The holiday season is here, and it is the time for giving gifts, and letting loved ones around us know how much they mean to us.

So, if someone special in your life is affected by arthritis or chronic pain, what are some good gift ideas to give them?

Here are some tips and suggestions:

• Jar opener
• Heating pad (or, for kids, heated stuffed animals!)
• Bath salts (great scents, and epsom salts can alleviate pain!)
• At-home paraffin wax kit (for the hands)
• Pretty pill boxes
• Pain-relieving gels or lotions
• Neck or back massagers
• Acupressure mat
• Ergonomic desk chair
• A good pillow
• Cozy blankets
• Easy-to-wear clothing (think: minimal zippers, buttons, etc.)
• Comfortable slippers (non-slip!)
• Gift card for a cleaning service or food delivery service
• Spa day
• Gift card for a drug store or pharmacy, or even groceries
• A donation to the Arthritis Foundation in the patient’s name
• A back-friendly, ergonomic purse or backpack
• Type-to-talk dictation software for the computer
• Lumbar pillow for the couch, desk, or car
• A massage gift card
• Arthritis-friendly workout DVD
• Zipper pulls
• One-touch can openers or other kitchen appliances
• Ergonomic, arthritis-friendly kitchen, gardening, or cleaning tools
• Any of the Arthritis Foundation ease-of-use products
• A bike (great exercise!)
• Arthritis gloves
• Arthritis awareness jewelry
• Pretty cast covers or braces
• Arthritis-friendly sneakers
• Aqua-exercise passes
• Copper bracelets
• Arthritis rings
• Pretty/stylish canes for walking or massage (i.e. the Thera-cane)
• Acupuncture session
• Exercise equipment (check with a physical therapist for arthritis-approved items)
• An assortment of healing herbal teas
• Wrist cushion for the computer keyboard
• Books about living with chronic illness
• Personalized gifts: family photo album, pictures of friends, monogrammed stationary or a monogrammed quilt, etc.
• Inspirational books, photos, magnets, etc. (sometimes, we all need a lift!)
• Run your local Arthritis Foundation Jingle Bell Run in their honor
• ….or, anything else that the person may like! Keep in mind, first and foremost, that the individual is a person first, and a patient second, so, they may not WANT arthritis-related gifts – they may want to avoid being reminded of their condition at the holidays. So, be mindful of that and really consider what the person may want. Do they want items that help them live better with arthritis, or, do they just want things that they enjoy: clothing, movies, video games, CDs, or whatever other hobbies they may have?
• Give from the heart … your love makes the best gift of all! Sometimes, all someone may want is love, support, and compassion, during the holidays and year-’round!

Give with abandon!

And happy holidays,

Stay Well,

Ashley Boynes-Shuck

What’s YOUR weapon against arthritis?

Let’s all unite against arthritis. Together, we will achieve the vision of a world free from arthritis.