That time of year has quickly crept up on us yet again. That time of year where you’re spending hours scrolling through online stores to find the perfect gifts for your loved ones but nothing seems to be sticking out to you! We understand this struggle, and also know that for loved ones of those with disability, this struggle can be significantly more challenging. Trying to find gifts that are not only practical for them to use, but also cool and aesthically pleasing is almost impossible. That’s why we’ve decided this year to put together a bit of a gift guide of lots of different types of products that are accessible to those in your life with (or without) disability (and that also look great!). We decided to break the guide down into different needs, so that you can easily identify what would be most helpful for your loved ones and their individual needs.
SKIN SENSITIVITIES GIFT IDEAS
Starting us off we have ideas for those with skin sensitivities. This is something I feel very strongly about, as a sensitive skin girlie myself, I sooo appreciate products that show consideration to this. I have been absolutely living in our Original Tee, as the soft bamboo fabric is so soothing for my eczema flare-ups. Similarly, Boody’s underwear is the ultimate in comfort and their high-quality fabrics are great for those with skin allergies. I’m a big fan of everything Yours Only does, and their products are the only ones I will use. Their mini bundle is perfect for someone going on holiday or just wanting to test out their products. Lastly, for those wanting a low-tox alternative to traditional deodorants that can often be so triggering for sensitivities, No Pong’s fragrance free deodorant is a game-changer.
SENSORY FRIENDLY GIFT IDEAS
Next up we have a bunch of our favourite sensory-friendly gifts. There’s a lot of cheap and childish-looking fidget tools out there, and that’s why we love Kaiko Fidgets. They’re subtle and age appropriate whilst still being really calming. Check out their magnetic fidget rings for something a bit different. Another regulation tool that is often hard to find good quality versions of are noise cancelling equipment. We love Loop earbuds as they look great but also have fantastic reviews from people wanting to reduce the noise in their environment. A frustration we’ve heard about time and time again from our customers is the discomfort socks bring. If you’re looking for socks that have external seams, buttery soft fabric and are neurodivergent designed and owned then look no further than Yama Clothing’s amazing sensory socks. They have been designed with children in mind but some of their socks come in larger sizing that can be suitable for adults. Whilst on the topic of sensory-friendly garments, you can’t go past our Crew Tees which have flat seams, printed on labels (goodbye scratchy tags!) and are made from our signature bamboo fabric. These tees are perfect for wear during these hot summer months, and all year round!
LIMITED FINE MOTOR GIFT IDEAS
For the loved ones in your life that may experience difficulties with their fine motor skills, we have put together a diverse range of products that will not only be super helpful, but are pretty funky too. At JAM, we’re big fans of Melbourne shoe brand Radical Yes, and love that their Velcro Sandals are super accessible for those that would struggle with buckles and straps traditionally found on sandals. A good example of a product that is “accidentally accessible”. Another ‘accessory’ of a different type are our Zip Pullers. These can be bought on their own and applied to any zip that is just that bit too tricky to grab onto. A handy accessory to have around to attach to things like clothes zips, makeup bags, lunch boxes and so much more. I don’t know about you, but underwear is a staple Christmas present I receive from ‘Santa’ every year, so to be able to give underwear that also promotes independence and dignity is pretty special. Modibodi does adaptive underwear that are super easy to get on and off. Beauty products are another popular choice when it comes to gift giving, so imagine being able to buy your loved one a beauty product that is also easy for them to use. Holme Beauty’s Alignment Lip Liner is just that. Designed with the disability community (and each shade named after an influential person in the community), you’ll find braille on each of these liners as well as the shape of them being much easier for a person with reduced fine motor skills to hold and use. How cool is that!
ONE-HANDED USE GIFT IDEAS
We haven’t just thought of your loved ones with reduced fine motor use, but also those that have the use of just one hand. JAM’s magnetic long sleeve shirt is perfect for those that get dressed one-handed as the magnetic buttons just snap together. It’s also the perfect festive green and a lightweight cotton for these warmer months ahead. We recently came across Strapsicle who do cool accessories for Kindle users, so for those bookworms in your life, being able to comfortably hold their Kindle with one hand could be super useful. Similarly, Vivra’s magnetic bag has been designed so you can simply snap them in place and easily access what’s inside without having to actually carry the bag or rummage through to find what you need. A lot of adaptive underwear has been designed for those with reduced fine motor use, but not for those with single-handed use. The Springrose easy-on mobility bra is different. Their unique design allows wearers to get the bra on and off and adjust it all with the use of one hand. We also think it looks really nice (we are slightly biassed with the lilac).
MOBILITY AID USERS GIFT IDEAS
Last up we have collated a collection of gift ideas for the people in your life that use mobility aids (wheelchairs, walkers, prams, walking sticks etc.). A lot of people don’t consider the length of clothing for wheelchair users, but this is a big consideration not only for comfort reasons but also so clothing isn’t getting dirty by getting stuck in the wheels or draping along the floor. This is exactly why we designed our Cropped Neoprene Zip Pullover to be the length it is. It’s the perfect cropped length for those in the seated position, but also looks good for those standing. Whilst we’re talking about wheelchairs, there are some fantastic accessories and attachments available for wheelchair users that aren’t super clunky. One of our faves is the Ffora wheelchair cup holder set. Another development in the mobility aid space is the creation of more exciting-looking walking sticks. Rather than the typical boring black walking sticks you can get from a chemist, why not treat your loved one to Cool Crutches' many stylish walking sticks, our personal pick is the ‘check mate’ design. Lastly, how could we forget our favourite tote bag that not only looks funky but (you guessed it) is accessible too! Our Digby Tote bags feature bright and beautiful artwork by artist with disability Digby Webster, and have two smaller straps for ease of attaching to all mobility aids. What a perfect stocking-filler!
We hope our 2024 gift giving guide has been useful, and we hope all of your loved ones with disability are pleasantly surprised when they unwrap their presents this year to find you’ve thought about their practical needs whilst also remaining stylish!
