When I hear the first sneeze, cough or sniffly nose in my house, I’ve learned not to wait for the first groan, moan or sad sound “I think I’m sick.”

I rush to Walmart to stock up on our must-haves for cold and flu season like cough drops, antibacterial and Kleenex facial tissue to prevent the “cycle.” So when Kleenex brand engaged me to share my most comforting things for a get well care package/feel better soon kit for others, I knew exactly what needed to be included to make a friend or loved one feel the warm and fuzzies you need when you aren’t feel so warm and fuzzy on the inside.

I remember once in college my roommate, Nicole, knew I wasn’t having a good day, so after her long day at work, she brought me a new soft blanket, a new pillow, the collector’s set of my favorite movie Gone with the Wind, a package of ramen noodles (I LOVE ramen), and a big box of Kleenex tissues. I’m pretty sure the moment she came in I didn’t feel bad any more because of the thought of her thinking of me made such a huge positive impact. It was one of the sweetest things that someone has ever done. And not to do too much math, but that was more than 10 years ago…

That moment of care made such a difference to me, I’ve tried to pay it forward with this quick and easy go-to care package (that can be dropped off or even sent in the mail) for when I hear a friend or loved one isn’t feeling quite up to par. It includes my essentials for making things not seem so bad when you aren’t feeling good. And it only takes about 5 minutes to put together with this printable to show someone you care.

Feel Better Get Well Care Package Kit

Requirement: Kleenex Brand Ultra Soft Tissues
There’s a reason this more than a must-have – it’s an absolute requirement…if you’ve been sick, you know the difference between a tissue and a Kleenex Ultra Soft tissue. The soothing softness is just the TLC you need when you’re going after the tenth tissue that hour. It’s kinda like a hug for your nose when face it, no one is getting in line to embrace you when you are cesspool of germs. And because Kleenex Facial Tissues are designed to shield a cough or sneeze, it’s just what you need to try to keep the germs off your hands and your friends.

Movie/Movie Gift Card
When you don’t feel good all you want to do is roll up in a ball. So to pass the time away, a movie is a great way to keep yourself entertained without much effort. However, don’t know their favorite movie or if they have it already? Right now with your Walmart purchase of a 4-pack of 75-count Kleenex Ultra soft Tissues or Kleenex Tissues with Lotion (love these), you’ll get a $5 VUDU credit. VUDU is Walmart’s online video streaming service, so your giftee can snag their favorite movie to watch from the comfort of their home.

KLEENEX TISSUE CARE PACKAGE $5 VUDU OFFER
Redeem by purchasing qualifying item and star/check the item(s) and the date of your receipt.

Snap a clear photo of the entire receipt with your phone.

Text CAREPACKAGE to 811811 for submission instructions.

Please allow 48 hours for processing.

* All Kleenex Lotion/Ultra Soft 4-packs are eligible for this promotion (with or without the special notation on the box.)

Chicken Soup
You can never go wrong with chicken soup…we’ll unless your loved one is a vegetarian which in that case a vegetable soup or ramen is a great alternative. In an ideal world, I’d whip up a homemade bowl to really share the love, but a lack of time and shipping issues make that a little more difficult. However, by using the prepackaged envelopes, all someone needs is a little hot water from the microwave or even the coffee pot to whip up a nice, warm cup of soup.

Menthol Vapor Rub
No matter the age, when you can’t breathe from sinuses, cold or flu, a little whiff of menthol rub goes a long way. And a container of this miracle goo can go along way, too for repeated uses throughout the season.

Bubbly Water
This is actually a term that my kids coined a few years ago for clear soda that fizzes. When your stomach is a little queasy, I crave for “bubbly water.” I often suggest water and Vitamin C and D enriched orange juice for fluid intake when you’re not feeling well, but the bubbly water can be a nice add to the rotation. Plus if you wanted, you can add a fun and creative label to the bottle as a small detail that can really make their day. (Think funny faces, drawings from the kids, or even a funny spoof on your “magic potion.”

Lip Balm
It’s the little things and this little package makes my world rock anytime. I constantly need to apply lip balm to keep my lips from painful cracking, but if you’ve been coughing and sneezing or crying even, your lips really go through the wringer. By adding moisture to your lips, like you do with your nose with Kleenex brand tissues, you’re preventing chapped lips from setting in – and “no one gots time for that, right?”

Antibacterial Hand Sanitizer
This along, with your tissues, is your front line to keep from your little cough and cold to begin a three-month long chain between your family and friends. There’s a lot of things I’ll share with you, but if you really love me, let’s make sure your cold isn’t one of them.

Cough Drops
Oh, the power of a cough drop after you’ve been hacking away for hours or felt the consistent tickle in the back of your throat is a huge relief when you’re not feeling well. Try for their favorite flavor, but make sure you get the kind that include a little extra Vitamin C or menthol to also help the throat.

Printable
This prints as a 5 X 7 so you can print from your home printer on card stock or create a card from printing one on an 8 1/2 X 11 sheet of paper and this as your front cover. There’s also space for a nice message in the middle to really show a personal touch. To print the high resolution, non-watermarked version, click here.

So you’re friend is sick but you’d like to send them something to pick up their spirits?

If you’re looking for a “Feel Better Box” that isn’t for someone that’s not feeling good, you can still use most of these items, but I’d trade out the Vapor Rub for a super scented hand lotion with a lavender or bergamot scent to uplift their spirits and remove the cough drops for their favorite candy treat.

Let’s just say it: Being sick blows, right? From the moment you feel it in the back of your throat, you know what’s about to happen. While I know as an adult about what’s about to happen, I still regress to feeling like a kid and resorting to the same things that helped me cope when I didn’t feel good and my mom was there to keep me comforted. Funny enough, those things don’t change…much. And even when you’re not feeling yourself and life’s got you down, the gesture of someone doing something thoughtful like a hug or sending a box of a few things goes a long way.

Remember someone always needs it, right?

Visit, the Kleenex brand Someone Always Needs One website to create your own personal Kleenex® Careboard message to send to your loved one and to find valuable coupons, too.