Diabetes And Special Occasions

More Holiday Gifts

Gift Certificate to a Seamstress
Does your loved one wear an insulin pump? A gift certificate to a local seamstress could create special pockets for that pump, making your loved one both healthy and fashionable.

Journal/Diary
While keeping track of foods and blood sugars is very important, it's also important to remain emotionally healthy. A journal or diary for your loved one will give them a space to write their feelings about diabetes and keep them from feeling bottled up.

Gift Certificate to Anywhere!
Treat him/her to the latest fashions from their favorite clothing store. It’s not only a great gift but a great way to help them stay warm and protected in the elements.

Give the Gift of Charity
If your loved one is moved by causes, make a donation to their favorite one, in their name!

Personal Services
What busy parent wouldn’t love a little help via a personal chef, housekeeping services, even a grocery delivery service. An extra hand in these areas is great stress relievers.

dLife Membership
You can find not only great ways to save money every day, but great gift ideas, too. From a free meter, newsletters, and access to over 1,000 recipes, the gift of a dLife membership is a gift that can help bring a healthier new year.

It’s in the Stars
Naming a star after your loved one or in honor of a loved is still a wonderful way to be different.

American Diabetes Association Gift of Hope Catalog
All profits from the purchase of these holiday-themed gift items goes to support diabetes research. Includes calendars, holiday cards, and gift items.

Marissa Juvenile Diabetes Bear
Purchase a cute and cuddly Marissa bear and support the excellent advocacy and education work of the Children with Diabetes Foundation. The Charity Bear Company also sells Marissa’s fuzzy friend, Daisy the Diabetes Bunny.

Insulin-Free World Foundation
One hundred percent of donations to Fast Track for a Cure go directly to diabetes research. They also sell nifty little “Making Noise to Cure Diabetes” t-shirts that fund research.

Audio Visual Entertainment
Music soothes the weary soul as well as helps to get us moving. Try CDs or tapes to get your loved one pumped up, or help them unwind at home with their favorite movie.

Blood Pressure Monitor
Everyone can benefit from this practical gift. High blood pressure can be symptomatic of diabetes complications such as heart disease . Self-monitoring goes a long way toward preventing these complications, especially for those with a family history of heart disease.

Visit with a Diabetes Educator
Sometimes a person needs a hand to hold. Arrange a visit with a CDE to start the New Year off right by helping your loved one get their diabetes under control.

Books
Inspirational, diabetes-related, or just for fun. Whether hard cover, softbound, or books on tape, the written word still makes a wonderful, portable gift.

Jewelry with Meaningful Inscription
Always personal, an eternal favorite, show them and tell them at the same time. Try 'You're my hero' or 'Fit and Fantastic' for example. Or see #6 below for the pre-inscribed variety.

Day at the Spa
Ah, the perfect getaway for the stressed individual. There are places close to home or in foreign lands, one-day getaways and much longer, all to fit a variety of budgets. You can even try to win one!

Diabetes Awareness Jewelry
Support the cause and be in with the trend too. Check out JDRF or the ADA for bracelets with a cause. Or for something a little more chic, check out TAH Handcrafted Jewelry. 

An Evening Out
With the pressures of work, family, and diabetes – among others – who wouldn’t enjoy this? While you’re at it, add a movie, show, or some other favorite activity and make it a date!

Exercise Equipment
OK, for some this may be akin to getting a washing machine, but for others it may mean the difference between exercising once a week and exercising three times a week, and that may mean lower blood glucose.

Exercise Videos
See above. Same applies. Enough said.

Fashionable, Diabetes Friendly Shoes
Emphasis on the word fashionable. It may be a challenge so don’t forget a gift certificate if you don’t want to choose.

Food Basket
People with diabetes love fun foods too. Consider gourmet or low-carb foods like nuts or cheeses.

Food Diary
This is certainly an appetizing stocking stuffer if not a main course gift. A diary can help anyone to track his or her daily food budget, from the newly diagnosed to the Joslin Medalist.

Foot Care Basket
While it is not recommended that people with diabetes trim their own toenails, you can still help your loved one to baby their feet with a special basket you created. Fill it with creams, socks, even appropriate pedicure items if they have to do it themselves.

Framed Motivational Poster
We’ve all seen them in various catalogs and stores. They are not only beautiful to behold, they are truly inspirational for all. Great for home or office.

Glucose Meter
At dLife, we encourage people with diabetes to Test! Don’t Guess. And that’s a lot easier when you have a working meter. With all the expenses people with diabetes must incur, the gift of a meter is a practical one worth the world to those who need it.

Health Club Membership
Just to be on the safe side, you can sign up your loved one for a trial membership. Or go for broke and make it quality time for two.

High-tech Menu Planner
If your loved one has a hand held device, they can carry their menu plans, recipes, etc. everywhere they go. Convenient tools like these can help keep diabetes manageable.

House Shoes with Protective Soles
Neuropathy is a major complication of diabetes so people with diabetes should have something on their feet at all times, even at home. Comfy slippers with a tough sole that prevent items such as tacks from getting through can help keep delicate feet safe.

iPod
Certainly one of the most popular ways to have your music and podcast your way. Small in size, this high-tech gift can tag along with any walker or runner, indoors or out.

Kitchen Tools
It’s important to eat as healthy as possible when managing a disease like diabetes. So fun kitchen gadgets, digital food scales, and exotic herbs and spices can help make food preparation enjoyable.

Socks
When you were a kid, you were probably disappointed to get any type of clothing. But as an adult, you’ve grown to appreciate really great footwear. Check out our foot care video and consider fleece or material that lets the foot breathe.

Statuette with Meaningful Inscription
For something completely different, award your favorite person with a special statuette. You can inscribe it to say 'Hero', 'Achiever', or 'No. 1' to name a few. Perfect for the holidays and other special occasions too.

Travel Pouch
For those who take insulin, a travel pouch is a must, and just like any other regularly used item, it can wear out. If you look, you can find all kinds of colors and styles to match all kinds of personalities.

Reviewed by Francine Kaufman, MD. 4/08