First stop, a quick whiz through the pharmacy for some basics to make the cold more bearable. Things like Lemsip, throat sweets, paracetamol, jar of Vicks for her chest, and a stack of balsam enriched tissues. If she believes in an alternative approach, then some high dosage vitamin C wouldn't go amiss either. If you can't get there, Boots do a rapid next day delivery.

 Next stop, the florists. Pick out something really bright and cheerful. It won't make the cold go away quicker but it will brighten the place up and make her feel a bit better, not to mention appreciated and loved even if she looks more like Rudolph at the moment. This lovely bright bouquet is from Imogen Stone. 

She'll be needing more fluids than normal, aside from the Lemsip. We'd suggest some cordial or squash that can be made up hot or cold, and something with plenty of flavour. We particularly the Organic Ginger Cordial from Belvoir Fruit Farms, it has a slight kick to it, and ginger is renowned for it's health properties. If you think she might be in for the long haul, then order in the mixed case of all their delicious flavours.

How about something delicious and indulgent, that if she wasn't feeding a cold, or on holiday, she might not consider? Then have a clotted cream tea delivered to the door for her, and knock off early from work so you can join in too, make the tea and generally wait on her hand and foot. Remember, you might be ill one day too! 

She might be spending a lot of time sleeping and, there again, she might not and might be going mad with boredom. We suggest a stop by the newsagents and buying up all the latest trashy, celeb mags and something a bit more substantial like Vogue or Easy Living, for her to while away the hours with. War and Peace they're not, but likely to be much appreciated. 

If she's more of the visual type, then this is the time for her to catch up, or revisit, the best chick flicks going. Dirty Dancing, My Best Friend's Wedding, Bridget Jones, The Holiday...you get the idea. If you can't choose, just order in the Ultimate Romantic Comedy Box Set from HMV, 6 films, all perfect for this occasion.

Music might well be the food of love, but right now it could be the gift of peace, quiet and relaxation. Treat her to something suitably soothing, like Simply Karma. She gets to be all relaxed and chilled out, her body gets to get on with fighting bugs and getting her better.

With a red, dry nose, and probably cracked lips, she's not going to be feeling her best. So treat her to something that's still feminine and gorgeous but that won't make her skin feel worse. We love Burt's Bees for being natural and smelling gorgeous, and this little kit has lots of ideal things for helping her look and feel a bit better now.

Give her something decent to get cuddled up on the sofa with, other than you. A cashmere and merino blanket feels like heaven, if she doesn't. This is an amazing gift, just be careful she doesn't get too cosy under there, she may never want to come back out!

 

Maybe she's not the teddy bear type, but we kind of like these slightly surreal, slightly cuddly toys from the slightly unhinged mind of Edward Monkton. Any one of these should raise a smile, and they all have their own suitably off beat story to tell. We would probably go for the Love Dinosaurs though, rather than the Penguin of Death!

Out of the stick and carrot, we've always been carrot people. So how about a little bribery to help her recover? Book her in to a day spa to help her recuperation, say a couple of months down the line. It's always good to have something to look forward to.

Depending on your girl, we think there are three final things absolutely guaranteed to cheer her up. You know her best, so make your choice, but any one of chocolate, champagne or diamonds should do the trick. Not all three at once though, don't want her having a cold to become an expensive habit!