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I need help on a snow themed care package
for a 60 year old gay man with cancer. Too blunt? Heh.
Ok, so I (along with my mom and sister) am sending my uncle a care package. He has been in a LOT of pain lately, and won't be making the trip up to Michigan for Christmas like they had originally planned on. (Super bummed about that.)
He was born in AZ and now lives in TX, and has only ever lived in warm climates. When they came up to visit in August (before the diagnosis) they were house hunting in Ludington. They were looking for a 2nd home and my uncle was REALLY looking forward to spending a winter in MI to enjoy the snow and beauty of MI in the winter. The 2nd home purchase has obviously been put on hold.
My care package currently contains:
- 2 snowflake mugs and some specialty hot cocoa
- Fake snow (little kiddy toy/kit that cost $2.99, but I think he'll get a kick out of it)
- A snowflake print fleece blanket
- A hot pink heating pad
- A huge Hershey kiss
- A picture frame (we are going to put a picture of us in it, possibly holding a sign that says "We Love You")
- A snowglobe
- "Winter Wonderland" candle
I've spent about $35 so far. My mom and sister each want to contribute at least $20, so we need some ideas.
He likes to read, but I don't know what. He likes to watch TV, but I don't know what kinds of shows. So since I don't know any specifics, we're trying to go general in hopes that it will appeal to him. They like to eat, so edible ideas are very welcome! His appetite hasn't been the greatest lately (he's lost A LOT of weight since August) so if I can get him to eat, that would be awesome.
They like coffee, but I don't know anything about coffee.
And obviously, some of the things we have included are silly and not useful. We just want him to know that we are thinking of him and care about him. It doesn't all have to be practical. 
Thank you!
Re: I need help on a snow themed care package
You could a list of things he would have had to buy to prepare for winter here, in receipt form. Add a snow "to-do" list too:
Snowblower $___
gas for snowblower ___
Shovel for when the @$%^ snowblower doesn't work ____
asprin for the sore back from shoveling ____
snowbrush ___
De-icer ____
more asprin for when the deicer didn't catch that icy spot on the sidewalk, but you did ___
blankets ___
more blankets ___
Um... I might be a bit anti-snow.
You guys could make them some cookies and send them?
That's such a sweet idea, Molly!
You could get him coffee from Ferris. They have a store in GR or you could order from their website. They would also be very helpful if you tell them you need suggestions. They also have super yummy looking snack mixes, nuts, and chocolates that you could throw in.
What about a scarf? Something relatively light-weight so he could wear it in Texas if he wanted.
A decorative snowman figurine.
GRSP, your list is hilarious!
And trust me, we've told him how afwul it is! Hehehe.
It's a delicate conversation, because I don't want to talk them OUT of moving here, but I have to be honest with him. Hehehe.
Thanks for the ideas Kasa, I will google them!
Ha! I know, I'm such a snow Scrooge. I look out the window and see sun and green grass still, and I just - so selfishly - don't want it to end.
Do they make snow or winter themed calendars? I know I see ones for sunsets and beaches, it seems like they should do them for the other extreme. :-)
How about a snowflake or winter themed book mark if he likes to read?
New slippers?
A Michigan/Mitten Christmas ornament?
A winter themed door mat?
Oh! This reminded me of another idea - order him something from Michigan Awesome.
I say a Barnes and Nobles or Amazon gift card so he can order something to read. I think you got a lot of cute ideas to go with the snowflake theme. I think a gift card would be a nice, practical gift to go along with what you got him.
I wouldn't do food as you his appetite will be hit or miss. I'm guessing that could change on a daily basis.
Is he on chemo? Another idea is a light weight super soft blanket. I know a side effect of chemo is super sensitive skin and being cold. If he is on Chemo, Google ?care packages for cancer patients? for some ideas. I have heard of hard candy as their mouths can become super dry.
Thank you for the ideas!
He is on an oral chemo. I will add hard candies to the list.
I agree - plus it should be easy to find a GC w/a snowflake on it so it would still work.
Starbucks is selling a mug today that gets free coffee fills during the month of January. I know the Muskegon SBUX is sold out of them, but you might be able to find it on their website.
I know SBUX also has some cute Christmas/winter themed mugs as well.
Also, Magnum Roastery in Spring Lake on M-104 has really good coffee that is roasted on site and very reasonably priced ($8 per pound usually). The only question is whether to buy ground or whole bean. Ground is usually safer unless you know they have a grinder (which is fairly common).
The Cheese Lady in Muskegon has a lot of local gourmet food items like jams that you could ship. They also have a new section with gourmet olive oils, too.