Nice Gifts for Shitty Situations
When a friend or a loved one is going through shit, the worst thing you can do is nothing. A bouquet of flowers, a casserole delivered to their doorstep, or an offer to watch their puppy for a few hours is a powerful assurance that whatever they’re going through, they’re not alone.
When you’re offering your time, take ownership of a task and be specific. While offering “whatever you need” is all well and good, it puts the onus on your friend to reach out and ask for help when something comes up, which can feel difficult. It’s much easier to accept someone’s direct offer to mow your lawn at 10:30 on Saturday or to watch your kids while you’re at an appointment.
Although a condolence gift is less about the gift than the fact you are there, we like to match what we give someone with the specific ways they cope with difficult times. We’ve gathered some ideas below—along with florists who ship nationally and the goop recipes we turn to when we want to drop off food to a loved one.
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For the Self-Carer
Me time speaks to this person. Bubble baths, face masks, and comfort TV may be involved.
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Wylde One Yoga in a Cup goop, $35SHOP NOW
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Ostrichpillow Heated Neck Wrap goop, $45SHOP NOW
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Morihata Washable Leather
Room Shoes goop, $196SHOP NOW -
goop Beauty “The Martini” Emotional
Detox Bath Soak goop, $35SHOP NOW -
Jillian Dempsey Hydrating Eye Mask goop, $75SHOP NOW
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vitruvi goop-Exclusive
Stone Diffuser goop, $119SHOP NOW -
GOLDE Cacao Turmeric
Latte Blend goop, $29SHOP NOW -
Piecework Puzzles Forbidden Fruit Puzzle goop, $36SHOP NOW
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For the Person Who Always Sweats It Out
It can be healing to drop out of your head and into your body—here are a few things that can help.
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OPTP LoRox Aligned Roller goop, $54SHOP NOW
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Bala Weighted Wrist Bangles goop, $49SHOP NOW
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goop x PUMA Yoga Mat goop, $50SHOP NOW
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ClassPass Gift CardSHOP NOW
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For the Venter
Letting it all out can be a powerful way to process emotion, whether that means
dumping thoughts onto a piece of paper or finding the right listening ear. -
W&P Porter Ceramic
To-Go Mug goop, $25SHOP NOW -
goop Fair Trade
Specialty Coffee goop, $28SHOP NOW -
SommSelect Wine of the Day SommSelect, prices varySHOP NOW
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FX Chocolate FX Exhale goop, $40SHOP NOW
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Talkspace Therapy Gift Card Talkspace, from $79SHOP NOW
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Magic of I Vegan-Leather Journal Magic of I, $28SHOP NOW
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For the Spiritual Traveler
If they feel more themselves after an energy healing, they might find something meaningful in these gifts.
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Inner Compass Cards Inner Compass Cards goop, $55SHOP NOW
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Inner Compass Cards Inner Compass
Love Cards goop, $55SHOP NOW -
goop x Cinnamon Projects goop-Exclusive Agate
Burner Incense Set goop, $295SHOP NOW -
Incausa Large Standard
Singing Bowl Set goop, $185SHOP NOW -
Chronicle Books Breathwork goop, $17SHOP NOW
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CEREMONIE Remote Shamanic Reading CEREMONIE, $325SHOP NOW
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Mari Andrew My Inner Sky Bookshop, $20SHOP NOW
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When In Doubt, Send Flowers
A bouquet of flowers is the default for a reason. It lets someone know you’re thinking
of them while adding a small moment of joy or beauty to their day. -
Popupflorist Dried Bouquet Popupflorist, $50SHOP NOW
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Floom Bouquet Floom, prices varySHOP NOW
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The Unlikely Florist Bouquet The Unlikely Florist, from $50SHOP NOW
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Tiny Feelings Bouquet Tiny Feelings, from $100SHOP NOW
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For more local blooms, check out our guide to the best florists in every city.
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The Next-Gen Casserole Drop-Off
If making dinner is something you can take off their plate, do. Each of these recipes is great fresh but also freezes well. Which is helpful for your recipient: When something bad happens, people tend to get inundated with fresh food at the beginning. When those deliveries start to drop off, they’ll have this stash in their freezer.
(And a gift card to their favorite takeout joint? Wonderful idea, too.) -
Vegan Cashew Tomato SoupGET RECIPE
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Chicken Cabbage Zucchini DumplingsGET RECIPE
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Lasagna with Sausage RaguGET RECIPE
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Buckwheat Banana Bread
with Salty ButterGET RECIPE
We hope you enjoy the products recommended here. Our goal is to suggest only things we love and think you might, as well. We also like transparency, so, full disclosure: We may collect a share of sales or other compensation if you purchase through the external links on this page.