With the holidays, comes the often-challenging task of finding just the right gift for your loved ones. Sometimes that task can seem to be a bit harder if your loved one has a disability, like me (I have myalgic encephalomyelitis). We are often home-bound to a much greater degree than most or even completely home-bound or bed-bound so it may seem like gift options are more limited.
Good news! That's not the case! To get you started, I've created a list of items that are fantastic ideas for your loved ones that may have some special needs due to their condition. Actually, many of these items make great gifts for anyone on your list! The list includes small and big gifts, gifts that cost no money (seriously!) and some that are a bit more expensive. Here we go!
1. Netflix or Prime: Since we are often are home quite a bit, having a lot of movie options can be priceless! And entertainment is great distraction. Amazon, in particular, can be a gift filled with gifts. A subscription will give your loved one movies and two-day free shipping for needed items they aren't able to leave the home to get.
2. Weighted Blanket: These are great for calming anxiety, reducing stress, and helping with insomnia.
3. Heated Blanket: Many of our conditions create temperature sensitivities. Give the gift of warmth to your loved one!
4. Gift certificate to their local pharmacy: This may not sound too personal but if your loved one has a lot of prescriptions this could really help them out!
5. Calming scents: Whether through infusers or other such products, these can really make for a nice gift. Just be sure your loved one doesn't have scent sensitivities. Lavender oils and scents in particular are great sleeping aids!
6. Candles: Again, as long as your loved one doesn't have scent sensitivities, scented candles can bring warmth to their home. There's also crackling scented candles that bring an extra coziness to the room as well.
7. Heating pad: This can be great for people that get migraines or find heat on their eyes helps them fall asleep. Again, lavender scented ones are a great choice!
8. Gift certificate so they can purchase a variety of tablet or phone applications: Whether to monitor their sleep, providing calming sounds, meditation sessions, or games and other entertainment it's a great gift. So many options - all that can be utilized from the comfort of their couch or bed!
9. Pill organizers: Let's face it, if you have a chronic illness you most likely have a good handful of pills you take daily. If you are like me, your memory is not the greatest so something to help you track your medicines is key!
10. Home decorations: If your loved one is home-bound quite a bit, help them keep things interesting by changing their view a bit.
11. Puzzles: These are great distractions from pain and will help keep your loved one's mind active and entertained!
12. Adult coloring books: Have a friend that needs a new outlet for their creative energy? An adult coloring book could be the answer!
13. Gentle Yoga DVDs: If they can tolerate and would enjoy some gentle yoga, a DVD they can do from home can make a great gift!
14. "White Noise": If your loved one lives near a high traffic area that affects their sleep, perhaps a white noise machine or one that plays soothing sounds would be appreciated.
15. Meditation: Meditation can be a great relaxer, whether for use at home, to relax during a procedure or as a day-to-day practice, this can be a great tool for your loved one to get through challenging times, relax, and enjoy their day a bit more. There are some great apps that can be purchased or DVDs as well.
16. Services: There are so many great services out there that bring the outside into our homes. However, sometimes setting them up and learning how to use them can be too much. Offer to set up grocery shopping and delivery for your loved one, teaching them how to use it going forward. Any kind of service that makes their day-to-day easier will likely be much appreciated.
17. Cleaning Services: Cleaning is a never-ending task, one that sometimes is just too much for us to do or keep up with on a regular basis. Whether a one-time deep cleaning service or a providing the gift of a regular house-cleaning service, you may find your loved one smiling ear-to-ear when they see a gift like this!
18. Snap-cap water bottles: Hydration is key to many of us to stay alert and feel more awake. If your loved one is like me though and lacks a bit of coordination, a water bottle with a snapped lid can be a godsend! No more spills! I bought three and I love them!
19. Bathtub/Shower chair: If you have a chronic illness, often a shower can drain you of your energy for the day. Save your loved one some energy by buying them a shower chair!
20. Roombas: Roombas or similar items are fabulous for those of us that find vacuuming the house exhausting. And... they can be a bit entertaining!
21. Winter/Summer outdoor care: If your loved one lives on their own, the gift of a winter snow shoveler or summer lawn mower for the season relieves them of an expense and the worry of how these tasks will get done.
22. Back cushion: A back cushion can be great for someone with back pain. Any device that helps relieve this pain will be much appreciated.
23. Books: Is your loved one an avid reader but can't get to the library or book store? Give the gift of a book a month. Or a subscription to audio books is an option too!
24. Resources: If your loved one isn't in any support groups and isn't able to make it out to any, help them find some online groups. Facebook has a wealth of them. This may not seem like a gift - it's there for everyone already but sometimes the work involved in finding resources, and the right resources, is too much. Help them find some uplifting, empowering resources. Be careful in your choices though, there are some groups that focus more on negativity than information or support.
25. Clothing: Many of us are very sensitive to waist bands or restrictive clothing. Cute clothing items that don't have these issues are always fun to get. Even if your loved one doesn't leave home much, it's always nice to wear something new, even if just for yourself.
26. Restaurant or Event gift cards/tickets: If your loved one can get out but doesn't often treat themselves or feel they have the money to do so, a gift card to a favorite restaurant might be a real treat!
27. Massages: Oh... the gift of a luxurious massage. For many of us, this is actually therapeutic and medically helpful. And, of course, for many it's incredibly relaxing! This may also be a "splurge" that your loved one might not indulge in without such a gift!
28. Gift of the Month Clubs: Enroll them in a ______ of the month club! Whether book, wine, flowers, whatever, it's always fun to get a gift every month. I know it would put a smile on my face to get flowers monthly, reminding me of how thoughtful my loved one is.
29. Manicure/pedicure: What woman doesn't like to look down and see pretty nails? Even if it's just for them, fun colors can perk up a challenging day.
30. Home medical devices: Whether the actual equipment or a gift card to the store they shop at, the thoughtfulness of this gift will be appreciated and show your support.
31. Your time! Often it's the isolation that can hit us the hardest. The biggest thing that hit me when I got sick was the disappearance of many I thought were my friends. This gift of your time may sound simple, but speaking from personal experience it can get pretty lonely when you are in a flare-up and stuck on your couch. Sometimes just a friendly face, perhaps with an already made lunch in hand, can be a saving grace!
AND…. Your time! Yes, I know I said this already but it's worth repeating because it is THAT important. Taking time out of your day or week periodically can mean the world to us. It helps us stay connected to you, life outside our world/home, acts as a distraction, and undoubtedly will come with some laughs!
This list is far from endless. Not all these options will work for everyone - we all have different needs and sensitivities but hopefully it gives you a start! You know your loved one best!
Have additional ideas? Add your comments below and let's really get this list growing! Share it with your loved ones if they are struggling with what to get you!
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