The Ultimate Christmas Gift Guide For Your Friends And Family With Disabilities
With Nochebuena and Dia de Los Tres Reyes Magos right around the corner, you’re probably scrambling to figure out what your family and friends want. Gift giving is a little difficult in general but if you have disabled family or friends or you’re disabled and what to get yourself something nice, you may not know what gifts will make someone happy while also being accessible for them. Some of these gifts may seem simple but you’d be surprised just how great they are at improving disabled people’s lives! Here are 20-holiday gifts for your disabled familia y amigxs!
1) Electric Blankets
Most likely where you live, it’s going to be cold during the winter months…unless your from the hell hole that is Florida. Literally, it’s always hot there. Anyway, sometimes during the cold months la cobija just doesn’t cut it at keeping you warm. And for someone that’s disabled, the cold can trigger painful symptoms such as tight joints. Electric blankets are the perfect gift for someone disabled in your life who needs that extra warmth for their body to relax. And don’t worry, electric blankets have come a long way and have timers built in that turn them off after a few hours.
2) Vogmask
Credit: Instagram // @vogmask
Looking at these masks, you may be confused about what it is and why anyone would want to cover their face. Sensitivity/allergic reactions to scents are very common among disabled people. And during the holidays when your mami is preparing the house for family and using cleaning supplies like fabuloso, it can mean abrasive scents for some. Vogmasks not only cover a person’s face, but they have a little filter to help eliminate scents. It’s a simple, small gift that will help your disabled family or friends participate in activities and help without worrying about their health!
3) Phone Stand
Just because someone is disabled doesn’t mean they can’t be a chismosa! And the easiest way to stay up to date on the latest chisme is using your phone to get on social media. Holding phones though can be difficult if someone has joint issues in their hands. This little stand would make a great stocking stuffer for the chismosa in your life without worry of them injuring their hands and it’s pretty affordable!
4) Hello Fresh Or Any Food Services
Credit: Instagram // @hellofresh
Everyone likes to eat, and nothing beats Nochebuena when you’re stuffing your face with pasteles, arroz con frijoles negros, tostones and pernil! But cooking can be draining and often inaccessible for a lot of disabled people. A lot of food services have online gift cards where you can send someone in your life a free meal and they can have fresh ingredients delivered to them with ease and start cooking! The perfect accessible healthy cooking gift!
5) Weighted Blankets
Similar to electric blankets, weighted blankets will have anyone feeling safe and comforted. Weighted blankets were created for Autistic people but are now being used for a wide range of disabilities. If you have someone in your life that lives far away and can’t come home for the holidays, this little gift will comfort them while they sleep and is a nice reminder that you’re with them, giving them a hug.
6) Foot Massager
Being on your feet all day helping Mami so you never hear her say “Nadie me ayuda en esta casa” can be very draining, especially if you’re disabled. If someone has poor circulation in their feet, they swell adding to the pain. But this compact foot massager is a dream come true for anyone disabled! Just stick your feet in and you’ll feel like you’re at those fancy spas you see in novelas.
7) Gift Cards For Makeup, Yes Please!
Just because someone is disabled doesn’t mean they don’t like dolling up for celebrations! Sometimes though finding makeup products, someone likes can be challenging but if you know where someone likes to get their makeup, but them a gift card to that place! Also, many gifts cards can be used for online shopping, making getting makeup way more accessible. But make sure the gift card is a good amount, it takes a lot to look this good!
8) Smart Devices For The House
A lot of people loving using smart devices for their homes like the Echo Dot, Google Home or the Apple HomePod. It makes it easy to play music, set timers and search online for answers when your know it all hermana starts talking about something she heard at school. But this gift will also be great for your disabled family/friends for days when they are stuck in bed. Being in bed all day may seem like a vacation but for disabled people, it can be boring and isolating. With these devices, it can make recovering fun with music or using the devices to turn on and off lights. All this tech will do wonders for a disabled person!
9) Drinks That Are Safe!
Now, this gift might be given a little early before people usually exchange presents but if you’re hosting a Nochebuena or having an office holiday party, this gift is kind and lets your disabled family/friend know you thought of them and want them to still feel included with the party. A lot of disabilities require a person not to drink, either because of the disability itself or the medication, someone may be on. Partake Brewing Non-Alcoholic IPA was created just for that. Ted Fleming, the creator who also has Crohn’s Disease, created these IPAs for those who want the taste of beer without harming their health. They’re a great gift for anyone and can mean a lot to a person receiving it if they love drinking but can’t anymore.
10) BearHugs Care Package
Credit: Instagram // @bearhugsgifts
Sometimes travelling during the holidays can be difficult for disabled people, and they may not make it home to see you. A lot deal with guilt but these little care packages that are made to send love and comfort is a great reminder that you’re thinking of them. The creator who is also disabled made them after her disability kept her at home and having friends send her care packages really helped her in difficult times.
Get BearHugs Care Package here!
11) Coloring Books
If you think coloring books are only for your little primxs to keep them busy, think again! So many adults are using coloring books to zone out and relax, and disabled people are included in that. Giving coloring books to your disabled family/friends will be a gift that keeps on giving throughout the next year. Coloring books come in handy while waiting in doctor’s offices or recovering in the hospital. They’re light, easy to use and fun no matter what!
12) Audiobooks
Credit: Instagram // @audible
Audiobooks are the easiest things to give someone disabled and you don’t even have to drive anywhere to get it to them! Services like Audible have online gift options where you can help someone sign up and pay for however months they want to use it. Audiobooks are a great accessibility gift for those who can’t read traditional books either because they’re visually impaired or they process information better when it’s spoken out loud.
13) Noise Canceling Headphones
Noise cancelling headphones is the perfect gift when you’re tired of hearing your Tia ask “y el novio?” but they’re also a great gift for your disabled loved one for when the house gets a little too loud during gatherings, and it will. A lot of disabled people can feel a sensory overload especially during a party, these headphones allow them to have some quiet time especially if they can’t actually leave. And since they double as headphones to use for listening to music or watching movies, it’s a gift that keeps on giving.
Get Noise Canceling Headphones here!
14) The Calming Jar
This gift is a little cheap DIY for your disabled loved one but so beneficial. Similar to what was explained in number 13, sensory overload is common during celebrations. Sometimes disabled people need something calming to relax them, this little jar is just that. All you need is a plastic or glass jar, some uncooked frijoles and that’s it! You pour the frijoles into the, put the lid on and gift it. Tell whomever you’re giving it to that when they’re stressed or overwhelmed to put the hand in the jar. The concept is similar to when you’re at the mercado and put your hands in the frijoles, you know what I’m talking about! It feels amazing and is very calming.
Get a jar and frijoles at any mercado!
15) Bath Bombs
Credit: Instagram // @lushcosmetics
We all love a good warm, cozy bath after a long and stressful day. Bath are also great for disabled people who have achy joints and swell. Thankfully bath game has improved and now you can get bath bombs everywhere! They’re simple and pretty inexpensive depending on where you go and can make any disabled person incredibly happy!
16) Face Masks
Credit: Instagram // @april.simoneee
Nothing says “treat yourself mija” like a nice face mask. Any face mask will work for your disabled loved one, the peel-off masks are great though for a great sensory experience. They’re small enough to be the perfect stocking stuffer. Just be sure to check to make sure that whomever you give it to, they’re not allergic to any of the ingredients.
17) Lyft And Uber Gift Cards
Lot of disabled people rely on Lyft and Uber to get around considering owning a car can be expensive and all cars don’t come with hand control accommodations. Lyft and Uber have features that are for disabled people that use mobility aids and are perfect for your disabled friends to use to keep their independence. A gift card for them goes a long way and will help out with doctor visits, hanging out or anything that comes up!
Get a Lyft and/or Uber gift card here!
18) #DisabledAndCute Accessories
Credit: Instagram // @misstheabella
Nothing shows more that you support your disabled family/friends then getting them disability pride merch! Of course, some disabled people may not be comfortable with showing pride, for those in your life that are, cute enamel pins, shirts or patches are a great accessory for your disabled loved one to show the world who they are while looking cute!
19) The Vamp Stamp
Credit: Instagram // @the_vampstamp
As mentioned before, a lot of disabled people like wearing makeup to give them that extra boost for the day. There’s one lookthroughh that gives both disabled people and abled difficulty when applying makeup, and that’s the fierce cat eye. But this product, created by a fellow disabled person, helps anyone achieve the cat eye. It’s a stamp that allows you to put on your favorite eyeliner and create a perfect cat eye with ease. It’s great for those who may have shakey hands and trust me, your disabled loved one will adore it!
20) Mitu Barrio Box
This gift is perfect for you disabled amigx who lives away from home. This adorable box is filled with Latinx goodies and is accessible because it can delivered right to where they live! You may miss them during the holidays but you can send a piece of home straight to them!
All of these gifts are great for any disabled loved one you may have and show you truly care for them and their disability! Happy Holidays!
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