Northern Lights: Stocking Stuffers
It is that time of year for seasonal greetings, parties, and gifts.
In my family, we have a tradition of putting stockings on the hearth, filled with interesting, small gifts that are known as stocking stuffers. This tradition dates back to my childhood days, but we continue with it even now, decades later.
I tried to think of what could be useful and appropriate as a stocking stuffer for a myeloma patient and caregiver, and came up with the following ideas.
Books make ideal stocking stuffers because they come in handy when waiting for appointments, during chemo administration, and during and after a stem cell transplant when we may need a distraction or a means to kill time. And you can make the gift personal by choosing a book that you enjoyed.
A nice journal might be useful too. It can help keep events in chronological order, especially when a patient is dealing with chemo brain. For some, keeping a journal to write their thoughts and emotions out may be therapeutic.
A patient may also appreciate a set of ear phones that they could use for listening to music and podcasts, not only during walks, but also during chemo administration at the hospital.
Both the patient and the caregiver may benefit from small portable electric lights that operate on batteries. The patient can use them to read when battling dex-induced insomnia without waking the caregiver. They also can be used to enhance other lights when reading or working on crafts, which may be particularly useful during the dark winter months.
If someone you know is suffering from neuropathy, cozy socks and a nice cream, such as peppermint foot cream, may help. Running one’s feet over golf balls can also relieve neuropathy, so golf balls could also be a stocking stuffer. Spiky massage balls can also be used to ease neuropathy.
Moisturizing creams to combat dry skin, and special teas to help to keep warm and hydrated, would likely be appreciated by patient and caregiver alike.
Someone who has lost their hair due to having a stem cell transplant may appreciate a warm hat or a scarf to vary their outfit a little.
A session with a makeup artist, either as provided by a cancer support group, or at a makeup counter in a department store, can help with one’s self-image – especially right after the transplant!
I think that anyone who has a hobby or interest would appreciate something that relates to that.
For example, a music lover may appreciate a small instrument, such as a harmonica, or a new music book for the instrument or voice the person plays or sings.
A crafter may appreciate a small item to complement their hobby. For example, a stitcher or quilter might like a new quilting ruler, a knitter a set of special needles, a crafter who enjoys shop work a set of drill bits or a telescoping magnet to pick up dropped metal items.
For a sports lover, an item with their team logos, such as a hat or jersey, may be appreciated. For the athletic types, some accessory for their biking, running, or swimming may come in handy. For example, a cyclist may appreciate a new pair of biking gloves, a runner a new belt for holding small bottles of water or sports drink for long trips, a swimmer swim goggles with prescriptive lenses. Sports gels and energy bars are popular too.
For a movie lover, a subscription to an online streaming movie network can provide lots of in-home entertainment. Another benefit of the subscription is that the movie lover has a lower risk of catching colds or the flu, compared to going crowded places such as a movie theater.
In keeping with our family traditions, one item that always goes into our stocking first is an orange. An orange was a rare treat in the days of my parents and grandparents, since they do not grow here and were expensive then. It also fills out the toe of the stocking nicely, and since it separates into segments, can be thought of as a symbol of sharing.
What you are your favorite stocking stuffers?
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The quotation for this month is from by Maya Angelou (1928 - 2014), an American author, poet, and civil rights activist, who said: "When we give cheerfully, and accept gratefully, everyone is blessed."
Nancy Shamanna is a multiple myeloma patient and a columnist at The Myeloma Beacon. You can view a list of her columns here.
If you are interested in writing a regular column to be published by The Myeloma Beacon, please contact the Beacon team at .
What an extremely thoughtful and insightful article Nancy. Thank you from Australia.
Thanks for the good, thoughtful ideas Nancy. Before my diagnosis we would go on a family outing like skiing and that was the present. These days we cook together and play boardgames. That's good too. Being as a family together is what counts in our case with 4 kids spread over the world and yes this Christmas we will be united as a family for 10 days. Have a wonderful blessed season all.
Nancy, your stocking stuffer article was written at a perfect time of year, and I believe it will be a great help for both those with MM & their caregivers. I have a friend who went through an auto SCT after the holidays in Feb 2013. In my opinion, the items you selected were very well thought out. If not around Christmas time, most of these would make up terrific, thoughtful goodie bags for any time of year. Knowing what my friend went through before, during and after his transplant and reading accounts of others in the same situation, as I read through your list, I'd mumble to myself, "Yup, that was definitely a helpful item/idea. While in a transplant center or at home in a sterile environment post-transplant, I've learned that music can invoke a variety of appreciated feelings: calm, respite, inspiration, strength, hope, a kick-butt attitude, great memories, etc. Headphones for a music device, a mobile phone, a tablet and/or laptop are a must-have. In addition, legitimate, extra long chargers are extremely helpful. Some devices come with standard, very short charging cables. One popular company in particular provides these extremely frustrating short charging cables; I will not provide the company name. Just make sure to purchase high quality replacement cables. the longer cables are operationally compatible. Many convenience stores offer inexpensive cables that negatively affect operation of your quality electronic devices. I've personally ruined a mobile device because I didn't do any upfront research.
E-readers are wonderful tools, especially when people can subscribe to their favorite newspapers & magazines. I've heard from various people that reading a novel can be difficult due to too much MM mental chatter going on.
Another great goodie is a gift card for music or publications. I'm not providing specific company names as I don't know if that is allowed here.
When you mentioned skin products, I highly recommend a jar of RAW, VIRGIN, ORGANIC Coconut Oil. It's a natural oil that is one of those products that has numerous healing & comforting elements. It has been endorsed by a renowned cancer center in NYC where my friend is being treated. The hospital suggests its use in treating neuropathy. I am a diabetic and it has helped me; it's also a wonderful skin moisturizer. Look it up!
I imagine that a great moisturizing lip balm would be a desired item, along with a bag of hard candies to treat dry mouth from the effects of MM meds. Beanies/hats & scarves come in very handy. If you have a warped sense of humor, there are hats with sayings of what cancer can go do to itself!
Before my friend was diagnosed with MM in 2012, I'd decided to try knitting again from when I was a young girl. I never got past one basic stitch and my projects of choice were scarves and more importantly in my mind, healing shawls. I've knitted up a few shawls, prayed while working with my circular needles, and had them blessed. I rushed to finish my first one and gave it to my friend. To me, the power of prayer & healing have mighty qualities. My friend told me the scarf I made him was a source of comfort as he was often cold. For crafters, I believe a few skeins of soft, beautiful yarn with instruction how to make healing shawls/blankets and a set of circular needles would also make great additions to the holiday stockings or care packages. I know I could come up with many more ideas but I've already written a novel! Two more suggestions: adult coloring books (I can't wait to get one) with gorgeous designs that can be framed. A caregiver friend told me they're wonderful with their intricate designs that require a level of concentration that doesn't allow you to stay muddled in dark places emotionally, even if you "color" for short periods of time. The last suggestion can be pricey but definitely worth the investment: gift certificates for in-home massage. This is a truly phenomenal gift, especially for caregivers. Even better if the massages can be tolerated by the one with MM and the caregiver can receive therapeutic release as well.
I wish each and every one of you a blessed holiday season, and I pray for you all every day. I ask the Holy Spirit to bestow healing grace upon you so the disease does not take away your strength & faith. God bless. Keep up your wonderful articles, Nancy, and thank you for sharing your thoughts. For MM caregivers in spirit, like me, you do an amazing job.
Thanks Robyn, and enjoy your holidays in sunny warm Australia! We were there once at this time of year, and just loved the change of scene! Do you have a special lunch there with family and friends?
Christel, enjoy your festive family reunion. I think that the idea of a family ski day is great. We used to go skiing as a family, when our daughters were still in school. Boardgames are fun too.
Wow, Kate, those are great ideas, and could be used year round. I hadn't thought of that. When I was going thru my first year with MM, I was given two prayer shawls, which I found to be very helpful. I like knitting too, and you can do a lot just with 'knit-purl'. Circular needles are what you use to knit shawls. Thanks for the tip on cables to charge phones and small computers. Music is so therapeutic that there are now university programs to train music therapists. Haven't tried the colouring books but apparently they are a top seller this season. Interesting...I see them as a sort of mandala. I also do have a somewhat warped sense of humour by now and have a silver (fundraiser) bracelet with a rude saying about what I think about having cancer!
I hope that you all have a peaceful, happy festive season.
Great list. As a side note, my barber is such a great person he and his staff makes his female cancer patients custom hair pieces for free if they need them. I always think about the special people that help cancer patients out during the holiday season.
Thanks Mark, and it is kind of your barber to make wigs for patients who have lost their hair due to cancer treatments. I found that wearing a wig for about six months after the stem cell harvesting, and then throughout the ASCT, was good for my self esteem!
Thanks Nancy - Great article with some really useful tips. I'm going to print it out so I can have it as a handy reference when I go shopping.
Hope you have a very blessed Christmas and a really Happy New Year's.
Thank you very much, Patty! I hope that you have a really nice holiday season too! Best wishes for 2016!
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