Published 11/25/19 by Charlotte Hilton Andersen
Last updated 12/20/2021
DIY GIFT IDEAS
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Offer to run an errand
Getting out in cold, icy weather isn’t just inconvenient for people with arthritis; it can be downright dangerous because of the increased risk of slips and falls. Help keep your loved one safe and comfortable by giving them the gift of running an errand.
“One of the best gifts I got was when a friend would call from the grocery store, ask me what I needed, and pick it up for me,” says Sarah T. You can offer to pick up groceries, mail packages, get mail, grab their kids from school, or drive relatives to and from the airport. Depending on your time and resources, the options are limitless.
Reusable heat pack
Want to make a special gift for a loved one with arthritis? DIY microwaveable heating packs are simple to make and easily customized. People can heat them quickly and apply them to whichever joints are painful. You can even make ones designed especially for different body parts, like necks or backs. The handmade touch will remind them of your love every time they see it.
A low-key lunch outing
Holiday parties that require dressing up and ordering Ubers and spending hours of socializing are often on the bottom of the list of fun holiday activities for people with arthritis. Yet staying home means missing out on friends and family. Strike a happy medium by taking your loved one out for a casual lunch at a restaurant of their choosing. Invite others if they would like or stick to a one on one meal if that’s less pressure.
Bouquet of fresh flowers
A bouquet of fresh flowers is an automatic day brightener for anyone and with so many seasonal blooms like poinsettias and mums, it’s easy to find something festive and fun. Make sure to consider your loved one’s arthritis however, says Kaid G. For instance, if they have issues with their hands, cut and arrange the flowers in the vase for them. If balance or carrying things is a problem, choose a non-breakable vase with plastic or rubber grips.
Helpful visit
The holidays can be a difficult time for people struggling with chronic illness that limits the activities and traditions they can participate in. A friendly home visit may be the best gift you can give them. Stopping by and perhaps doing a few simple chores, like vacuuming or carrying laundry, was on the top of the list for nearly all the people we surveyed. “Just because I’m in pain doesn’t mean I don’t want to see my friends. I do — it’s just harder for me to go out. Honestly for me, having people care to visit and chat is the best,” Elizabeth says.
Ride to a support group meeting
Feeling isolated, lonely, and misunderstood is common for people with arthritis — and too often friends and family simply can’t understand what patients are going through. Help your loved one connect with others in similar situations by finding and taking them to a local support group for arthritis, Kevin suggests. If there isn’t one for arthritis, try looking for groups dealing with chronic pain or chronic illnesses. You can start by calling local hospitals or community centers. “It felt encouraging to see that my life wasn’t over, that I too could learn to laugh through the pain,” he says. “It helped me feel not so alone.”
Gift-wrapping service
Using scissors, ripping tape, folding paper, curling ribbon, and applying stickers or bows can all be hard to manage with arthritic hands, which can make wrapping holiday gifts a nightmare. Bring your loved ones a set of pretty gift bags and matching tissue paper or offer to wrap their gifts yourself.
