The time may come to provide a friend with support and sympathy; it is an inevitable part of life. During those times, it can be challenging to know how to be there for someone. There is no right or wrong answer here. Friends and family appreciate any gesture of support. However, giving them some sort of physical item, a gift, is an excellent way to feel like you are doing something. You never know when a gesture like that makes all the difference to the person who is suffering.
In this article, we discuss:
* Best sympathy plants
* Best sympathy flowers
* Other sympathy gifts
Best Sympathy Plants
Plants have a way of bringing peace to a person. They are calming and healing due to their connection with nature. If you need to give someone a sympathy gift, consider giving them a potted plant. Depending on the variety, the plant can live inside the house or be planted out in the garden. Potted plants are a great gift because they can live for years in the pot. It is a gift that keeps on giving.
Peace lilies are a fantastic option for a sympathy plant. They are one of the easiest houseplants to care for and require basic maintenance. They produce beautiful white flowers once a year, but even when they have no flowers, they are still attractive. Peace lilies can survive in very low light conditions, meaning they can be kept in just about any room in the house.
Asiatic lilies are most popular around Easter. They come in many colors but are most commonly sold in reds, oranges, and pinks. These lilies produce large star-shaped flowers that are sure to bring cheer to anyone who sees them. Once the flowers blooming season comes to an end, this plant can be transplanted into the garden so that it can be enjoyed year after year.
Tulips are often available in the spring. Many florists and garden centers sell blooming tulip bulbs in pots during the early growing season. Because tulips come in various colors, it is easy to find one that suits your friend in need. Tulips sold like this can be relatively inexpensive but come in a good-sized pot. This makes them very affordable and you get the best bang for your buck!
Additionally, when the tulips have died back for the season, the bulbs can be dried out and stored for the summer. Come fall, the bulbs can be planted in the garden. In the spring, the tulips can bloom, once again bringing joy to your friend.
Best Sympathy Flowers
Maybe your recipient is not a green thumb but still loves the look of plants. In this case, a bouquet of flowers is the best gift. Floral arrangements are easy to care for but short-lived. They have a way of bringing pleasure to the beholder. Floral bouquets are also available in a variety of sizes and flowers. This means that they are available at all price points! Therefore, you do not need to spend a lot of money on a bouquet to send your message of sympathy.
White stargazer lilies are a very traditional flower for expressing sympathy. These are large flowers that give off a beautiful fragrance. Lilies tend to be on the costlier side of cut flowers. If budget is an issue, consider adding just a few blooms to your bouquet, and bulk up the rest of the arrangement with more cost-effective flowers.
White roses are another traditional funeral flower. Roses are beautiful and have a way of expressing your affection for another person. White roses can be paired with flowers of other colors to make a more vibrant bouquet. If cost is an issue, sending someone just a single stem is equally acceptable. Roses are a strong flower that can hold their own. They look just as elegant in single stem vase as they do in a large arrangement.
Other Sympathy Gifts
Perhaps you know your recipient is going to be too busy to keep a plant or flowers alive. If this is the case, another physical object may be an appropriate gift. Think of something that they can cuddle, look at, or use during their time of struggle.
Teddy bears are a cute and comforting gift for people of all ages. Stuffed bears are especially useful if your recipient is a child. Teddy bears have a way of putting a smile on a child’s face. They can use the bear as a form of security in situations they may find overwhelming. A teddy bear is something children can cherish for years to come. They may be a great way to bring cheer to a child or person who needs their spirits lifted.
Balloons are one of the happiest gifts you can give a person. Balloons express joy and cheer, and sometimes when people are struggling, they need to be cheered up rather than felt sorry for. This is where balloons come into play. Balloons come in so many shapes and colors, that is why they are perfect for every situation. They can even come with different messages written on them! Have some fun shopping for your balloon bouquet, and then pass that joy onto the recipient of your thoughtful and cheerful present.
A bottle of wine is the grown-up version of the teddy bear. A quality bottle of wine can bring comfort through exquisite taste. Consider buying your friend in need of a nice bottle of wine, and then go over and have a glass with them. They may need to talk about what they are going through; there is nothing like sipping a glass of wine together to help get the conversation flowing. Many companies can even deliver wine if there is quite a physical distance between you and the recipient. In that case, opt for a glass of wine and a supportive phone call.
Final Thoughts
No matter what type of gift you give, your recipient is going to appreciate it. What they need most during trying times is support. Be there for your friend or family member with the gift of your time, but remember, a little something else to make them smile, never hurts.
