What kind of items do you put in a "sympathy" basket?

My cousin's husband unexpectedly passed away the other day..

She has a new baby and they were both about 30 I feel absolutely horrible for her.. she has had it really rough the past couple of years and was finally happy

I want to send/get something for her.. I looked at Eddiblearrangements and a few other sites and cookies and what not and I was thinking of instead making a basket ofTrader Joe's stuff and having my SIL bring it over to her house.. (they are best friends so I'm sure she will be going there anyway)

So.. good idea? And if so.. what kind of items should I include in it?

I thought going the Trader Joe's route would be good because I would be able to get WAY more stuff in the basket than if I had ordered or something.

I will be seeing her at the wake and funeral but wanted to send more of a gift for the house than flowers for the funeral (I'm sure my parents will send flowers)

Message edited 12/22/2009 12:03:14 AM.

Re: What kind of items do you put in a "sympathy" basket?

I don't know - one of my clients DH passed away yesterday I believe and I'm trying to come up with the same......

Its so hard.....

Re: What kind of items do you put in a "sympathy" basket?

maybe those chocolate dunkers cookies, and maybe some nuts and dried fruits...they have a big selection of those..
sometimes they have those little boxes of tissues, too, if you felt comfy giving those, also.


:( sorry to hear!

Re: What kind of items do you put in a "sympathy" basket?

I have to be honest an edible sympathy basket would be the last thing I would want. People bring so much food that it's silly and especially with the baby she must be overwhelmed not to mention she more then likely doesn't have an appetite. If you wanted to do something for her I would get her a gift card for Trader Joe's or wherever she shops to help her for after all the food is gone and for stuff like diapers and what not. Or, if food is the route you want, send something frozen she can thaw at a later date.

Re: What kind of items do you put in a "sympathy" basket?

a friend of mines mom passed away when we were kids and everyone that lived on our block chipped in and we made a basket of things like magazines, snacks, gc for food... you can add stuff to keep her busy and help get her mind off stuff. maybe a gc to a spa?

Re: What kind of items do you put in a "sympathy" basket?

a lot of people will probably be bringing food or sending edible baskets. How about a GC to a local restaurant or grocery store for when then cooked items run out? Or make freeze some dinners for her to keep in the freezer.

Re: What kind of items do you put in a "sympathy" basket?

Some of the favorite things I got were gift baskets with food.

And believe it or not, I didn't get that many.

Comfort food is best. karacg got me a basket of pancake mix and syrup - since pancakes are my favorite, that was nice.

In the days just after DH died I got an edible arrangement and that was literally the only thing I ate for days.

I think anything that is easy to make and comforting would be really appreciated.

And something for the baby.