Coming home from the hospital is a momentous event that can hold different meanings for people. For some, coming home from the hospital represents a new start if the person is returning with a new baby. Others might be celebrating their recovery from a serious health event such as surgery or a car accident. You can use these ideas to welcome your special someone back home after a hospital stay.
1- Decorate the Yard With Cheerful Flags
Flags are eye-catching decorations that you can use to turn your loved one’s arrival home into a grand occasion. Depending on their style, you might put out cheerful flags that represent their strength and well-wishes for a happy recovery at home. Or, you could put out seasonal flags to transform their yard into a springtime surprise or winter wonderland. If your loved one’s home maintenance plans were disrupted by their illness or injury, then you could also tackle a small project, such as mounting a flag pole to make life easier when they return home.
2- Put Balloons On the Mailbox
Balloons are festive decorations that you can quickly put outside for a surprise welcome. You could choose balloons in the same color as your loved one’s favorite sports team. Alternatively, pick out balloons that are their favorite color.
3- Hang a Banner
Banners are another easy way to show someone your sweet sentiments. You can hang a banner between two columns on the front porch. Or, you might opt to put a banner on the first wall they see when they walk through the door.
4- Stock Their Freezer With Meals
After eating hospital food, your loved one may be looking forward to a home-cooked meal. Yet, they might not be ready to do the cooking themselves. Stocking their refrigerator with some heat-and-eat meals sends a warm welcome message. Breakfast burritos, casseroles, and soup are all great meals that freeze well for reheating.
5- Create a Comfort Basket
Most people recovering from a hospital stay can use a few comfort items. For instance, your loved one may enjoy having some bath salts to relieve their pain. Or, they could need lotion to renew their dry skin. Adding some comfort supplies to a basket gives your loved one a self-care kit they can use right away.
6- Frame a Few Favorite Photos
Sometimes, the arrival home is just the start of someone’s recovery. If your loved one will be confined mostly to their bed, then giving them framed photos of you two is a great way to remind them of happy times. You could also create a photo collage of all of the happy memories you’ve shared over the years. You could also hang cheerful artwork to brighten the walls.
7- Add a Door Hanger to the Entryway
Door hangers are often combined with flags and banners to welcome new parents home from the hospital. You might also add a door wreath in a seasonal theme to spruce up the entryway for your loved one’s big arrival. Whether you put up a mum with streamers or hang a traditional floral wreath, you can bet your friend or family member will be excited to see the effort you put into their surprise.
8- Make a Card Display
People arriving home from lengthy hospital stays often have an array of cards that they’ve collected from their loved ones. You can use string lights or a special stand to create a display area for your loved one’s “get-well-soon” cards. Alternatively, you could give your friend a photo album that they can use to create a memorable collection of cards to look at when they need to boost their mood.
Setting up a surprise ensures that your loved one returns home in style. As you make plans to welcome them home, remember to choose options that are easy to set up and take down. By planning a fun and exciting surprise, you can look forward to seeing your loved one smile as soon as they see their home.
