Spoonful of Comfort Founder Marti Wymer on How Grief Inspired Her Brand

Skimm Her Life is a series in our weekly newsletter, Skimm Shopping, where smart women share their favorite things.

Margo here. One of my best discoveries of 2024 is Spoonful of Comfort. I have my mom to thank because she sent me their bestselling Get Well Soon Gift Package when I was sick in August. Today, the brand’s founder, Marti, is here to Skimm Her Life. Marti, take it away…

You’ve spoken openly about your experience with grief. How did it inspire you to start Spoonful of Comfort, and what advice do you have for our readers who are experiencing grief during the holiday season?

I am always the first to say that grief is incredibly personal. In 2007, my mother was suddenly diagnosed with cancer. Because my children were small and I lived thousands of miles away, I wasn’t able to be there in person all the time. I wanted to let her know how much I cared about her and that I was thinking of her, but none of the gifts I found felt as personal as I wanted them to be. Sending soup to comfort people was one of the ways I processed the sudden passing of my mom. I started creating care packages with soup and delivering them to people who needed comfort. That effort has grown into what Spoonful of Comfort is today.

When it comes to grief during the holidays, I’ve found that you never know what you’re going to get. There are so many traditions that emotions can pop up unexpectedly. When those moments come, I see them as a gift. Happy or sad, they’re an opportunity to think about that person and remember them.

What are some of the bestselling boxes on Spoonful of Comfort? What are some of your favorites or go-tos for gifting?

Definitely the signature Classic Soup Care Package. This gift shows you care, no matter the reason. That’s the nature of comfort food. Classic chicken soup feels good whatever the moment.

When I’m gifting a Spoonful of Comfort package to show my sympathy for someone’s grief, I try to think of what they’re going through right then. If it’s soon after their loss, that person may be feeling some shock. They’re not sitting down to have meals, and they may go all day without eating. Even when they don’t have much of an appetite, they can nibble on a roll or have a bowl of soup in the middle of the night. My go-to extra is to tuck in a pair of “I Am Loved” socks. It’s a way of making sure someone gets that one small message.

What’s one underrated box on Spoonful of Comfort that you wish more knew about?

Our Peace and Pampering Care Package is good for so many occasions. Instead of a meal, this package is full of self-care items: a blanket, cozy socks, a scented candle, a coloring book, and colored pencils.

What’s the most common misconception about grief?

That there’s a “right way” to experience grief, or that it’s the same for everybody. I’ve found that grief is a roller coaster where you can go from crying to laughing and back to crying. When someone is grieving, I try to remember to just hold the space for that person when they’re in it.

What are a few must-have products to keep near you during the grieving process?

A robe and slippers. And when I say slippers, I really mean Crocs that are fuzzy inside. My kids like to give me Jibbitz charms for them. Seeing them makes me happy.

A few products you turn to to keep your mental health in check?

I love to surround myself with bright spots. Good sheets. A diffuser and oils. My powder room has wallpaper with Benjamin Franklin blowing bubble gum. Setting out a fun paper napkin for a regular meal makes me smile. Little things that bring everyday moments of joy help to adjust my mindset.