Gift Ideas for the Holidays

The holiday shopping season can be a little intimidating, especially when you’re trying to find the perfect gift for the person who has everything. We’ve compiled a few ideas for an assortment of interests to help inspire your wish list and gift giving this year. Now, we aren’t endorsing these products, nor have we tested them. We just thought that they looked pretty cool.

 

Children

Wheelchair Pals

Wheelchair Pals are fun and practical by covering the armrest for extra comfort while adding personality to the wheelchair. ($29.95)

 

 

 

 

Build-A-Bear with Wheelchair

Gift the gift of a personalized stuffed animal from Build-A-Bear that’s perfect for any kid. You can customize the animal’s clothing and accessories to match the interests and personality of the child.

 

 

 

 

 

Convertible Sled & Wagon

Enjoy more outdoor adventures with the kids in the snow and sun. The kids will love this wagon from Mountain Boy Sledworks during the summer months that easily converts into a sled during the winter months. ($279.99 US, $299.99 CAD)

 

 

Explorer™ Learning Game: I SPY® super Challenger!

Enjoy the game of I SPY from your own childhood while using logic, language and math skills to solve 50 riddles and 4 arcade-style games. ($24.99 from LeapFrog)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tech Geeks

Speech Recognition Software

Speech recognition software or speech-to-text software can be a lifesaver for anyone with limited hand dexterity. The software allows for you to control a computer by voice such as surfing the internet or typing an email and it has increasingly improved over the past few years. There are several different software options but the best are Dragon by Nuance ($99.99 to $199.99) and Windows Speech Recognition. Apple has also just released Siri on the iPhone 4S that allows you to make phone calls, schedule meetings, send text messages and more just by your voice.

 

Tablet

Tablets make reading magazines, books or newspapers a lot easier and more convenient. Not only do you eliminate fumbling through pages, you can also surf the web, check your email or even play a game of Angry Birds. With the growth of the Android operating system, new tablets have appeared on the scene. A few of the most popular are the Apple iPad 2 ($499 and up), Amazon Kindle Fire ($199), Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 ($629.99), HTC Flyer ($299 and up), HP TouchPad ($99.99–$149.99), BlackBerry PlayBook ($199 and up), Motorola Xoom ($199.99) and the Barnes & Noble NOOK ($99–$249).

 

TV Show Seasons on DVD

Catch up on a few of the missed episodes or seasons of your loved one’s favorite TV shows. Or, why not expose them to one of your favorites. A few of my favorites to consider are Friends, Dexter, Arrested Development, The Office or Law and Order.

 

 

 

Fashionistas

3E Love Gear

3E Love’s International Symbol of Acceptance (the wheelchair heart logo) drives the company’s mission to “provide the tools for others to embrace diversity, educate society, and empower each other to love life.” The company has both an amazing back story and cool gear. They have a wide selection of apparel and accessories on their store including t-shirts, sweatshirts, necklaces, tote bags and more.

Adaptive Clothing

There are several companies that specifically make clothing to fit the needs of wheelchair users that provide both comfort and style. A few of the modificationsA few of the more popular brands are Lega Wear, Versa Access Wear, AG Apparel and Rollin’ Wear.

 

 

 

 

Touchscreen Gloves

Now you can keep your hands warm while still being able to use your touchscreen gadget. ($17.99 and up from Agloves)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Active Lifestyle

Fishing Pole Holder for Wheelchairs

The Fishing Pole Holder for Wheelchairs clamps your fishing pole onto your chair for one-handed use. ($39.95)

 

 

 

 

Adaptive Sports Equipment

If there’s a sport or activity that you enjoy, chances are that there’s an adaptive chair or equipment for you. Whether it’s a handcycle, snow chair that easily convert to an outdoor wheelchair ($1995), tennis wheelchair, wheelchair for hunting or camping and more. You can find more products on USA Tech Guide’s list of adaptive sports equipment.

 

 

 

Bowling Ramp

The bowling ramp can be easily placed at the front of the lane and can be used while sitting or standing. The bowler just gives the bowling ball a slight push to roll it down the lane. ($188.20)

 

 

 

 

Nikon COOLPIX® AW100 Camera

The Nikon COOLPIX AW100 Camera has a built-in GPS, survive in up to 33 feet of water and is freeze-proof. It can take 16-megapixel photos and has a 1080p HD video camera. Take a camera along that can survive all of the adventures. ($379.95)

 

 

Pocketknife

Every outdoor adventurer needs a pocket knife. Find the perfect pocket knife for your love one’s activities whether it’s hunting, camping, cycling or basketball.

 

 

 

Gamer

Evil Controllers Game Controllers

Evil Controllers is a company that specifically designs accessible controllers for gamers. They offer standard products, but can also custom build controllers for an individual’s specific needs. A couple of these include a six-button programmable controller, one-handed controllers, Thumb-Stick Click Mods and a Sensitive Controller .

 

 

My Golf Game featuring Ernie Els

“My Golf Game featuring Ernie Els” is a one-switch golf game for PC can be played using touch-screen, joysticks, speech recognition and other accessible equipment. ($34.95)

 

 

QuadJoy

QuadJoy is an orally-controlled mouse for those unable to use a hand-held mouse. The inventor of the product, Tom Street, was quoted saying, “It might not open doors, but it will open many Windows.” ($800 for the complete basic unit)

 

 

 

Trabasack Connect

No more worrying about dropping the expensive controller on the floor. Trabasack is a bean bag laptray that allows you to mount switches, consoles and adapted controllers to the soft velour surface using ‘hook’ tape to provide a secure and comfortable mount. Not only that, but it can also be used as a backpack for easy transportation. (£34.95–£44.95)

 

 

 

 

 

MattVision Card Holder

Unlike other card holders on the market, the MattVision Card Holder uses mirrors to let the player see their own cards while preventing other people from sneaking a peek. There are two versions, a 2 Card Viewer ($75) and a 13 Card Viewer ($80).

 

 

Foosball Game

Adventure back to dorm-room days when a rec-room classic.

 

 

 

 

Traveler

ROHO Cushion for Travel

Gift the gift of a travel cushion for the car, plane, construction or farm work or the office. You happen to be in luck because The ROHO Store is having a special sale for the month of December. The Black Ultra Leather® Cover LTV® Seat Cushion and the AIRHAWK™ Truck Seat Cushion System are both $20 OFF.

 

 

 

Travelon® Smart Tubes

Travelon Smart Tubes are perfect for airport travel. They’re spill and leak proof, dishwasher safe, and easy to open and close. ($24.99)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Takeout-Menu Organizer

Alright, so this one might have more to do with staying in than going out, but we still think it’s a great idea. Give the gift of a little organization. ($21 from Knock Knock)

 

 

 

 

Online Music Gift Card

Gift the traveler in your life the gift of music to pass the time on a 10-hour flight. A few options are gift cards to iTunes, Amazon or Spotify.

 

 

 

Wheelchair Accessories

ROHO Cushion

Why not add a back-up or travel ROHO Cushion to the list this year? Protect you or a loved one while providing extra comfort.

 

 

 

Umbrella Holder for Wheelchairs

The Umbrella Holder for Wheelchair easily attaches to the wheelchair, walker or even a stroller. It not only holds the umbrella while it’s in use, but it can also hold it folded. ($42.95)

 

 

 

 

 

Wheel Covers

Wheel covers are great for helping keep the home and office floors clean. The wheel covers are especially great during the winter to prevent dragging snow, ice and slush indoors.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Host(ess) Gifts

Wine Sampler

Why give the host(ess) just one bottle of wine when you can give a sample of six. You can choose from several different collections like Napa’s Hidden Gems ($39.99) or make your own from Tasting Room. Right now they’re running a special that you can save $10 any sampler if you sign up for their email list.

 

 

Chocolate Assortment

Who doesn’t love chocolate during the cold months? You can buy the gift from a local candy shop or find shop online.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Do you have other ideas that you think would be great to add to the list? We’d love to hear your suggestions.