Fun Gift for a Bored Hospital Patient

A dear church friend was unexpectedly in the hospital for about 4 days due to a colon infection.  On day 2 of his hospital stay, I heard that he was bored, bored, bored!  I knew I wanted to visit him, but what would I bring with me?
That's when I decided he needed an Un-Bored Basket!
You know.....a basket of things to keep him busy aka 'un-bored'.

It didn't matter that my friend is in his 70's, he desperately needed a distraction to keep his mind off being stuck in a hospital bed.
He's usually a busy-body around our church...fixing things, helping people, solving problems, visiting those in need, etc. etc.

I created a simple basket of fun things that would keep him from going crazy, or at least give him a little bit of  joy in the hospital.  By the way, this idea works for any age...just change up the items to suit each patient.

I used a basket I found at a thrift store and gathered up some fun wrapping paper, bright colored paper sacks, cardstock and curling ribbon.  Taking a gift to a hospital patient HAS to be full of bright colors and happiness, right?!  This is not the time for chic, mono-chromatic neutrals.  Take a look at some of the things I came up with.

-Mini Get Well Soon Balloon
-Magic Putty
-Chocolate
-Hot Wheel
-Playing Cards
-Fruity Drink
-Crayons and Coloring Book
-Jacks
-Bubble gum
-Candy
-Helicopter toy

**All of these items can be purchased at the Dollar Store or a drug store.

I then placed each item in a colored bag and stapled on a fun little note using colored cardstock.

Some of the gifts I wrapped up in playful wrapping paper--I thought unwrapping gifts could be a nice distraction, don't you think?  Take a look at some of the items.

I carried this basket into my friend's hospital room and immediately a huge smile spread across his face.
Of course I made him pose for a picture!

We visited for over an hour and as I left I told him he could get into his basket whenever he was bored.
Later, I heard that the first two bags he opened were the candy ones. Unfortunately he was on a liquid only diet...oops! 
Note to self: Find out if there are any restrictions, BEFORE crafting up a basket.

PS- My friend Dan has quite an amazing story.  After he retired, he authored an autobiography titled, A Higher Calling- The Dan Miller Story (aff. link). He's a former Vietnam helicopter pilot and instructor that turned to professional gambling and watched his world fall apart. Thankfully his story doesn't end there. His book tells how he found God through interesting circumstances that included hearing a professional football player apologize to his wife.