Jenny Buying for someone with a chronic illness this holiday season? Or even treating yourself? Here is my A – Z Chronic Illness Gift Guide!
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A
Aromatherapy oils – can be used to refresh or relax
Adult Colouring Book – to zone out
Acupressure Insoles – to help relieve fatigue
How about some Affirmation Cards to remind them how capable and strong they are? I love these by YesMum.
One of the best things that I have gifted myself this year is an Audible membership. It has helped me to reach my Good Reads target of reading 25 books in a year and, not only that, it has made me realise just how lovely it is to listen to a good book whilst lying on the sofa or pottering about the house.
B
Books
Body Support Pillow – often used in pregnancy, they can also be great for back and leg pain
Bath Bombs
C
Cleaner for a day
Craft Supplies for artistic friends who enjoy being creative
A Cold Hat can be especially useful for migraine sufferers
Chilly’s Bottles can keep drinks cold for 24 hours and drinks hot for 12, perfect for those having a ‘low energy’ day who just want to rest in bed or on the sofa
Clip-on earrings – often easier than pierced for those with clumsy hands and fingers
D
Diary – for those who like to be organised and keep a note of appointments and important dates. Papier’s ones are cute
A Day Out – remembering to make it refundable in case of health/energy needs
E
Electric Tin Opener – this one comes with a ring pull, bottle and jar openers. I don’t know how I live without mine, especially as my MS hands sometimes don’t want to work at all!
Epsom Salts for a soothing bath
‘Every Eventuality’ Basket – one of the best gifts I ever received was a magazine, some yarn, crochet hooks, fluffy socks, a drink (mine was a mini-bottle of prosecco) and a hot water bottle. So much thought had gone into it.
F
(Mini) Fridge – to keep everything cool to hand in the bedroom/sitting room
Food Processor – makes easy work of chopping, blending and mixing, saving hands and fingers that may not work so well
(Monthly) Flowers – a little monthly treat
Film Box – add in a favourite film, snacks and drinks to give a gift of a lovely night in
G
Gift voucher for a home-based treatment – a facial or manicure in their own home means they get the treat without having to struggle outside of the house
Games
Graze Box – a weekly delivery of delicious snacks, straight to their door
Grabber Tool – I never realised until I looked into it how useful a grabber tool is! The one I linked to has a shoehorn and magnetic tips to get things like dropped coins and keys and can grab items weighing up to 2 lbs.
H
Hot Water Bottle
I
Infusion Water Bottle – make water a bit more interesting
An Ice Towel to keep them cool
Immersion hand blender – whizz up soups and smoothies in no time
Incense
Insulated bag for food – great if the receiver knows it is going to be a bed/sofa day
Infrared therapy lamp – to ease muscle aches and joint stiffness
J
Journal – check out the V&A shop for some lovely ones
Jarred Gifts
Jenga – a low energy spoonie activity that the recipient can play with a loved one
Jigsaw Puzzle – something to concentrate on in dribs and drabs as energy allows
Jar of Strength/Smiles – available here or make one yourself!
K
Knitting Needles – for those ‘needle and hook’ crafties
Adapted Kitchen Utensils – although not the most glamorous, sometimes little changes can make a big difference in carrying out everyday tasks
Kindle – to always have a book on the go
L
Loungewear – you can never have too many comfy clothes sets
Lightbox – my ex-mother-in-law swears by hers to counteract the symptoms of SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder)
Light therapy torch device for muscle and joint pain
Lidded mug or wineglass. Great for picnics, the garden or those of us who are a bit wobbly so liquids aren’t spilt
M
Meal subscription – There is an abundance of meal subscription services, where you can have pre-planned meals delivered to your door – such as Hello Fresh, Mindful Chef and Gousto. They still require some cooking but they can mean less food waste and, often important to someone with a chronic illness, less need for meal planning.
Meditation – many meditation apps offer a yearly or even lifetime subscription so that your recipient can have a moment of calmness every day. Check out Calm and Headspace.
Massage – an experience rather than a physical present, but one that would be relished by someone with an achy body.
N
Neck Warmer – targetted heat for pain relief
For those who have a low-fat diet, cooking without oil is a lot easier with a non-stick pan
Noise-cancelling headphones – these are almost half-price for a limited time and can be a great way to listen to music, audiobooks and podcasts and drown out other noises for the sensory-sensitive
O
Oodie – a ‘wearable blanket’? Yes, please 🙂 Here are some dupes that are half price.
Oil Diffuser – your recipient can choose oils to help them sleep or to help provide energy
A cosy onesie
The Ocean (pic/candle etc) – your loved one might not be able to access the beach or live near the sea, but a picture of the water or a blue ‘sea salt’ candle may be the next best thing.
P
Pressure Cooker – meals are made in record time, saving precious ‘spoons‘, some can also be used as a slow cooker
Playlist – A thoughtful way to show someone you are thinking of them. Why not put on some songs that encourage strength?
Planner – to help keep track of everyday tasks and appointments. Or creative types might love the idea of a bullet journal
Pill Organiser
Q
A cosy and gorgeous quilt to make their bed extra inviting
Quiet Time – I would have loved this whilst I had small children, so if your loved one has kids, what about offering babysitting duties and taking the kids out of the house for a while?
One Question a Day – a 5-year journal – to reflect daily and look back on how the answers change
R
Restaurant Voucher
Roll-on aromatherapy pulse point oil
S
These wireless sleep headphones can also be used as an eye mask
Spa day
Spotify – give the gift of music
T
Takeaway – a gift of no-prep dinner
Teas – perfect to enjoy a cup of ‘me time’, aid digestion (peppermint) and restful sleep
(Bed) Tray – to make it easier for those who need to stay in bed
U
Under-eye treatment mask to rejuvenate tired eyes
Ultimate Sleep-Easy Kit – make up a homemade kit with relaxing pillow spray, chamomile tea and lavender bath foam/lotion
V
(Robot) Vacuum Cleaner – to clean whilst resting
Video Streaming Subscription
W
A Weighted Blanket – can melt away anxiety and encourage a calm, restful sleep
X
X Marks the Spot – an easy around-the-house treasure hunt that leads to a special gift
Y
Yoga books or online class – there are some really restorative classes or books especially for those with chronic illness, I previously reviewed books by Kayla Kurin that are aimed at those with chronic illness and Kayla also offers online classes especially aimed at those with chronic health needs. Yoga for Insomnia? Yoga for Chronic Pain? Sound good.
Yummy Treats
Z
Zipped clothing/coats – often easier than those with buttons
Zen Garden – to give the gift of meditative, peaceful quietness.
I hope that this Chronic Illness Gift Guide gives you some ideas for your friends, family or even yourself.
Love and light
Brilliant!
I have the wedge pillow and the weighted blanket. A lidded wine glass and a film box and I’m set.
Great list, thank you for putting it together.
Ben
Thanks Ben :). A wedge pillow is definitely on my Christmas list. I already have the lidded wine glass 😉