This post was previously published but has been updated to include new and relevant content. It includes affiliate links that may pay a very small commission when used. This has zero impact on the price you pay, but does help me offset some of the website expenses I incur. Before adding items, I try to find stores with the lowest prices available and the easiest return policies. If you decide to purchase any of the items described below, I appreciate you using the links provided. A portion of all profits are donated to charities that help people with disabilities.
In a normal year the instantaneous replacement of leftover Halloween candy and costumes with Christmas trees and holiday paraphernalia is pretty annoying. But, this year…OMG! I’ll take 500 bags of tinsel, 50 sparkly ornaments, and 20 mistletoes (says the Jewish girl). Blast the Bing Crosby tunes, and bring on the holiday cheer… It’s never too early for Christmas (or Chanukah, Kwanza) after a 1.5 year-long lockdown.
If you need some fuel to help ignite that holiday spirit, how about getting a jumpstart on holiday shopping? Taking the time to purchase thoughtful, personalized gifts for loved ones and friends can be therapeutic and an awesome distraction! Plus, I’m sure you’ve heard (again & again) about the Pandemic supply chain problem. Fortunately, Trend-Able’s 2021 Holiday Gift Guide For People With Disabilities is out now and here to help!
The gifts I’ve curated this year are products I either already own and love myself, or ones I hope to receive (let’s see who in my family actually reads my Posts). Although the items featured are not all designed specifically for people with disabilities, they will undoubtedly help anyone with physical challenges to look and feel their best and remain independent.
The items below range in price from under $20 to $2500 +. They cover everything from fashion and accessories, to disability friendly tools and mobility devices to help loved ones (or yourself) to remain independent, active, and feeling good. Of course, as with all gifts given from the heart, it’s the thought and not the price that matters. But, if you have the means, ‘‘tis the season to splurge.” Right?
Click on the links & images below to shop our favorite 2021 gifts for people with disabilities:
THE GIFT OF STYLE WITH A DISABILITY
Have you always wanted a pair of Uggs put couldn’t fit your orthosis in them? Well, the infamous sheepskin boot brand Ugg recently debuted their new, Ugg Universal Collection. The disability friendly collection features functional iterations of two classic Ugg styles: the Classic Short and the Neumel for men, women, and children.
These adaptive Uggs feature dual oversized zippers for easier entry, removable insoles, and toggles instead laces. Shop this post for other AFO friendly boot options.
As an alternative to black denim, faux leather pants and joggers are a chic and comfortable option for everyday and weekend dress-up. This pair, has an elastic waistband and look and feel like real leather. The slim, straight leg style, gently skims over AFOS and are flattering on all body types.
If you live in a cold climate and have hand-related challenges, struggling with zippers and buttons are annoying pain-points that often contribute to the winter blues. Fortunately, fashion designers are beginning to take notice and they are now designing down filled winter jackets with magnetic closures. This one is the perfect length and will keep you warm and comfortable on the go.
If you missed last month’s post on Friendly Shoes, check it out here. Founded by an occupational therapist, This brand is awesome for people disabilities. They are extremely lightweight, comfortable, and offer an easy to grab zipper pull that zips open the front of the shoe or heel and allows one’s foot to slip inside without breaking a sweat or needing a shoe horn. Be sure to use the code, “TrendAbleFriendly” and receive 10% off your purchase at check-out.
While I love that an increased number of fashion brands are beginning to design clothing for people with disabilities, I’m not a fan of most of the styles and items I’ve seen. They are either too tent like (eg. “artsy” with no shape), preppy (argyles and polos), or, they are targeted for wheelchair users and others wanting extra length on the back. But, this blazer with magnetic closures I would wear! It’s super stylish and would make a fabulous gift.
THE GIFT OF ACCESSORIZING WITH A DISABILITY
There are so many cute accessories that are easy to get on & off with the help of magnetic closures. Two accessories on my holiday want list this year are this trendy “vacinnated” bracelet and this magnetic gold chain bracelet. I would layer them together along with the stack of stretchy gold filled bracelets I wear everyday.
If mobility is already a challenge, then shlepping around an oversized handbag can make life unnecessarily more difficult. I believe, “less is more”, when it comes to everyday purses. I look for ones that are hands-free, (a cross-body style), easy to open, (magnetic), lightweight, but also roomy enough to hold and be able to easily remove my basics. This awesome crossbody purse by Tory Burch checks off all of the boxes.
I have many strengths and talents, but gripping and maneuvering tiny earring backings is definitely not one of them! With my funky fingers, (read more about me & my CMT Disorder here). I’ve found that earrings with lever backs, although still a bit challenging, are the only style I can put on and take off independently. This designer pair is stunning and will add just the right amount of bling to any outfit.
Now that sandal season is over, leg brace wearers can always use socks that are easy to put on, moisture wicking, and that extend the entire length of one’s AFOS. These AFO socks come in packs of three and would make a great stocking stuffer.
Another awesome stocking stuffer for a friend or loved one with disabilities, is this cute beaded necklace that doubles as a reading or sunglass holder. There come in many different colors and styles and make an extremely thoughtful gift.
THE GIFT OF INDEPENDENCE WITH A DISABILITY
This awesome device attaches to your razor of choice and adds 15-20 inches in length making it easier to hold and manipulate the razor. The articulating head rotates to a 30°, 45° or 90°-degree angle allowing people with balance issues and limited mobility to shave those hard to reach areas independently and without their shower looking like a crime scene.
Callouses are an annoying reality when you have feet challenges. They feel awful and can make standing and walking that much more difficult. I know YOU get it! If your loved one wants to avoid visits to a podiatrist every time a callous starts forming, then, this electric file will become their new best friend.
For your coffee/tee loving relative or friend with hand neuropathy or tremors, this set of dual handled mugs would make an extremely thoughtful and fabulous gift! I love that they are microwaveable and extremely lightweight. Bonus, you’ll be less likely to leave the house with coffee stains on your shirt.
Look good = Feel good. Kohl recently debuted this line of makeup brushes aimed to give people with disabilities the power to independently apply makeup and look and feel their best. They have an easy grip handle and stand all by themselves. Plus they are quality brushes that give an airbrushed look (eg. Conceals wrinkles and blotchy skin) when used with an awesome and lightweight foundation with built-in SPF.
Bring a well-respected medical spa and wellness experience into your loved one’s home for everyday use at an affordable price point. This portable gemstone heat therapy device is the world’s first to feature the healing power of gemstones, infrared rays, and negative ions. Specifically designed to target frequent pain points on the body, the new line uses deep penetrating far-infrared heat to increase circulation and bring muscle relaxation and temporary relief of joint pain, tension, and stiffness whenever you need it.
The Tao Toothbrush System combines style and function, radically rethinking the electronic toothbrush with an ergonomic (easy to hold) design. It’s UV base simultaneously cleans, sanitizes, and charges the toothbrush. No more having to stick your wet toothbrush in a gross, pin-size toothbrush holder. With this System, you simply drop the brush head down through the top of the base, activating a ring of UV-C lights inside and killing germs instantaneously. A heat-based drying system sucks out lingering moisture, further stalling bacterial growth. Love this!
THE GIFT OF MOBILITY FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
Crafted of thick acrylic glass, which is stain and water-resistant, this acrylic shower bench is not your grandma’s ugly beige shower seat. For your stylish love one with a disability, a shower bench is a fabulous gift providing security and safety where falls happen the most. Bonus, it’s also super easy to clean-up using only water.
Want to give the Porsche of mobility gifts? There’s a brand new revolutionary new mobility device actually designed by Porsche called the Alevo Alu. It’s extremely lightweight, foldable, and comes fully assembled. This awesome mobility device is designed to support a person’s full body weight from beneath so it let’s them move at their own natural pace hands-free. Since it folds up easily, a person with mobility challenges can choose when to use it and not miss any activities with you and other loved ones.
Trend-Able’s tagline is, “Where your disability is not an accessory”. While I strongly believe that having a disability need not define a person’s identity, I love seeing people who choose to embrace their mobility devices by either bedazzling them with rhinestones, matching canes to outfits, or choosing styles that reflect their individual sense of style. This stylish cane is a great example! It’s lightweight and sturdy with an offset shape that provides excellent support for the wrist. Weighs only 0.7 pound with a 250 pound weight capacity. Plus, it comes with an attached wrist strap for added grip and safety.
An electric bike is the ultimate splurge gift for your loved one with a disability. When balance is an issue, a 3 wheel tricycle lowers the center of gravity for added stability and security. You can choose to pedal for some exercise or let the bike do the work. Also, this bike has the lowest allowable step through frame – So, no struggling getting on and off. The front and rear compartment have more than enough space to store what you need and the large seat, double suspension and big fat tires give you the comfort for a pleasant trip whatever your destination is.
The Able tray by Able Life is a couch-side table with an easy grip handle that provides extra balance and supply when going from seated to standing from a couch or chair. It comes with a convenient multi-use swivel tray so you can eat, surf the web, or simply keep handy items close by. The minimalist design with built-in bamboo tray table will look great in any living space.
What do you think of our 2021 Holiday Gift List? Do you own any of the gifts we curated? I’d love to hear from you in the comments section below.
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