Tis the season to be stumped by what to get your friends & family, while frantically trying to come up with good ideas. Does this sound like you? If so, have no fear! I have my new Christmas gift guide ready for 2018 (see 2015 here & 2017 here), and it's chalk full of ideas to get loved ones, or to request for yourself. Perhaps you have a loved one fighting a chronic illness but you don't know what they might need, and if so you are in the right place! All of these gifts are tailored to be unique & useful gifts for those with chronic illnesses, and most are gifts that people often don't think to buy for themselves.
Each year I am working to improve my Gift Guide to make it more user friendly. Below you will find my main Gift Guide, and below that you will see some clickable galleries for $25 and under gifts & $10 and under gifts. I hope you enjoy!
Each year I am working to improve my Gift Guide to make it more user friendly. Below you will find my main Gift Guide, and below that you will see some clickable galleries for $25 and under gifts & $10 and under gifts. I hope you enjoy!
The Clapper Handsfree Light Switch ($18) - Ohh the convenience of clap on/off lights, they make like much easier for those who are drained of energy. In fact you can use this outlet to plug in just about anything, and it operates by the sound of claps. Your TV, lights, fan, etc can all be operated by this & it's a gift that your recipient likely wouldn't think to get themselves. It makes an awesome gift for pretty much anyone, and the price point is also very affordable.
Roku Express Streaming Stick ($29) - Each year streaming sticks get better and better. This Roku Express sticks only needs WiFi, plugs into any TV and boom you're ready to stream 500,000+ movies & TV episodes. This little guy is so easy to take anywhere & is great to have on hand for hospital admissions, out of town Doctor's appointments (can plug into hotel TV's), or when going to visit family. It makes a great gift because absolutely any TV can become a Smart TV with Netflix, Hulu, CW, Youtube & more right at your fingertips. One of the most fun things that Roku offers is an App Store that lets you download games which you can play with a group. Family feud family game night? Check!
Smart Thermostat ($135) - This is a bit pricier, but it's also the ultimate in convenience. I can tell you first hand that sometimes I will be burning up and within 15 minutes I am freezing cold. This isn't uncommon with chronic illness (temperature disregulation), and getting up each time to change the thermostat is a chore. in fact, sometimes it's also physically impossible to get to. For those who have mobility aids (walkers, wheelchairs), it's even more tasking. Having a Wi-Fi thermostat which lets you control it from your smart phone (or Alexa/Google Home), is a game changer. Trust me, the recipient in your life will be extremely grateful. This same concept comes in more expensive options (The Nest), and cheaper options (Thinp), but I like this mid-range priced option.
EMF-Free Ionic Toothbrush System ($22) - I found out about this toothbrush from a friend so I decided to give it a try, and WOW. I had an electric toothbrush for the last 5 years, but I never turned it on. The reason being it was way too intense for my liking. The vibration felt like it was vibrating in my skull, and I hated that. I kept it because the interchangeable brush heads appealed to me, and it felt a little more sturdy than your typical toothbrush. But, I knew I wasn't getting the full plaque busting potential from it. This is where the Ionic Toothbrush comes into play. And what is an Ionic Toothbrush you might ask? Well, it's a toothbrush that uses ions to attract plaque from your teeth, thus giving you an insanely clean feeling. It doesn't vibrate but rather it emits ions which get activated through the bristles when they get wet. It's EMF-Free, silent, has interchangeable brush heads & makes teeth feel squeaky clean. Seriously, my teeth have never felt more clean in my life (except maybe after a professional cleaning). It makes your teeth actually repel plaque & removes up to 48% more plaque than just brushing alone. I can attest to it's greatness, and it makes a great gift for anyone avoiding EMF's while wanting a bright shiny smile. I personally use this toothbrush with the "Heal Thy Mouth" cleaning system from Ora Wellness, which is an all natural tooth powder & oil combo that rebuilds enamel & heals swollen gums.
Dodow Sleep Aid Device ($59) - Oh insomnia, it's such a constant in the lives of so many. You can be tired all day, but as soon as night comes around sleep seems to elude you. The Dodow sleep aid is rather new on the market and has rave reviews all across the board. It's a simple little device that helps you fall asleep by beaming a soothing blue light on your ceiling which pulses. It gives you something to focus on so your brain doesn't wander and you begin to breathe along to the pulse. This slow breathing puts your body into a parasympathetic tone by activating your baroreflex stimulation. The baroflex is triggered by baroreceptors on your aorta & carted arteries, and when you slow down your breathing to the optimal 6 breaths per minute you stimulate it which in turn relaxes you. The device has an 8 and 20 minute session, and automatically turns off when it's finished. Studies have shown that breathing on your own isn't sufficient because the brain naturally starts to wander and becomes distracted. The pulsing blue light gives your brain the needed stimulation to watch and you'll be lulled to sleep in no time! If you know someone struggling with insomnia, or someone who just needs to take some time to relax, then this is the perfect gift!
Portable Puzzleboard & Jigsaw Puzzle ($29+) - Being stuck in bed with a chronic illness is the pits. Sometimes you're stuck there because of pain, sometimes its fatigue, sometimes it's because standing is too difficult, and often its a combination of all of these things. The one thing everyone craves during those times is a distraction. It's why games, movies, etc are so crucial, because otherwise you'll go crazy from the pain. Jigsaw puzzles make an incredible distraction because they stimulate the brain, but most people don't think to do them because they involve a table top. A moveable puzzle board solves all of those problems in one. You can use it to work on a jigsaw puzzle in bed, then move it to a table when you want. You can take it back and forth depending on how you feel on any given day, and it folds up to hold all of your pieces securely. It's also a gift which most people wouldn't think to get themselves, and might not even know exists. Gifting them with a Portable Puzzleboard & a Christmas-themed Jigsaw Puzzle makes a lovely and festive gift.
Programmable Coffee/Tea Maker ($89) - Is there anything better than waking up to a pot of coffee or tea already waiting on you? The correct answer is no, there is nothing sweeter. This programmable coffee maker does it all. You can brew a whole carafe or cup, and it works with ground coffee/loose tea or a K-cup. And best of all you can set a timer before bed and wake up to warm coffee or tea which stays warm as long as you need it. This is the kind of luxury that you never knew you needed in your life until someone gets it for you and then you can't decide how you ever lived without it. Getting out of bed is tough with a chronic illness, whether you have somewhere to be or not. The comfort of a warm tea waiting on you (especially if the smell wafts into your room), is the ticket to the start of a great day. I used to rig the system by placing a candle warmer by my bed, and my lovely parents brought me a tea which I kept warm until I got up. I can confirm that while that worked well it's also possible to make your tea way wayyyy to strong if you oversleep. A machine which does the perfect brewing for you and simply keeps it warm is 10/10 the very best choice.
Etsy Gift Card ($25+) - While this might seem random, hear me out. Etsy is not only an amazing place to buy crafts, homemade gifts & decor, it turns out it's also an amazing place to find bakers and bakeries. My current diet is gluten free & vegan, and I'm always on the hunt for bakeries who are willing to work with me on some substitutions for my allergies. Etsy is perfect for that, because the sellers are almost always willing to work with you to tweak their ingredients to your needs, and are very easily to reach via a quick message. There are a TON of Gluten free & Vegan treats, as well as specialty bakers who make Paleo, AIP, and Keto desserts. There's something for everyone! I have found countless bakeries on Etsy, including some who made Fudge, Vegan Rice Krispy treats, and more recently I found a donut shop that had the most delightful mini donuts. Trust me, if you know someone who is on a limited diet with allergies they are probably also too sick and too tired to bake for themselves, so this will make an amazing gift.
Trendy Medical ID Bracelet ($25+) - I am a huge advocate of everyone with a chronic illness owning a Medical ID Bracelet. Do you have medicine reactions, allergies, or a condition which is vital for an EMT or Doctor to know in an Emergency? If so, having a Medical ID can quite literally save your life when you can't speak for yourself. However, I also understand that most Medical ID's on the market are not cute, and so people don't want to wear them. I went to school for fashion, I am very understanding of how unappealing tacky jewelry is. But have no fear, there is a solution! My favorite Medical ID company is Lauren's Hope because they are a family created business with an in house jeweler who designs the most stunning pieces. They are gorgeous while still showing the Medical ID tag which EMT's and Physicians can spot. These ID's have vital information on it such as any medical reactions, conditions, and who to call in an Emergency. These bracelets (or necklaces) are available for Men, Women, and Kids & are so well made. I own 2 bracelets as well as a purse tassel myself, and have my eye on a few more. These make a great gift for anyone who likely wouldn't spend the money to buy it for themselves but could benefit from the safety of owning one.
Instant Pot ($79) - If you've heard the hooplah over Instant Pot's and you're wondering if it lives up the hype, I am here to give you a resounding yes. If you're new to Instant Pot's then let me sum it up by saying it's easily the best kitchen appliance ever created. In essence it is a pressure cooker, but in reality its much more than that. You dump your ingredients into this magical pot, close the lid, turn it on to cook and then rest/nap/hang out until it finishes and your meal is ready to go. It is not like a crock pot, because an Instant Pot uses pressure to cook and therefore speeds cooking times up tenfold. For example you can cook an entire pot of pasta in 4 minutes. FOUR. Chicken? 7-8 mins. Not to mention the flavor you get from the pressure cooking will make you think you marinated the chicken for hours beforehand. Another bonus? All the smell stays in one place, so if you are sensitive to cooking smells taking over the house (like I am), then it keeps all the smell inside this pot. The real highlight though is just how easy it is to make food with it, and what a life saver it is for low energy. I myself have easily made honey garlic chicken and felt like such a chef. It took me at most 10 mins of prep and made enough for leftovers. There are thousands of recipes on Pinterest for Instant Pot ideas, and even a few cookbooks on the market as well. This is a gift that would improve the life of someone who doesn't always have the energy to cook, and it will revolutionize their kitchen.
Weighted Blanket ($90-$200 ) - By now you're probably tired of reading this list, so I am going to keep this one short and sweet. Weighted Blankets are blankets which have a weight to them (10-20lbs), and work by applying deep pressure to the body which releases serotonin and other neurotransmitters that promote a sense of relaxation. Weighted Blankets are used for children with ADHD by calming their sympathetic nervous system down, and thus calming down their overstimulation. It is also used to help anxiety, insomnia, and more. I can't possibly recommend my blanket more highly, it has greatly improved my life. I will say that these blankets do come in various price points and if you are wondering what the difference is between the cheaper vs pricier varieties, it typically comes down to a few factors. The pricier ones use Organic Cotton and other materials which are softer, are personally hand stitched, have higher quality beads and better weight distribution. The price also varies depending on which weight you choose (15lbs is the most common). With that being said, any Weighted Blanket is worlds better than no blanket for someone who is suffering with symptoms.
$25 And Under
$10 And Under
xoxo,
Christina
Christina
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