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If you have a family member or friend who lives with a chronic illness or disability, these stocking stuffers and small gifts under $25 are great ways to show them how much they mean to you — without breaking the bank. Gifts don’t have to cost an arm and a leg to show someone how much you care; even small presents can mean so much. We’ve got plenty of ideas for inexpensive yet meaningful gifts that are sure to make your loved one feel appreciated this holiday season!
Chronic Illness and Disability Stocking Stuffers – Body Care and Wellness
Chronic illness and disability can affect a person’s appearance in dramatic or subtle ways. Some medications have side effects such as weight gain or loss, dry or oily skin, etc. Even more significantly, chronic illness often changes the way a person feels about their body and can have a negative impact on body image. Stocking stuffers and small gifts that encourage physical self-care can help your loved one take back their sense of bodily autonomy and feel better about themselves.
Lip Balm
Between dry air inside and crisp air outdoors, chapped lips are practically inevitable during the winter. Some medications also cause dry mouth and skin. Lip balm makes an excellent stocking stuffer for any gender, and Burt’s Bees is a fabulous brand!
FLAVORFUL LIP BALM: One package contains four 0.15 oz. lip balm tubes of Burt’s Bees Lip Balm in Beeswax, Cucumber Mint, Watermelon and Sweet Mandarin flavors to moisturize and soften your lips
MOISTURIZED LIPS: Each balm is infused with responsibly sourced beeswax, nourishing oils and butter for a conditioning lip treatment that keeps your lips happy, healthy and juicy
Along with dry lips often comes dry skin, so this Burt’s Bees lotion set will be welcomed by your loved one with a disability or chronic illness this holiday season.
PERFECT GENDER NEUTRAL HOLIDAY GIFTS: One 3-count package of the Burt's Bees Hand Cream Trio Gift Set for women and men includes deliciously scented hand lotion in a beautifully packaged holiday gift
MOISTURIZES AND SOFTENS HANDS: Nourishing Oils, Shea Butter, Baobab Oil and Pumpkin Seed Oil moisturizes and soften hands, making this trio of skincare gifts for her or him a fantastic holiday present
A hot bath with Epsom salts can be a great remedy for chronic pain. These mineral bath salts are individually packaged so you can divide them among a few friends, or give them all to one person and they can easily open one when needed rather than having to lift a heavy container.
ON-THE-GO RELIEF: Relaxing your achy body and tired mind before bed can be a challenge – especially when you are constantly on the move. With our convenient, single-use Mineral Bath Soak packets, you can relax and unwind while on-the-go. Take a dip in the tub with a powerful blend of essential oils and extracts including Lavender, Chamomile, and cooling Menthol.
XL BATH BOMBS: These extra large bath bombs from Pure Nature Lux spa weigh 4 ounces and are about the size of a tennis ball; Ideal for larger tubs, our bath bombs for women help soak away your stress with a hand selected blend of essential oils; Upgrade to a super large bath bomb kit to melt your tension
If your family member or friend doesn’t have a bathtub or can’t get in and out of the tub due to their disability, shower steamers are a perfect alternative to bath bombs.
Scent-Sational: This 6-pack of shower tablets features the sublime scents of 1x Watermelon, 1x Grapefruit, 1x Menthol & Eucalyptus, 1x Peony & Pear, 1x Cacao & Orange, and 1x Lemongrass & Coconut. Select one and spoil yourself.
15 Citrus Grove Shower Steamers; our aromatherapy shower melts, which will dissolve in your bathtub and release potent aromatherapy essential oils that will help you immerse in deep relaxation. Our shower tablets come in a citrus blend scent!
TEA SAMPLER GIFT SET : Give the gift of glowing health with Eloments Vitamin Tea. Each Tea Sampler contains 3 tea gift boxes with 6 variety tea bags that are infused with Vitamin B, Vitamin C, and Zinc.
Staying hydrated is important for everyone! Electrolytes and vitamin drink powders can help people who struggle with chronic fatigue or get dizzy due to dysautonomia. They’re also beneficial for those who are not able to eat much due to their symptoms or medication side effects.
Nuun Sport is an Electrolyte-Rich Sports Drink Tablet, enhanced with electrolytes and bursting with delicious fruity flavor. Mix with water for a hydrating beverage to keep you powering through your next workout
For larger gifts like these, check out our guide to self-care boxes.
Disability and Chronic Illness Stocking Stuffers – Accessories
These small clothing items and accessories make ideal Christmas stocking stuffers or gifts on a budget for someone you care about who has a disability or chronic illness.
Fuzzy Socks
Who doesn’t love a pair of fuzzy socks? We recommend these because they have nonslip grips on the bottom, so your gift recipient can wear them around the house like slippers.
NON SLIP BOTTOM - Anlisim fuzzy socks for women are designed with non slip / anti skid grips on the bottom to protect you from falling down on smooth surfaces while walking or exercising. They are great socks for Indoor exercisers, patients, pregnant women or others.
Speaking of slippers, if they prefer to wear a shoe with a sole around the house, a pair of comfy slippers will warm their toes and their heart this holiday season.
COMFY AND WARM: A pair of ladies house slippers that will treat your feet like royalty. These faux fur-lined women's clog slippers have a soft furry collar and lining along with a heel cushion that will never fail to keep your feet warm and cozy either you are in your bedroom or front porch.
STYLISH HAIR ACCESSORY: You'll never have a bad hair day when you wear one of our super trendy hair headbands. Perfect for everyday use, they are durable, lightweight, and unique with one-of-a-kind patterns designed by our curated artists.
Many people with a chronic illness or disability are still wearing masks in public places to protect us from COVID and flu. These headbands include a button on each side where mask ear loops can be attached for greater comfort.
Button Holder - No Pain: Soft Headbands with 2 buttons .Fashionable and Practice.
Premium Quality Material-The fashion headbands are made of cotton material, they are soft and comfortable to wear. And the size is around 19.5", the stretch can be up to around 25.4', so no need to worry about the size.
Despite elected officials proclaiming that the pandemic is over, COVID, flu, and RSV still pose a threat to many people with a chronic illness or disability, especially those who are immunosuppressed. High-quality respirator masks like these KF94 from Korea can help protect your loved ones and those around them from airborne illnesses all year round.
KF94 is one of the grades given to Korean health masks. ‘KF’ stands for ‘Korean Filter’. Korean masks must be certified by the Korea Food & Drug Administration (KFDA) and will be rated KF80/94/99 depending on their performance. The numbers quantify the filter performance of the mask.
If you have a family member or friend who struggles with migraine, insomnia, or chronic fatigue, a sleep mask would be a welcome stocking stuffer this Christmas or anytime.
【Block Out Light Perfectly】Our sleep mask is specially designed with ergonomic contours for maximum sleeping comfort. Precise cutting nose indentation prevents light leaks around the nose. Ample nose space ensures no bridge or sinus pressure. Fits perfectly and easier to fall asleep during day and nighttime. Hardly feel the eye mask on.
Chronic pain is one of the most debilitating aspects of living with a disability or chronic illness. Cold, damp weather tends to exacerbate pain, so winter can be a rough season for people with these struggles. Our recommended stocking stuffers can help ease the toll of muscle, joint, and nerve pain for someone you care about.
Pain Relief Gel
Voltaren is an effective remedy for arthritis and joint pain. Although it falls under our $25 gift limit for this article, the cost can add up for folks with chronic illness who need it. However, you should check with them first before gifting a tube to them to make sure it doesn’t conflict with the treatment regimen recommended by their doctor.
One 3.5 oz/100 g tube and one 0.71 oz/20 g travel size tube of Voltaren Arthritis Pain Gel for Powerful Topical Arthritis Pain Relief
Number 1 Doctor Recommended topical pain relief brand
Clinically Proven to relieve arthritis pain, improve mobility and reduce stiffness, aches and pains to provide prescription strength arthritis pain relief
This microwavable heating pad delivers pain relief on the go, so your relative or friend can use it in the car or while waiting at the doctor’s office.
Natural Therapy for Pain Relief and Relaxation: Unlike other rice heating pad microwavable, our cordless heating pad filled with flaxseed, millets, and clay beads delivers deep, penetrating moist heat and promote blood circulation, help alleviate joints, cramps, stiffness, knotted muscles, tightness, swelling, and inflammation, or get relaxed during meditation or taking a rest.
Heat patches can be hidden under clothes for pain relief at work or while out and about, so they make thoughtful stocking stuffers for a wide variety of folks with chronic pain.
Back Pain HeatWraps: These air activated HeatWraps provide up to 16 hours of pain relief. Set Includes 5 Lower Back wraps (L/XL Size)
Advanced Design: Single use wraps that are thin enough to be worn discreetly. Heat cell placement that stays close to your skin; Designed to adapt to your movements and easy readjustment
Disability and Chronic Illness Stocking Stuffers – Toys and Games
Stocking stuffers for someone with a chronic illness or disability don’t need to focus on their health condition; in fact, many people would prefer a gift that distracts them from distressing symptoms. These toys and games can help to do just that, yet will be accessible and usable for folks with limited energy, strength, or coordination.
Stress Ball
Squeeze it, throw it, punch it, who wouldn’t want a set of funny stress balls to play with? With this set of emojis, they can even choose a different one each day to reflect their mood.
Tangle toys are a great gift for neurodivergent folks (autism, ADHD, etc.) but can also be good distractors from pain and other nagging chronic illness symptoms. They are easy to twist so they should be usable by many folks with cerebral palsy, arthritis, and other disabilities that limit hand function.
If you’re shopping for someone who stays in bed a lot due to chronic illness symptoms, a Squishmallow makes a perfect cuddle buddy that can double as a pillow.
Love, play, cuddle and squeeze! Squishmallows are the softest, cutest plush toys around!
Merry Squishmas! Meet Bumble the Abominable Snowman, from the movie, Rudoloph the Red Nosed Reindeer! Squishmallow have their own style and personality encouraging fun and imaginative play!
This octopus helps people of all ages start conversations about mental health or just lets everyone know how they’re feeling from day to day. Be sure to check out the product listing as there are many more colors and mood combinations available!
This award-winning, good best-selling plushie is super soft, portable, and satisfying to flip!
Finally, an easy (and cuddly) tool for effective emotional communication. Relieve stress by letting the Reversible Plushie tell friends, family, or coworkers how you are feeling.
Crosswords and other puzzles can help keep someone’s brain stimulated when they are stuck at home or in bed a lot. Once again, you can choose between funny, serious, outrageous, and anything in between.
Chronic Illness and Disability Stocking Stuffers – Home Accessories and Decor
Many people with a chronic illness or disability stay home a lot, especially in the winter, because the cold can worsen our symptoms. These stocking stuffers will brighten their house and bring them holiday cheer.
Candle in Jar
Candles are a very popular low-cost holiday gift, but they can also be a potential safety hazard for people with a disability that affects their coordination or memory. A candle in a large, deep jar like those sold by Yankee Candle and featured below is safer because they don’t tip over easily and the flame stays within the jar. They can also be put out quickly and easily simply by putting the lid on.
If jar candles are not accessible or safe, wax melts are a great alternative as they don’t use any flame. Wax warmers are a useful small gift for someone who wants to refresh their home and bring in seasonal scents all year round.
【Elegant Design】- Our exclusive design of premium electric wax melter is made of high quality ceramic and heating plate.A perfect addition to home or office. When you're sleeping or at work, the candle wax melter can create a comfortable atmosphere.
Many people with a chronic illness or disability like essential oils as symptom remedies or to elevate their mood. However, some people are allergic to them, so always check with your loved ones before purchasing any scented gift.
Top selling essential oils set: We create our essential oils using rigorously tested ingredients. Top blends, make pampering a luxurious experience with our set of 6 10ml oils. Perfect for blending to make candle making scents, bath bombs or a unique aromatherapy experience. Join 110,000+ customers who love our essential oils for massage, aromatherapy, and candle making!
Difusor to Improve Air Quality: The cool mist aroma diffuser adopted the ultrasonic technology to create a soft environment by adding essential oils.Use it to improve your home's atmosphere quality, cover the smell of pets or smoking, and protect your family from excessively dry season, dust, and more! It suits salon,bedroom,large room, living room, nursery, office, and so on.
Stocking stuffer might be stretching it on this one… I’m not sure how you would fit a body pillow into a stocking! But if you’re looking for a meaningful gift under $25 for someone who spends a lot of time in bed or on the couch, a body pillow is a good choice.
PRODUCT DIMENSION : 1 Body Pillow Cover measures 21"x 54" (Pillows are not included). Fits most body pillows.
PRODUCT FEATURES: 100-percent polyester microfiber plush shaggy on the front. Nice smooth velvet fabric texture on back side with hidden zipper to allow easy inserting and removing of pillow inserts and keep the pillow stay in place. Wrinkle, shrink and fade resistance, not easy pilling after frequent wash.
Many people with a disability use cups with lids around the house because they are less likely to spill. We always need more of them, so they are a welcome low-cost gift for Christmas or a birthday.
Straws make it easier for people with disabilities that make it difficult to lift a heavy cup to stay hydrated. Disposable straws are bad for the environment, and metal straws are a safety hazard (Ralphie, you’ll poke your eye out!) but silicone straws are flexible and easy to use. This set also comes with a straw cleaner so they won’t get yucky on the inside.
★ BEST BANG FOR YOUR BUCK: with 15 Silicone Straws included and 2 Cleaning Brushes, you will get the Biggest Set of Silicone Straws in market and for the best price! The Straws are Regular Size (Approx. 10 Inch Long and an inner diameter 0.2 Inch and an outer diameter of 0.3 Inch)
Many chronically ill people take a lot of pills, and need to bring some with them at all times for emergencies. A funny pill case that can fit in their purse, pocket, or bag will help them stay on track and make them laugh.
[BPA-FREE & LIFETIME RUSTPROOF DURABLE MATREIAL] These pill cases are pretty safe because of being made of food grade materials.You wouldn't have to worry about the health issue with these BPA-free,lead-free,nickle-free pill boxes and organizers when storing multiple pill regimes inside. Besides,Comparing with those plastic types, our pill organizers are made of premium rustproof and healthy metal, which makes them more sturdy and durable
Not All Disabilities Are Visible. Unique, colorful, floral design.
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Founder and Editor-in-Chief of The Ability Toolbox. I received my BA in English from Stanford University and MA in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University Los Angeles, and have worked in entertainment and health media for over 20 years. I also blog about traveling with a disability. As a wheelchair user with cerebral palsy, I am deeply committed to amplifying the voices of the disability community through writing and advocacy.