How about doing some video visits?

My go-to treat is Spoonful of Comfort. There are several choices. Every recipient has told me how much they liked it.

I would think some snail mail cards arriving, say, three times per week would also be appreciated.

Just a couple of thoughts. Always...when I've returned home from hospital incarceration...I'm so glad to be home that all I want to do is take a deep breath and chill out. One thing that I always find taxing...whether I prepared for this or not...is having to create a meal. If you know her culinary tastes...despite her husband's eating habits...perhaps arranging for a meal to be delivered to their home from a local restaurant could be arranged. Otherwise...if you know her personal entertainment habits...i.e. reading, etc...could you contribute to one of those?

Remote-control pillar candle trio! One of our caregivers was in the hospital and when I visited, she showed off the gift her friend had sent. She loved them! They are cozy, they flicker, and you don’t have to tend them.

Food delivery! Neither of you has to lift a finger. If it's a really good friend, maybe once a week? Something to look forward to.

I am still recovering from major surgery. A group of my friends bought me Britbox - a streaming service for a year and it's filled a lot of hours when I wasn't up to doing anything else. Nekotish, your SIL was very creative!

If this is going to be a long recovery, I do like the idea of several little things over a period of time. Hopefully they will arrive on days she needs cheering - there are bound to be a few of those.

The scratch tickets are a good idea.

As part of her post surgery basket, I gave my neighbor Thank You notes and stamps, knowing she would be receiving some flowers and gifts.

When my sis was receiving treatment for cancer last year, I tried to mail every few days.

Brightly colored cozy socks.

A book someone has recommended to you or that you've read and loved.

A cozy lap throw.

I sent her wooden kitchen spoons I'd found that had smiley faces cutouts in them.

A lightly scented hand lotion.

Silk pillow case. I don't care what the hair style, someone napping often is going to flatten out their hair on a pillow and the silk helps.

Neutral lip gloss or lightly tinted lip balm.

Even just a colorful card with a personal note of encouragement.

One week I sent a little first initial pendent on a gold chain, but this was my sister and her recovery was important to me.

Sis's friends and neighbors closer to her home brought soups, home made bread, casseroles, and from what she said later, many lasagnas.

Hydration can be important when healing, there are many little drinks in 6 or 12 packs to be found on Amazon. DH somehow got me started on Splash brand lemon with electrolytes, available in 8 oz bottles. I'm not usually wild about the plastic use of bottles, but these fit in robe pocket, easily on a side table or night stand with just a hint of flavor to make them enjoyable.

Along with whatever gift you choose, you could also make time for a personal contact, (phone call or email) several times a week at specific times, something your friend could look forward to. Often such surgeries can turn out to be isolating experiences; efforts by friends to provide additional contact and companionship would help make her experience less isolating.

Great ideas! I hadn't thought about the stream of cards. I'll ask about making a date for phone contact.

In the first weeks after I fell off my Bicycle and shattered my lower arm a out-of-town friend mailed me one tea bag, different flavor, per day in note cards.

Someone else shipped two Lou Malnotti pizzas for two dinners yum!

When she had major surgery I sent her one of those grabber thingies because she couldn't bend over or reach far.

Someone else shipped not a bouquet of flowers but a houseplant because she loves them. That thing seems to thrive on the evil eyes I shoot at it to try and kill it off...........

Ooh! Ooh! A boxed DVD set of Julia Child episodes! I’ve been watching some and they are so delightful. And maybe Julie/Julia, especially for the music.

I just happened to think of something else I sent as a recovery gift once that was well received. Sounds silly but they have such nice ones for adults available now. Don't laugh. Paint by number sets.

All excellent suggestions above. Along the lines of a card ( but yes more $) I would suggest the freshcut paper card. I've sent them ( and seen one received) and they are delightful and last.

I've sent the poppies and the daisies.

Here you go