Comments on a recent thread explored gifts for sympathy cards and it got me thinking about what we sell today that could work in this situation. This terrific range of soaps from Victorian business B Gentle would work as sympathy gifts – when you want to give something beyond a card. We sourced this range to appeal to our older customers and those who buy for older people. The range sells very well. It’s something to suggest as a sympathy gift.
When working with a newsagency business to explore gifts they could sell, I look at card and magazine sales as guide. These two categories can tell us plenty about a newsagency.
When my very young cousin passed away I gave his mum a cross with purple stones, we are not a religious family but it seemed right for her at the time. I gave my other cousin (his aunty) a silver locket to hold his photo. It was such an awful time and I needed to give them something to keep forever.
Apart from that I have never thought to give a gift to someone who has lost a loved one but now I think about it, it is a lovely gesture.
Jewellery is also a great gift for travellers, a small gift that’s special but doesn’t take up space. Beaded bracelets with St Christopher medal or other symbolic tokens make a nice gift and are not expensive and would also be appropriate as a sympathy gift.
Angel pins are becoming popular again.