Happy Basket for Post Surgery
Making a happy basket for someone who has just returned home from having surgery can be a great mood lifter for them!
Follow my blog with BloglovinLast year my mom had to have gall bladder surgery. Apparently she had had a gall stone for a long time, but it wasn’t bothering her too bad until right before she decided to have the surgery. It was causing her a lot of problems. She often complained of not being able to breathe plus she was experiencing more pain. Her doctor told her it was probably time to have it removed. The surgery went well and she was home later that afternoon.
My mom had to be out of work for about a week after her surgery. She needed time to recover and heal. I wanted to have something for her when she came home that she could have within arms reach so she didn’t have to get up very often. I decided to make her a happy basket, full of goodies that could sit right by her side.
My basket included a magazine, The Prayer of Jabez for Women book (which I highly recommend!), honeysuckle pineapple wax tarts, Dr. Teal’s lavender body lotion, a pack of tissues, lip balm, and a Pioneer Woman drinking glass with straw. Inside the drinking glass I added a box of Crystal Light lemon iced tea packs that you pour into your water. I placed flowers around the stuff in the basket to make it “happier.” I also made her a candle out of soy wax and essential oil.
How to Make a Soy Wax Candle
What you need:
- A clean, dry glass container, such a small candle holder (Oui Yogurt containers work great, too!)
- Candle wicks
- Soy wax flakes
- Essential Oils
What you do:
- Start by placing your wick in the glass container. I didn’t have anything to hold the wick in place so I used a pair of scissors. It actually worked great!
- Fill your glass container with the soy wax flakes.
- Make a double boiler by placing a pan into another pan that has a little bit of water in the bottom.
- Pour the soy wax flakes in the top pan and let melt over medium heat. (You can also melt the wax flakes in the microwave.)
- Once the wax has melted, remove it from heat and allow to cool for a few minutes. Add a few drops of essential oils, stir to combine.
- Pour the wax into the candle holder.
Related: Natural Cleaning Supplies with Recipes
Why soy candles?
Cleaner Burning
Since soy candles have no petrol-carbon soot, they burn cleaner than paraffin candles. This keeps the soot off your walls in your home. You may see some black soot on the jar, but nothing compared to that of paraffin candles. Soy candles are also non-toxic, so no toxins are being released into the air while burning.
Natural
Soy wax is made from soybeans, which is a natural renewable source grown by farmers. When you use soy candles you could be supporting your local farmer! Paraffin candles are made from petroleum, which contains carcinogenic substances and is a nonrenewable source.
Longer Lasting and Better Scent
Soy candles burn slower and cooler than paraffin candles. They also hold scent better, which is why they work so well with essential oils. The scent is gradually released since the burn time is slower. Therefore there’s no immediate wave of strong scent.
Happy baskets can be made for anyone. I love making baskets, because they are so easy to put together. You can put anything in a basket and they make great gifts for birthdays, housewarming, babies, etc. Do you know someone who needs a happy basket?
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That’s so sweet! 🙂
Thanks! She loved it!
Michele, what a thoughtful tangible way to share concern for our friends & loved ones. It would also be a good idea after chemo treatments (but with scent-free items.) Blessings! ???
Thank you! Yes, that would be a great idea! ?
Sweet. I love Pioneer Woman stuff. The colors!
Me, too! It’s so pretty and you don’t have to worry about everything perfectly matching. ?
How thoughtful of you 🙂 Great idea 🙂
Thank you so much! ?
Pretty thoughtful idea!
Thank you!! ?
You’re welcome!
What a lovely thought! I love to use essential oils, I shall look out for soy wax flakes and try your candle recipe.
Thank you! It’s easy to make and somewhat addictive. ?
That is very nice! Great idea! God bless!
Thank you so much!
Very great idea. I love making baskets too but I never thought about one for such an occasion. Thanks for sharing this.
Thank you! Baskets make great gifts for just about every occasion. ?
I can see that now ?
Michelle this is so thoughtful. I am certainly going to use this idea for loved ones. I love the daisies in it. They make it so cheerful. I pinned it to remind myself.
Thank you so much! That means a lot to me! ?
So pretty and such a sweet things to do.
Thank you so much!
Great ideas! (I love soy candles.)
Thank you! Me, too! ?
What a thoughtful idea! Love this!
Thank you so much! ?
Happy baskets can be made for anyone.
Love this!
Yes they can! Thank you! ?
Fun, colorful and a wonderful gift for anyone!
Thank you so much!
Oh my goodness! There are so many good ideas here to include in your own DIY basket! I love the colorful glass and flavor packets inside. Such a cute addition.
Thank you! Using lots of bright colors seems to make everything better. ?
Such a lovely thing to do!
I have nominated you for the Liebster Award. The details are on my blog. Mx
Aww thank you so much!!
What a sweet thing to do for your mum! I love this idea of a happy basket; as someone who’s been in hospital enough times now I can safely this would would be received with a huge smile. You’ve shared some great suggestions for what to put in 🙂
Caz xx
Thank you! She really enjoyed it! She was feeling awful when she got home, but this lifted her spirits. 🙂
Michelle, your ideas are always very versatile. May your mom live long. I know the pain. I used to get call in the middle of the night for RUQ pain and sometimes I see patients on the floor as the pain was so bad. You are a great daughter
Thank you! That’s terrible. It makes me feel helpless to see someone in so much pain. 🙁
I would love to receive a basket like this, so beautiful. You have a great taste!
Thank you so much!
Pretty thoughtful idea! 🙂
What a beautiful idea! I love to give gifts I have put a lot of thought into. I will be trying to make my own candles at the weekend – they’re amazing!
Ashley xxx
Thank you so much! I love making my own candles. Good luck making your candles! 🙂
I love your name, Happy Basket! I love love to give gift baskets, so thoughtful! And you made the candle, wow!
Jenna
Thank you!! I thought of Happy Basket because it makes people happy when they get out of surgery. 😀
Oh what a thoughtful way to brighten up someones time after surgery. I usually bring flowers, which is also great, but I really love this, and you can really personalize it to the persons likes. Thank you.
Thank you! Yes, you can personalize it in any way! 🙂
such a wonderful and thoughtful thing to do! love this!!
Thank you so much!!
your welcome!!
I’m pretty sure I have that book…”Prayer of Jabez.” Awesome post.
I’m glad your mother’s surgery went well! This was such a sweet and thoughtful idea to help cheer her up while she recovers! I love the idea of a candle made out of natural materials, because I love having candles in my home!
Thank you so much! I love candles, too. There’s just something about a candle that feels so inviting. 🙂