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Chronic Illness Gift Ideas – for What’s Probably on Their Wish List!
Wish lists tend to contain practical items that make everyday living easier, or luxurious treats that warm the heart and soothe the soul. I’m not going to complain if I receive a fancy handbag, perfume or surprise holiday, so go ahead 😉
But my wish list has definitely evolved along with my chronic illnesses, to include things like pain relieving products. I could probably conclude that the ultimate desire behind every wish list is a better quality of life, whatever that means to each of us.
“But my #wishlist has definitely evolved along with my #ChronicIllnesses, to include things like pain relieving products. I could probably conclude that the ultimate desire behind every wish list is a better #QualityOfLife.” #ChronicPain Share on XDo you know someone who lives with chronic illness, but aren’t sure what to get them this Christmas or holiday season? Here’s a roundup of chronic illness gift ideas that might make a small or big difference in their lives. They’re also suitable for birthdays or any time you want to give them something.
A small note before we begin – chronic illness and their symptoms vary for every individual, even amongst those with the same diagnosis. So if something from this list of chronic illness gift ideas catches your attention but you aren’t sure if it’s suitable for your friend or loved one, don’t hesitate to check with them first – they will probably appreciate the gesture!
*Disclaimer: This article is meant for educational purposes, and is based on my personal experiences as a patient. I am not a doctor, and nothing in this article should be substituted for medical advice. Please consult your own doctor before changing or adding any new treatment protocols. This post may also contain affiliate links. It will cost you nothing to click on them. I will get a small referral fee from purchases you make, which helps with the maintenance of this blog. Read our Privacy Policy page for more information. Thank you!
Pin to Your Chronic Illness Gift Ideas & Wishlist Boards:
Gift Ideas for Chronic Pain Management
YuYu Water Bottle
This was a product that I got to try out and review, and it’s been a useful addition to my personal pain relief toolkit. Unlike a generic hot water bottle, the YuYu Bottle comes in an elongated shape. There is a variety of cover materials to suit your comfort levels, such as fleece, cashmere and organic cotton.
You can tie it around your waist and go about your chores. The length and flexibility also means that you can drape it across various body parts, such as around your neck. Sometimes I hug it as a warm, comforting bolster to sleep.
Since my review, I also see that they’ve expanded their range to include an Ice Recovery water bottle, and the YuYu Ice Pulse for targeted relief. Heat and cold therapy are useful for different sorts of chronic pain. Sometimes we even use both simultaneously to target different types of pain. According to Malanga et al. (2015):
“Cold therapy is used in the management of acute injury/trauma, chronic pain, muscle spasm, DOMS, inflammation, and edema.” ….. “Physiological effects of heat therapy include pain relief, increases in blood flow and metabolism, and increased elasticity of connective tissue.”
P.s. The YuYu water bottle isn’t only suitable for the chronically ill. Others who might appreciate it: ladies who experience menstrual cramps, people with desk-bound jobs that cause their backs to ache, and sportspeople in need of some muscle relief.
Click to Read My YuYu Bottle Review & Get a 15% Discount
Flotation Therapy Gift Voucher
Who said that chronic illness gift ideas had to be limited to products? Flotation therapy works great for both physical and mental stress relief. In fact, I emerged from my first float ever feeling the most relaxed I had been in years!
Flotation therapy is known scientifically as “Restricted Environmental Stimulation Therapy (REST)”. You basically float in a tank of water loaded with epsom salt/magnesium sulphate, which is akin to floating in the dead sea. Doing so induces a state of sensory deprivation, which leads you to the theta state of awareness; kind of like daydreaming on a long car ride (Speer, 2023). It’s literally meditation without even trying.
Flotation therapy stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, also known as the ‘rest-and-digest’ state. This helps with many physical processes in the body, such as muscle repair and pain relief. It is also relaxing, which can help with anxiety, depression, and stress (Kjellgren and Westman, 2014).
The only problem as always is the hefty price tag. A 60 minute session costs SGD90 (~USD70), or SGD75 (~USD60) if you buy a package. As with many alternative therapies, one attempt is usually insufficient to reap the full benefits, or to judge the effects with accuracy. So a gift card for more floats is always a good idea. 😉
Buy Gift Cards from Palm Avenue Float Club (Singapore)
Weighted Blanket / Oversized Blanket / Throw
Weighted blankets can be a great gift idea for people with anxiety, ADHD, sensory processing disorders, stress and other related issues. The weight feels like a warm embrace due to “deep pressure stimulation” (Breus, n.d.). This apparently helps you to fall asleep faster, with a better quality of rest (ain’t that the dream?). The price differs according to the material used to fill it; do ensure that it’s non-toxic, otherwise you’d just be trading one problem for another.
Update: I’ve bought myself a weighted blanket since last Christmas, but was a little disappointed in terms of the purported effects of aiding sleep and anxiety issues. One thing I hadn’t anticipated was the irony of the weight, when trying to pull the blanket over myself every night whilst aching everywhere. Moral of the story… it might not be suitable for all types of chronic pain.
I did get an oversized, gigantic blanket though, and I must say that it’s been useful. I hate it when some part of my body is sticking out and getting cold, yet my blanket isn’t large enough to cover myself entirely, or I’m in too much pain to keep adjusting it. So big, light blankets are great for this purpose!
Another simple chronic illness gift idea is to get your loved one a comfy throw, and there are so many gorgeous designs and materials to choose from as well. These are great for covering cold shoulders or feet to retain some heat. In fact, I just bought a cheap one for myself for days when I don’t want to bundle myself up into burrito mode, and only need to keep one area of my body warm.
Types of Weighted Blankets & Oversized Blankets:
Compression Gloves
Instead of a pair of socks, perhaps compression gloves might be a better idea for your friend or loved one with chronic pain, especially if they have arthritis types of pain. I have found that compression gloves really help with pain management when my hands are aching. I have several types for different purposes – regular plain ones for all occasions, dotted ones for better grip, and long ones that reach all the way to my elbows for when my forearms are aching, too.
Grace & Able sells hand-therapist designed compression gloves in fun colours that are FDA registered. What’s more, the founder, Sarah, lives with Rheumatoid Arthritis herself. Sarah also kindly sponsored 10 pairs of compression gloves in the 2021 Christmas Giveaway here on the blog, and we’ll never forget her kindness 🙂
Types of Compression Gloves I Use:
Blisslets Acupressure Bands (for Nausea)
You know those acupressure bands that people wear to help with motion sickness or morning sickness? Blisslets help to relieve nausea by applying gentle pressure on the P6 (nei-kuan) acupressure point. One study by Sadighha and Nurai (2008) compared acupressure against an antiemetic medication, metoclopramide, and the anti-nausea effect for both post surgery were similar. What I like about Blisslets is that they are not only practical and functional, but also pleasing to the eye!
I’ve bought a few of these for a friend who was having a tough pregnancy, and also for my helper who suffers from motion sickness. Whilst they said that it didn’t relieve all of the nausea, it did help to reduce it somewhat. Blisslets can also be great for a friend or loved one who suffers from migraine or another nausea-inducing chronic illness as well. Blisslets also sponsored a pair for the 2020 Christmas Giveaway on the blog here 🙂
Blisslets I’ve Bought for Others as Gifts:
Sleep Masks / Eye Masks
Many people with chronic pain suffer from ‘painsomnia’, a term coined to mean insomnia due to chronic pain (Luke, 2023, April 4). Many of us have poor quality sleep in general, too. A good sleep mask can be a helpful sleeping tool, especially for those who are light sleepers.
I personally don’t like sleep masks or ear plugs whilst sleeping, as I don’t like the feeling of ‘being trapped’. However, Manta Sleep gave me a few of their standard sleep masks to try out, which I shared with my ex-partner and father. A few years later, they still use it because it just works! They also sponsored our Christmas giveaway back in 2021, which is generous of them.
Manta Sleep masks are 100% blackout and designed for even side sleepers. They also come in a few variations to cater for different needs, such as zero pressure, for long eyelashes or in silk. I also tried out their Manta Steam and Manta Cool eye masks, which are meant for eye relief from various ailments such as eye strain or stuffy sinuses. I like these as they feel so therapeutic and relaxing!
Different Types of Manta Sleep & Therapeutic Eye Masks:
Migraine/Photophobia Glasses
If your friend or loved one lives with migraine disease or has photophobia (light sensitivity) triggered by another disorder, a pair of photophobia/migraine glasses can be handy. Migraineurs are actually discouraged in general from wearing dark sunglasses indoors, as it can lead to increased light sensitivity ironically. Migraine glasses are usually made with FL-41 filters, and according to Albilali and Dilli (2018):
“FL-41 tint filters 80% of short wavelengths of 50 or 60 Hz found in fluorescent lights. Short wavelengths are known to trigger migraines more than other wavelengths.”
Popular brands for migraine glasses include TheraSpecs and Avulux/Axon Optics (they have merged). You might want to check in with your loved one before purchasing a pair of migraine glasses however, as there are also many different types that block out various wavelengths of light. The quality of the migraine glasses also make a difference.
Examples of Migraine Glasses:
Chronic Illness Gift Ideas for Mental Health & Well-Being
Chronic pain and mental health are often interconnected, and taking care of one aspect has positive effects on all dimensions of well-being. Here are some chronic illness gift ideas that may be useful self-care or coping tools for your friend or loved one.
Guided Journal & Symptom Tracker
There are all sorts of journals for whatever your needs may be these days. In particular, a guided journal or symptom tracker can be great chronic illness gift ideas.
There are so many guided journals on the market these days to address all sorts of issues. They can be a great tool for working on self-improvement, self-esteem, your personal healing journey and more. Most of them have writing prompts and encouraging quotes to guide the user throughout the lifespan of the journal.
Symptom trackers are also handy for anyone with a chronic illness. By tracking symptoms, medications, mood and more, you can unravel patterns over time – both good and bad ones. Thereafter, you can take positive action. There are a few symptom trackers out there created by people with chronic illnesses themselves as well.
Examples of Guided Journals & Symptom Trackers:
You can also check this post out for more ideas of journals and journaling methods, if you need some help deciding which type to get!
Self-Awareness or Game Cards
There are many card packs these days for all sorts of questions that you can play with others in a Q&A format, or to do some personal inner work. They can make for great gift ideas for a friend who isn’t too keen on journaling, but might still need or like thought-provoking questions to gain better self-awareness and clarity.
I like to browse from a local store here in Singapore, Cat Socrates, but self-awareness/game cards are also readily available on Amazon, your local bookshop or knick-knack store.
P.s. You can even start playing these cards together right after they’ve unwrapped them. It doesn’t consume too much energy, and can be great for bonding! 🙂
Examples of Self-Care & Game Cards:
Crystal Stone Passive Diffuser
If you live in Malaysia or Singapore, these crystal stone diffusers from Hyang can make for a gorgeous gift. They’re hand-chiselled selenite crystals, so they’re great for the crystal lovers out there standalone. However, you can also drip essential oils onto them, so they’re a home decor item plus scent diffuser in one!
I gifted my sister with one, and it’s still on display in her home. I also own one myself; admittedly the sillage isn’t wide, but I still enjoy the gentle scented wafts, and it’s calming to look at. Apart from crystals, passive diffusers also come in ceramic and lava rock materials. The scent from essential oils can be relaxing for the mind, so it can be a nice gift for those who suffer from anxiety and the likes.
Types of Essential Oil Passive Diffusers:
If your friend prefers the scent to be more portable, a diffuser bracelet or necklace might be a great alternative gift idea as well. There are many designs to choose from to suit your friend’s personal style, and some come with encouraging messages chiselled in as well.
Examples of Diffuser Bracelets & Necklaces:
Home & Lifestyle Chronic Illness Gift Ideas
“Drink Pure Wine” Wine Wands
These wine wands were another product I got to try out and review, and they get two thumbs up from me. Whilst I don’t drink on a regular basis, they’re really handy for occasions when I want to indulge and celebrate a little. The product was created by a chemist who is passionate about wine. Here’s how to use it, according to Drink Pure Wine’s website:
“With intermittent gentle stirring, it will remove over 50% of the histamines and sulfites from the wine. After 8 minutes, as much as 95% of the histamines and sulfites can be removed.”
The good stuff like the flavour of the wine is retained as well. Apart from wine wands, they also sell a single-use wine purifier and aerator called “The Wave”, as well as a reusable wine purifier, “The Phoenix”. If your friend or loved one can no longer drink wine due to it triggering chronic pain, these might be worth trying out. You may want to check in with them first though, to see if it’s a good idea.
Buy Drink Pure Wine Wine Wands at 15% Off
The Drink Pure Wine Product Family:
Oral Spray Vitamins
I got to sample and review the “Sleep Spray” from Spectra Spray at a discounted rate. The sprays are diabetic and geriatric friendly, with no binders, fillers or allergens. The founder, Janet, is a lovely lady as well who sponsored three oral sprays in our 2020 Christmas Giveaway. I also gave some oral iron mineral sprays to my dad. Other sprays that Spectra Spray sells include: L-Theanine, Vitamin B12, Vitamin D3, Vitamin D3 + K2 (for synergistic effect, GABA (melatonin free), CoQ10, multivitamin and more.
The benefit of oral spray vitamins is the superior absorption rate, which is about 5 times better than pills and capsules, according to Spectra Spray’s website. As you just spray them onto your cheek, oral sprays can be great chronic illness gift ideas if your loved one suffers from dysphagia, or hates taking their supplements in pill form.
As always, it might be best to enquire with your friend or loved one beforehand, to see if if oral spray vitamins might be something they’d be keen to try, as certain vitamins may not be suitable for them. For example, vitamin K interacts with my own warfarin blood thinning medication, so I obviously didn’t buy or try that one. Spectra Spray also sells gift cards, so your loved one can browse and select their own sprays!
Use Code “ACHRONICVOICE” for $10 Off Spectra Spray
SpectraSpray’s Full Range of Oral Sprays:
Books & Magazines
Books are usually a good idea for most people. Reading a captivating paperback is time well spent, whether fiction or nonfiction. Hardcovers or coffee table books with beautiful prints on good paper are also such a treat! Not sure which book to pick? Here are the Editors’ picks and bestsellers of the month on Amazon.
Books are also a wholesome physical experience. I take pleasure in fondling the paper, taking in the musty scent, and enjoy the high quality of photographs or illustrations. It all adds up to help you unwind on a subconscious level. In fact, studies have found that reading something you enjoy can reduce stress by up to 68% (University Of Minnesota, n.d.).
I also have a huge love for magazines, and usually have one by my bedside in addition to a book. I reach out for it whenever I feel like I need something soothing. Magazines can be more creative with their presentation, which is refreshing. You usually need to absorb the content or storyline in a book, or risk becoming lost the further you continue. Magazines on the other hand, are usually split into interconnected prose which you can skip or read piecemeal.
Whilst gift cards may seem a little boring, they’re pretty safe chronic illness gift ideas if you’re unsure of what to get. I know I’ll never complain about getting a ‘boring’ gift card for books. Also, not every disabled person is able to hold a physical book, so an e-book or audiobook might actually be a better option, and a gift card lets them choose the format.
Buy a Gift Card from Amazon Buy a Gift Card from AllScript (Singapore)
Amazon Kindle / E-Reader
As mentioned above, some people with chronic illnesses and disabilities aren’t able to handle physical books too well. Whilst I enjoy the physical experience of a paperback, reading on a Kindle comes with its own set of benefits, too. I never thought that I would be one to enjoy reading on a digital screen, so colour me surprised when I received a Kindle as a gift, and loved it!
The size fits perfectly against the palm of my hand and it is light in weight, which is great for those of us who suffer from achy muscles and joints, especially in the hands and fingers. In fact, I managed to finish reading Catherine the Great: Portrait of a Woman, thanks to my Kindle. I was struggling to read the paperback that weighs about 1kg (2.35 pounds) with my sore hands.
I have the Kindle Paperwhite and would recommend it; it comes with a backlight which is important in my opinion. Unlike mobile phones, the e-ink isn’t harsh on the eyes, which makes it suitable for reading in bed in the dark as well, should your loved one be unable to sleep.
If your friend or loved one does not like the Kindle for any reason, there are also other e-readers available on the market, such as the Barnes & Noble Glowlight 4e, and the Kobo Clara Colour. You can also check this post out for more ideas related to podcasts, audiobooks and reading devices that may be suitable as chronic illness gift ideas.
Types of E-Readers:
Noise-Cancelling Headphones / Earbuds
These can be a practical gift idea for your chronically ill friend who is sensitive to sound. They’re not only useful for bringing along on travels, but also to block out noise at any given moment, whether on a busy street or whilst in bed.
Alternatively, if your friend or loved one is into music, I’m sure they’d be delighted to own a pair of high quality earphones or headphones. The sound enhancement can make a big difference, and bring so much more listening pleasure.
If they don’t already own a pair that works with their particular phone model, you can also get ones that do. I bought the Apple AirPods at the student discounted rate, and have zero regrets. I’m not sure why I didn’t get them sooner! They sync nicely with my phone so I can answer calls, switch from computer to phone easily, and the sound quality of music as compared to my previous earphones makes me happy.
Examples of Headphones & Earbuds:
Smart Home Set Up
This could be anything from the Google home store – from the Nest doorbell, Nest thermostat, Nest hub and so much more. If your friend or loved one is more of an Apple sort of person, the Apple store also sells the HomePod, which is able to integrate your entire home to make it more accessible. If they struggle with brain fog or remembering where they’ve placed items, the Apple AirTags can make for great chronic illness gift ideas as well!
The nice thing about these smart home set ups are voice controls and a central management system (such as via a phone app). When you live with chronic pain, it’s often a toss up between suffering some pain to get up and adjust the controls, or enduring the cold/heat/lights for a little while longer.
My uncle transformed my room into a smart home set up after I was bed bound for a year from breaking my knees, so I could do some ‘simple’ things such as switch the lights off and shut the curtains, without the need to keep calling for help. The gift of enhanced home accessibility is always welcome, I’d say!
Examples of Smart Home Accessories:
Instant Pot (Bonus: Meal Prep for Them!)
An instant pot is a multi-cooker which functions as a slow cooker, pressure cooker, yoghurt maker and more. I already own one of these, and they have my seal of approval on the chronic illness gift ideas list. We wanted to buy the InstaPot brand, but didn’t realise how troublesome that would be in Singapore/Australia (shipping, weight, adaptor), and ended up purchasing the Philips Viva one instead.
What we did was to prepare a month’s supply of meals and freeze them in separate bags. Write the name of the dish down with a marker, together with any extra steps needed such as garnishing. After that you can dump each meal straight from the freezer into the pot, and have a warm, nourishing meal ready for dinner.
Another thing you could do to help someone who lives with chronic illness or disability is to prepare frozen meals such as these. It is both an act of service and a nutritious, practical gift. Afterall, everyone needs to eat, and the healthier, the better! Just don’t forget to ask them about food sensitivities beforehand, or risk wasting your efforts.
FYI: unfortunately, sales for the InstaPot brand was affected by the pandemic, and they have filed for bankruptcy. It wasn’t because they were a bad product though. According to bon appétit, they were a little too good:
“We loved the Instant Pot, and it loved us back—and perhaps that was its ultimate downfall. In the end it was simply too good. It was so good we didn’t want to buy another.”
Regardless, there are various other brands you can purchase an instant pot from as well.
Examples of Instant Pots:
Air Fryer
This is another kitchen equipment that has become indispensable for me, especially for my late night food cravings *ahem*. I often take food or meals out from my freezer, and just throw them into the air fryer to heat up. I also don’t like using the microwave for several reasons, one of which is that food tastes like cardboard after. So an air fryer is a fantastic substitute.
It’s not only meant for reheating food though. You can also use the air fryer to cook vegetables, meat and full meals. Here are the most popular air fryer recipes from Jamie Oliver. The best part is that it’s much easier to clean up after as well as it’s just one tray – so that’s some energy saved.
Examples of Air Fryers:
Robot Vacuum Cleaner
My philosophy is to automate anything that’s repetitive and mindless in nature, whenever possible. Well unless it’s something beneficial like exercise, then habits are essential!
Robot vacuum cleaners have become a popular household helper item. Even people who don’t live with chronic illness or disability buy these to save themselves some time and hassle. My sister bought my dad a Deebot for his birthday (but really, we all benefit from it 😉).
I also have pet birds that are capable of making a mess even whilst inside their cages. Empty shell husks and dander have a way of floating everywhere, and they love to kick stuff out of their food bowls. And whilst I may admire my sheltie’s luscious locks, he sheds a lot and his furry clumps can be found everywhere. So the robot vacuum cleaner has been real handy for stuff like that.
I suppose anyone with children would face the same problem, perhaps even more so. A dirty house and dusty floors are never good for our mental well-being either. So I think we can all agree that a robot vacuum cleaner is nice to have on the wish list, if you don’t already own one!
Many models also has a mop function, so that’s taking down two birds with one stone. As with most electronic products, robot vacuum cleaners come in a wide range of price points and functions. Whilst there are mega high-end ones that even have AI integrated for ‘true’ obstacle avoidance, the less expensive ones still get the job done.
Examples of Robot Vacuum Cleaners:
HEPA Air Filter
I bought one of these after my spontaneous bilateral patellar tendon rupture, as I had to spend 24 hours in bed for an entire year. Visitors came and went, and the pandemic was still in full swing. I’ve also bought an air filter for an ex-partner, as he had some mild allergies probably triggered by our birds’ dander. Needless to say, I personally think that an air filter is an essential home equipment to have.
Those with chronic illnesses are often immunocompromised and/or sensitive to many things. Air quality matters a great deal, so an air filter can be a practical gift idea. If you do get one, do ensure that it has a HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filter. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency:
“This type of air filter can theoretically remove at least 99.97% of dust, pollen, mold, bacteria, and any airborne particles with a size of 0.3 microns (µm).”
Whilst lots of these particles are unseen to the naked eye, my air filter is always stuffed with my dog’s hair and my birds’ feathers when we take it out to clean. My birds are not even in the same room as I am. My HoneyWell HEPA air filter is a fairly affordable one. But should it break down in future, I would definitely consider getting an even better quality air filter, judging by how it’s helped me so far!
Examples of HEPA Air Filters:
Hero Health Pill Dispenser
The Hero Health pill dispenser is something I wanted for myself, but they don’t work outside of the U.S. unfortunately. You basically fill the dispenser with all your daily medications, and set reminders for when it’s time to take them. A simple push of a button will then dispense all the right pills for that timing.
In addition, you can store up to 10 different medications apart from your regular ones for when you need them. It is also connected to licensed health professionals, and you may be able to qualify for it if you are on Medicare (hence it only working in the U.S.).
I would totally ‘splurge’ on one of these because as a person with chronic illnesses, taking medications are a reality of my everyday life that is not going to stop anytime soon. I currently use a 3-times-a-day weekly pill organiser, as some of my medications get mushy if I prep them on a monthly basis. If that’s not a problem however, there are also monthly pill organisers with dates so you can organise them all in a go.
Examples of Pill Dispensers & Pill Organisers:
Nature-Related Chronic Illness Gift Ideas
Indoor Smart Gardens
Gardening can be beneficial for physical and mental health, but it can also be tiring to maintain if you live with unpredictable chronic pain. The bending, trimming, pulling and whatnot can trigger a pain flare and become stressful ironically.
If your loved one enjoys gardening but isn’t able to do so anymore, indoor smart gardens can make for great chronic illness gift ideas. Many of us in Singapore also live in apartments as we’re a tiny nation, so an indoor smart garden is a great substitute for smaller spaces.
You can plant your own seeds, and harvest your own vegetables, fruits and/or flowers. You can also adjust the temperature, water levels, nutrition and whatnot with ease via an app. It’s low-maintenance, which is great for those with chronic fatigue or chronic pain. The results are just as satisfying, and possibly edible, too!
Examples of Indoor Smart Gardens:
Good Old Flowers & Plants
Since we’re on the topic of plants, fresh floral bouquets are always a welcome sight to me. Flowers are such beautiful reminders of life, in all their fragility and beauty. They can help to brighten up a dull room or bring some much needed cheer. They show people that you care and that you remember them, which brings comfort and joy. Personally, I think that flowers make for great chronic illness gift ideas any time or day.
I’ve grown a fondness for dried floral arrangements too, after a friend gifted me with one when I broke my knees. They are still prettifying a corner of my bedroom after a few years.
I also enjoy floral arrangement (although I might not be very good at it…). Unfortunately, it’s an expensive hobby here in Singapore as flowers are not cheap. All the dethorning, stem cutting and movement also cause my hands to ache badly by the end of each session. I still enjoy it nonetheless.
There are a wide assortment of plants and flowers to choose from. You can purchase fresh or dried bouquets, flower domes, self-sustaining terrariums, hanging air planters, succulents and more. Alternatively, you can also order a weekly floral arrangement to be delivered to their house. There are even subscription boxes where they deliver a bunch of flowers so that your friend or loved one can do their own floral arrangements.
My favourites in Singapore are the dried floral arrangements from Windflower, and the fresh bouquets from Charlotte Puxley. They also offer subscriptions. I also like the plants from Tumbleweed, and purchase gifts from these shops ever so often. Tumbleweed also sells gift vouchers.
A tip if you’re thinking of flowers as chronic illness gift ideas – it might be easier to purchase vase arrangements instead of a bouquet. Then all your friend or loved one needs to do is find someplace to beautify, without the scrambling and fumbling for a spare vase or holder. Once again, do check in with them to see if they may be potentially allergic to pollen or plants.
Examples of Floral Arrangements:
Digital Chronic Illness Gift Ideas
Smartwatch
If your loved one or friend doesn’t already have one, a Google FitBit, Apple Watch, or another smartwatch might make for a well-received gift. I don’t use one because as mentioned, I don’t like feeling strapped (quite literally in this instance) to something. But if I did receive one, I’d be happy to try it out. Why?
Smartwatches aren’t only meant for health nuts. Whilst they are not fully capable of being integrated into healthcare monitoring systems as of yet, you can still gain some insight through personal pattern observation. According to Phillips et al. (2018):
“Wearables offer an unobtrusive way to collect rich data on PA [physical activity]. These data can be linked to other data sources and used to help monitor and promote activity behavior change and maintenance.”
Your friend or loved one may be able to discover for themselves what their triggers for pain flares are, their overall sleep quality and more. Thereafter, they can make positive adjustments to their lifestyle, and continue monitoring for better quality of life.
As a bonus, many smartwatches are also accessibility tools in one, as you can sync them to your mobile phone. You can then use them to make phone calls, snap photos, read text messages and more.
Popular Smartwatches:
![Apple Watch Series 10 [GPS 46mm case] Smartwatch with Rose Gold Aluminium Case with Plum Sport Loop. Fitness Tracker, ECG App, Always-On Retina Display, Carbon Neutral](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/417IABMaMuL._SL250_.jpg)
Blogging Tools & Resources
You might be surprised, but maintaining a blog can run into hundreds of dollars. There are the basic hosting and domain costs that cannot be avoided – they’re like virtual rent. I personally use CloudWays for cloud hosting, and you can get $25 hosting credit if you decide to try them out.
Then there are things like social media scheduling tools, graphic creation tools, and other essential plugins that ensure that your website is user-friendly and protected against malware. Yes, there are free versions most of the time, but they are not always the best options, and many of the free plans are very limited as well.
If you use a website builder like Elementor, that requires annual payment, too. Then there are website themes (my favourites are by HeartenMade!). You could technically use the default theme version, but that usually looks dated.
I personally use Buffer to schedule my posts to Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and BlueSky. It has saved me so much time and effort as I can automate everything. Apart from my own blog posts, I also read and share a lot of health-related news articles, journals and other chronic illness blogs. Scheduling tools like these help me to advocate round-the-clock (and keep me distracted on painsomnia nights!).
As my work account uses Canva, I have access to the paid version. It certainly does make processes easier compared to the free version, as there is more access to photographs, upload sizes, download options and more.
AppSumo Gift Card
You may not be familiar with what your chronic illness blogger friend needs or prefers to use, so a gift card from AppSumo might be a good gift idea. AppSumo is basically a marketplace for all sorts of apps and technology-related goods, and I like it because any purchases made are lifetime deals (yes, the recurrent subscription model is annoying). You can also play around with your shiny new tool for 3 months, and if you don’t like it, you can initiate an automatic refund quickly and easily – no questions asked.
Alternatively, you can ask your friend or loved one some sneaky questions such as, “what would you recommend for graphic creation”, or “what’s the best hosting site to use?” to get a quick insight to their preferences. Then you could see if that particular platform sells any gift cards or plans that could help offset or cover some of their upcoming blogging-related costs.
Polaroid Camera or Digital Instant Camera
Polaroid cameras are lots of fun; I used to snap a photo a day, then scribble a short message along the borders. It became a mini project and daily visual journal. When I browse through these polaroid photo albums, I am always surprised at how the little everyday things and ‘non-events’ all piece together to form a beautiful narrative – even the photos I take on bad days (of which there are plenty…).
I’ve also brought my polaroid camera along for my travels and to family events. When I’m travelling in rural places, these keepsakes mean so much to the kids and people when I give them their snapshots. They’re also great icebreakers and make for lovely memories for all.
Another alternative is a digital portable instant camera. These can be connected via bluetooth or an SD card so you can upload photos to your computer. Many also let you print photos from your phone camera; your loved one can browse through their favourite photos on a bad or slow day, and print these out to cheer themselves up. There are also those that are printed on Zink photo paper, which comes with a sticky backing to paste on your favourite objects or as reminders.
Analog Film Camera
Another hobby I had a decade ago was analog film photography. Unfortunately, I had to stop as it can be quite a costly hobby, as you need to process each batch of films. I absolutely loved experimenting with different films however, as each type has a different quality and feel to it. My favourite film used to be the Kodak Agfa 200, and you can browse these photos on the Lomography website to see what I mean. Lately I’ve had an itch to pick this hobby up again as a creative outlet – do you think I should? 🤔
Best-Selling Polaroid & Instant Cameras:
Packages, Subscriptions & Gift Cards
Subscription Boxes
The selection of subscription boxes out there these days are amazing – they have one for just about everything. From coffee to tea, flowers, all sorts of food and snacks, skincare, self-care, and even periods! There are also pain relief and self-care kits curated by people with chronic illnesses, for people with chronic illnesses.
Most of us would rather spend our money on one specific item we want as opposed to random objects in a box, because many people with chronic illness can’t work and don’t have much change to spare. So a curated box of surprises might be exciting. It makes me happy to sample new things, so I take it as a mini adventure.
Having said that, not everyone with a chronic illness wants a box of surprises on their wish list, as consistency is key to maintaining their health. For example, obviously don’t get a box of ‘delicious treats’ for your friend with Celiac Disease or IBD. And don’t get a box of scented goods for someone with Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) or skin allergies, etc.
If you’re hesitant, simply approach your friend or loved one and ask. It can still be a surprise, but gathering more information on what they can and cannot do/eat/apply would help both of you tremendously. Alternatively, an Amazon gift card within your own country is always a good idea. I know I have many items on my Amazon wish list that I’d love to buy, but they aren’t really needs so I’ve just left them there.
A Reliable Amazon Gift Card, Christmas-Themed:
Here are some chronic illness gift ideas for subscription boxes:
- TheraBox #1 Self-Care Subscription Gift Box
- CalmBox Gift Subscription Gift Box
- 10 best self-care subscription boxes
- I Tried 5 Different Subscription Boxes For My Period So That You Don’t Have To
- 31 Best Coffee Subscription Boxes for 2024
- 18 Best Tea Subscription Boxes (2024)
Fitness Package
We have something here in Singapore called ClassPass, which is a platform for various hotel facilities, gyms, massages, yoga and pilates classes, and more. I went with a friend to a five-star hotel’s swimming pool using the free trial, and had a good time with her! I didn’t sign up for the fitness package however as it is too costly, especially if I only use it once a week or less. It’s great value-for-money for my friend however, because she exercises and even teaches yoga classes every single day.
A gift card for ClassPass or the equivalent in your country can make for wonderful and healthy chronic illness gift ideas. The wide range of fitness facilities and exercise sessions mean that they have the freedom to pick the dates and types of workouts that suit their fitness levels best.
There are also fitness instructors with chronic illness who have started their own exercise or stress relief programmes, adapted for those who live with chronic pain. You can learn more about some of these programmes and their founders below.
Conclusion to Chronic Illness Gift Ideas
Many of these wish list items are things I’d never thought I’d want or need in another life. If not for my chronic illnesses, I probably wouldn’t even know of their existence. To the people who invented these wonderful products and services – thank you.
My wish list also probably looks a little different compared to others with chronic illness, based on the varying kinds of pains we experience. Here’s a Reddit thread for more chronic illness gift ideas as well. Over to you – what’s on your wishlist, and how does that reflect your current state of being?
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Pin to Your Chronic Illness Gift Ideas & Wishlist Boards:
- Albilali, A., & Dilli, E. (2018). Photophobia: When Light Hurts, a Review. Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports, 18(9), 62. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11910-018-0864-0
- Breus, M. J. (n.d.). What You Need to Know About Using a Weighted Blanket. Psychology Today Singapore. Retrieved 15 December 2024, from https://www.psychologytoday.com/sg/blog/sleep-newzzz/201907/what-you-need-to-know-about-using-a-weighted-blanket
- Kjellgren, A., & Westman, J. (2014). Beneficial effects of treatment with sensory isolation in flotation-tank as a preventive health-care intervention – a randomized controlled pilot trial. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 14(1), 417. https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6882-14-417
- Luke, W. (2023, April 6). What is painsomnia? The Ohio State University. https://health.osu.edu/health/sleep/what-is-painsomnia
- Malanga, G. A., Yan, N., & Stark, J. (2015). Mechanisms and efficacy of heat and cold therapies for musculoskeletal injury. Postgraduate Medicine, 127(1), 57–65. https://doi.org/10.1080/00325481.2015.992719
- Phillips, S. M., Cadmus-Bertram, L., Rosenberg, D., Buman, M. P., & Lynch, B. M. (2018). Wearable Technology and Physical Activity in Chronic Disease: Opportunities and Challenges. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 54(1), 144–150. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2017.08.015
- Sadighha, A., & Nurai, N. (2008). Acupressure wristbands versus metoclopramide for the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting. Annals of Saudi Medicine, 28(4), 287–291. https://doi.org/10.5144/0256-4947.2008.287
- Speer, A. M. (2023). REST (Restricted Environmental Stimulation Therapy) and the Creative Process. FSU Digital Repository. https://doi.org/10.33009/FSU_c3cd1042-0a21-4db7-add8-b01174611eea
- University Of Minnesota. (n.d.). Stress Mastery—Reading for stress relief. University Of Minnesota. Retrieved 18 December 2024, from https://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/reading-stress-relief
- United States Environmental Protection Agency [EPA]. (2009, October 24). What is a HEPA filter? United States Environmental Protection Agency [EPA]. https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/what-hepa-filter
So many great ideas here and I love all of them. (I have most of them too.) We’ve had an awful time trying to figure out how to get an instant pot here because of shipping. They’ve just brought Chinese versions in, but my husband doesn’t want that so we’re still waiting. Also, I LOVE my robot cleaner. What a lifesaver that thing is with two cats!
I’ve been wondering about a weighted blanket (in Florida!!!) or an extra large heating pad. I have trouble regulating body temps when I don’t feel well.
That’s no good 🙁 It can be really pesky, I know. I find my weighted blanket too heavy (ironic I know!) especially when I have joint pains. But it does provide some anxiety relief.
I do have a kindle and an Oska Pulse. Books are my go to for sure. But I have always wanted to try a weighted blanket. Subscription boxes are cool but I can’t afford them.
Subscription boxes would make perfect gifts or treats – I love them too, all the little bits and pieces to sample 🙂 I love my Kindle too. Never thought I would as I prefer traditional books, but it’s a lifesaver on the weight and in the dark, especially if you have a partner who hates the lights on. I want to try an Oska Pulse but not sure it’s worth the spend.
The Quell seems like a really good idea and something I would love to know more about. A very helpful and relevant list here Sheryl even though I’m discovering it in 2020!
Hi Shruti, I might have to take the Quell down unfortunately. It seems they got into trouble with the FTC for claims that are false: https://www.ftc.gov/quell
So it’s really up to the person as I’ve heard many good reviews from those with chronic pain. For me I could never really tell if it was placebo or not. I thought it helped, but not to a super degree where I could tell for sure.
I’ve been wondering about an Instant Pot for a while now! Seems such a good piece of kitchen it for those days when cooking and standing for a long time is out of the question.
To be honest I haven’t touched mine in a while, but it definitely is super useful for dumping in one pot meals. And I’m sure you’ll be more creative with it than me, ha! Let me know if you ever create some awesome one pot low histamine recipes! 🙂
Hey there! This is an amazing list. I saw that you brought up journaling. As a spoonie and licensed mental health clinician, I saw a huge need for a mind-body journal with prompts that cater to chronic illness. I created Begin Within – A Daily Healing Journal for this reason. It’s bullet journaling meets living life chronic illness. Hope you can check it out and maybe consider adding it to your list ?
I love the idea of heavy blankets and floatation. Would definitely like to try them. Wish you would find more peace and healing in the new year with your illness.
Thanks Bindu! Yes flotation was an interesting experience for me. When you’re forced to just lie and be still for an hour or more, it gets to you (in a good way!).
I love your ideas and the way you wrote about them. Christmas gifts are over but I’d like to have some of these on your list.
They sure are year round gifts, especially suitable for those who live with chronic pain, but also for anyone else 🙂 Merry Christmas!
Amazing stuff to be on the wish list, the oska pulse got my attention because it sounds really cool. I’m not sure if we have enough time because the list already with Santa and Christmas just couple days. Would put some of the things next time, thank you for sharing.
Most welcome, Fransic, and thanks for browsing the list! 🙂 The Oska Pulse is pretty famous within the chronic illness community, and seems to have a good rep! Merry Christmas!
I love these stuffs, even if I don’t have chronic illness, especially the weighted blanket, it’s so comfy to use.
Hi Rose, yes they can be useful, comforting gifts for anyone else, too! Weighted blankets are a popular choice it seems 🙂
Instant pot!!!! i just got one a couple weeks ago and I am so stoked on it!
It’s a pretty useful tool, isn’t it? Especially if you’re the sort who loves (or I guess hates :p) to cook!
My son has a tens machine. My neighbor just had something installed inside of her body that she charges to make pain go away; it’s like a tens machine.
Hi Rosey, wow that’s interesting. An internal TENS like device. I hope both your son and your neighbour are doing okay. Sending good thoughts for the season.
Cool things on the list, but I would add more high tech stuff.
Those things are cool. I also have a wish lists but I can’t afford to get it because I keep on procrastinating. Well, goodluck and I’m looking forward for your next update!
Thanks for sharing this amazing list of items. I am looking for Instant pot. Will definitely going to order this right away.
Hi Sundeep, thanks, these items can be useful for anyone! 🙂 Happy cooking!!
I love my weighted blanket, and I think I need that Tens unit. Thanks so much for sharing this with all of us!
Most welcome, happy there’s something on the list you like! I’m not so much into my weighted blanket, but many people love it!
I want every single one of these (especially the Roomba)! Thank you for this list!
They’re great gifts even for healthy people, aren’t they?! I need me a Roomba too, ha.
I LOVED my Roomba, had it for a lot of years. I have been trying to convince my husband that we should get one here in Germany. He doesn’t think it will work well, but they really do a great job.
I would also love to have a weighted blanket, but they are so costly.
Haha the men don’t seem to like it so much, do they :p I personally didn’t like the weighted blanket after trying one (they are so heavy to pull up and I am one of those people who shuffle a lot in my sleep :p)
You’ve put together such a wonderful list here.
I am loving so many of these suggestions that I think I may forward to my fiancé ?
Thanks Claire, you definitely should, ha! 😉
This list of gifts is great for all of us who need pampering and self care. Even without chronic illness, we all have those days when we need some extra help and comfort. I love the gift boxes, I subscribe to one that I receive seasonally, and I so look forward to the surprises I find, things I may not have purchased for myself.
Definitely! What sort of subscription do you have? I love receiving things like that in the mailbox too 🙂
Good list. I have used a bullet journal for two years now and love it. Page for the week open and can see exactly what is happening and needs to be done. I think everyone should have a heating pad at home even for a cold and general aches. Your blog makes me appreciate my body (currently pain free) and what I take for granted.
Thanks so much lovely! Would love to look at your bujo pages some day on your blog! I just use them for lists and rely on stickers and washi tape to make them pretty haha. Yea definitely need a heating pad myself, I currently use the old school hot water bottles!
I do love my Instant Pot. It is one of the best things I ever bought. I’ve heard about the weighted blankets but not sure if I would like that or not.
Good to hear you love your pot! Yea weighted blankets are okay…I didn’t like them so much personally!
I love the weighted blanket idea!
It does work for many people!
A nice reminder about a remote vacuum cleaner and kindle. They are now on my list. Thank you Sheryl.
Thanks great, Verla! I hope you get them this Christmas. Let me know how you find them if you do!
I would love a Roomba….I wonder if it could cope with my shaggy dog’s long hair?! Anything to help with cleaning! A weighted blanket is top of my list this year, C x
Haha probably not, I think hmm…But I agree, anything to help with cleaning! It seems like weighted blankets are popular requests this year! 🙂
I have that very instant pot cooker – it’s great. I need to look some more in to weighted blankets.
The Philips one? 😀 Yes, and ironically, I like pressure cooking potatoes with it, it taste good (what a waste of the cooker, ha ;)). I didn’t really like the weighted blanket I bought, but it might work for you! 🙂
My mum bought be a heated wrap blanket/wrap around brace it also has a large velcro strap so can just wrap around and keep in place. A god send for my back and hips.
Nice, with a velcro strap even! Would you care to share the link to it? 😀
There are several things here that are on my wish list as well. I would love to have a Roomba. We have two little dogs who shed like crazy, and vacuuming is a never-ending job. I recently got an Instant Pot and it’s fantastic. It’s really nice for those days when I just don’t feel like spending much time in the kitchen. I shared this on Pinterest and Facebook — you’ve got some wonderful ideas here! Thanks for giving me some items for my list! :o)
Sheryl, thanks for sharing these items. I think I’ll save up for the pulse for my RA. Please let us know how it works for you.
My pleasure, Marla! I also need to save up for it 😉
Some great ideas here, the Oscar pulse sounds great but too expensive for me unfortunately. The subscription boxes also sound a great idea too. This is a helpful list.
Yea, something to try in future hopefully! Thanks, I’m glad you found this helpfuL! 🙂
Some fab ideas – I’d love to try floatation, and what a novel gift that is to give someone!
Thank you! Yes, it’s definitely worth a few tries ;D
This wish list is very close to mine! I, too, have an instant pot and it can be a lifesaver when you are too sore to make a big meal. I am doing an art journal right now and I find it very healing. I sort of do the bullet journal thing but it is in a file on my computer and is mostly to record health stuff though that includes appointments, etc. so it is a bit of a to do list. The oska and Quell are at the top of my list. We did the Roomba thing and it was great at first but scared the dog and cat, and was annoying, especially when I wasn’t well.
Hey Lydia, seems like these items are quite the spoonie’s dream gift haha! I guess the Roomba is a love or hate thing, from what I hear. I shall be happy with my unpainted on hands and legs for now 😉 I use my Google Calendars for lots of things, but it’s been quite nice to be in the act of actually using my hands to write something down at times :p xx
A weighted blanket and books are definitely on my list! I wouldn’t mind a Roomba either (and neither would my carpet)!
Yes how nice it would be to sink into bed with a weighted blanket (I think)! I’ve heard good and bad reviews about the Roomba, so hey, need to test it for myself ;p