I've been blessed to receive many of these gifts over the course of living with this disease for thirty-five years.

If you have someone on your gift list that has rheumatoid arthritis, I've compiled an assortment of gift ideas that will meet budgets of all sizes.

Apparel

1. Elastic or curly shoe laces
2. Bracelet helper
3. If you're buying clothing, consider the weight of the garments. Also, the ease of opening and closing buttons or using zippers.
4. Shoes, such as these from L. L. Bean
5. Light-weight purse or wallet
6. A bathing suit from L.L. Bean
7. Spray-on pantyhose
8. Dry-cleaning or laundry service vouchers

Auto

1. Adhesive side view mirrors
2. Interior rear view mirror

Garden

1. Kitchen and garden tools that are light-weight and have large easy-to-grip handles, such at this Bypass Pruner from Fiskars
2. Telescoping trowel
3. Hose connector

Hobbies

1. Drawing From the Right Side of the Brain
2. Hula hoop
3. Rolling back pack for exercise gear
4. Uplifting reading materials, such as From Chopin and Beyond - Part 1 and Part 2
5. Light-weight books or an e-reader
6. Gel pens
7. Battery-operated eraser
8. Magazine subscription
9. Movie gift certificate
10. Prepare and freeze some meals or goodies to be used on those days when energy is waning

Home

1. Heavy non-slip floor mat
2. Small tray
3. Laundry helper or footstool
4. Pillows: Feathering My Nest and Not Only for a King
5. Purchase and install grab bars for the shower or tub area
6. Rubber bath mat
7. Install a handicapped toilet
8. Battery-powered scrubber
9. Telephone headset
10. Dictation software
11. Office chair
12. Fiskars Paper Trimmer
13. Shower curtain
14. Vacuum
15. Basket
16. A firm, supportive recliner: Nodding Off and My Perch

Kitchen

1. China mug and How it's Handled Makes a Difference
2. Food processor
3. Pressure cooker
4. Vegetable peeler, such as this one from Starfrit
5. Starfrit Mightigrip jar opener or a Boa Constrictor strap wrench
6. Electric potato peeler from Starfrit
7. A Starfrit electric salt and pepper mill
8. Electric juicer
9. Egg slicer
10. Apple wedger
11. Electric can opener or an electric jar opener
12. Light-weight dishes
13. Knives
14. Clothes pins
15. Scrub brush
16. Folding stool

Miscellaneous

1. Nutcracker
2. Double duty luggage that Roll In, Roll Out
3. Shopping bag carriers
4. Travel mug
5. Consider contracting a service that can make light of difficult chores such as a housekeeping service such as Capital House Cleaning, a gardening service or car cleaning service.
6. Prepare and freeze some meals or goodies to be used on those days when energy is waning
7. A gift of your time to help with whatever needs doing – laundry, clean the windows, vacuum, wash the floors or tidy up.
8. Arrange an outing; you do the driving!
9. Do you have an idea for a unique tool? Consider talking over your idea with Maarten Meerman to see if he could make it for you.
10. emWave ® Personal Stress Reliever from My Givens and a Giveaway. I have these in stock. Please email me at info@auntiestress.ca for further information.
    *emWave and Personal Stress Reliever are registered trademarks of Quantum Intech, Inc.

Personal Care

1. Long-handled shoe horn
2. Dental floss wand
3. Easy-to-use shower curtain
4. Scalp massage/shampoo tool
5. If the person is travelling to The Big Island of Hawai'i, book them a session with Sarah-Lynn Joy
6. Stool or cane
7. Dosettes: large and small
8. Anti-Swan Neck Deformity ring
9. Neck brace
10. Hot packs or ice packs
11. Small flashlight: Light the Night or Roll Away Flashlight
12. Portable John and Jane
13. Portable toilet seat
14. Massage tools
15. Tennis balls
16. Scalp scrubber
17. Shoe grips
18. Heel care cream
19. Toe nail clipper
20. Gloves: work or surgical
21. Reacher
22. Self-care can be difficult – manicure, pedicure or a massage gift certificates, such as one from The Body Mechanics Massage Therapy
23. Rolling backpack
24. Walker

Pets

1. A raised food and water bowl set
2. Ball launcher

Work

1. Folding stool
2. Telephone headset
3. Dictation software
4. A second mouse
5. Office chair
6. Fiskars Paper Trimmer
7. Gel pens
8. Battery-operated eraser

I've been the recipient of many thoughtful gifts, ranging in size and price - all of them imbued with the love and concern of the gift-giver and all of them greatly appreciated!

What else can you add to this list? Do you care to share some gift stories that have made your life easier, better and/or more independent?