This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #MyCareGivingStory #CollectiveBias
Being a caregiver for an elderly family member can be a challenge, but it can also be very rewarding. As my in-laws have grown older, they require more specialized care. We do a lot of the chores around their home and farm, drive them to doctor’s appointments, and run any needed errands. Of course, we also plan for outings if they feel up to it and surprise them with lots of goodies. My father in law has gotten so many sweet treats from me, he casually asks, “So…have you cooked any good desserts?” whenever he sees me. One thing I’ve learned, as the holidays approach, is my in-laws have everything they need. They don’t need anything for their home and as my father in law is blind, he can no longer see to read or participate in his favorite hobbies. They do worry about money with their myriad of doctor bills and doctor appointments. I’ve found the best thing I can do for them at Christmas is purchase them necessities. Here’s how I make a “Necessities Care Package” using products from Sam’s Club.
How to Make A Necessities Care Package:
First, decide what your recipients use most often. I knew my in-laws needed toiletries, so I included the following from my in club shopping:
* Moisturizing Body Wash with Shea Butter (comes in a 3 pack!)
* Hand Soap (large 2 pack that could be used to refill smaller bottles and will last the two of them for several months)
* Hand Sanitizer (large bottle)
*I also added Depend® Fit-Flex® Underwear for Women (much cheaper to purchase at Sam’s Club. The packaging shows just how much you save by shopping at Sam’s Club! These new Depend are more flexible and designed to move with you. They featuring all-around leg elastics and a smooth, close-to-body fit. They’re made to be comfortable and discreet. I didn’t purchase any Poise® Liners – Light Absorbency, but if anyone needs these for Light Bladder Leakage, they are a great price as well.
*For a special treat, I added Sea Salt Caramels. I knew they would love this candy, but you can substitute a favorite treat.
If you want to go all, why not add a frozen dinner or a rotisserie chicken from the Sam’s Club deli to give them an easy dinner option.
Other options could include paper towels, toilet paper, laundry detergent, dish detergent or other often used household products. Obviously, the basket would be easy to change based on people’s needs and tastes.
You’ll also need a basket for the items and a large bow.
How to Assemble the Necessities Care Package
Once I had all of my products from my in club shopping completed, I found a basket for my goodies. I decided to take the Depend products out of their original box (since they are still in protective wrappers) and use them as my “base.” You might need a towel or tissue paper in the bottom of the basket to add height.
Arrange the necessities on top of the Depend products. I added some to the sides of the basket, some to the front and some on the top to create a look of fullness.
Once the items are arranged to your satisfaction, add a bow on top or onto the side for a festive look. I purchased a pre-made bow and tied it to the side of the basket to make it easy on myself.
It makes me feel good to purchase items I know will be used and not just thrown in a closet. Plus, it’s a great way to give them the gift of saving money and time.
Are you a Sam’s Club Member and a Caregiver? Be sure to check out the Sam’s Club Family Caregiving program. It’s the one stop destination for all of your caregiving needs. You can get free health screenings, get prescription refills and find personal care products. You can also download the Digimarc Discovery app. Use the app to scan anywhere on the Depend packaging, and it will drive you to the Sam’s Club Caregiver website. Pretty cool, huh?
Who is the most difficult person to shop for on your Christmas list? Would they like a Necessities Care Package?
I love care packages! This is a great idea for kids away at college or even the sick and shut in!
Personalised with love is my kind of gift that I love to give and this care package is exactly that full of necessities
This is a great idea for our elderly family and friends. Im aure they would very much appreciate it.
This is a great idea for any elder or otherwise. A necessity care package is a great holiday gift idea for so many people It is awesome to know that what you give will indeed be used. Thanks for sharing the gift basket ideas.
Thanks for sharing these ideas. This year, I suggested we each give each other one fun gift, one practical gift. That way, you know you’ll get something you actually need and something that will be nice to have. #client
What a thoughtful gift. Sometimes getting a gift that covers REAL needs is the best.
A Necessities Care Package would be a great gift idea for my University student. Practical gifts are my favorite gifts to give.
The practical gifts are the best gifts. I always appreciate some hand soap and things that I would need to buy anyway. Much better than stuff we don’t need.
This is a great idea to give someone for Christmas! I love giving people things that I know they will actually use. HA!
This is such a great idea! I love that it has things in it that they will really use and actually need.
I love this! No sense buying a package when you can customize and make one that really relates to the person. These are great!
This is a great idea for a gift basket! I am a caregiver, but for someone younger. However, I can still see how something like this could be great!
The most difficult person to shop for on my Christmas list is my husband for sure. He has everything and it’s so hard to find a good gift for him. I’m sure that my grandfather would love a Necessities Care Package but I would have to add tons of sweets there too 🙂
What a wonderful idea! Many people will be visiting grandparents and mature family members over the holidays and this would be a fantastic gift! Older people usually have everything they need, but this is something they can always use!
This really interesting! I want those bodywash i want to try it. This is really cool!
I really love this idea, and i know a few people i can make this for. Gift baskets are always a great gift to give an assortment of things a person likes.
Woah! Amazing idea! I want this packages. I want to try this. Thanks for this.
What an amazing gift idea! I love giving gifts that people can really use. Thanks for sharing these ideas!
This is a good idea for the office Christmas parties and so forth.
Your pictures really tell of a good process.
I know several members of my family that would love to get a necessities care package as a gift!
I love the idea of a Necessities Care Package! The hardest person to shop for is definitely my mom because she’s always like “I don’t need anything/don’t waste money on me” but it’s fun to spoil your parents sometimes!
Oh now I love this idea. My in-laws are i their 80’s and literally have everything as well. It is quite difficult to shop for them and they just return everything.
I love this! One of our grocers has a Secret Santa for the elderly and I am sure they would be thrilled to get one of these care packages for the holiday!
This is such a great idea. I wish more people were wiling to gift things that people need.
This is a great idea, and something I’d have loved when I was my husband’s cancer caregiver. Sharing!
Oh this is a great gift idea. I know a few family members that would be excited to receive these.
My dad is so tough to shop for because he has everything he needs, and doesn’t have any real hobbies. This would be something he would actually use and appreciate.
This is such an awesome idea I really need to try and make some gift sets myself they are such a fab idea.
I was thinking after seeing your photos to buy in bulk and put in smaller containers for individual personal gift baskets. Totally agree on giving something worth while and needed.
Aw I love this! Honestly, I prefer things like this for family members/friends that have just had babies because honestly those necessities are SO APPRECIATED at that stage. Great post!
This is such a wonderful idea. This is so great because you can change out what’s in it to meet any need you might have.
My most difficult is my father but it’s just because he likes expensive things haha! This care package is honestly a really good and thoughtful idea. I know many elderly who struggle to pay for these things and often people don’t realize that when needs are met like this, that it can feel like the greatest gift of all.
We always give away food baskets to family friends during Christmas, now why haven’t we thought of this? We could do with some change this year.
This is such a great holiday gift idea for people who are away at college or who travel often. I love it.
My dad! He has everything. I was just wondering what to get him. I always include a monetary gift in the card I give him, but I also give him a present each year. A care package is the perfect gift for him.