Break-ups are one of the biggest hardships anyone can go through in his or her life. They take someone’s world and can turn it completely upside down. This can often lead to extreme emotional detriment that can manifest in a series of different emotions such as grief, anger, and apathy. Whatever a friend may be feeling will ultimately need to work through the stages of grief either by themselves or with a friend.

A great way to help perk up a close friend or family after break-up while giving them space is sending a post break-up care package. Something to show support to friends or family members without being intrusive. Plus who doesn’t like gifts? They are objectively the best! 

Gifts for a sad break-up

1. Chocolate

Did you know delectable chocolates are a good way of cheering up a friend because it’s been proven to increase your serotonin levels? That’s why in every hollywood blockbuster you can find someone sad eating chocolate because it is really something that will make you happier when you’re feeling down. Furthermore your loved one is almost guaranteed to like some form of chocolate. Be it dark, light, white, covered on a pretzel, something mixed with peanut butter, covered on fruits, and so much more it is hard sweet not to like. 

2. Tissues + Make-Up Remover

This one seems like a bit of a gimme, but can often get overlooked when putting together a care package. Sometimes there are a lot of tears for a long time when dealing with a difficult break-up. Show your friends it’s okay to cry and let the emotion all out. Additionally, a few make-up wipes are useful if some tears have torn apart a full face of make-up or even if it’s just around the eyes.

3. Variety of Gift Cards

The emotional toll of a break-up can take a lot of energy out of a person. There is a lack of quick and yummy recipes for singles. Admittedly it is hard when almost everything is sold in two more serving sizes, but still it is a hard pill to swallow when going from a dou act to flying solo. Spare your loved one the effort of having to cook a meal with a restaurant gift card. A good dinner is always a great pick-me-up!  PS: A food service delivery card is an equally viable option. Do remember that most of these services have delivery fee and the tip for the driver when deciding how much to put on the card.

Another amazing choice is an Amazon gift card! This is perfect for a little shop therapy. With a variety of knick knacks and brick a brack to be found on the internet your pal can splurge on nonsense of their choice. Also there’s a good chance that whatever he or she may order will arrive in 2-3 days.

One of the greatest escapes can be found when playing games. Video game gift cards. Now this one is a little more tricky because you have to know what gaming system your friend uses. There are a variety of systems for gaming meaning a variety of gift card options including but not limited to:  Xbox, Nintendo eShop, PlayStation Store, and Steam (for the PC Gamer). In a pinch you can supplement with a GameStop gift card and that’ll cover most of the spread. 

Last, but certainly not least there is  the Visa gift card for the receivers choice. If you’re not entirely sure what your friend would want or need this is a simple answer. Visa cards are just prepaid cards that can be used virtually anywhere in store or online. 

4. Facial Masks 

One of the easiest things to forget after a break-up is self care. Fortunately a good facial mask will moisturize and take care of excessive skin oil depending on what kind a person gets. This can be a fun and easy way to relax after any kind of stressful situation.

Perhaps if you are feeling crafty consider putting together a DIY facial mask for your separation care package. A simple recipe uses ¼ of a cup of olive oil and the juice from a single lemon. Other good face mask recipes use aloe vera, oats, yogurt, and egg whites for a base if you want to look into something a little different! 

5. Plenty More Fish in the Sea Breakup Cure 

This lovely care package filler is a jar full of little positive reminders that life doesn’t necessarily end after a relationship ends. Not only does it provide a pop of color for any living space, but it adds a level of inspirational motivation to get through the tough days. You can buy one on Etsy or make your own with a few things from home.

The mini-guide on making your own Plenty More Fish in the Sea Break-Up Cure

• Find a container- A small mason jar is recommended, but any relatively any container will do. Tiny tupperware containers, old jewelry holders, a stylish mug, or even pencil pouch. Your imagination is the only limit. 
• Get additional supplies- pens, pencils, glitter, (colorful) paper, highlighter, and anything else to add stylistic flare. Don’t forget scissors. you will want tiny paper for aesthetics. 
• Find some inspirational quotes- Create a diversity in the kind of quotes you pull off the internet. A good range would be some about moving on, wallowing, you’re better off, and slip in a few funny ones. One idea that comes to mind is “In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on.”- Robert Frost. Once you find some good good quotes put them down on your papers!
• Put it all together- gather up all your pieces in your container and it is ready to knock the socks of your friend. 

6. A Love Bites Fork

    Unlike vampires love isn’t always eternal. However, love does bite and can be killed by stake through the heart. Try perking your buddy up with a cute love bites fork from Etsy. Extra dishware that provides a little bit of comic relief. Unfortunately, there is no full silverware break-up set yet, but that doesn’t mean you can’t add a few extra pieces in to make it a set. Try a cereal killer spoon  and sweet dreams are made of cheese knife.

Gifts for an angry break-up

7. The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing by Marie Kondō

The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing by Marie Kondō has helped many who find themselves surrounded by an excess of things. After every break-up a person should go through everything that reminds him or her of that last break-up and decide if it is worth keeping. There is absolutely no reason to keep anything that is not bringing happiness around. Plus that apartment probably needed a clean-up. Who needs that ring their ex gave them anyway? How about all the clothes their ex left behind and that terrible Valentine’s Day gift- you know the one. 

8. A Trash Bag

Remember how decluttering will make a person feel better? Adding a trash bag to help the clean-up process. Leave a little note saying it is for anything they wanna toss out (along with their ex). Worst case scenario your friend uses as a trash can liner. Actually, worst case scenario it ends up being a shirt as a part of a new “bold” fashion statement, but that is a risk you need to be willing to make. 

9. Cold, Cold Heart 3D Ice Mold

Humour is the best medicine and biology can back that claim up. Laughter has many benefits such as releasing endorphins. Consider putting a Cold, Cold Heart 3D Ice Mold in your loved one’s care package. This will make silicone mold will not only make ice as cold as your heart, but the same shape as it well. If your friend’s have a good sense of humor they might appreciate the gift. Unless your buddy has an ice maker built-in to their fridge, but even so they might still get a kick out of it. At the very least it makes for a good conversation piece. 

10. A Bottle Of Whiskey 

A little something to warm a broken heart. It will not drown out every sorrow, but at least your buddy can lighten up the mood for a little bit. If this makes into the break up care package remind the receiver to responsibly drink by pacing themselves or cutting it with some water. Although any alcoholic beverage will do given your friend is of legal age of course. It also doesn’t hurt to add in a shot glass, wine tumbler, or whatever pairs best with the hard drink of choice. 

11. A  Mini Zen Garden

Zen gardens have been shown to relieve stress and enhance creative flow. This can help calm a jilted heart after heart after a bad separation. Zen gardens also provide a sense of control and can also be used as  a form of meditation. It also adds a nice talking point at the home or work place. 

When it comes down to it you know the recent single in your life the best. So fill it with things he or she enjoys or something the two of you can do together. 

Tips on packing extra care into the gift package

While of course all the gifts are nice enough there are still a few more ways to help someone out after a break-up. Wounded hearts sometimes require a little more time and attention to heal up after an uncoupling. Here 4 simple ways to let your friend know that you are there for them! 

1. Check on them.

Even if your friend wants some alone time, always check in with him or her and give them a chance to talk if they want to. This can be anything from a simple snap asking what’s up or dropping by the apartment and making sure they are taking care of themselves (cleaning, showering, eating, etc.). 

2. Spend time together.

Break-ups can often mean losing a (best) friend to share your whole life with. Naturally, after a separation it can get lonely being alone. Make an effort to invite your loved one to outings or plan something special to do with just them! Be generous and try doing something your friend wants to do- they did just go through a break-up after all. 

3. Don’t rush the process 

Everyone works through the stages of grief in their own time, be respectful. Whether the relationship lasts a few weeks, months, or years the heart doesn’t care. As F. Scott Fitzgerald once said, “There are all kinds of love in this world, but never the same love twice.”  That kind of heartache deserves to be felt, because what your friend has lost will never come back to them Even if your friend gets back together with his/her ex- it wouldn’t come back in the same way. 

4. Avoid reminders of the ex

This may seem simple but can be more difficult than expected. As you may not be an expert on your friend’s former significant other, they are. You might not know about the ex’s love for a certain sport team, tv show, movie, or even food, but your friend will. Your friend will remember every small dumb detail their former relationship from the last day-trip down to where they use have dates. Try to be conscious of this when talking to your friend.

Remember these are just a fun few things to get for your recently single friend! Feel free to punch up your care package with a few personal touches like a card, things that they like (i.e fitness stuff, nerdy stuff, or whatever it may be), and even try to draw from specific things from your relationship This means reminders of  things you have done together with your friend can include but not limited too: vacations, movies, tv shows, schooling experience, and working together. That attention to detail would really show the love you put in their care package.