Parent's Choice

Christmas Gifts You Can Give Your Family Doctor

Family doctors may as well be family too as they keep us healthy and know our health history.

Family doctors have two definitions: one is a practitioner of family medicine and the one who became a doctor within the family. Either way, they both do one thing: keep everyone as healthy as they can. While they’re the ones that the elders fight with a lot (because they fear the hospital), they’re the ones we often get free consultations from for whatever needs like employment, school, etc. Considering everything they do for us, maybe it’s time to give our doctors a useful Christmas gift.

So, what are some things we can give to show our appreciation? Here are some ideas!

1. Scrubs

Medical students, residents, and attendings are usually in scrubs, especially those who are aspiring to be surgeons. But it’s quite unhygienic to keep recycling the same pair so why not give them another one? The best part is, with their rotations, they’ll need a variety of colors to blend in with their departments or with their medical missions. White Coat Manila has a variety of colors, including some for the holiday shifts.

Source: C&E Bookshop

2. Medical Textbooks or a Subscription to Medical Journals

Doctors need to stay abreast with all the latest technologies and research for medicine so they can treat families better. But these don’t come cheap; some medical textbooks go as high as PHP 5000.00 which can be quite frustrating for doctors and medical students. It doesn’t always have to be hardbound but at least get the latest edition so their knowledge won’t be obsolete.

3. Phone strap

Perfect for medical students aspiring to work as surgeons or in the emergency department, phone straps keep their phones secure which kind of makes it their metaphorical lifeline. Phone straps are highly appreciated by those who are always on-the-go like residents, attendings, interns, and medical school students. Besides, most phone straps secure the phone through the charging port which can reduce the chances of it dropping, etc.

4. Running shoes

They’re always on the move so they need footwear that’s light enough not to impede them. Nike, Addidas, New Balance, and all the big sports footwear brands have a specific collection of running shoes that we’re sure doctors and medical students will appreciate. Besides, among the white halls of the hospital, they’ll need a splash of color which they can achieve with their running shoes.

5. Compression socks

Since doctors are always on their feet, they’ll need something to make sure they don’t get muscle cramps. Compression socks help improve the blood circulation in their legs and they sometimes come with custom designs, making it more personalized. While standard ones are available in pharmacies, some department stores that sell brands like Burlington may have them.

6. Gift certificate for a spa day

Considering how they’re always moving or busy, they rarely have time to decide when to have a spa day. At least with a gift certificate, they don’t need to worry about spending on it. Most doctors go for massages, especially after a long day in the operating room (OR).

7. Items that directly relate to the patients they have

Pediatricians may enjoy a toy or two so that their little patients can entertain themselves while waiting for their appointments. At the same time, these little toys and books can distract them from the needle as they get their vaccinations.

Neurologists and neurosurgeons may like the figurine featuring the anatomy of the brain and the spinal cord. After all, they need to know where they’re cutting.

8. If you can afford to pay upfront, do that instead.

Some doctors prefer private practice and don’t associate themselves with medical insurance companies because of the policies. Usually, these doctors sometimes have to file a claim and if they’re off saving lives, they don’t have time for that. They’ll greatly appreciate us paying them upfront if we can afford it.

9. Hired home cleaning service

Doctors (unless they’re consultants or private practitioners) are in and out of the house, making it hard for them to maintain their homes. But by the time they get home, they’re too tired and won’t even be bothered to pick up a broom or mop. Even scheduling an automatic robot cleaner will be difficult to manage unless they’ve scheduled it.

So a hired home cleaning service will definitely take some logistical load off their shoulders.

10. If they have a shift, bring Christmas dinner to them while they’re on break.

Some doctors sacrifice their holidays because they’re on-call. New Year’s Eve may be one of the most common ones due to burns and the like but alcohol poisoning is also one of the more common ones, especially on Christmas Eve. If the doctors are on-call, bring over maybe a dinner kit with ready-to-eat food so they can actually enjoy some of the festive flavors. It’s extra bonus points if you can go eat with them yourself!

11. Insulated flask

Doctors don’t just run on water; the majority of them run on black coffee. Whether hot or cold, they need a flask that can retain the temperature for prolonged periods since some might not even have time to stop and drink. Make sure the flask comes also with a bag and a name tag which they can sling on so they can bring it everywhere they go and not lose it among the other similar-looking flasks.

12. A tote bag with all their essentials

A backpack may be nice but a tote bag is a lot faster to pack. But we can make it look like a little sack of Santa’s goodies by adding a phone strap, a water flask, a notebook, a pen (for charting), and a collapsible umbrella for those rainy days. We’re pretty sure that the long shifts in the hospital may have broken one of their essentials at one point.

13. Personalized stethoscope

Pop-culture-wise, a stethoscope is the accessory of every doctor. So, why not get one with their name on it? It also makes sure they don’t end up fighting the other residents for tools. Besides, for our kids who decided to become medical students, it kind of empowers and encourages them that they’re on the way to fulfilling the dream of becoming a doctor.

14. Scrub cap

Especially if they’re doing surgery, a scrub cap keeps their hair out of their face and out of the patient on the table. It’s not just for women but even men, have their scrub caps. Some come in plain colors but others like having patterns on them.

Healthcare professionals deserve a lot of love for Christmas!

But this gift guide doesn’t just apply to doctors. Even nurses and veterinarians would appreciate these too! Considering how they’re always out saving lives, doctors will probably run out of compassion just as fast as a parent. They’ve sworn an oath to “do no harm” and the least we can do is help them keep it.

While most parents dream or try to direct their kids to be doctors, some forget that earning the white coat takes a lot of hard work. That work sometimes includes missing family dinners, birthdays, and even the holidays if things get messy. It’s also a financially challenging one, buying all the books and equipment they need to become a doctor.

So maybe for Christmas 2024, it’s time to give a little bit back to the doctors who always ensure we’re healthy enough to love and return to our families.

More gift guides?

Gift Guide 2021: Gift Ideas for Eco-Conscious Parents
A Skincare Gift Guide for Beauty-Loving Moms
Why We Should Normalize Giving Practical Gifts

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