Uh, oh. There are only a few shopping days left until Christmas. Are you a stumped shopper this holiday season?  Do you have no idea what to give that dear friend?

Well, I might have an idea or two for you. As a person with a post-polio disability, I have received many thoughtful gifts from friends and family over the years. They are presents that have helped me be healthier, more functional and better connected to the world around me.

If you have no idea what to get that favorite person this holiday season, there’s still time!  Maybe I can help.

Here are 7 gifts that I have appreciated receiving. Maybe your friend or loved one would benefit from having one too.

1. Crock-Pot

Many years ago, when I first set up housekeeping as a 20-something single woman with a demanding teaching career, my good friend, Rosalie, bought me a crock-pot. Looking back, that was one of the best all-time gifts I ever received. I could put my dinner in to cook before I left for work in the morning and when I got home after a busy day–wa! la!–a tasty one-pot supper was ready for me to enjoy. And the whole house smelled wonderful as savory dinner aromas wafted upon entry. I used to joke that maybe it was the work of an altruistic “crackpot” cook who broke in and did it all when I was away.  Anyhow,  a crock-pot can make cooking so easy for someone with limited time and physical energy. Because my hands don’t chop vegetables as well as they used to, I now ask my grocer to cut up the fresh vegetables I purchase, which he is happy to do at no extra charge. Then I am ready to crock-pot it all up!  By now, crock-pots are common household items, but these days they come in all shapes and sizes. The shops even sell cute little ones to serve up warm cheese dips for holiday entertaining. Crock-pots are about half the price they started out at 40 years ago, too.

Check out:    Crock-Pot SCR400-B 4-Quart Manual Slow Cooker, Black

  2. George Foreman Grill

This little table-top grill was another great gift!  It has also been around for many years. I especially like it in the summer when the aroma of steaks grilling is in the air and I want to create a summertime barbecue that is manageable. Besides a nice steak, hamburgers and veggies are also easy and quick! I can grill without having to go outside, pull out the giant cooker, feverishly scrape the grate, and be sure not to get blown up when I light the gas. I am happy Gerorge Foreman came up with his idea.

Maybe your friend would like a red one: George Foreman Champ Grill, Red

 

 3. Philips Sonicare Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush

 

This was a very smart gift that my sister, Holly, and brother-in-law, Kris,  gave me a couple years ago. They had just been to their dentist and were passing along the recommendation for keeping our aging teeth healthy and happy. It is an excellent appliance. It brushes like no other, it is easy to use for those of us who have limited hand function. Plus, it is great to travel with. It has its own travel case and holds a charge for at least 2 weeks. But what really sold me on it were the cheerful comments my dentist made when I went in for my semi-annual check up. He said that my teeth had really been cleaned up well and there were no dental issues to report. All I had done was use my new toothbrush. It is definitely worth the small investment. This gift will keep everyone smiling. Ho! Ho! Ho!

Here it is: Philips Sonicare HX6731/02 Healthywhite Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush

 4. Massage

The gift of an in-home massage is also wonderful. When I was going through a life-altering crisis 11 years ago, a colleague at work said, “I want to help. I am going to buy you a massage.” She gave me a gift certificate to a local massage center. It was such a thoughtful present! I loved it more than I ever thought I would and started the practice of getting a massage whenever possible.  A good massage is great for sore muscles, poor circulation, and stress, which polio survivors experience so much of the time. In fact, right after a massage is my most pain-free time. I was able to find a therapist who could come to my home for an extra $15.00 which made all the difference because changing clothes, taking braces on and off several times can be a real hassle. It’s much more do-able at home. They have portable tables. Contact your local massage center or the American Massage Therapy Association  to buy a gift certificate. You might even see if they have a therapist who is trained in massage for seniors. Some are.

 5. E-Reader

A couple of years ago my sister and brother-in-law gave me a NOOK for Christmas. It’s an e-reader.

“An e-reader, also called an e-book reader or e-book device, is a mobile electronic device that is designed primarily for the purpose of reading digital e-books and periodicals. Any device that can display text on a screen may act as an e-book reader, but specialized e-book reader designs may optimize portability, readability (especially in sunlight), and battery life for this purpose. A single e-book reader is capable of holding the digital equivalent of hundreds of printed texts with no added bulk or measurable mass.”

This device is so handy–quite portable around the house and on trips, and I can buy a new book instantly. No trip to the bookstore needed. I especially appreciate the kind of e-reader that has a lit screen for reading outdoors or at night in the dark. Sure, good old paper books are a source of tactile comfort and feel like the real deal. But having a choice of reading instruments is a new pleasure because it’s such a convenience. This device makes life a little easier. The most popular e-readers are NOOKS and KINDLES.

To check out the NOOKS, go to: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/u/nook/379003208  

Search for a Kindle on Amazon at: Kindle Voyage, 6″ High-Resolution Display (300 ppi) with Adaptive Built-in Light, PagePress Sensors, Wi-Fi

 6. Smartphone

“A smartphone is a mobile phone with an operating system. Smartphones typically include the features of a phone with those of another popular consumer device, such as a personal digital assistant, a digital camera, a media player, and/or a GPS navigation unit. Later smartphones include all of those plus the features of a touchscreencomputer, including web browsing, Wi-Fi, 3rd-party apps, motion sensor, mobile payment and 3G.”

Just received an iPhone as a gift from “The Merry Meyers,” my long-time ever-loving “extended family.” A few weeks ago, we added me to their “friends and family phone plan.” For the same $40.00/month as my dorky cell phone, I suddenly not only feel more hip-trendy-cool; I am now super-connected at home and when I’m on the go! I am the proud owner of a smartphone. Somebody told me once, “If you want to stay in touch with the kids in your life, you have to text. They respond immediately. They text at lightening speed. Much faster than returning our phone calls.” Texting is much easier on a smartphone.

Oh my gosh!  With my iPhone  I’m suddenly part of that high-energy worldwide subculture that is willing and able to connect anywhere immediately. It’s different and it’s better. Of course it will never take the place of real life, in-person touching, talking get-togethers, but it does come in second. Now I can access the internet, including email, anywhere I go; and can make a phone call on the spot. I can take photos and send them to friends and so much more that I’m still discovering.

Once again, I had no idea I’d love this newfangled convenience so much, but it opens up fresh avenues of connectivity for me. As my friend said, “fighting and criticizing the flourishing new world of electronics is foolish. It won’t stop the change and the progress. Everybody’s on the moving train. So let’s jump on and enjoy the ride with all our friends.”

Look for smartphones all over–at your Apple store, or at Best Buy or on Amazon:Smartphones

Well, those are a few gifts that have helped me through life. But they would all be worthless without the most important one…

7. YOU

We all know that the very best presents you could possibly give your friend at this time of year is your physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual presence.

That’s YOU–up-close and personal.

Give Generously!

 

Do you have any ideas for great gifts that others may enjoy receiving next week?

Please share them here, quickly.  Before Santa flies.

Ho! Ho! Ho!