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Check Out Some Cool Christmas Gifts for People in Wheelchairs
Buying gifts for someone is complicated and even more challenging when the receiving end is a wheelchair user. This is so especially if you have never used a wheelchair before. There are many gift options you can choose from, but the best unique presents are practical gifts. Practical gifts make wheelchair users feel and know that you care for them.
This guide is our top pick for Christmas gifts for people in wheelchairs that are fun, comfortable, and increase accessibility.
Medical content reviewed by Dr Eric Jackson-Scott MD, Chief Medical Officer
Gift Ideas for Wheelchair Users
1. Shoes
Shoes are a great gift idea to a wheelchair user. Probably, you may be wondering why shoes and yet they're so every day. Different shoes are made differently, and the UGGs, which are very popular among the youth female demographic, are an excellent example.
These shoes are very comfortable, warm and pretty. On top of this, these shoes are easy to put on and off. Most wheelchair users experience difficulties regulating their body temperatures, and the UGGs help keep the feet warm, especially when traveling outside.
Chuck Taylor Double Zips is another excellent shoe option for wheelchair users. The double-zip eliminates the shoe's laces, making it easy to put in and off the shoes. This is very helpful to people with conditions that affect their strength and coordination. An example is wheelchair users experiencing arthritis.
2. Experiences
Who doesn't enjoy a breath of fresh air? Wheelchair users have restricted mobility, and they rarely visit new places such as national parks. Gifting them with an experience for Christmas is very thoughtful, and they'll highly appreciate it.
Planning this won't be a walk in the park, but with enough research, you'll get perfect destinations for a family member or friend. The good thing about most parks is that they're wheelchair accessible, and thus you don't have to worry much about the details. A few examples of places you can visit with your loved one include:
• Kenya or Tanzania Safaris
• St. Petersburg
• Bora Bora Bungalow
• Rocky Mountain National Park
3. Lap tray
Lap trays are special surfaces attached to the wheelchair providing a firm platform. The lap trays are very versatile and can be used for reading, eating, or even placing hands. They're easy to attach and remove, making them available only when wheelchair users need them.
As wheelchairs users use their hands to roll the wheels, they can place their items securely on the lap tray. There are many designs and styles available for wheelchair users, and they're ideal for any age.
4. Winter Gloves or Heating wrap or Heating pad
Winter gloves, heating wrap, and heating pad are essential gifts that any wheelchair user will appreciate.
Winter gloves are so helpful, especially during this season when everything else that isn't waterproof easily soaks. These gloves ensure hands are dry and warm. When buying the winter gloves, ensure they have enough grip for easier use when wheeling the tires or powering the joystick.
A massage wrap is crucial to manual wheelchair users as they often suffer from shoulder and neck pain. This essential item helps relieve the aches, especially in old female wheelchair users.
The massage wraps perfectly fit one shoulder while also covering the neck. Other than relieving pain, the heat provides comfort, especially in colder months.
Heating pads are specifically designed to relieve pain and aches in tired muscles by blood flow stimulation.
The good thing about the winter gloves, massage wrap, and heating pads is that other family members can also use them.
5. Tipsi Tray
The Tipsi Tray offers support for wheelchair users and elderly people. This tray helps wheelchair users to carry things from one place to another without much difficulty. The centripetal force keeps items in place, such as drinks, to avoid spilling. The surface has grips, and the edges are well designed to prevent any spillage.
The Tipsi Tray is easy to clean and is dishwasher-friendly.
6. Acupuncture or Acupressure therapy
Acupuncture and acupressure therapies give one relaxation and calm feeling. Although most wheelchair users fear these therapies, they're worth trying.
7. Wheelchair Cushion
A spare cushion is an excellent Christmas gift for a wheelchair user. They can use this cushion while out of the wheelchair playing with kids or pets, or even when weeding. Ensure to select a comfortable one since poorly designed wheelchair cushions can cause more pain.
8. Wheel guards
The wheel guards act as a barrier to protect wheelchair users from debris and pebbles that may bounce from the wheels and hit the wheelchair user. They also keep the user's clothes from rubbing against the rear wheels of the wheelchair, thus saving them time and frustrations.
Wheel guards are perfect for kids using wheelchairs to help personalize their better to match their personality.
Wheel guards are easy to install & remove without necessarily requiring special tools. This facilitates easy transfers of the guards in and out of the chair.
9. Wireless Headphones
Wireless headphones are crucial to wheelchair users as they no longer have to risk getting caught in anything. The struggle of tangling the headphones wires in the wheelchair wheels is too much.
Bluetooth earbuds or wireless headphones are excellent Christmas gifts for people with limited dexterity, as plugging wired ones can be a hassle.
10. Kinetic Sand and Water Beads
Sensory kits such as Kinetic Sand and Water Beads are essential to wheelchair users, particularly in supporting motor skills and other physical development skills. Playing with Kinetic Sand provides a calming and relaxing feeling and also provides a series of sensory experiences.
11. Amazon Echo and Echo Dot
Amazon Echo and Echo Dot are smart assistants that help you do several activities. Some of these activities include setting timers, looking up recipes, ordering items from Amazon, asking questions, playing music, and controlling your smart home, among others.
12. Food Subscription Boxes
Shopping is among the most hectic activities for wheelchair users. Wheelchair users have to request strangers to help pick groceries from top shelves. The narrow paths between paths are another struggle altogether.
Gifting wheelchair users with food subscription boxes saves them from the shopping struggle.
Conclusion
Hopefully, this guide helped determine the best Christmas gift for wheelchair users. With these top picks, you don't have to worry anymore about deciding on the perfect gift. These Christmas gifts are ideal and will make their life more fun and happier.
