As I am writing this post many of you are in self quarantine because of COVID-19 (Corona Virus). Everyone is hunkered down in their homes until society is generally well again. It got me thinking about how much we thrive in community together and how that will be a large missing piece as we all seperate and isolate. There are often times that you or someone in your life will be sick and stuck in their home or bed until they are well again. In these cases, how can we offer love, care, and hospitality to one another? Here are a few ideas…
Provide a Meal
If your family is healthy and there is no concern that you will deliver unwanted germs to friend, then make them a home cooked meal. There is something so comforting about a warm, homemade meal when you are not feeling well! You can deliver a meal on a great basket tray or tray with legs to leave as a gift. It can be used as a tray to eat in bed as well. You can even leave this on the porch all ready for your friend to slip inside the door to enjoy! Or leave it to the pros! Order DoorDash, UberEats, or directly from a local restaurant. It is a double blessing! Supporting businesses and providing nourishment to your loved one.
Provide a Snack
If cooking a meal is too much, consider providing a snack. What about a small charcuterie board filled with some yummy snacks? Purchase a small cutting board. Place cheese, crackers, grapes, salami, etc. nicely on the board. Wrap plastic wrap or aluminum foil around the top and deliver a welcomed snack to someone who needs a little encouragement. They can enjoy the board as a gift and re-use it!
Provide a Treat
If you’ve followed along with me long, you know that I equivocate a chocolate chip cookie to comfort. So why not purchase or bake a yummy treat and deliver it to your friend’s porch? If you know their favorite candy or dessert, this is the perfect opportunity to speak their love language. You can wrap it in cellophane with a big bow and a note attached. Nothing brightens a day more than something special like a treat! The word treat itself says it all- not everyday- it is a TREAT!
Send Flowers
There are so many affordable ways to gift flowers currently. Amazon sells them along with so many online retailers. Your local florist is a great resource to have a fresh, seasonal bouquet delivered to a loved one’s door. Or grab an inexpensive jelly jar from the cupboard or a vase from the thrift store and fill it with $3.99 bunches of flowers from Aldi. Drop these on the porch with a note. When you are cooped up not feeling well, having something living and beautiful to glance over at lift sprits. It reminds you of fresh breath, life, and growth that is to come.
Send Necessities to the Front Door
In the age of Amazon delivery we have simple and inexpensive opportunities to ship just about anything to our friends. Ship them some Kleenex, cough drops, and throat soothing tea. Or maybe some Eucalyptus shower steamers or a cozy blanket. You can even add a gift message to the card. What a welcomed surprise!
Gift a Good Book
Mail your loved one a book or two. When you are home bound you need a little variety to pass the time.
Gift something necessary and something frivolous
Send your friend a wall mounted paper towel dispenser. Maybe some Elderberry gummies. Or a case of water bottles. What do they need that they will not be able to go out and buy?? Then give them something just for fun! Fuzzy slippers, a great candle, a bottle of bubbly, or fancy coffee drink.
Send Mail
How often do you receive a card or hand written letter in the mail? This is the perfect opportunity to send mail! It is an unexpected treat! Because they are so infrequent, letters are more impactful than ever! Another fabulous gift to send during this time is a beautiful bottle and message from Bottle of Tears.
Leverage Technology to stay Connected
Marco Polo, Voxer, Zoom, etc. Name your app. You can now talk digitally, at your convenience, from your bed! This is a great way to send messages of encouragement to friends who are not well enough to see you in person.
Leave Messages of Hope and Love in Unexpected Places
I have marveled at the creativity of those that are posting messages of encouragement in their front windows and writing love notes on driveways, sidewalks, and streets. What if your loved one peeked out their window and saw a message in chalk that they were seen, loved, prayed for and cared for? It is a beautiful way to communicate care during a time when face to face meetings are not possible.
No matter what you choose to do to communicate love and care, it will have such impact! Keep loving and serving, friends! We are in this together, even if we are sitting 6 feet apart!
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Meet the Hostess
I'm a Southern girl who loves a good party, a house full of laughter, and a porch swing full of friends and family. I blog about how to host in a way that matters. Curious what I mean by that? CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE AND READ MY STORY.
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