Gift ideas for the holidays and beyond - 2024

Welcome to "Gift ideas for the holidays and beyond" created for the National Ataxia Foundation, our partner in advancing accessible living.

This is our chance each year to get creative with some of our favorite products. We hope it sparks ideas for practical, fun, and accessible gifts for yourself or a loved one. 

As a reminder, Day Undefined is a disability-owned business committed to advancing accessible living through product insights from the disability community. Every product we share is reviewed by someone with a disability.

Of course, while our team thinks these products are great, you are the best judge of what might work for you! We also recommend that you take a close look at the refund or exchange policy in case it’s not the right fit. We are not paid to endorse any of the following products or companies that we are sharing with you. Enjoy!

For the one who values coziness

Image: A woman is wearing a flashlight around her neck with a light on either side, providing additional light while she reads a book.

Whether it’s reading in bed, working on a project in your favorite nook, or moving around in dim light, a neck flashlight by Glocusent might be just the tool to make any space a little brighter while leaving your hands free (demo). Want to add some extra pizzazz to that gift? Try adding:

• A NYT bestsellers book. But if they’re more of an audiobook person, make sure they know about Libby and Bard - free apps to “borrow” audiobooks!
• A bird feeder. Okay, so you might not think of birdwatching in winter, but this can be the best time to draw those beautiful, magical little creatures right to your favorite window. Here are some tips for feeding birds in the winters, and stay tuned for a blog from Karen, our team gardener, about Hummingbird feeders in the spring.
• A portable mug or bottle for toting beverages around the home. We know that what makes a bottle accessible for one person might not be right for another, but here is one favorite mug and one favorite water bottle.

For the nature-lover

  

Images: Left: AeroGarden pods in rows with visible sprouts and a fairy figurine in the middle. Right: A mature AeroGarden full of leafy greens with bright light shining over it.

Did you know that you can grow herbs, veggies, and flowers all year long, right on any accessible table or countertop? Karen uses an AeroGarden - a hydroponic garden device - to do just that, and explains how she got started in her blog about indoor gardening. She says, “The pictures shown of full hydroponic countertop gardens are not at all exaggerated. The rapid, lush growth in these small gardens from tiny seeds is impressive!” Considering that plants can have many health benefits, this might just make a great gift.

A quick note: Karen says that if you are considering an AeroGarden, now is the time to purchase. Many AeroGarden products are (or were at the time of writing!) reduced by 50-60% because AeroGarden will cease business at the end of the year due to fierce competition. Here's one type of their gardens. But don’t worry - there are many brands that make compatible products. Models and prices for hydroponic devices vary a lot (for example, here's a simple version), so search around for what works for you!

For the person who claims that they like blowing leaves, clearing walkways, or cleaning a garage, we are excited to report that this year we discovered the ZoomBroom - an ergonomic stick blower that weighs just 2 pounds and can make this task a lot more accessible. The price tag on this product is definitely high, so it’s worth considering how frequently the recipient might use this product. Karen, our avid gardener who spends a lot of time outside, loves hers, and she can even use it from her powerchair (demo).

Experiences make great gifts, too! Did you know that Action Trackchairs (all-terrain power wheelchairs) are now available to reserve and use for free at many state parks across the country? Check out this blog with more details: https://www.ataxia.org/action-trackchair-for-outdoor-enthusiasts/

For the enthusiastic cook

  

Images: Left: A person is placing a red and white electric can opener on a can of beans and pushing the button on top. RIght: A black jar opener with a large gray button sits on top of a jar of Mt. Olive pickles.

It’s time for a kitchen upgrade! Sure, it can be hard to part with the “way you know” for doing things - even if that thing is opening cans and even if those cans are a total pain in the neck to open. But a recent convert to automatic can openers said, “where has this been all my life?!” We get high praise for both the Kitchen Mama 2.0 Can Opener and the Instacan Electric Jar Opener (which Rachel has found can even open some small ice cream containers). Both take batteries, but both have been working well for over a year. Make this gift extra special by adding:

• A subscription to a cool meal-planning app. These can be super helpful for discovering recipes, creating grocery lists, and planning meals that work for you. Of course, some like Mealime have really great free versions in addition to paid versions.
• A product that might help someone feel safer using sharp kitchen tools while prepping food. Here are two: Finger Guard (demo) | Cut-Resistant Glove (demo)
• A “best cookbook of all times” (or for those looking to make something easy, quick, and yummy, consider a cookbook like “Keep It Simple, Y’all”). 

For the one who can’t stand the cold

  

Images: Left: A person is holding black electric hand warmers with small red buttons in each hand while standing outside in the snow. Right: Plush leopard slippers on a person’s feet. 

If you’ve found a favorite pair of gloves - awesome. If you perpetually lose one or struggle to find a pair that’s easy enough to put on (or to actually use your hands while wearing), you’re not alone. Cue Ellie, who has an idea for you: rechargeable hand warmers. They are what you think they are - little electric warmers that have three different levels of heat that can be adjusted by pushing a button. Just put these in your pockets so that you can warm up your hands when you need to, no gloves necessary. Note: Ellie only uses levels 1 and 2 because she finds 3 to be too hot. As with all heated products, make sure to read the instructions and warnings carefully and test before actual use.

“But what about my feet??” These plush, lavender scented leopard print microwavable slippers by Warmies are luxurious. In fact, they can be heated in the microwave or cooled in the freezer, depending on what you need. Please note: they are awesome for lounging but not for walking in. Our reviewer primarily uses a wheelchair and has not walked or transferred in these; they are a bit bulky and not fitted to stay securely on the foot. If you think a warm, fitted grippy sock might make a better gift, then check out this review instead.

Thanks for reading! We wish you a wonderful holiday season. 

Still not sure or looking for more ideas? Try browsing the Day Undefined website or look back at the 2023 NAF Gift Guide. Want to keep up to date with our latest product reviews? Join the Day Undefined mailing list. 

Please note:

As always, this is not health advice! We share people’s personal experiences with products, which may or may not be right for you or your loved one. Please read all product instructions and warnings carefully (especially for heating products) and consult your health professional before use, if necessary.

Day Undefined is a disability-owned business advancing accessible living through product insights from the disability community and a proud partner of the National Ataxia Foundation. We pay all of our team members for their work.