DIY: A Neighborly Get Well Kit
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Tip: click on the images for an enlarged view.
After moving from our last home, where we had possibly the world's most atrocious neighbors, I wasn't expecting much from our new set. So imagine my delighted surprise when several of them stopped by to welcome us to our new home. During that Spring when our lawn needed cutting for the first time, I looked out my window to discover our neighbor mowing it for us (he still regularly mows it...even though I run out and tell him not to). Our neighbors on the other side of us have offered to accommodate us in their storm shelter during the seasonal tornados we have. And two years ago they even shoveled our driveway after a freak 18" snowstorm left our city marooned for days. All of this is to say, that after having such horrible neighbors in the past, I truly know just how much it matters when the neighbors you have are good. And it goes both ways...I try to be an awesome neighbor too (these fleur de sel caramels were a huge hit last year)!
So when Vivint (a leading provider of simple, affordable home security and other home solutions) asked if I would like to create a couple DIYs with warm neighborly giving in mind, I was excited for the chance to put my neighborly thoughts into action. Vivint's new blog, The Neighborhood is a site with one purpose: to promote better safer neighborhoods through simple acts of neighborliness. Their site features tons of great ideas to bring your community together...DIYs, printables, activities and more. I'm all about this kind of mission...aren't you?!
So with cold and flu season upon us, it seemed that the perfect idea for my first project would be to put together a quick little get well kit that is ideal for a neighbor or friend who is under the weather. The kit includes ingredients for making a delicious Honey Lemon Throat Soother tea (I drink it every time I get a sore throat and it always helps), as well as comforting necessities like cough drops, lip balm, and tissues.
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Here's what I used to create my kit:
- Large mug | Target, approximately $4
- Honey bottle | Grocery store, $4.50
- Fresh lemon | Grocery store, $.40 each
- Chapstick brand lip balm | Target, $2
- Tissues | Target, set of 3 for $2
- Burt's Bees Honey & Lemon Throat Drops | Target, $2
- Optional - Clear Cellophane Basket Gift Bag | Michael's, set of two small bags for $1
- Free printable gift tag (download found below)
- Twine
- Scissors
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The Get Well Kit is as easy as can be to make. Just arrange everything inside the mug until it looks how you'd like it to. If you will be using a cellophane gift bag you can include more than one lemon (since it won't fall out). Print the file (download below), cut out your tags, and attach them to your gift with twine.
There are two tag color options (yellow and teal) with both "Get Well" text and the instructions for making the Honey Lemon Throat Soother, as well as one blank grey version (in case you'd like to create your own tag).
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If you'd like to make the Honey Lemon Throat Soother for yourself, here are the simple steps:
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Boil water. Wash a lemon and cut it in half. Squeeze the juice from one lemon half into your mug and place juiced peel into the mug as well.
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Pour a generous serving of honey over the peel in the bottom of your mug. Carefully pour boiling water into the mug and allow drink to steep for 10 minutes. Remove peel and any seeds. Add extra honey if needed. There should be an even balance of flavor between the honey and lemon...not too sour and not too sweet. Sip and feel better!
Psst...If you want a chance to win a ticket to attend Alt Summit 2013, hop on over and check out the giveaway I'm currently promoting for Vivint!
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Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Vivint. Find more from Vivint at The Neighborhood, Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest. All images, content, and opinions expressed in this post are my own.
26 Lovely Comments | Email Article | found in D.I.Y. + Projects, Gift Giving / Wrapping Ideas Print Article | Share This | 
| by Ez Monday, December 3, 2012 
Reader Comments (26)
This is such a sweet idea! It would be so easy to keep many of the items on hand, just in case. All you'd have to do is go out and get a lemon or two!
This is great. So simple and thoughtful.
What a sweet and thoughtful care package. Hopefully I won't have to send one of these any time soon, but good to have this idea on hand. Thanks Ez!
What a perfect idea! I might scour Goodwill for some uber-cheap, hopefully fairly white cups :)
This almost makes me wish I had a cold! Definitely saving this idea for friends with future sniffles!
We got new neighbors and they are a dream! She is sick right now so this is perfect to take over!
I just love this!! Thank you so much for sharing!
This is the cutest idea ever! Love it!
I think i just wished i knew someone sick so I could make that!
what a wonderful idea! i love it! I would like one myself even though I just got over my cold :)
This is so sweet. Definitely saving this for a rainy day. thank you!
This is so sweet! I'm drinking this all the time when weather gets coldes. I also sometimes add some ginger. Just one thing (a doctor told me) - you never pour boiling water over it, it kills all the goodies lemon and honey has! Let the water cool a bit;)
This is such a sweet idea. Everyone could use an emergency kit like this when they are sick.
this is so sweet and thoughtful!
Oh this is a brilliant and lovely idea! thiank you for sharing this with us! xo
Lovely! You really are amazing... such a simple and sweet idea :)
This is truly a cute fun and generous way to give and serve! twenty years or so ago a friend and I made sick kits to give to our families for Christmas they contained the things you put in yours and some red long johns,good book,herbal tea, home made herbal decongestant bath salts and cans of chicken soup!!! I like how you put your kit together it is always nice to know that someone is looking out for your well being!!!
How precious! Can I be your neighbor??
I swear by lemon and honey, too, when I'm sick. I'll have to try your recipe with the peel. I usually just use bottled lemon juice.
It's great!
Thanks for your idea this is so sweet
this is such a thoughtful/beautiful idea and it's not completely cost prohibitive. I love it.
What a great idea!
I would probably add a ziplock bag with a small quantity of Eucalyptus Leaf with instructions to put in boiling water, place towel over head and hold covered head over pan.
When I make my honey-lemon tea at night I add a shot of whiskey. Helps me sleep better, tames the aches, and no lethargy the next day like certain over-the-counter nightmine cold meds. :-)
You forgot the whiskey. :)