12 Holiday Gifts

Do you have a nurse on your holiday gift list? Are you looking for something different that shows you understand what a hardworking nurse really needs. Maybe you’re a nurse who’s tired of receiving items that are meant for on-the-job and want to be ready when someone asks for gifts that you really could use.

12 Days of Holiday Gift Ideas

We previously created a post called “Great Gifts for Nurses: No Special Occasion Required” that

offered traditional and clever suggestions for gifting, including mugs that say “Nurses call the shots.” Now we’ve got even more ideas to surprise and delight nurses, borrowing from the popular “Twelve Days of Christmas” song. But don’t think these gifts are meant only for holidays. Refer to this list anytime you need inspiration for a birthday, graduation, Mother’s or Father’s Day, or just a surprise.

NOTE: Nurse Plus does not endorse any products or receive compensation from companies whose products are mentioned as suggestions.

Day 1: Clean Their Home. Begin with a bang! After a string of 12-hour shifts, the last thing a nurse wants to do is clean their home. A certificate for regular service from a professional housecleaning company, or even a one-time appointment that lets the nurse sleep longer or do something fun with family or friends will be welcome. 

Select a basic cleaning session, a deep-dive in one area, or window washing…anything will be helpful. There are many reliable companies (and individuals) to choose from; a quick web search will get you started. If you decide on this gift, this article provides ten things to look for when hiring a housecleaning service.

Day 2: Sparkle Their Water. Nurses are well aware of the need to stay hydrated and use reusable bottles for work and play. Make ordinary tap water more interesting with a simple press of a button from a Sparkling Water Maker, such as a SodaStream. 

A replaceable/refillable carbon dioxide cannister provides the carbonation and a few drops of calorie-free flavors add variety. The BPA-free bottle that’s included can replace over 3,000 disposable plastic bottles--and save the nurse’s hard-earned money in the process. A total win-win gift!

Day 3: Feed Their Bodies. Imagine being on your feet all day (the average nurse walks the equivalent of a 5K race every shift) while caring for patients with critical needs. The last thing you’d want to do when finally getting home is prepare a nutritious, well-balanced dinner. The temptation to grab a quick drive-thru meal can seem like a great idea. 

Here’s where you come in: Get them a subscription to meals that are delivered to their doorstep. There’s a wide range of choices, from premade to simple assembly with ingredients already measured. The nurse doesn’t have to make decisions about what to eat, which is a true gift at the end of a very long day. Meal plans are available for every type of special diet, as well as single or family-size meals. Even one preplanned meal a week will be greatly appreciated.

Day 4: Feed Their Souls. Nurses are notorious for neglecting their own wellbeing. Making time to find inner peace or practice behaviors that support a happy and fulfilling life often gets put at the bottom of daily to-do lists. It’s easy to say, “I’ll do it tomorrow…” 

There are a hundred ways to do this gift for your nurse. Offer to take a walk with them once a week; this costs nothing and is good for both of you. If the nurse follows a certain religious practice, find something that will inspire them anew, such as new prayer beads, rosary, or book of meditations. A beautiful journal and pen may motivate them to spend a few minutes writing about their thoughts. Soft music—or heavy metal, if they prefer—can get their minds to a better place. You know what’s best for your nurse, so have fun with this gift.

Day 5: Warm Their Hands. Constant handwashing can lead to cold hands. So does fatigue (that’s why we put on jackets when we’re tired). Some medical conditions can lead to cold hands: diabetes, anemia, hypothyroidism, Raynaud’s syndrome, and peripheral artery disease are a few causes. Nearly every nurse can confess to telling patients, “Apologies, my hands are cold.”

Solution: Portable, rechargeable hand warmers. These small devices fit in pockets and can generate heat for up to 15 hours—enough to last a shift and the commute home. They’re useful in any cool weather outdoor activity, too. To learn more about this “cool” gift idea and read reviews of the current best hand warmers, check out this article at Health.com.

Day 6: Help Them Have Fun. Who can resist ready-made fun or entertainment? Who doesn’t enjoy a meal at a favorite restaurant? When was the last time they went bowling? According to Giftcards.com, almost 59% of people would like to receive a gift card, making them the most requested item for nine consecutive years.

A gift card (or certificate) for an activity actually nudges your nurse to get out and have fun. The choices—and budget—are nearly endless. You can send them (and partner/family/friend) to a favorite dining spot or movie theatre. Or surprise them with a one-off event, such as a cooking class or “brew-your-own” evening. The idea here is to avoid a generic gift card and point them in the direction of amusement and relaxation.

Day 7: Surprise Them Each Month. Everyone has a special interest. What does your nurse like? Or is there something they wish they knew more about? Show them you understand with a monthly subscription to their favorite thing. Admittedly, this is a more expensive gift, but if you can swing it, it’s an absolute winner.

You name it, there’s a monthly box for it! Food, of course: ethnic, wine, coffee, spices, chocolate, even vinegar and mustard. And oysters! But, wait, there’s even more: clothing, jewelry, gadgets, cigars, flowers, and pet toys. How about history lessons or crime-solving each month?  To get you started, here are two lists that rate some of the best subscription boxes:  The Best Subscription Services for Every Type of Person and  My Subscription Addiction. 

Day 8: Embrace Their Nurse Humor. If you didn’t already know this, nurses have a “sick” sense of humor. (See what we did there?) Laughter is essential for good mental health and a pleasant work environment. However, unless you’re also a nurse, or on very close terms with a nurse, there are some things that are never shared. Like other professions, some things just can’t be understood…or can be misinterpreted.

To support your nurse’s spirit—even if you aren’t in on the jokes—consider giving the gift of laughter.  These are budget-friendly, and a quick search will help you grasp what nurse humor is all about. Here are few ideas to get you started. (NOTE AGAIN: Nurse Plus does not endorse any products or receive compensation from companies whose products are mentioned as suggestions.)

• What Do You Meme (Nurses Edition) Game
• Who Else Will Encourage You to Pass Gas? Nurse Coloring Book
• Sweary Midnight Edition Nurse Coloring Book
• Before Patients/After Patients Coffee Mug and Wine Glass Set

Day 9: Celebrate Their Career.  The opposite of nursing humor gifts are handcrafted pieces your nurse will cherish. While many nurses grow tired of nurse-themed t-shirts or similar garments, they are always proud to declare that they have chosen to be a nurse, the #1 trusted and honest profession. Show your support with a personalized item they can use or wear wherever they go.

If you don’t have a local artisan, start with crafting/artist websites, such as Etsy. Simply type “nurse gifts” into the search bar. The hardest part will be selecting the perfect gift. Here are a few examples:

• Custom name stethoscope necklace
• Personalized backpack
• Personalized silicone watch band  
• Tree ornaments (male and female)
• Male nurse bracelet

Day 10: Shine Light on Their Work. At some point in their career, every nurse has need for a small-but-mighty light. Working evening or night shifts means assessing and caring for patients without glaring overhead lights. Reading small print, checking IV lines/pumps, and drawing medications require accurate visualization. Poor lighting increases risk for both patient injury and nurse liability.

While penlights are helpful, giving your nurse a wearable LED light provides the ability to adjust light intensity, as well select different colors for various nursing actions. With the light clipped to their scrubs, the nurse has both hands available. Find an example of this type of rechargeable light at Adni.com.

Day 11:  Massage Their Muscles. After hours of walking, pushing, pulling, and lifting, and turning, even the most fit nurse can develop sore muscles…and little time to recuperate. You can be a hero by gifting your nurse a way to ease their aches. 

Depending on your budget and your nurse’s specific stress areas, there are plenty of options:

• Percussion gun/Deep tissue massagers. Handheld devices that give rapid, repetitive pressure to relieve muscle soreness. Buyers Guide reviews here and here.
• Battery powered portable neck and back massager. Fitting like a collar or scarf, it can provide heat and deep tissue stimulation for up to three hours before recharging. See an example here.
• Wearable, on-the-job release comfort comes from devices that work like a portable heating pad. They can attach to the waist of scrub pants, with adhesive patches applied to target areas: back, legs, neck, or arms. They provide adjustable levels of heat for up to eight hours. For a suggestion, click here.

Day 12: Anticipate Their Needs. We’ve tried to avoid “typical” nurse gifts, but we also know that sometimes the best thing is a way to help your nurse use their hard-earned paycheck on things besides work items. 

When you give a gift card or certificate for an ongoing need, such as scrubs or shoes, you’re letting your nurse breathe a sigh of relief that they can pay for an essential—and still have funds for other important items, such as school lunches, birthday gifts, car insurance, and vacations. If you have a local uniform or nurse supplier, consider getting a gift certificate there. Nurse.org offers a review of suppliers here. If you prefer to let your nurse choose from a national supplier, who can offer a full range of gear, here are some suggestions:

• Scrubs and Beyond
• FIGS
• Jaannu
• Cherokee
• Dickies

Think Beyond Mugs and Stethoscope Tags

…although there is nothing wrong with clever nurse items, remember that your nurse needs support in many other ways. They have chosen a challenging career with a risk for burnout. What they need is a way to feel supported. This includes gifts that lets them enjoy life away from their workplace. To relax and enjoy their time with family, friends, or by themselves. One of the best things you can do is to offer ways to relieve their stress, so they can return to their career, refreshed and ready to make their patients’ lives better.