2022 Holiday Gift Guide
Now, I know you might be thinking, “It’s not even Thanksgiving yet, why is she putting out a Holiday Gift Guide?” But with major companies like Target, Walmart, and Amazon continually releasing their Black Friday sales weekly, I figured I would give you a heads up for what to keep an eye out for this holiday season! Plus, as busy and savvy caregivers who practice practical and financial self-care, we need to spread out the demands on our time and wallets.
I went ahead and compiled a list of gift ideas into the following categories:
- Stocking Stuffers
- For the One Who Has Everything
- Gift Ideas for Caregivers and Care Recipients
- Self-care Must-haves
- Gifts that Keep on Giving
This may be one of my favorite gift guides yet! I hope you and yours enjoy these products!
Stocking Stuffers
Every year since the kids have been in high school, we exchange names to stuff that person’s entire stocking! While I know every family has different ideas on what passes as ‘Stocking Stuffers,’ here are some of my favorite gifts.
Gigi Betty co. by willGather is a boutique gift shop that raises awareness and funds for caregivers and care partners. As a collective, Gigi Betty co. is a powerful force for good to empower, support, and bring change to the caregiving community. A portion of all of their proceeds are donated to support caregivers, making these pieces both the perfect gift, and an amazing way to give back and support our amazing community. Check out their signature piece, the Gigi Necklace or if something else on their page catches your eye, use code: HHC20 for 20% off!
The most annoying thing about carrying pepper spray around is that it always seems to get confiscated. Whether I’m at the airport or going to a sporting event, I always seem to forget to leave my pepper spray at home and it ends up in the trash. With the Birdie, I no longer have to worry about buying myself a new pepper spray. The Birdie is a safety alarm/light that has no liquid component or dangerous weapon attached that may lead to confiscation. This is a great stocking stuffer that ensures that your loved one has a protective device on their keychain wherever they are.
Always have a hard time finding your keys? Or your wallet? Or maybe you just want to be able to track your own checked bag at the airport. With the Apple Air Tag, that’s now always an option! Not only is this gift great for all ages, but it may be especially useful for care recipients who may misplace important items.
Did you know that some CBD oils are actually ‘dead’?! I learned that not all CBD oils are the same. Nesa’s Hemp stands out as being a beyond Organic living full-spectrum CBDA hemp extract. I use Nesa’s hemp to help calm my anxiety. You’ll learn more about the founder’s caregiving and self-care story in early 2023 Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast episode.
Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with My Data Diary+! This affordable digital family information management software gives you one place for all your important information and essential documents. Get 15% off the $50 one-time price per household by visiting mydatadiary.com and using the discount code HAPPYHEALTHY.
For the One Who Has EVERYTHING
Have trouble waking up in the morning? Or maybe you’re just trying to regulate your sleep-wake cycle without eating melatonin gummies every night. This Hatch Restore sunlight alarm clock is one of the only things that helps my daughter wake up for work in the morning. With this alarm clock, you can gradually wake up to the sound of chirping birds and the sunrise in Fiji.
Of the gifts that I received last year, one of the ones that stuck out the most to me was the AeroGarden. It’s a self-sufficient planter that grows herbs or vegetables and alerts you when the water needs to be refilled. I love cooking with fresh herbs but everytime I plant them, I end up over or under watering them or providing them with too much or not enough sunlight. The AeroGarden is something that I would have never bought for myself but is one of my favorite and most useful gifts!
The Europeans really were on to something when they incorporated bidets into their everyday restroom routine. Now, you can have your very own bidet at your home, not only when you’re in Rome! It’s been hard to convince my husband that this is a necessity so instead, this bidet attachment is at the top of my list this year!
All right, I know you must be thinking that my gift guide is turning into a bathroom accessory catalog but bear with me here. The Squatty Potty is a physician recommended product that helps mimic a natural squat and align your colon to make using the restroom easier. Not only is this great for anyone in your life who may want to streamline their bathroom process, but it can aid those who may struggle with elimination. I’d call that a win-win! And, it just may be the perfect gift to wrap up for your White Elephant gift exchange.
Organization and project improvement are a huge part of who I am and I love being able to consolidate necessary items in a more efficient manner. With this wireless charging station, your iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods can sit perfectly together on your nightstand, only using one outlet as opposed to three. And as a plus, it looks sleek and clean!
Gift Ideas for Caregivers and Care Recipients
One of the most inclusive and useful gifts for care recipients this holiday season are Joe & Bella’s Award-winning CareZips adaptive pants. These stylish, comfortable adaptive pants make dressing exponentially easier. With three zippers, it’s easier than ever to use the restroom or change undergarments. These accessible pants encourage care recipients to become more active in their care, making it easier to perform activities of daily living. These pants are for anyone who has difficulty with dressing, changing, and toileting. CareZips by Joe & Bella helps some care recipients remain independent for certain aspects of care, making it easier to perform activities of daily living I wish these were an option when I was caring for my parents and mother-in-law because CareZips look and feel as great as they function. Use code HappyHealthy to save 20%.
Relish Life gives the perfect gift for someone in your life who is living with dementia. Music has wonderful benefits for people living with dementia, from promoting calm to igniting a special memory that is locked away. The Relish Radio blends a retro-nostalgic aesthetic with a contemporary modern finish, every detail representing research and refinement from the stark white color against gray accents that provides greater visibility and ease of use, to unique button tones that help people identify features based on sound. The Relish Radio helps minimize confusion and maximize independence. Use discount code HHCRelish15 to save.
One of my friends, Heather Zoccali, just recently co-founded an amazing company called Brutally Beautiful to support caregivers and care recipients in their unique journeys. Brutally Beautiful is a movement inspired by two lifelong friends finding freedom and redemption in revealing all of the things you just don’t normally share with one another. Many of us have experienced traumatic and life-changing events that turn our world upside down, which we call brutally beautiful moments. The foundation created a Brutally Beautiful Forgiveness Journey Journal to create a safe, non judgmental space for people to dive in and honor their pain, learn to forgive, play, and ultimately grow and shift from surviving, to thriving. Not only do they have their journal, but they also have Brutally Beautiful Soul Cards available on their Etsy shop.
Looking for gifts to ease everyday tasks for the caregivers or care recipients in your life? Carewell has some useful tools and gadgets to do just that! Their folding hand-held reacher can assist those with limited mobility and empower them to become more active with their care. Another product Carewell has to offer is their knee cushion which can be used as a positioning aid or as a comfort measure for those body-pillow lovers in your life! Use happyhealthycaregiver10 to receive $10 off orders $50+.
Looking for a little something to show your appreciation to a caregiver in your life? Check out Denise’s caregiver owned small business on Etsy that has several practical gifts for family caregivers! Here’s one of them:
Is there someone in your life who identifies as a caregiver? Help them be loud and proud about it by gifting them one of these adorable hoodies or t-shirts from Jacquelyn’s caregiver-owned biz!
Family caregiver, Georgina, a.k.a. ‘the crafty carer’ , enjoys stitching gifts for caregivers and their loved ones. All her crafts are made with upcycled fabrics. Her designs are influenced by the fabric she has, the day she is having her ‘Nan’, and customer requests. She donates 10% of everything she sells to Dementia UK. She doesn’t have an ecommerce store but rather she takes orders via messages received on Instagram. She’ll give you a quote for your project and you’ll take it from there! Here are a few of her creations:
As caregivers, we sometimes crave less to care for and for me being in charge of family dinners was one of those things! If anyone on your list doesn’t have an air fryer yet, I don’t know what they’ve been waiting for but they absolutely need one as fast as possible. It’s quick, it’s easy, it makes fun foods healthier, and you can use it in a small space.
Self-care Must-haves
A fun, interactive journal makes a great gift for anyone on your list who deserves a little bit of extra time each day to prioritize their health and happiness. Amazon offers a Five Minute Journal made to ensure that for at least five minutes a day, your loved one can prioritize their needs. And as always, my Just For You: A Daily Self Care Journal is available to help guide your loved one on a journey of self-discovery! Encourage the special people in your life to treat themselves each day and do something just for them.
I’m a firm believer that comfort is key. One of my new favorite clothing items is my Romper from Romparound! They are a caregiver owned organization that donates 5% of their sales to organizations that directly support family caregivers, making me love them even more. Life comes at us fast and Romparound promotes ease and versatility, with their drapey material that makes it so much easier to hop in and out of. They are great for sleeping, lounging, running errands, going out, beaching, or even breastfeeding (and the best part is, you’ll look good while doing it)! Use my code: HHC10 to save 10% off today!!
Coffee. Is. Self. Care. This Nespresso machine is the only way I’m able to make it through the work day! I used to be an avid Keurig fan but once I hopped on the Nespresso train, I’ve decided I’m never getting off. Each cup of coffee tastes more decadent than the last. If that hasn’t convinced you that you need this on your list, then I don’t know what else will!
Maybe coffee is not your cup of tea. The Wise Ape collection of organic and all natural herbal teas may be the right fit for your gift recipient. Use code HappyHealthyTea14 to receive 10% off your purchase. I’ve enjoyed the Lemon Vibration: Moodwise Tea which is a blend of lemongrass, lemon balm, St. john’s wort, lavender, lemon peel, and rosemary. This combination helps soothe my senses, reset, and brighten my mood.
Thank goodness for 22 year-old daughters who are constantly keeping up with the hair, make-up, and skin-care trends. If you don’t have one, let me share with you the two products that my daughter has convinced me to add to my list.
This ice-roller is apparently her saving grace. Not only does it help her wake up in the morning without having to take a full shower, but it’s been proven to help eliminate puffiness and redness on your face and neck. She says the Laneige lip sleeping mask is as good as they say it is. In her exact words, “just trust me, with winter coming up, your lips will thank you.”
Slippers and fuzzy socks are one of the easiest and most comfortable gifts that you can give anyone in your life. Kids, brothers, sisters, parents, grandparents, whoever they may be could use a good pair of comfy, indoor slippers or warm, cozy socks. These affordable memory foam slippers and Barefoot Dreams socks from Amazon are the perfect way to keep those toes comfy and clean!
Gifts that Keep on Giving
What if I told you that holiday fun doesn’t have to end with the holiday season? Give your loved one a gift that just keeps on giving!
One of my favorite Christmas Eve traditions is wrapping up a game for the kids (or Jason) to open up and play into Christmas Day. Catan was a Father’s Day gift for Jason and we can barely remember what games we used to play before we got it. Catan is the perfect family gift to encourage more quality time and the best part is, because of the board pieces, every game is always different!
<P.S: if you want to play with more than four people, make sure to get the Catan expansion pack!
Subscription boxes are one of the best ways to continue the holiday spirit for whatever timeline fits you and your budget!
Connectivities are monthly activity boxes designed by experts in caring for people living with brain change. The boxes contain everything needed for 8+ activities including science experiments, crafts, nature therapy, and so much more. Each box is an invitation for fun, laughter and authentic connection. Use code HHC50 to receive 50% off your first box. Life is better when we connect!
Caregivers need respite! This TakeCareTime Respite Box, developed by fellow Certified Caregiving Consultant Beverly Nance, is a bi-monthly subscription for caregivers to enjoy some much-needed time for themselves. With each box, you’ll get a supply of caregiving respite time essentials like books, soaps, puzzles, and more that are great ways to unwind. Each box is curated by caregivers, for caregivers, and packed with love.
Baketivity is a brand that helps kids learn, grow, and explore their interests all while providing families with fun activities to do together! You can order Baketivity as a single kit or on a monthly basis for any time frame of their choosing. From there, Baketivity ships a kit to your doorstep that includes a fail-proof recipe, an activity booklet, and pre-measured ingredients. While this is marketed toward parents and kids, I think this would be great to do with our care recipients, too!
Is someone on your list an avid reader? Check out the Book Of The Month subscription box! Every month, they pick a group of books, varying from genre to genre, and your loved one gets to pick whichever of those that sparks their interest!
If you have someone in your life who is as obsessed with their dog as Jason is, you need to get them a Bark Box subscription. Not only do the pups love it, but the humans do too!
Giving Tuesday is always the Tuesday after Cyber Monday. It’s a day set aside for global generosity and encourages people to do some good. Instead of shopping and wrapping little gifts for all my book club girlfriends, I make a donation in our book club’s name. Here are some of the caregiving related organizations you may want to consider giving to this year:
