#pdlink) pocket t-shirts are . 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 (#pdlink) a bag with a zipper is a helpful and convenient way to keep things together, close by, and safe while stuck in a small hospital room.
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, 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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