LUCKY CHARMS Jade for healing, shamrocks for luck, pink stones for breast cancer, angels for protection. Your friend might like to keep a charm in their "chemo bag" or their pocket while they get treatment.

LIPSTICK Without hair, your friend might feel a little less lovely. A new lipstick might perk her up as she combs through her headgear looking for the right hat or scarf for the day.

JEWELRY Earrings might make your friend feel more feminine while she is bald. Bracelets and necklaces can be a great reminder of all the people who support her.

MANICURES & PEDICURES Relaxing, quality time and they leave your friend looking more like a woman (something baldness can take away). Pedicures in massage chairs can be especially restorative.

HATS & SCARVES Your friend may find getting dressed to be difficult, since every outfit requires something to cover her head. A good variety of hats and scarves can make this frustrating task easier. See Circus of Cancer hat.

WIG SHOPPING Your friend may or may not want company while she looks at wigs. Just offering to find a good local wig shop and drive her over may make her feel less alone.

HOLIDAY DECORATIONS Little things like carving pumpkins or getting a wreath up quickly get overlooked. It can really lift your friend's spirits to see her front step decorated.

ART SUPPLIES For women with a creative side, art can be a great release and help purge emotions that are hard to put words to. Sketching, embroidery, jewelry making, sewing...these can offer a chance to accomplish something while resting at the same time.

MUSIC Homemade mixed CDs or relaxation CDs can help your friend turn a long afternoon in bed into a period of total relaxation.

PORTABLE MUSIC PLAYER Have friends chip in for an iPod or a CD player so your friend can listen during chemo or in bed.

BOOKS & RADIO PROGRAMS on CD There are some great comedians and humorists on CD, as well as experts and authors who stimulate the mind.

GARDENING It can be depressing to see your garden brown and wither from lack of attention. Spending a few minutes dead-heading and weeding your friend's garden will make your friend smile every time she looks at it.

PLANTS & FLOWERS Flowers already in vases require no work and look great. Plants can be depressing if they brown easily or die quickly. Try orchids for something low maintenance, long lasting and beautiful.

CONCERT & MOVIE TICKETS Music and movies can really take your friend away from her pain and are easy to enjoy even when she is not feeling 100%. Most movie theaters sell gift certificate packs.

RESTAURANT GIFT CERTIFICATES Even if your friend can afford their own dinner bill, they might be spending so much on all the extra babysitting that they don't feel like they should go out to a nice dinner.

DONATIONS TO BREAST CANCER ORGANIZATIONS See here for a list of major organizations that will put your dollars to work in the fight against breast cancer.

SUSAN G. KOMEN RACE FOR THE CURE Participate in The Race for the Cure and send pictures of yourself at the finish line to your friend.

LANCE ARMSTRONG BRACELETS Buy a bunch and distribute them throughout your friend's circle of supporters. She'll be reminded of all the folks who love her every time she sees the yellow band.

MAGAZINES Avoid fashion magazines that always seem to have a cover article about hair. Look for magazines about hobbies; gardening, travel, food, home decor. You might even buy your friend a subscription so they feel your support over a long period of time.

BOOKS It can be hard to decide between fiction and non-fiction. You know your friend best. For specific titles recommended by Breast Cancer patients, click here. You will also see books recommended for your friend's husband and children.

VISITS TO CHEMO Don't be afraid. Even stopping by for a few minutes can be such a nice break from the monotony of chemo. Bring a magazine or a soda for her husband or partner.

LETTERS WITH PHOTOS Fighting cancer can get boring. A great break from the monotony might be to hear about your life and see recent pictures of your family.

EMAILS You can really never send enough little notes of encouragement, especially as treatment drags on and support starts to wane. Make a point of saying something like, "No need to reply, just thinking of you". Send eCard.

CARDS Keep sending them, especially as treatment drags on.

CALLS Click here to see a great Do's and Don'ts list about talking to someone with cancer.

FUNNY OLD PICTURES Dig around and see if you have some old photos from high school or college that will make your friend burst out laughing.

RADIATION CARE PACKAGE
When your friend starts radiation, she'll be required to switch to all natural soaps and deodorants to protect her skin from added irritation. She'll also use aloe three times a day for several months. So, a neat care package to get her started is: all natural aloe, soap and deod0rant (try brands like Trader Joe's or Tom's of Maine).

A JOURNAL
Cancer makes writers, or say they say. Your friend might find herself wanting to record some of her experience on paper. See Circus of Cancer journal.

BUTTON FRONT SHIRTS (and bras that close in front)
This is something you might do for a very close friend, since this will save her from having to change into a gown for every exam, and will serve her well in the days after surgery.

NUTRITION CARE PACKAGE
Your friend might decide to eat differently, to help fight off cancer and stop it from recurring. A basket of treats might help her get started: Flaxseed anything (bread, granola, etc), Omega 3 Eggs, Broccoli, Spinach, Green Tea and some of those fancy waters will cover some of the bases.