How to Survive a Chemo Christmas: 24 Ways to Bring the Holidays to the Hospital
By Cindy Finch, LCSW
“The staff did their best. But it was the silence from my friends that stung.” —Holiday patient
When someone you love spends the holidays in the hospital, it can feel like Christmas got canceled. But it doesn't have to. With a little creativity and a lot of heart, you can bring the joy of the season to even the most sterile of hospital rooms.
I once walked into a hospital room on Christmas Eve. A friend of mine—a young mom I had met through my practice—was sitting upright in bed, her skin pale and thin from chemo. She had a port in her chest, a Santa hat on her head, and a half-eaten candy cane on her tray. Her daughter was trying not to cry. That’s the Christmas I’ll never forget.
So I asked my Facebook friends, fellow patients, and caregivers to share their best ideas for making the holidays brighter for patients and their families. Here are 24 thoughtful, practical, and uplifting ways to show love—plus the top 5 most effective ones.
Before you go full Santa, call the hospital first. Infection control rules, patient safety protocols, and unit-specific restrictions can vary widely—some floors don’t allow live plants, heavily scented items, or even homemade treats. A quick call to the front desk or nurse station ensures your gift of cheer doesn’t get turned away at the door. Some units don’t allow live plants, strong scents, or even outside food—especially if your friend is in isolation. Ask what’s okay. Then go love big.
🎁 Top 5 Most Effective Ways to Help
1. Show up.
Your presence matters more than your presents. Sit with them. Listen. Hold space. Laugh if you can—it heals. Just being there eases fear and reminds them they’re not forgotten.
“The best thing my sister did was bring music. It was like someone cracked open a window.” —Caregiver
2. Listen, don’t lecture.
Let them talk about the hard stuff without rushing in to fix it. Ask open questions: “What’s this been like for you?” Give them the gift of being heard.
“Everyone focused on my labs. Only the chaplain asked about my soul.” —Stage IV cancer patient
3. Give gifts they can use now.
iPad or Kindle
Bluetooth speaker
Cozy blankets or socks
Noise-canceling headphones
Avoid future-based gifts (like tickets for summer)—they can sting if the future feels uncertain. When the road ahead feels foggy, even well-meaning plans for 'later' can feel like pressure or disappointment waiting to happen. Choose gifts that meet them where they are right now.
“Wearing my own robe was the first time I felt human again.” —Post-surgery patient
3a. Support their family.
Families in hospitals are juggling a lot. Help them stay afloat:
Parking passes
Nearby motel nights
Restaurant gift cards (especially delivery)
Gas cards
Offer to sit with the patient so caregivers can rest
4. Handle things at home.
Take out the trash. Feed the pets. Wrap gifts. Watch the kids. These little things ease big stress.
“Being sick doesn’t mean being invisible.”
5. Set up a CaringBridge page.
Help them share updates once instead of answering 100 texts. www.caringbridge.org
19 More Ways to Bring Holiday Cheer
6. Bring a mini Christmas tree (faux or with LED lights).
It adds instant warmth.
7. String colorful lights around the window or headboard.
8. Watch holiday movies together.
Try Elf, The Grinch, or Christmas Vacation. Bonus points for popcorn (and maybe skip Monopoly—nobody needs that kind of tension in a hospital room).
9. Download festive playlists or play soft holiday music.
Music soothes when words don’t.
10. Holiday-scented air fresheners (apple pie, pine, pumpkin).
Check with staff first.
11. Ask about a room with a view.
Some hospitals allow requests for New Year’s Eve fireworks.
12. Homemade cookies or treats (if allowed).
Nothing tastes like love quite like Grandma’s sugar cookies.
13. Poster board with family photos and messages.
Bring their people to them.
14. Bring in a gourmet meal and serve it with (battery-powered) candles.
Make it feel like a restaurant.
15. Help them video call with faraway family.
Zoom, Skype, FaceTime—it’s not the same, but it still matters.
16. Make a paper chain with wishes from friends and family.
Each link a blessing.
17. Read holiday books aloud (especially for kids).
It brings comfort and distraction.
18. Wrap their hospital door like a giant gift.
With ribbons and all.
19. Make mini snowmen out of play dough.
Silly fun is good medicine.
20. Popcorn + cider + board games.
Turn the hospital bed into game night central.
21. Arrange a Santa visit.
Many hospitals already have them—just ask.
22. Hang holiday cards around the room.
Mail still feels magical.
23. If you’re musical, play a hallway concert.
A few carols can change the energy of an entire floor.
24. Carol at their door with friends.
Holiday karaoke, anyone?
One Final Note
The best gift you can give is your presence. Because sometimes, your warm hand on their shoulder means more than all the tinsel and trimmings combined. It says, "I'm not afraid to sit in this hard place with you." If you’ve ever wondered what to say or do when someone’s hurting, here’s your answer: show up, love hard, and do something—anything—that reminds them they’re not alone.
“The real medicine? A nurse who looked me in the eye and said, ‘You’re safe now.’” —Breast cancer survivor
Because even in the cancer ward, comfort and joy aren’t canceled.
Wishing you and yours a meaningful season, especially those spending Christmas in unexpected places.
— Cindy Finch, LCSW
About the Author: Cindy Finch, LCSW is a clinical therapist, writer and professor who trained at Mayo Clinic. She works closely with those in the margins and is a survivor of an undiagnosed disease that turned out to be cancer while she was pregnant. Treatments for her cancer led to heart, liver and lung failure which she survived. She now lives in Orange County, CA and enjoys her life with her husband Darin and their three children. Along with other young survivors, her story is a part of a new documentary film called Vincible. You can read more about Cindy here.
Copyright Cindy Finch 2019
