12 days of giving: A holiday gift guide for breast cancer thrivers

Who better to inspire a gift guide than the very people who make up this community? Below, I've highlighted 12 stories or traditions that celebrate LBBC's spirit of care, comfort, and connection.

1 comforting robe

When LBBC team member Marlene Lally was diagnosed with breast cancer at 37, she began designing robes she wished she could wear during her treatment, turning her need for comfort into something beautiful. What started as her own small project grew into a community endeavor, collaborating with a friend and other breast cancer thrivers giving feedback on color, fabric, and style. Marlene has gifted these robes to women across the country.

If you’re looking for a comforting gift for a thriver in your life, consider items like a mastectomy bra with a front closure scallop print that blends softness with ease. Brightly patterned Lymphediva sleeves bring durability and personal expression, while a stylish Masumi beanie offers head coverage for all seasons. A glass water bottle like this one helps with chemo-related taste sensitivities, and DIY ginger hard candies offer natural nausea relief. Each of these gifts, like Marlene’s robe, brings real comfort and care to those who need it most.

2 traditions, your way

After her diagnosis, Young Advocate Stephanie Dante Smith embraced a new way to celebrate Thanksgiving with her son. Instead of staying home to prepare a big meal, she now books a relaxing stay at a hotel. Last year, they spent their days swimming and binge-watching movies, cozying up in matching pajamas. Stephanie and her son plan to make this an annual tradition, reminding us that traditions are ours to shape.

To create meaningful traditions of your own, try experimenting with experiences that bring you and your family joy. You’ll know a tradition has truly taken root when everyone says, “Let’s do that again!” For inspiration, keep a Happiness Jar where each day, family members jot down one happy moment, reading them together at the end of the year. You could also choose a day of the week to focus on gratitude or celebrate quirky holidays like Waffle Day on March 25. Waffles all day? I’m in!

3 colorful free weights

For LBBC team member Monica Steigerwald fitness became a cornerstone of her breast cancer journey. When she began to recover, Monica found strength and solace in movement. For her, it’s a priority, one she cherishes. You can even see Monica’s commitment in practice in our BeACTive exercise series, designed specifically for breast cancer thrivers.

If you’re looking to support a healthy lifestyle for someone you love, consider gifting Monica’s favorites: bright, colorful dumbbells or beautifully designed resistance bands to encourage movement at home. A foldable suede yoga mat adds a touch of luxury to a gentle stretch or meditation session. Recipes from Cook for Your Life make nutritious meals — or beverages or desserts — a joy to gift.

4 flannel throws

Young Advocate Katie Parker, who has faced breast cancer and more recently, colon cancer, shared how chemotherapy made her feel extra sensitive to the cold, often with pins-and-needles sensations in her hands and feet. A soft, cozy blanket from maurices, like the one a friend gifted her, offered her comfort from the chills.

For anyone going through a similar experience, a brushed flannel throw blanket from maurices or electric hand warmers can bring much-needed warmth. If you’re like me and cold feet keep you up at night, down booties can be worn to bed to keep toes toasty. Or, if you’re looking for a DIY touch, try making a no-sew fleece shawl, a thoughtful and heartfelt way to share warmth.

5 matching pjs

LBBC team member Monisha Parker cherishes time spent with her family. In past years, they've enjoyed coordinating in matching outfits for Christmas. This season, she’s excited to add a touch of fun to their downtime by dressing her family in matching pajamas. For Monisha, these moments of rest, fun, and style are at the heart of her family's holiday joy.

If you want to gift relaxation, consider matching family pajamas from Primark. For other ideas: a silk pillowcase not only adds a touch of luxury to bedtime, it’s gentle on tender scalps. A unisex ergonomic eye mask supports sleep by blocking out light. You could also share a playlist of relaxing music or sleep stories on Spotify for a peaceful, restorative night’s rest.

6 handmade treasures

LBBC contributor Jamie Gallagher, diagnosed with breast cancer in 2023, found purpose in making mastectomy pillows. These handmade gifts are her way of giving back to others facing surgery, each pillow offering a message of hope and support. This holiday season she’s making fabric heart ornaments to give to hospital staff.

To make a meaningful handmade gift, try making a DIY ornament to create personalized keepsakes or do a flower wreath-making kit for a seasonal project. For something sweet, put together a holiday baking kit in a mason jar with ingredients for your favorite cookies — yum!

7 acts of kindness

LBBC team member Ashley Dedmond volunteers every holiday season with her family at Loaves & Fishes, a soup kitchen in Houston. For her, this tradition is about spreading love and gratitude by helping others. As Ashley says, “Knowing we can help make the season a bit brighter for others is something we cherish and look forward to every year.”

If you’re inspired to give back, consider visiting a nursing home or pet shelter together with your family, a beautiful way to bring light to others. Organizations like Doing Good Together offer many ideas for spreading joy during the holidays and beyond.

8 nights of meal kits

During her cancer treatment, Young Advocate Jackie Reynolds found joy in gift cards for meal delivery services. They allowed her to select meals on her own terms, especially on days when she was too tired to cook. While some might dismiss gift cards as impersonal, Jackie found them incredibly thoughtful as they allowed her to decide what she needed in the moment. Above all else, Jackie believes it’s the intention behind the gift that counts.

Consider giving a gift card for Uber Eats to make mealtime easier for someone who could benefit from options. For ongoing surprises, a coffee membership offers treats to look forward to. And for a more personalized touch, meal delivery kits from Spoonful of Comfort provide warmth and nourishment right to their doorstep.

9 editions of wellness

After I was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, I began to practice expressive writing. I believe in its power to restore one’s center and research proves its healing benefits. I often gift fountain pens and journals to encourage others to take time for themselves, to reflect, and to write. Who can resist writing when they have a beautiful fountain pen?

A thoughtful wellness gift might include a Lamy fountain pen and journal for capturing thoughts, along with an aromatherapy diffuser and essential oils to create a calming atmosphere. You could add a set of herbal teas from Williams Sonoma for a cozy, restorative drink, or introduce them to a free guided meditation app for moments of mindfulness and calm.

10 toys for your inner child

Young Advocate Jenni Hetzel-Gaynor, diagnosed with breast cancer in 2023, appreciates gifts that bring calm through creativity and provide a fun escape from daily stresses. She says, “Adult Legos are great for when you're feeling tired but want to do something besides watch TV. Plus, the finished products are adorable and can easily be displayed.”

Consider giving a Botanical Lego Set or a unique jigsaw puzzle from Barnes & Noble for relaxing and unwinding. If knitting or crochet is more your style, try making gifts from these animal crochet patterns for a project they can create and treasure.

11 photo frames a-glowing

Whether at work or home, LBBC team member Lynn Folkman knows how to bring people together. She invites friends and family (including their fur babies) to gather on Christmas Day at her home — no gifts expected, just the gift of presence and shared memories. The day begins with brunch and everyone stays until dinner, the fireplace, holiday music, and laughter going all day.

What’s more, Lynn keeps memories alive by passing down books her mother gifted her to her great nephews. Last year she gave them “Miracle on 34th Street,” adding her own inscription to her mother’s. She says, "It felt wonderful to keep the book going for them to enjoy from my mother, their great grandmother who they never had the opportunity to meet. It was a way for me to keep her memory alive for the boys.”

For a meaningful gift, consider giving the experience of a day trip or local event, or perhaps a digital frame from Aura to display shared memories. A handmade scrapbook or coupon book filled with ideas for future get-togethers makes a perfect gift to honor cherished time together.

12 calls to check-in

Other LBBC staffers diagnosed with breast cancer found the most meaningful gifts were those that kept friends close. Whether it was an Apple Watch to track steps together, a book read and discussed together, or a show watched at the same time, many found strength in shared experiences.

To share presence this season, gift a streaming service subscription for movie nights at Netflix or you can buy gift cards for Hulu at Target, CVS, or BestBuy. For curated offerings, try BritBox or Criterion Channel or Broadway musicals.

Tired of screen time? Gift a book subscription to your loved one and yourself to share reads. Yes, the Book of the Month Club is still around! But for those of you who would like to support an independent bookstore, The Book Drop is a monthly subscription which offers a hardcover or paperback book in one of four specific genres. They also offer a large-print option.

There are many free online classic board games or apps online like Scrabble and Monopoly that invite friends and family to play together from afar. Try Codenames online for a fun way to connect, strategize, and share some laughs.

May these gifts inspire you to give from the heart, to cherish the connections that surround you, and to carry forward the spirit of generosity that makes our LBBC family so extraordinary.

Happy Holidays, and may every gift bring comfort, care, and joy.