Get Well Soon Gift Singapore: A Hospital-Smart Guide

Almost all articles on how to choose a get well soon gift will suggest that you should get chocolates, stuffed animals, and a greeting card. This information is applicable only if your friend is recuperating from an illness at home. However, if your friend is in the oncology ward in Mount Elizabeth Hospital, on the maternity ward of KK Hospital, or even on the ICU ward of SGH Hospital, then such recommendations would be totally inappropriate – in fact, disastrous since flowers, due to their scent, are forbidden there; and balloons, which could cause an allergic reaction among others, are not allowed.

If they’re at home recovering from a cold, flu, or minor surgery

This is an easy case. A simple get well soon basket containing herbal tea, some easily digestible snacks, a bouquet of flowers, and a hand-written card suffices. Be sure to avoid spicy or difficult to chew foods if they have undergone any throat and dental procedures.

If they’re in a Singapore hospital — general ward

In general wards at KK, Mt Elizabeth, SGH, NUH, Raffles, and Gleneagles hospitals, all fresh flowers except those strongly scented (e.g., lilies, gardenias, freesias, and hyacinths) are allowed. Since bedside tables are quite small (about 30 cm), a smaller arrangement is preferred over a basket. Fresh fruit can be added if the patient is allowed to eat it or avoided if it’s a special case.

If they’re in ICU, oncology, transplant, or a high-restriction ward

Singapore hospitals don’t allow any fresh cut flowers in the ICU and other critical wards. Latex balloons are strictly prohibited because of the risks posed to other patients in the ward due to allergies. Preserved flower arrangements, wellness gifts (hand cream, lip balm, socks), books and magazines, and food only if the family allows it.

If they’re recovering at home after a longer hospital stay

No restrictions apply now that they’re home. They can have large bouquets of flowers, gourmet food baskets, flowers with chocolate. Anything under the “Welcome Home” banner would suit perfectly. Delivery should ideally be made after two to three days of their discharge from the hospital so they’ve had enough time to settle.

Strong-scented flowers

Beautiful flowers like lilies, freesias, gardenias, hyacinths, and tuberoses are not welcome in a small ward room with many patients sharing the space. Their strong scent may cause nausea among patients undergoing chemotherapy or recovering from surgery. If you wish to send flowers, choose unscented or light-scented types such as orchids, carnations, alstroemerias, or gerberas.

Latex balloons

Most Singapore hospitals prohibit latex balloons due to the possibility of an allergic reaction among nearby patients.

Mylar (foil) balloons are generally permitted. In case you wish to send a balloon to brighten the ward room, check first if you are allowed to do so — else, consider sending a small plush instead.

Anything that takes up the whole bedside table

The bedside table in a Singapore hospital is usually small. Your large bouquet looks beautiful in your photo, but it may block the patient’s water bottle, mobile phone, and tissue box. Opt for vertical and compact floral arrangements over expansive and broad ones.

Foods that conflict with their diet

Diabetic patients, surgical patients following a liquid diet, patients with allergies, and cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy with dietary restrictions are some examples.

Assume nothing and either enquire from the family about any suitable foods or send non-edible items. Fancy snack hampers make wonderful gifts for fit individuals and awful ones for a kidney patient on a low-sodium diet.

Cut flowers in restricted wards

ICU, oncology, transplant, neonatal — bans on fresh-cut flowers vary by hospital. For instance, cut flowers are prohibited at SGH oncology wards, allowed at NUH with restrictions, and permitted at private hospitals. In case of doubts, send a preserved floral arrangement (lasts many months, no infection risks) or skip flowers altogether.

Match the tone to the illness

If it’s a mild case – the flu, a sprain, a cold – go for humour. ‘We know you are actually sleeping’ works well. If it is a major surgery, chemotherapy, a hospital stay of over a week, then humour rarely does the trick. A nice, ‘thinking about you, we’re around anytime if you need help’ works best.

Match the depth to your relationship

Within a close family member or partner: talk about how much you miss them specifically. ‘The dog is waiting for you outside at six’ carries more weight than ‘we miss you.’ With a co-worker or distant relation: be caring, yet concise. ‘Wishing you speedy recovery and I will visit once you feel like visitors.

Avoid these card-writing mistakes

For a parent or close family member

A more extravagant and longer-term gift such as a flower subscription, whereby a bouquet comes every week through the period of recuperation, since one-time flower sending implies less attention. In combination, use a wellness hamper for the very first bouquet.

For a colleague or workmate

An itemable and modest gift that can easily be taken home after leaving the hospital – choose a medium-sized hamper ($80-$100), as well as handwrite a message in the card instead of choosing something too elaborate or expensive.

For a child in hospital

Flowers should never be sent to a kids’ room since they are prohibited. Choose a soft toy, a color book with pens, as well as the same message as before but in large letters for a kid. It’s always good to make sure about the restrictions by asking a kid’s parent first.

For a new mother in maternity recovery

In this case, we have a different situation. Instead of gifts for babies or toys, it’s best to purchase things which will create comfort for a woman after birth. Choose some soft items such as socks, lip balm, lactation tea if necessary, etc. As for a baby hamper, it should be sent separately, while also making sure the gifts are small.

For someone in ICU or critical care

Always send to a patient’s relatives or friends – those who have stayed in a waiting room. Such gifts can contain easy-to-eat food, coffee, and a message from your side.

Can flowers be sent to ICU in Singapore?

Most Singapore hospitals ban fresh-cut flowers in ICU, oncology, transplant, and neonatal wards. Preserved flowers (dried, no infection risk) are usually allowed. Always confirm with the ward before sending. Public hospitals (SGH, NUH, KK) tend to be stricter than private hospitals.

How much should I spend on a get well gift?

Ranges that work in Singapore: $50–$80 for a colleague or distant relative, $80–$150 for a close friend, $150+ for immediate family. Get well soon hampers from That Flower Shop start at $80. Don’t over-spend — it can feel intrusive. Don’t under-spend — it can feel obligatory.

 Can I deliver get well flowers same-day in Singapore?

Yes — order before 3 PM and we deliver same-day across Singapore, including direct to ward at every major hospital. For urgent same-day needs, our express flower delivery offers 90-minute delivery windows.

 What if I don’t know which ward they’re in?

Call the family. Hospital reception generally won’t give out ward information for privacy reasons, and the gift will be returned if it can’t be located. Get the ward name and bed number from someone close to the patient before you order.

Should I visit instead of sending a gift?

Both, ideally. A gift on day 2 (when you can’t visit yet because of family-only restrictions) and a visit on day 5 (when restrictions usually ease) is the strongest combination. If you can only do one, the visit means more — but always check with the family before turning up.