Humankind has a long history of gift-giving. In prehistoric times, cavemen would sometimes give rocks to show appreciation or to impress a potential mate. Today’s gift-giving culture is a bit less primitive and includes a wider selection of trinkets and sentimental offerings. We give gifts for all types of occasions, from weddings to birthdays and other holiday celebrations.
However, some of the most meaningful gifts are those that come during times of illness or injury. Those are the gifts that aren’t necessarily expected but always appreciated. Here’s a brief history of the evolution of get-well gifts and how to choose one that’s well-accepted in 2025.
Get-Well Gifts Throughout Time
People have been sending kind thoughts to the unwell since ancient Egypt. Throughout history, words of comfort and goodwill were believed to facilitate recovery and help the ill feel better. Here’s how such offerings have evolved throughout the ages to include the thoughtful get well soon gifts and customs of today.
Ancient Egypt and China
In ancient Egypt, it wasn’t unusual to present the sick with messages of healing written on papyrus scrolls. Ancient Egyptians also combined herbal medicine with religious rituals. They believed supernatural forces could control illness. Therefore, they often focused on improving the sick person’s physical well-being as well as their physical health. Ancient Egyptians frequently offered gifts and messages of goodwill to the sick and supported them devotedly.
Ancient China shared similar customs, sending messages of kindness to loved ones on handwritten scrolls. These were often beautifully hand-painted to convey love and good fortune. In ancient China, gifts for the sick were typically practical rather than extravagant. They included items such as medicinal foods and herbal medicines to promote health and comfort.
The Middle Ages and the Renaissance
During the Middle Ages and Renaissance periods, religious customs called for the caring of the sick. Nuns and monks often ministered to the ill using medicinal herbs. Nobility may have also received items like fine fabrics, jewelry, books, and sapphires. Although there wasn’t an official custom to send “get-well” gifts to those in need, many chose to do so anyway. They would often offer comforting items and natural remedies, such as nutmeg and other medicinal herbs, to those who were sick. This practice carried through from the Middle Ages through the Renaissance. Religious tokens, homemade items, practical remedies, and food were commonly given to the sick during this period of history.
During the Renaissance, much of the medicine was based on a theory borrowed from the ancient Greeks that illness stemmed from a fluid imbalance. Ancient Greeks believed that the four bodily fluids—yellow bile, blood, black bile, and phlegm—needed to stay balanced to maintain good health. Gifts and treatments for the ill were frequently intended to restore this balance.
The Victorian Era (19th Century)
In the 19th Century, get-well-soon cards surged in popularity. They often featured delicate designs and floral motifs. The Victorian era valued sentimentality, and get-well cards provided the perfect opportunity to convey tender feelings.
Besides cards and beautiful poetic verses, handmade get-well gifts also rose in popularity in the 19th century. These included items like pin cushions, embroidered bedsheets, house slippers, and shaving soaps. “Sick ducks,” the name given for feeding cups, were also common get-well gifts among the upper class. They were used to serve broths, beef tea, and light gruels to the weak and unwell.
The Modern Era (2025)
In the modern era, it’s easier than ever to find get-well cards ranging from humorous to religious. You can also send e-cards for instant delivery (perfect for spontaneous well-wishes). Today’s cards often include thoughtful messages, funny quips, or even music and animations. Most people choose to send gifts along with their get-well cards.
Common get-well-soon gifts include food baskets, flowers, gift cards, and items to keep the recipient entertained while recovering in bed. Cough drops, tissues, and other comforting items also make thoughtful get-well gifts.
Therapeutic Benefits of Get Well Gifts
Sending get-well gifts to loved ones can have sentimental and therapeutic benefits. Research shows that receiving a gift can aid emotional recovery more than engaging in conversation with the giver. Additionally, getting a gift from someone else can lower cortisol levels and reduce stress. Since excess stress can hinder the recovery process, giving someone a get-well gift may actually help them get better faster.
However, if you want to trigger optimal physical and emotional benefits, it’s important to choose the right types of gifts. Anything that comforts, nourishes, or invokes pleasant feelings of nostalgia is likely to trigger positive benefits in the recipient. That’s why classic comfort foods like bread, soup, and cookies make excellent get-well gifts.
Conclusion
Get-well-soon gifts have a rich history that spans virtually all cultures and time periods. While modern gifts look much different than their ancient counterparts, they serve the same general purpose—to comfort and uplift. If you know someone who’s recently undergone surgery or is struggling through an acute or chronic illness, make the effort to send them a gift. Whenever possible, include a personalized card or note to let them know you’re thinking about them and wishing them well. Your gift might provide the boost they need to recover faster.