Chronically Ill Holiday Gift Guide 2025
It’s an understatement to say that I love the hunt. Looking for items that I need, but also want, has happily filled many a listless day in bed. For many of us who are homebound or bedbound, this time of year can bring a mix of emotions, a sense of longing for what was, and a desire, but inability, to connect more with those we love. Sometimes, all it takes to alleviate some of this is a well-thought-out gift, which can bring much-needed comfort. The thing about many of the gift guides I’ve seen that are geared towards us, though, is that they often list items that few would be over the moon to receive. I mean, I know a pill crusher is useful, but unwrapping one is a sure way to get me out of the holiday spirit. Just like the rest of the world, we want things that will make us feel good. I kept that as my focus for this year’s installment. Almost everything here I’ve used myself without affiliation or sponsorship. I hope it sparks ideas for you and/or someone you love!
Loop Dream
When we first moved into our basement apartment after living on a top floor for years, let’s just say it took a lot to adjust to the noise. Top that with our landlord’s kitchen, which becomes stompingly animated at 6:30 am, being above our bedroom, and it equates to many sleepless mornings. Enter these Loops, which are made entirely of soft silicone, so they’re cushy on the ears while blocking out, what I’ve experienced as 85% of sound. They’re durable little buggers and come with different-size oval ear attachments for the right fit. (Who knew my canals were so small!) I’ve been using them every night for two years, and they look as new as they did when I first bought them. To further block out the really abrupt sounds coming from above, I also play brown noise using the Moongate app1. It has beautiful soundscapes and different wave frequencies that can be scheduled to run all night long. The combo of the two could make a great gift for the struggling sleepers in your life.
Swell 64oz Thermus
Guys, if you have to drink nearly as much water as I do, having a bottle that can be filled once and cover most of the water you need to drink in the entire day is helpful beyond words. Sure, it has weight during those initial pours, but what it has in weight is made up for in the dramatic reduction of either having to ask or get up constantly for refills. I need to drink 94-104 oz of water a day to not feel like total crap. The moment I had the bright idea to go bigger, I’ve never looked back. I initially wanted to share Brumate’s Rotera 65 oz bottle, which is what I have and love, but it’s been discontinued. This one from Swell looks great and would be my next choice if/when I need to replace the one I have. Bottles this size also make it easier to keep track of your daily water requirements, while also looking nice. This one only has an open mouth and no straw, which is ideal for washing and keeping out mold.
DIY Spa Gift Box
I love giving a gift box assortment of skin and haircare products. It’s very forgiving when you’re on a budget while still making an impact. The below really stood out for me this year in terms of being extremely clean and non-triggering for highly reactive, fellow MCAS-y folks:
The first is the pure Olive Oil Soap by my favorite zero-waste, woman-owned, fair trade brand, Unearth Melee. Everything they make is small batch, and I cannot state enough how much I love this soap. It’s the purest I’ve ever used on my body and to wash my hair. (They have shampoo bars, that I have to avoid due to my seborrheic dermatitis, but the Agave Nectar Aloe sounds gentle and fantastic). I’ve also used their Cedar Olive Oil bar, which smells subtly divine without triggering my fragrance sensitivities. There’s plenty more to choose from for anyone less sensitive, from a Sandalwood Cocoa Butter Scar Therapy Bar to a Jasmine Sticky Rice Mango. Also want to mention that their Cocoa Macadamia Lip Balm is one of the very few (out of so many), I’ve been able to tolerate.
Evan Healy’s hydrosols, which I use as a natural toner, are next to go in this box. They are the purest and most trustworthy that I’ve come across. The problem with hydrosols is that they have a high propensity for developing mold because of inadequate management after the distillation process. I’m extremely allergic to mold, and my lungs instantly flare if it’s in something within seconds of exposure. I’ve tried quite a few (avoid the ones by Mountain Rose Herbs), and these are my go-to. Their Sonoma Rose, Rose Geranium, and Frankincense are my favorites.
Last in this box is Bright Body’s Buzzline Petroleum-free Ointment made from jojoba esters and beeswax. This is great for dry patches, lips, and cuticle health, but it can be used for everything that Vaseline is also used for. I applied it often after getting a recent burn, and the scar is barely visible. It’s multi-purpose in the best ways and specifically made with sensitive folks in mind.
FitFlop Clog Slippers
Since I’ve started being able to walk in the apartment again, I’ve been wearing a pair of janky flip-flops around the house that began causing a lot of pain in my feet. After a truly exhaustive search for something supportive, I came upon the SHUV Curly-Shearling Clogs. They boast “biomechanical technology” designed to support the arches while minimizing muscle exertion and energy usage by supporting proper alignment. I’ve been wearing them daily for weeks now and am so glad they have come into my life. The footbed slightly molds to the shape of your feet over time and my pain is gone. I feel I’m walking on a fluffy cloud of joy. The only caveat is the height of the heel (looks to be about an inch) can be tricky if someone’s ankles are prone to twisting, so I wouldn’t recommend if falls are a concern. I never thought I’d be a fluffy slipper gal, but here I am, and now I’m sharing the love. If these aren’t your style, be sure to read the reviews, as these had the best feedback.
If you or your loved one doesn’t have arch support needs or requires something flatter for safety, I also came across these temperature-regulating Garnet Hill Wool Dot and Stripe Slippers during my search. They’re a family-owned business of 50 years based in Germany, who take pride in their footwear’s durability.
Gracey Eleyae Satin-Lined Hats
We all suffer from endlessly dry hair in winter, but if you also have a chronic illness, it’s often even worse. Add covering your head with a knit hat that is notorious for leeching out even more of that much-needed moisture, and it’s a recipe for disaster. In comes Gracey Eleyae hats made with satin lining sewn in. The lining reduces dryness and also frizz in the event you want to take said hat off once inside. It’s a win-win. I’ve been buying from this brand for over a decade. I’ve had four that are between 8 and 10 years old, and I’ve only had to retire one thus far—because a moth got to it. These hats are made to last.
Trendy Together Co. Mug
I saw this mug on Etsy and laugh every time I read it. For anyone with brain fog, in perimenopause, or living with ADHD, it’s a keeper. It’s customizable, but I read that light letters on a dark background don’t show up as much, so you’ll want to keep it to a light background with dark text. Funny mugs can be a sprinkle of pleasure on the days that feel super hard. One chuckle is worth millions, and this mug never fails.
Remember Duffle Travel Bag
The one thing I’ve learned after numerous hospital stays is that, for some reason, I always accumulate more stuff than when I first rolled in. This is where this extra-light, foldable Duffle Travel Bag comes in. Think of it like a Baggu—it folds up so small that it can be stashed in a hospital go bag among all of your loved ones' things without taking up room. Unfold and use as needed, so rather than walking out with whatever horribly colored hospital tote they’re given by a well-meaning nurse, they can walk out with this. It’s cute, colorful, and has just the right amount of style.
Purple Seat Cushion
This one might not have the whimsical oooohh that you might get from other gifts, but it literally saved me from getting bed sores all over my tailbone, and so I felt it was imperative to include. If you’re stuck in bed, particularly in an upright seated position, this Seat Cushion allows you to sit for hours with pressure support. The first few years I was bedridden, we’d put a million different pillows under my bum while shifting me left and right every few hours to avoid the dreaded sores. When I got this cushion two years ago, it felt like some kind of magic sorcery, because all of my tailbone discomfort went poof. No lie. Even though it’s always important to monitor for sores and shift the weight, this widens the margin of error a lot.
A big thing to keep in mind, though, is that there’s a very hard line where the cushion ends (you can see it in the above image), so you (or your loved one) needs to be sure you’re/they’re able to move off of that line. Otherwise, it’s counterproductive. Due to this, it’s only recommended if someone has the capacity to adjust themselves regularly. I would not have been able to use this at my most severe. Lastly, note that it’s tall, so there’s space under the knees if used in bed (a rolled blanket can fix this). It takes some finagling to make sure it’s comfortable, but it helps immensely. Also, all the dupes suck. We tried them. This is the only one that worked.
Second-Hand Finds
Lastly, I have a great love for sustainability and not adding to the piles of discarded clothes and accessories overwhelming landfills throughout the world. I thrift a lot, and not everyone is into the idea of gifting second-hand items, but I’ve found that if you’re diligent and have a keen eye, there are plenty of gift-worthy pieces out there. Also, many of us chronically ill/disabled folks like fashion just as much as the next person, regardless of our outing capabilities. Check out this brand new (with tags) House of Sunny Shoulder Bag that’s the perfect size for a book, water bottle, and whatever else one might need. This small one by Walter Baker is cute for someone who prefers to travel light, and this buttery, earth-toned Staud Leather Shoulder Bag is great for a more low-key vibe.
I’ve also found a couple of coats worth sharing, like this full-length Calvin Klein Puffer—ideal for someone in a wheelchair. Not being able to walk when outside makes cold days feel like a year-long trip to the Arctic, so being wrapped in something like this is heaven. Lastly, this Blaze Out Sherpa Moto Jacket or this funky Cinq à Sept Color Block Pattern Coat2 looks cozy and cute to wear against a backdrop of snow.
And that’s it, folks! If you liked the thrifted section, please let me know if I should do this more. I see cute pieces all the time, so I might be down to start sharing finds periodically. I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season, and please stay tuned for my end-of-year meditation!
Alpha, Beta, Delta waves are used alongside ambient sounds to help with everything from sleep to focus and relaxation.
Not sure how warm this coat is, but it’s fun.
Great list! I didn’t know that Loop made sleep plugs - gotta get me some of those! Their plugs have saved me in noisy settings these past five years. I’ll also be checking out your slipper recs because my Dearfoams are just not cutting it. Stay warm!
Love the thrifted suggestions! Definitely do more of those. Thanks for thinking of chronically ill people. Your guide is the first one I’ve come across for someone like me ❤️