My best friend was in a serious car accident, and will likely be in the hospital for the next several weeks. I want to find a get well gift for her that is meaningful. (Please don't suggest flowers!)

You know her better than anyone here so only you know what would have meaning..

When I had surgery I enjoyed dish gardens. They don't die like flowers and, if one has a green thumb, can be kept indefinitely. I still have an ornamental fig from 16 years ago. It was not supposed to get any bigger than 12 inches. It is now 7 feet tall!

I've found the best gift for someone who is confined to a hospital bed for a long period is visits.

Other than that, you know your friend better than we do. So if you want to give a gift, I would give something that will help pass the time; books, games, etc.

Pajamas, books or magazines. Personally, I hated visits. I had 17 separate surgeries and I despised visits from anyone other than close family members. Why? I felt like I had to stay awake and entertain my visitors. Working in a hospital, I also hear that a lot.

When one is hurting and on pain meds, visits should be limited.

When I was in the hospital over Christmas and then in a health-care rehab until mid-Feb., my best friends were my Kindle and a pair of earplugs to drown out all the hospital/rehab noises that go on night and day. (If your friend gets sleeping pills, ear plugs might not be needed for the nighttime.) A friend had blessed me with an Amazon gift certificate which I used to download books for my Kindle. I always appreciated getting funny and upbeat cards from friends and, once I started feeling better, an occasional (short!!!!!) phone call from them. J_9's suggestion of an easy-care plant is a good one -- and it's a spark of life and growth nearby. And be sure to stay in touch and be available once your friend goes home -- send cards, visit, make check-in calls. I needed my friends to remember me and be thinking of me, not "stuff."

Personally, I hated visits. I had 17 separate surgeries and I despised visits from anyone other than close family members. Why? I felt like I had to stay awake and entertain my visitors. Working in a hospital, I also hear that a lot.

When one is hurting and on pain meds, visits should be limited.

Good point. I guess it depends on why they are in the hospital.

I agree, someone helping at my house, was what I needed last time I was in.

But a book, was nice. OK, I liked some food brought in,