Problem Presents - thoughtful gifts to say "get well soon"

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The Basics Preventing Boredom Looking and feeling as good possible

Get Well Soon - What to do when she's struck down by a cold

We know you men never get colds, so won't have much experience in how to recover from one. We'll come to you for advice on flu, but if the woman in your life has got the snuffles and is generally just a bit under the weather, here's a dozen tried and tested cure alls for making her at least feel a bit better.

The Basics

She'll need: the basics from the pharmacy

Try: whatever the pharmacist recommends, like Lemsip, throat sweets, a jar of Vicks. Don't forget soft tissues. If you can't get to the pharmacy, then Boots do a next day delivery. Or try the local garage or 24 hour supermarket.

Shop at: Boots.com

She'll need: something bright and cheerful to look at

Try: your local florist, or online we like Clare Florist, for next day delivery of great quality, beautiful looking flowers. Just don't get the flowers in the garage.

Shop at: Clare Florist

She'll need: more liquids than usual

Try: some interesting grown up squash, like those from Belvoir Fruit Farms. Winter Berries is my personal favourite, and it's great hot or cold. You could get a mixed case if this is likely to be a long cold!

Shop at: Food Full Stop, Ocado or Sainsburys

She'll need: to keep warm

Try: a multi-functional bear, even if she's not normally the teddy bear type. This one can be warmed up and cuddled, which feels like a very good thing when you are feeling under the weather.

Shop at: I Want One of Those

Preventing Boredom

She'll need: a stack of magazines

Try: a raid on the newsagents for things like Grazia, Hello, Vogue and Conde Nast Traveller. If you're feeling generous, do this, and get her a magazine subscription to ensure she's always up to date!

Shop at: Great Magazines

She'll need: more than daytime TV

Try: helping her catch up on films she's missed. This is the moment for Sex and the City, PS I Love You, even Dirty Dancing. Order with rapid delivery and she can pass some happy hours with great films she'll love. Even if you don't!

Shop at: Play.com

She'll need: something cultural, or something trashy, or both

Try: a stack of new reading. Everything from Obama's Dreams of My Father through to Who's That Girl. Or maybe a great travel book like Make the Most of Your Time on Earth. It'll give her something to get better for!

Shop at: Blackwells for all the above titles

She'll need: something to keep her fingers busy

Try: a sewing or knitting kit, even jewellery, as handmade and homemade are the new couture! We love this Flower Brooch Kit by Blueberry Park - small enough to not take too long, but with great finished results that she can feel proud of!

Shop at: Not On the High Street or John Lewis

Looking and feeling as good as possible

She'll need: cosy pjs to get snuggled up in

Try: Joules for cosy and bright, Bonsoir for twill and brushed cotton or Lise Charmel for something a little less cosy, a little more sensual! To show you fancy her even with a red nose!

Shop at: Joules, Bonsoir or Luxury French Lingerie

She'll need: warm toes

Try: if she doesn't like slippers (or even if she does) then I would treat her to cashmere socks. If she needs slippers, go for Not On the High Street for ones that don't look like something your granny wore!

Shop at: The White Company or Not On the High Street

She'll need: a long hot soak in the bath

Try: Elemis' Aching Muscle Super Soak to relieve an aching body. Energising and warming, it'll help to make things feel a bit better, and a steamy bathroom will help her breathe better if she's feeling a bit stuffed up.

Shop at: Beauty Expert

She'll need: lip gloss or balm.

Try: it because it always makes you feel better and will help with dry, cracked lips too. We'd go for Korres Lip Butter in either Guava for a hint of colour, or Pomegranate for a healthy glow

Shop at: Beauty Expert

If she's still not feeling better, then check out our guide to fabulous flowers, tasty foodie treats, and enough reading and viewing materials to keep her going for quite some time! Just make sure she realises that these are gifts that really say get well, not get used to this!

Or if it turns out to be something more serious, then check out this page.

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