It's hard to believe that Christmas is already just around the corner again. I know I say this every year, but it always sneaks up on me just the same! I did a Holiday Gift Guide 2 years ago, but I thought it was time to do an updated version. I have so many new items I love which I think your friends/family will love too! It can be difficult to think of unique or useful items for those with a chronic illness, but have no fear I've got a bunch of fun ideas to share! I put a lot of thought, time and research into this list, so I hope that you all love it as much as I do.
The items on this list will range in price, and all of the items are things I own, have personally used, and bought with my own money. None of these items were sent to me for free, etc. So, let's just jump into it!
The items on this list will range in price, and all of the items are things I own, have personally used, and bought with my own money. None of these items were sent to me for free, etc. So, let's just jump into it!
Phone Soap 3.0 ($54): Having a Chronic Illness also often comes with a lowered immune system. And getting sick or catching a virus is also much more dangerous for those individuals. Did you know that the average cellphone has almost 18x more bacteria on it than a public bathroom?? We wash our hands, but we don't think about how our phone is everywhere collecting germs. So even if we clean our hands, our phones are still a breeding ground for all kinds of bacteria which can make us really sick! This is where Phone Soap is genius because it's a convenient little box that you simply put you phone into, and using UV lights it disinfects your phone within 5 minutes. PhoneSoap 2.0 is scientifically proven & tested by independent third party laboratories to kill 99.9% of germs such as staph, e. coli and salmonella. It also has a universal phone charger port for charging iPhone's, Androids, etc. It's large enough to fit any sized phone! I have one in my room and one in my living room, and our whole family uses it daily. If there is ONE gift I urge you to get above all the rest, it's this one.
Essential Oil Diffuser ($29): I adore essential oils, and there is always a diffuser running in my home from morning to night (with varying oil combos). Most people with chronic illnesses are sensitive to chemicals and perfumed scents, but the great news is the pure essential oils (such as Young Living), smell incredible and don't trigger MCS. Even the most sensitive individual like myself has no issues with EO's, and I use them each and every day. A nice diffuser makes a beautiful gift for enjoying aromatherapy. For example diffusing lavender can help to calm and relax, while diffusing something like the Thieves blend can keep germs from spreading. There are many different diffusers on the market today, but I love the Ultrasonic variety because they are very quiet and give out an ultra fine and smooth mist. As a bonus it works as a humidifier for very dry air (common in wintertime). What I love about this particular model is that it holds 300ml of water, which means it can run for 10 hours straight. A lot of diffusers hold less and have to be refilled every 4-6 hours, which is a drag. This model can be filled up in the morning and get you through the whole day. It comes in 3 varieties of wood grain and has a band of light which can be turned on or off, and can be switched to 7 different colors. It's a beautiful sturdy machine, and makes a wonderful soothing gift.
EMF Blocking Jewelry: EMF's are electromagnetic fields, which are emitted from all electrical devices. Often times, those with a chronic illness are extremely sensitive to these, and it tends to make them feel much worse off. I know personally that once I lowered the amount of EMF's that got to my body I felt a genuine change. In the world we live in it's nearly impossible to stop all EMF's unless you unplug everything in your house, so these wearable jewelry pieces are amazing and convenient. I have the REN pendant which is stylish and can easily be worn anywhere. They work by blocking EMF's in a radius around itself, therefore keeping you protected at all times. These can be kind of pricey but worth every penny, and is often a gift that those with a chronic illness wouldn't splurge on for themselves.
Amazon Fire HD Tablet ($39-$59): Let's face it, iPads are extremely useful but also very expensive. It's not easy for anyone to splurge $400+ on one. However, having a small easy convenient tablet to use in bed comes very much in handy for those who spend more of their time in bed/resting. The Fire Tablet is the perfect size, has absolutely everything you need, and is actually more durable than the iPad which can make this a great gift for younger kiddos too. The newest Fire 8 is priced at $59 and has an HD screen, where the Fire 7 is priced at $39 and the only thing its missing is the HD screen. They both allow the user to enjoy millions of movies, TV shows, songs, eBooks, apps and games - including Netflix, Facebook, HBO, Spotify, and more. They both come with Alexa for quick access to the information and entertainment you want. Ask questions, play music, check your calendar, get the news, weather, and more - just press the home button and ask Alexa. The convenience of this can not be understated! They both have a 2 MP rear-facing camera for taking photos or recording 720p HD video. The front-facing VGA camera is perfect for Skype calls with friends and family. It offers convenience and endless entertainment.. what more could you want?! This makes for a stunning gift that looks much pricier than it really is. When someone is hurting or sick, a distraction is often the very best gift of all.
Cambridge Mask & Vogmask ($30-$35): Both of these masks have the same design and the same purpose in mind, which is to filter airborne particles. When you have a compromised immune system, the winter time can be especially terrifying because of all the viruses and bacteria being passed around. The purpose of these masks are to keep the wearer protected and safe from dust, pollen and contaminants by filtering the air through it's carbon filter. The Vogmask is very popular (one of my best friends loves hers), and while I haven't tried that yet, I do own a Cambridge Mask. I chose the Cambridge Mask because it has lab tested military grade filtration technology which filters almost 100% (99.6%) of pollution, gases, and bacteria and viruses. It guarantees protection against gases, smells, all PM; PM2.5, PM0.3, pollen, smoke and pathogens such as viruses and bacteria. However, Vogmask confirmed that it does not eliminate the risk of infections or filter out pathogens, does not filter out smells. and it's only purpose is to filter dust and allergens such as pollen or smoke. In my case, I wanted a mask that did it ALL. The Cambridge Mask has been incredible for me, and I feel safe wearing it knowing that if my nurse coughs or sneezes then I am protected. I also love that it helps to filter strong odor (great for MCS), and dust/allergens (great for MCAS). This makes a great gift because it's practical and yet something which many with a chronic illness can't budget for. It comes in a range of sizes for kids up to adults, and both have a 30 day money back guarantee.
Caffeine-Free Coffee & Mug ($10-$30): If you know someone who has had to give up caffeine and coffee then this will make them SO happy. I was a fellow coffee addict, and it was terrible for my heart and body to drink it. I eventually had to give it up and I missed it dearly at first. Then I found Teeccino (a caffeine free coffee alternative), and everything changed. I am not lying when I say it tastes identical to coffee in my latte's and it's perfect. It brews exactly like coffee in any coffee maker or French press. They have many flavors and varieties, including their regular blend and their gluten-free collection. I suggest gifting the Gluten-Free Variety Pack to friends who are restricting gluten, and the Classic Variety Pack for those who are not (you can also buy singles of classic and gluten-free). Pair it with a cute holiday reindeer mug, a chic Lenox mug and you are all set. It's a cozy gift and one which can really make someone's day who has been missing coffee so much, or someone who is trying to cut down on their coffee intake.
Cozyphones ($17-$19): Having a chronic illness likely means spending quite a bit of time in lying down or resting. I often keep myself company/distracted by listening to audiobooks, music, news, meditation or YouTube videos. I also hate how regular earphones feel in my ears. The small ones hurt my ears and the larger headphones are bulky and uncomfortable, especially in bed. Cozyphones are the best because they are soft fleece headbands which have the headphones built in. They just gently lie on your ears (protected by the fleece), and it feels like an absolute dream. They are great for anytime, whether it's in bed resting, going to sleep, going for a walk, or anything in between. They can also be worn pulled down as an eye mask which is pretty nifty. This is cute gift which people often don't think of buying for themselves, but would love to receive. They come in adult sizes and also children's sizes and styles (which are SO cute)! And if you are looking for an add on gift to this I recommend an Audible gift membership, so they can instantly buy and listen to any audiobook they desire.
Beautyrest Heated Wrap ($22-54): Heating pads are one thing, and heated blankets are another. But right in the middle you have a Heated Wrap, which is essentially likes a poncho or large wrap (with pockets) that is heated. It feels like a giant warm hug. I got one of these for my mom last Christmas and she absolutely loves it. It's great if you tend to be chilly, but equally great if you have body wide pain because it's large. It's a lightweight soft fleece so it's not heavy or bogged down. The cord it comes with it quite long so you don't have to be right by an outlet to use it. There are less expensive options on the market, but this one works great and is bigger than the competitors which is why I love it. Heat is always a win/win situation.
Meal Delivery Service ($30-$70): This gift list addition was a suggestion from a friend, and as soon as I heard it I went "well duh, why didn't I think of that?!" My family has been using HomeChef almost every week for at least 2 years now. It's great because there are a ton of options and they all contain a protein (meat or vegetarian options), and a veggie dish. Some items have gluten and dairy but they can easily be subbed. It's fresh, delicious, dependable. For someone who has a Chronic Illness, the ease of having an entire dinner sent to your doorstep can be a life saver. These meal delivery kits ship all fresh ingredients and take under 30 minutes to make. Since we use HomeChef I have a referral link which you can find here, and you will get $30 off your first delivery which covers 4 servings of meals. However, I am also going to link other options below. I have not used these, so I can't personally vouche for them.
Hello Fresh - Blue Apron - Green Chef - Plated - Freshly - Peach Dish - Premade Paleo - Purple Carrot -
Hello Fresh - Blue Apron - Green Chef - Plated - Freshly - Peach Dish - Premade Paleo - Purple Carrot -
Compression Stockings ($8-$20): Back in the day when I was diagnosed with POTS and prescribed compression socks there were 0 cute options on the market. But now compression socks have gone mainstream and that means a much larger range of sizes, colors, and designs. Compression socks are used to help with circulation, and since I am terrible at explaining how it works, I'm going to paraphrase from Berkeley Wellness: "Blood in your veins has to work against gravity to flow back to the heart. Anything that impedes that flow—such as circulation problems, lack of movement (especially in a chronic illness) or a health condition (POTS) results in blood pooling in the veins of the lower legs or feet, leading to leg swelling, tachycardia, and fainting. By squeezing the leg tissues and walls of the veins, compression stockings can help blood in the veins return to the heart." In short, they make life a whole lot easier for many people with chronic illnesses, and since they're now so stylish it's a win/win.
These are extra cute with tons of designs to pick from - These are colorful and come in a 7 pack - These are the most affordable single pair of the bunch. There are tons to pick from depending on the recipient!
These are extra cute with tons of designs to pick from - These are colorful and come in a 7 pack - These are the most affordable single pair of the bunch. There are tons to pick from depending on the recipient!
Gifts Under $25
Below is a quick visual gallery of some cozy "stocking-stuffers" that are inexpensive and useful. They are an assortment of cozy items which are perfect for gifting, and all under $25! I chose items which people wouldn't usually think to buy for themselves, including items like a mini pre-lit Christmas tree that is perfect for a bedroom to cheer up someone who is bed-bound. Click on the item in the photo to go directly to it.
Gifts From The Community
I asked you all, my readers, to contact me if you own a business or sell any items that you hand make. This is the part of the gift guide where I will highlight those shops/items. I haven't personally bought all these items (unless noted). If you'd like to be included or featured here, please send me an email.
 Monsoon Design Studios ($20-$30): Braedon hand makes the most cutest beaded bracelets. The shop has a wide varieties of colors and styles, and features some which say 'Lyme' and 'Warrior' that can be worn as awareness bracelets. You can contact the shop owner for questions as she custom makes each piece. I ordered one of these bracelets myself, and I got the one which says 'Lyme.' The Etsy shop also features options for custom names, which would make a great gift for anyone. |  VanBreeman Family ($20-25): Jennifer VanBreeman and her family created these items to raise money for their daughter's Lyme treatment. They don't have an active site up for selling the items just yet, but they take custom orders via email (vanbreemenmom@gmail.com) so please contact there! T-shirts, Hats, Shoes $20 + shipping. Leggings $25 + shipping. |
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