You want to be mindful of all the things your loved one might be going through and use proper etiquette when picking a sympathy gift—“It’s important you give a gift that is about comfort,” says Renee Solomon, DSW, clinical psychologist and CEO of Forward Recovery. We researched unique sympathy gift ideas, considering factors like practicality, quality, and thoughtfulness. Our top picks include a sympathy gift box from Harry & David, a comforting tea set from Knack, and a cooling weighted blanket from Luna. Here is some inspiration for the best sympathy gifts. Price at time of publish: $90 While the tie mechanism of this hand-washable blanket can be a bit tricky at first, our tester loved the affordable price of this pick without sacrificing quality or convenience. Also, the different weight options ensure there is a perfect fit for every recipient. Price at time of publish: $125 Our tester loved that this pick auto-adjusts to fit your height and deliver a targeted massage for everyone, so the whole family can enjoy it as well. Price at time of publish: $200 Price at time of publish: $12 Price at time of publish: $140 Price at time of publish: $27 Price at time of publish: $24 Price at time of publish: $40 for one box (month-to-month) Price at time of publish: $92 Price at time of publish: $23 Price at time of publish: $15 Price at time of publish: $45 Price at time of publish: $19 Price at time of publish: $31 Price at time of publish: $25 Price at time of publish: $55 Also, taking into account a person’s specific needs and even their personality is key. “Some people will enjoy humor in a time of pain, but for another person, that may come off as insensitive and rude,” says Mallory Gothelf, founder of Find Your/self Boxes. “It’s about knowing the person,” she says.
Personalization
A good personalized or custom gift is a sure way to show them you care during this time of need. Try a photo album or a product that has a special word or phrase on it. This shows you care but also that you put time and consideration into the gift.
Practicality
A practical gift is an appreciated gift. This doesn’t just mean a present that the person will actually use—you also want to be sure it doesn’t require heavy lifting on their part, like a meal delivery kit for the person who doesn’t cook or a product that requires assembly or care. They just may not have the emotional or physical capacity to take on something that demands extra effort.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This roundup was written by Patrice J. Williams. She has contributed gift guides to The Spruce since 2020 and loves helping her friends and family find unique, thoughtful, and wallet-friendly presents. In addition to her work for The Spruce, she writes commerce articles, including product suggestions and reviews, for other outlets as well as appears on air for “The Today Show” and WEtv. She also was the Savvy Shopper reporter for WPIX in New York City. We consulted clinical psychologist and CEO of Forward Recovery, Dr. Renee Solomon, and Mallory Gothelf, founder of Find Your/self Boxes, who shared professional advice on the best sympathy gifts.
