How to show appreciation, how to celebrate
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It’s National Nurses Week, a time to show gratitude to those bearing the burden of one of the world’s toughest and most important jobs. The days are long and the tasks can be grueling. It means a lot for nurses to know that someone cares about them and appreciates everything they do. If you know a nurse, you can brighten their day by expressing how much they mean to you and the world. Here are some ideas on how to show your appreciation.
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National Nurses Week is observed annually by May 6th To 12th of May. May 12th was chosen because it is the birthday of Florence Nightingale, often credited as the founder of modern nursing.
Ways to show your appreciation
Send them an appreciation message
A message is an effective way to show your appreciation as it makes it clear that you are thinking of them and allows you to share why you appreciate them and how much you do them. A short note can be given with any other gift. Most often it is in the form of a card, but it can also be attached to a gift such as a bouquet of flowers or even sent in an SMS. No matter how you send the message, it will go a long way in brightening their day.
Bake them homemade treats
Using one of our most popular hand mixers or stand mixers, you can bake a delicious treat for that nurse you know. Whether you’re baking cookies or a cake, we’re sure they’ll appreciate the thought and effort that went into this delicious gift. Not to mention that it can bring them comfort after a long day.
Treat them to a meal
Another way to show your appreciation is to treat her to a hearty meal. You can take them to a restaurant or make a meal for them yourself and send them home with leftovers to take to work. If you do the latter, you can organize it into one of our favorite bento boxes. If you’re going for style, we recommend the Umami Bento Box.
Give them a sleep mask
Nurses work long hours at different times of the day. If they hope to sleep, they often have to do so while the sun is shining. Buying them a quality sleep mask can help them get their much-needed rest no matter how bright it is. The best sleep mask we’ve tested is Mzoo’s. It blocks light well, is easily adjustable, and doesn’t put uncomfortable pressure on your eyes.
$22 from Amazon
Give them a weighted blanket
If you want to help your favorite nurse get some much-needed rest, consider getting her a weighted blanket. Evidence shows that weighted blankets improve sleep. To give the gift of a closed eye, we recommend our favorite weighted blanket sold by Gravity. The Gravity Blanket is durable, easy to clean and comfortable thanks to its evenly distributed weight.
$250 from Gravity
Show your love with flowers
A bouquet of flowers is a particularly nice way to show your appreciation. If you stick to the language of flowers, pink roses are one of the flowers associated with appreciation, but we are sure your recipient will love any type you give them. 1-800 Flowers is an excellent place to buy flowers. Not only do you have many flowers to choose from, but you can also combine these flowers with other wonderful gifts.
$52 from 1-800 flowers
Supply them with some much-needed coffee
With late nights and early mornings, many nurses depend on caffeine to keep them going during their long shifts. They will appreciate being able to brew their own delicious cup of coffee in the comfort of their own home. For a method that’s great for brewing in a hurry, we recommend getting them a single-serve coffee maker. Our favorite is the Nespresso VertuoPlus as it’s compact, brews quickly and has a double espresso option for an even bigger caffeine boost.
For the nurse who likes coffee on the go, you can buy a gift card to one of her favorite coffee shops like Starbucks. If you don’t want to lift a finger, you can visit them at work and bring them coffee yourself. They’ll love the gesture and get the fuel they need for the rest of the day.
$199 from Amazon Store Starbucks Gift Cards
Give them a travel mug
For a nurse on the go, her coffee is only as good as her travel mug. So make sure they can enjoy their coffee by buying only the best. That would be the Zojirushi SM-KHE48. It makes the difference to our favorite travel mug because it’s easy to carry and most importantly, it keeps drinks hot for hours.
$29 from Amazon
Bring cosiness into your home with candles
Candles are another great way to unwind after a long day. Whether you use them for ambiance in the tub or just use them as a softer form of light, candles create a relaxing atmosphere. We loved the candle we tried from Scent Lab and we’re sure your favorite nurse will love it too. The candles are based on scents you like, so just find a way to casually ask her what her favorite scents are and go shopping.
Buy Scent Lab
Give them a massage
Another gift for the nurse who is on her feet all day is a foot massager. The best we’ve tested is the Renpho RF-FM059R. Thanks to its versatile intensity options and the relaxing heat, it pampers him with a therapeutic massage experience. For a budget option, we recommend the Best Choice Products therapeutic foot massager. While it lacks heat, it still feels great while still offering multiple massage options.
If you’re craving more cash, you can treat her to a proper spa day if your budget allows. You will love the break from work and the relaxation that comes with it. Also, you can join them if you want to take part in their special free time.
$140 from Amazon $90 from Amazon
Enhance your bath time with bath bombs
The only thing better than sinking into a hot bath after being on your feet for hours is sinking into a fragrant, colorful bath that will leave you hydrated. That’s exactly what our favorite bath bomb set does. We love LifeAround2Angels Bath Bombs because they smell great in your bath, keep your skin hydrated and don’t leave stains on the tub when you’re done.
$21 from Amazon
Donate blood to a nearby blood bank
Part of a nurse’s job is administering blood to those who need it. One way to show your appreciation for nurses is to donate blood if you are eligible. It can save lives and make your caregiver’s job easier. The Red Cross website makes it easy to find out where and when you can donate blood in your area.
Give away slippers
Let your nurse slip her feet into something comfy for a change when she gets home by buying her a pair of slippers. For women, the best pair of slippers you can buy is the Ugg Scuffette II. The scuffettes top our list because they are stylish, comfortable, and lined with soft fur. For men, the best pair of slippers is LL Bean Men’s Venetian Wicked Good Slippers. They feature soft sheepskin and a warm fur lining to create a shoe with a luxurious feel.
$95 at Amazon $89 at Amazon
Get a first aid kit
You can show your appreciation to a nurse by taking care of yourself with a first aid kit, meaning you are one less person for a nurse to deal with in their busy day. The Protect Life 100 Piece First Aid Kit is one of the best first aid kits you can buy. It contains all the basic things you would expect from a first aid kit. While it’s compact and lightweight, it’s also large enough to fit additional materials.
$15 from Amazon
Help them relax with Disney+
If you’re looking for another way to help a nurse enjoy her free time, you can gift her a streaming service subscription. Watching shows and movies is a great way to relax and unwind after a long and busy day. One of the most popular streaming services out there is Disney+. With dozens of shows and movies on the platform, the nurse in your life won’t be running out of things to watch anytime soon.
Stream Disney+
Get certified by the Red Cross
Another way to show your appreciation for nurses is by helping others stay away from the hospital by providing first aid and other essential emergency procedures. Of course, you shouldn’t do this unless you’ve been properly trained. Luckily, you can get certified through the Red Cross to perform various procedures like CPR.
Take care of your body
In addition to helping others, you can show your appreciation for a nurse by making her job easier by taking proper care of yourself. This reduces the likelihood that a nurse will need to help you (besides the regular check-ups, of course). There are many ways to do this, from healthier, more nutritious meals to regular exercise.
Consider using a blender to create nutritious fruit and vegetable smoothies. The best blender we tested is the Cuisinart Hurricane CBT-1500P1. It makes smooth drinks quickly, crushes ice evenly, and has intuitive controls.
You can also choose to live healthier lives by drinking more water (especially if you exercise). Carry a reusable water bottle like our favorite, the Brita BB11 Premium Filtering Water Bottle, which we love for its insulation, powerful filter and ease of use.
If you want to maintain your nutrition by cooking healthy meals, we recommend buying the best slow cooker, the Cuisinart 6-Quart 3-in-1 Cook Central Multicooker. It keeps food at the perfect temperature, easy to carry and easy to clean.
$30 from Amazon $190 from Amazon $160 from Walmart
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