Hi everyone!
I did a similar post to this last year and actually a lot of people found it really useful. When opening some of my gifts I could clearly see they had paid attention. Some even said thanks for the ideas. So bring on a post where I shall be dropping some very big hints haha (ahem Pasha Kovalev please!). I did contemplate whether or not to create a gift guide again for this year but seen as I seem to have mistakingly deleted last years post that pushed me into deciding that I would create another for this year. Plus many of the items on last years might not have been available anymore. Having said that I want to point out that these are all just gift ideas, and the photos and links are mainly for reference. Click the title next to each number to be directed to the item. So for example if you see an eye mask or pair of pyjamas that you feel are more suited to the person you are buying for then of course opt for those ones. But hopefully this gift guide will help you to purchase a lovely gift that will mean a lot to the spoonie in your life and give you an idea what to look for.
* A Spoonie is a nickname of sorts for someone that suffers from a chronic illness. In reference to Christine Miserandino's Spoon theory.
* All photos are taken from the websites referenced
Spoonie Essentials
1. Kindle Perfect if they enjoy reading but struggle to manage books. Kindles are lightweight and the touch screen ones make them even easier to use.
2. Kindle Fire All the joy of a kindle but with more apps and internet access. As well as letting you watch films. Great all in one. If you want one lightweight device for multiple purposes.
3. Mug All female spoonies are wonder women. But any mug with a great saying or cute design that matches their personality or interests is a great gift and helps bring a little smile to their day.
4. lunch boxes Great for keeping snacks in their room so they'e easily accessible and fresh.
5. Electric Heat pad Perfect for keeping warm and helping ease pain. Without the hassle of having to refill a hot water bottle. Plus you can lie on this to help soothe back pain. As well as adjust the heat setting. You can read my post on my Dreamland heat pad here.
6. Starbucks Cocoa Duo As we can't always get out, being able to have our favourite hot drinks at home is a simple pleasure.
7. Book of Mindfulness Mindfulness can be a great technique in helping promote calm and acceptance. It can really help you cope with stress.
8. Eye Mask Great for light sensitivity and helping to get promote sleep. A mask with a funny message on it, is a fun touch too. Opt for one with a better strap, the ones with elastic that look like a hair bobble can be uncomfortable and cause pain.
9. Snack box Snacks are always handy, especially if we are unable to use the kitchen. This one is a vegan one but there are many to choose from, from retro sweets to gluten free. And these boxes are great for introducing us to new snack ideas.
10. Hot water bottle As great as heat pads are sometimes you still need a hot water bottle too. Especially if you're on the move.
11. This Works dream team set or bigger version here A lavendar spray and roll on are great for helping to promote calm and sleep. As well as help headaches. The mini ones are perfect for travelling too.
12. Colouring Book Colouring books are the latest trend in mindfulnes and calming techniques. There are a a whole range at The Works from animals to Game of Thrones and some come as a set with pens, find them here
1. Notebooks Whether we need to write down our symptoms or remind ourselves to do something notebooks are very useful. Especially if they're a blogger too.
2. Diary To help organize and remember all the appointments etc. Brain fog can't be trusted.
3. Line a day diary This kind of diary can really help you see how far you have come over the years.
4. Twinings tea set If they are a tea fan getting them a selection of their favourites is a lovely treat.
5. Big bag Whenever we leave the house we usually need to take a lot with us so a big bag is a must.
6. Spoons Because spoons are always needed. Especially if there's dessert.
7. Wheat wrap Again in addition to a heat pad, these microwaveable wraps are great for neck pain or for lying on. And their lavendar smell can help relaxation too.
8. Lap tray Great for using your laptop in bed or even eating your meals in bed without burning your legs. Or making a mess!
Pampering gifts
Everyone deserves a good pamper, especially when you feel rubbish. Again think about their capabilities, if they can have a bath or a shower. Also think about their skin type. A lot of spoonie's will get dry skin stuck indoors a lot or have sensitive skin so select products with this in mind.
4. Zoella Beauty Cosy Toesy set Plus you get a cosy pair of socks. A spoonie must.
6. Bath Salts
Crafty gifts
If the spoonie in your life enjoys getting their craft on or would like to take up a new hobby, then here's some kits to help them create some masterpieces.
Alternatively if you enjoy crafts then making them a personalised gift, made especially for them is really meaningful.
Nightwear
For people that spend a lot of time in bed or resting you can't go far wrong with nightwear.
1. Pyjama set
6. Slippers
8. Cosy Blanket
Vouchers
Sometimes vouchers really are the best way to go. Especially if you are unsure what they would like or need. Obviously the type of voucher can depend on whether they are housebound etc. Not much use in a spa voucher if they can't leave the house at all. Here's some suggestions:
Itunes
Netflix
Snack boxes
Restaurant vouchers
Beauty boxes
Especially for Spoonies
I also wanted to point you in the direction of two fantastic small businesses that are ran by two chronically ill friends of mine, that specialise in great gifts for spoonies or in fact any one in need of some tlc and a pick me up. But you also have the added perk of supporting small businesses and gifts that are more personal and meaningful.
Each kit contains items to make the recipient smile and cope a little easier with the onslaught of chronic illness. Proceeds also go towards ME charities.
There are several different 'hugs' to receive from colouring to a movie night theme. So you can tailor your hug to the recipient.
Or you can make up your own personalised hampers full of their favourite things or on a specific theme. Below I've shown some ideas from Pinterest:
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| Source: Pinterest |
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| Source: Pintetest |
Wantfeed
Alternatively you can always set up a wantfeed account, which is an online wish list where you can list all the things you want from hundreds of different stores. That way people know what you would really want. You can even make money if someone buys that item by clicking buy and using the unique link. You can make separate lists for different ocassions like birthdays or Christmas. Set up a wanfeed here. You can see my wantfeed on the following link http://wantfeed.com/Queenie/wants
Finally I just want to make a quick note about wrapping your gifts. Take into consideration that some spoonies will struggle to open gifts. Whether they have painful hands or wrists or simply don't have the strength or energy. So consider using a gift box or bag. Or if you do wrap go easy on the cellotape, or use cheaper paper that's thinner and easier to rip.
I hope this post has been useful and that it's given you some gift ideas. Spoonies be sure to share this post if you want to give friends and family some hints.
Sian
Great post Sian and I can't praise mindfulness enough.
ReplyDeleteA very small point that I always tell those who buy me pajamas is to make sure that they have short sleeves as then I can use them in hospital when I'm on a drip without having to roll up a sleeve leaving a painful band around my upper arm. ;-)
Cath xx
Thank you. This is a really good point. I often find I dismiss sets with shorter sleaves in Winter but actually this piece of wisdom may come in handy. Thank you for the tip.x
DeleteGreat guide queenie, you can't go wrong with pjs and comfort pieces!
ReplyDelete