Knowing what to buy a friend who is going through a hard time is one of those situations where most people freeze. A bunch of flowers feels a bit thin. A hamper of food is kind but gone in a week. And vouchers, as well-meaning as they are, can feel like you could not quite bring yourself to think about it properly. The gifts below are different: they give the person something practical to work through at their own pace, alongside a gentle nudge to be kind to themselves. All three are from A Year of Dates, all come with free UK delivery, and all are made specifically for the kind of moments when you want to do something that actually helps.
What makes a good gift for a friend going through a hard time?
The best gifts for a friend going through a difficult time tend to share one quality: they do not rush the person. A gift that sits on the shelf and waits is better than one that demands something from them in the moment. Activity boxes like the ones below are made exactly for this. Each card inside is something small and manageable, the kind of thing that takes half an hour rather than a day, and the person can reach for whichever one feels right at any given point.
It also helps if the gift feels personal. Not just a name on a label, but something that has been chosen with thought for what the person is actually going through. The three gifts below cover different versions of that: one focuses on recovery and resilience, one is a broader self care box with monthly ideas, and one combines both. All three can be personalised with the recipient’s name, and all are posted free to anywhere in the UK.
Gift ideas that show you care
Gift for a friend going through a hard time
A Year of Strength
A personalised activity box developed with the help of therapists and people who have experienced difficult times, to create a gift for anyone who needs a gentle nudge to be kind to themselves. Inside the luxury rigid box are 12 activity cards: each one has a straightforward suggestion (get outside, read something, switch off for a day), a motivational quote and a song recommendation. Unlike most activity boxes, the cards are not sealed in envelopes, so the person can pick up whichever one feels most relevant at any point. One coloured envelope is included for the card that suggests writing a letter to yourself. 10% of every sale is donated to NHS Charities Together. Choose a black or kraft box, rainbow or text-only design, and a print colour from eight options. Personalise with a name or short message. £15 with free UK delivery.
Shop A Year of Strength
Gift for a friend going through a hard time
A Year Of You: Self Care Gift Box, Just for You
A letterbox-sized self care gift box with 24 envelopes inside: 12 are pre-printed and sealed with self care activity ideas (a mix of things to do at home and outside, suitable for any gender), and 12 are blank so you can add your own personal ideas for the recipient. Envelope colours are chosen at random, so each box is unique. The box arrives with a leaflet explaining how to use it. The non-personalised version comes in a black gift box with turquoise metallic foil. For an extra £4, you can add the recipient’s name in a choice of seven print colours. From £17 with free UK delivery.
Shop A Year Of You
Gift for a friend going through a hard time
Self Care Collection
The most complete version of the self care gift, combining the Just For You and A Year of Strength boxes into one. Inside the personalised box are three sets of cards: the monthly self care activity ideas in pre-sealed envelopes, blank cards in a different colour for personal ideas from you, and the A Year of Strength recovery cards (unsealed, so the person can reach for any of them when they need to). Each Strength card includes a motivational quote and a song suggestion alongside the activity. The box is personalised with a name and a short bottom message, and you can choose whether to add a heart to the design. Six print colour options. £19 with free UK delivery.
Shop the Self Care CollectionAny of the three gifts above can be sent directly to your friend: add a gift note at checkout and the order goes out in plain packaging with no prices shown. All three are personalised with the recipient’s name (or a message from you), and all are posted free within the UK. If you are not sure which one suits best, the Self Care Collection is the most comprehensive option, with both sets of cards in one box. The A Year of Strength box is a better fit if your friend is going through something specific and you want the focus to stay on recovery and resilience. And the Just For You box works well as a lighter, ongoing self care gift for someone who needs a nudge to make time for themselves.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do you buy a friend who is going through a hard time UK?
Something practical and gentle that they can use at their own pace. The A Year of Strength box from A Year of Dates was developed with therapists and contains 12 activity cards, each with a suggestion, a motivational quote and a song to listen to. The cards are not sealed, so the person can reach for whichever one feels most relevant when they need it. £15 with free UK delivery and personalisation available.
What is a good self care gift for a friend who is struggling?
The Self Care Collection from A Year of Dates combines two self care boxes in one: the Just For You monthly activity ideas in sealed envelopes, plus the A Year of Strength recovery and positivity cards. Everything fits in a personalised box with the recipient’s name and a message from you. It is the kind of gift that keeps giving across the year, rather than something that gets used once. £19 with free UK delivery.
Is a self care gift appropriate for someone who is ill or grieving?
Yes, as long as it is not demanding. A Year of Strength was made specifically for people going through a health issue or a significant life event. The activities inside are small and manageable, and the person can use them in whatever order and at whatever pace works for them. There is no pressure to open everything at once, which is part of what makes it suitable for difficult times rather than just general self care.
Can I send a self care gift directly to a friend in the UK?
Yes. All three gifts above can be sent straight to your friend with a gift note added at checkout. Orders are dispatched in plain packaging with no prices shown. Order before 12pm on a working day for same-day dispatch, or choose express next-day delivery at checkout if you need it to arrive quickly.
Browse all self care gifts at A Year of Dates. Personalised, posted free, made for the moments that matter.
