Holiday Gift Ideas for the Disability and Chronic Illness Community

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wrapped gift boxes with ribbons on table

by Erin Vallely, Advocacy Specialist

NOTE: THE SUGGESTIONS IN THIS GUIDE ARE ONLY IDEAS TO CONSIDER AND ATI DOES NOT PROFIT OFF ANY RESULTING PURCHASES 

For many individuals, gift giving to those with disabilities and chronic illnesses can be a challenge because limitations can keep people from engaging in activities they used to enjoy or want to try.  People facing mobility, sensory, or energy difficulties may face additional barriers to accessing things they need and enjoy. For example, physical tasks and hobbies can be difficult if you have mobility problems.  Someone with sensory difficulties may find outings too stressful even if they want to partake in activities.  Others with limited energy might get too tired to engage in activities they enjoy without support.  Open conversation and some creativity go a long way in giving a meaningful gift. 

Tips for Talking about Meaningful Gift Giving 

While surprises are often considered part of the fun of gift giving, open discussions about what people truly need and want can strengthen relationships.  Disabled and chronically ill people may appreciate non-traditional gifts that make their lives easier or decrease the financial burdens they face.  Most people would be thrilled if you approached them beforehand to ask what would be most helpful and enjoyable.  Open the conversation by explaining that you want to do something that will truly make their lives easier or more enjoyable and encourage them to be honest about their needs and wants.  Regardless of your budget or their situation, you can do something that will be meaningful to them.   

Gift Ideas by Category 

There are great gifts for everyone on your list this holiday season.  Things that people would benefit from or enjoy can have financial barriers to use because living with disabilities and / or chronic illnesses is expensive.  Intentional gift giving shows that we’re valued members of our social network. Here are some ideas to consider if you’re feeling stuck, but remember that it’s best to ask first: 

  • Books: Books can be a wonderful escape, or reflection of someone’s experiences, but they are also very expensive if you do not have a lot of extra money.  For the book lovers in your life, it’s good to first find out their preferred reading method.  Some folks like paper books best, while others prefer eBooks or audiobooks.  Once you know their preferred method, consider gift cards to a nearby bookstore, a subscription to Audible, or Libro.fm.  You could also help someone sign up for their local state library system and start a mini book club to discuss books together.   
  • Movies / Shows: For people who love movies and shows, consider subscriptions and / or gift cards to places like Netflix, Hulu, Fandango, Amazon Prime, HBO Max, BritBox, and many others.  Ask what their preferences are for movies and shows to ensure you choose the best subscription for their tastes.  Pair it with a movie / show review journal, and / or a customized suggestion list based on the person’s interests.  A great social activity is to watch the same show or movie each week and discuss it afterwards, like a book club.  To give people the full cinematic experience, fill a box or bag with their favorite movie snacks or make arrangements for regular movie nights together.   
  • Foodies / Cooking: For some, cooking can be either a hobby or a chore.  Consider grocery store gift cards and delivery service subscriptions such as Instacart, DoorDash, or your loved one’s local option.  Cooking kits delivered right to people’s homes, such as HelloFresh, Sunbasket, and Factor can also be extremely helpful because it minimizes the amount of prep work people have to do.  Adapted kitchen equipment or small kitchen appliances can also be a great idea.  Food subscription boxes or a big box of mixes can also be a fun and helpful option.  Getting together and cooking or baking together can also be a gift if people need help doing the physical labor of food preparation.   
  • Gaming: For people who enjoy physical games, ask what’s on their wish list, or consider a subscription to Board Game Arena which has a digital library of hundreds of board games that you can play with people around the world.  For those who prefer video games, consider gift cards to platforms such as Steam, GamePass, and PlayStation.  If you have a specific video game in mind but want to check it for accessibility, go to the website called Can I Play That, which offers game reviews by disabled gamers.  Lastly, table-top role-playing games (TTRPG) are accessible to most people as long as they can communicate what they want to do.  While Dungeons and Dragons is the most famous TTRPG, Ironsworn, Fiasco, City of Winter, and Alice is Missing can be played in one sitting without prior knowledge of TTRPGs.  If your loved one enjoys the social aspect of gaming, pair any gift with a plan to have regular game nights together. 
  • Arts and Crafts / Hobbies: Like books, arts, crafts and other creative hobbies can get expensive quickly.  Consider gift cards to the person’s favorite supply stores, or specific items they need.  Ideas include colored pencil sets, painting sets, coloring books, specialty paper or canvases, crafting kits, yarn, beads, clay, Lego sets, building models, or any other creative medium.  Most people have a wish list for things they would like to get.  Additionally, subscriptions to hobby specific services, such as Craftsy, instruction books, or monthly project / supply kits can be a great way to help people try stuff out.  Pair supplies with creative get-togethers where you enjoy each other’s company while you work on projects. 
  • Life-Long Learner: Continuously learning is a great way to stay engaged.  For the life-long learners in your circle, consider subscriptions to things like Discovery+, History Vault, and the Smithsonian Channel.  The Great Courses is another good option because they have expert-taught courses in every area of life, from art to math, to travel.  Magazines, news site subscriptions, and academic journals also likely exist that are focused on a person’s specific interests.  LinkedIn Learning also has a wide variety of work-skill based courses, and Duolingo and Rosetta Stone can be great for people who want to practice languages.  Be sure to find out what a person’s interests are so you pick something they will get a lot of use out of 
  • Sports / Fitness: For the sports buffs in your life, find out what their favorite sports are and then identify the outlets that focus on them.  Some ideas include an ESPN subscription package, or a magazine or website subscription that focuses on their favorite teams or sports.  Some people enjoy fantasy sport leagues, which can cost money to participate in.  Some people would appreciate a membership to a local gym or sessions with a personal trainer who has experience and / or training on working with disabled individuals.  Others may want books of ideas they can do at home, or small pieces of equipment, such as hand weights.  Always ask before you decide to ensure it’s something they want and will use. 
  • Household: Managing a household while disabled and/or chronically ill often requires money and energy people simply do not have.  Gift certificates for cleaning services, stores such as Walmart, Target, and your loved one’s local pharmacy can help them access things that they need.  A basket of cleaning supplies or a certificate for a cleaning service can also be extremely helpful, especially if you include a promise to come help them do the activity.  If there’s an expensive household need, such as a robotic vacuum, try to get multiple family members and friends to contribute to the cost.  Setting aside time on a weekly or monthly basis to help someone can be the most meaningful gift you can give.   
  • Travel: Disabled and chronically ill people often have to travel out of their immediate hometowns to access the care they need.  Find out where they go and consider items such as gas gift cards, a gift certificate to their favorite restaurant on the route, or designated spending money for a facility-based coffee shop or cafeteria.  Appointments can be draining, and knowing you have a treat to look forward to, or one less expense to worry about, can make the day much better.  A travel bag with the person’s favorite snacks and other small things they would enjoy and find useful can also be a meaningful gift.  Wait times and treatments get boring fast.   

Get Involved!   

While you may need to be creative, meaningful gifts are easier than you might think.  Every time disabled and chronically ill people receive something tailored to our needs, and interests, it helps us feel seen and our experiences validated.  Here’s some additional resources that can help you get started. 

If you have questions about the ideas above, please contact ATI at 607-753-7363 or by email at info@aticortland.org.  We wish you a happy and safe holiday season! 

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