Basket ideas for the homebound

[MamaMia]

I need some fresh ideas. I make secret angel baskets for the homebound people in my church. If y'all were home, sick in bed, or recovering from surgery, and found a basket on your doorstep, what would you want in it? I need ideas for ladies and gents.

[Petro-Sooner]

6-pack of beer. :D


I got nothin.

[Frozen Sooner]

PUT THE LOTION IN THE BASKET!

[MamaMia]

Tootsie PopsThats a great idea. Candy and chocolate in one. :D

[mdklatt]

Hookers.

[Vaevictis]

One of the things my wife does is home made chicken soup; she'll put em in those zip-lock soup containers. Lentil soup, too.

Soup is so typical, but it's a classic. :D

[MamaMia]

You guys are ornery. :D

They're from the church!!! :P

[Robby6pack]

biscuits and gravy.


Oh and condoms.

[Vaevictis]

They're from the church!!! :P

So altar boys wouldn't be out of the question, and might even be appreciated? :D

[yermom]

a PSP

[sooner_born_1960]

Blockbuster gift card.

[Viking Kitten]

Large-print books or books on tape maybe?

[Sooner Born Sooner Bred]

Do you ring the doorbell and run when you leave the baskets?

[Viking Kitten]

OMG. I just gave a serious reply.

Please edit my above reply to read "Inflatable doll" and "breast pump."

[royalfan5]

How much do you know about the shut-ins? Maybe try include something they really like, e.g. Fig Newtons or some other cookie type thing. I second the book idea, maybe you could check out some books from the library for them, or a book of crosswords or other word puzzle.

[MamaMia]

Do you ring the doorbell and run when you leave the baskets?
They do leave them on the porches and ring the bell, however I'm not on the delivery committee. I have always just assumed that once I leave them at the church, that angels come and take them to the people who need them. :D

These are great ideas, especially the one from our own precious Viking Kitten. :D Thanks.

[Fugue]

Blockbuster gift card.

Great Answer. :D

spek

[MamaMia]

That would be nice, except we don't have a Blockbuster. :P

[Fugue]

That would be nice, except we don't have a Blockbuster. :P

that and they probably don't have much use for gift certificates. :texan:

[Vaevictis]

That would be nice, except we don't have a Blockbuster. :P

Online version then, which is probably better anyway, since they'll deliver it to your mailbox.

[MamaMia]

Online version then, which is probably better anyway, since they'll deliver it to your mailbox....and what if they don't return it?

[royalfan5]

Maybe you can set up some sort of arrangement with a local video store to provide movies for the homebound?

[sooner_born_1960]

Do you have any video rental locations that offer gift cards?

[MamaMia]

Maybe you can set up some sort of arrangement with a local video store to provide movies for the homebound?
No. I'm the basket lady, not the home entertainment agent.
We get good cable. :D

[Vaevictis]

...and what if they don't return it?

Then you're screwed.

Surely, you're not implying that your church-members are sleazebags?! ;)

[royalfan5]

No. I'm the basket lady, not the home entertainment agent.
We get good cable. :D
Actually, maybe a better idea would be this: I'm guessing most of the homebound folks are older, and perhaps only have VCR's and no DVD players. Maybe you could get your congregation to don't old VHS tapes to create a library of movies that could go out to the homebound, and your Pastor could pick them up when you goes out to give them communion. You could do the same with some books too. That way your committee for the homebound has some fixed resources they could deal with.

[MamaMia]

Actually, maybe a better idea would be this: I'm guessing most of the homebound folks are older, and perhaps only have VCR's and no DVD players. Maybe you could get your congregation to don't old VHS tapes to create a library of movies that could go out to the homebound, and your Pastor could pick them up when you goes out to give them communion. You could do the same with some books too. That way your committee for the homebound has some fixed resources they could deal with.I'll spread the word that I need tapes of wholesome movies, but we let them keep everything we give. I'm sure there will be plenty. We have a lot of Hispanics in my church so I will spread the word to those members as well. I do the same thing for books and I have more lovely books, both in English and some in Spanish, than I will ever be able to use. Every once in a while we donate the extras we get to the Womens Crisis Center. :)

[mithrandir2398]

You guys are ornery. :D

They're from the church!!! :P


you dont think church people want hookers and beer?

[mithrandir2398]

Then you're screwed.

Surely, you're not implying that your church-members are sleazebags?! ;)


Everyone is a sleazebag, but sometimes you just have to bring it out of them

[Beef]

Hookers.
Mmmmmm....hookers in a a basket.

[MamaMia]

you dont think church people want hookers and beer?We're Catholic. We already have beer, and our women are hot to trot! :D

[mithrandir2398]

We're Catholic. We already have beer, and our women are hot to trot! :D

Yeah I know, I used to be Catholic but found that I really don't care to have the guilt. Wine during mass was cool when I was 10 though

[Preservation Parcels]

cd's from whatever decade they were teens
joke book
hand-held game
small cross stitch project
Christmas ornament project
Hershey's kisses in different flavors
Ghiradelli or Lindt chocolates
tins of mints
pancake mix and maple syrup
picture frame with photo of family, if possible
address book
journal and nice pen
cards, checkers, backgammon, or dominoes to play with visitors
artist notebook and colored pencils
assorted teas - buy boxes of individually wrapped teabags, divide, and wrap bundles with ribbon
china cup and saucer
Sudoku book with nice pencil and big eraser
music cd - lots of unused ones on ebay for $2-$4
squeezy ball
1-2 lb hand weights
foam basketballs and net that hangs over door
toy soldiers (for visiting kids, but may be used by bored guys)
mug with variety of hot cocoa packets
exotic juices
babybel cheese
assorted high quality soups
upscale crackers
nutella
ice cream toppings, nuts, cherries, and an ice cream scoop
munchie mixes, trail mix, and granola
popcorn - flavored and microwave
cookies
cookie or brownie mix in a jar with directions and ingredients
muffins with recipe and muffin tin
coffees
nuts
chocolate covered anything
fruit
granola bars
truffles
chocolate chip banana bread or fruit bread
hand lotion
luxurious soap
high quality pillowcase
comedy DVD's - Three Stooges type
notepaper and pen
batteries for tv remote
flashlight
fluffy washcloths
hairbrush
back scratcher
lavender linen spray
manicure set
bubble bath
tweezers
nail brush
slippers
pumice stone
candles
pot with freshly planted herb seeds and watering pitcher
box of stationery or notecards and stamps
books - Chicken Soup for the ... type
collection of Readers' Digests, Guideposts, or National Geographics
nice socks
garden tools and gloves
golf balls, towel, and tees

vitamins so they get healthier faster :pop:

[Viking Kitten]

Oh hellz yeah, I love some Nutella.

[OCUDad]

Do-It-Yourself Tattoo and Piercing Kit?

[King Crimson]

homemade cookies.

[PhxSooner]

Bagged tea
slippers
tins of cookies, like shortbread

You really have to watch what elderly people can eat. My parents help with a similar church project at Christmas, and there are a lot of people that can no longer eat nuts and hard candies.

[Tulsa_Fireman]

You really have to watch what elderly people can eat. My parents help with a similar church project at Christmas, and there are a lot of people that can no longer eat nuts and hard candies.

Not to mention they're returning from surgery. Depending on the type, they might have a restricted diet. It'd suck the big fat one to get a basket of delicious chocolate and not be able to eat it. Temptation at its finest.

What about plants? Flowers maybe, or a nice potted plant to give them something to take care of other than themselves as a distraction? I dunno.

[MamaMia]

Thanks for all y'alls ideas. I'll be handing out the Thank You speks after I get some rest and catch up on filing my claims tomorrow. :)

We had our Salt and Light Ministry meeting this evening. We decided that I should continue to make the baskets ahead, so I'll have to leave out anything that wont keep on the shelf for about a month or two. We will also be delivering my baskets to members of our church who are in the retirement home, new mothers, and families who are grieving, so I will have to change the contents up some. This will be more challenging than I thought. I'll have to make lists so I don't get all flustered.

Instead of leaving them on the porch, from now on we're going to call ahead and visit with the folks for awhile. We're going to have 1 week shifts and work in pairs. Right now there are about 5 pairs of us. I just love talking with the old folks and hearing all their stories. Its very interesting and it makes me feel young. :D

[soonerboomer93]

9MM and 1 bullet




(but only for the really sick ones)

[Chuck Bao]

Canned soup
Canned fruit cocktail
Spaghetti and spaghetti sauce
Tea
Wash cloths
Talcum powder
Shampoo
Soap
Chinese therapeutic hand balls


And for my silly answer:

A basket full of thong underwear, all sizes, all colors, g-string, t-string, v-string, etc.