With the holidays in full swing, I am happy to share our holiday gift guide, with 10 gift ideas connected to communication, cognition, wellness, and the brain. Please feel free to share any other gift suggestions for our community in the comment section below.
Books
I’ve compiled an updated list of book recommendations relating to topics within the brain injury, communication, and wellness genres. Check out our bookstore on Bookshop.org, “an online bookstore with a mission to financially support local, independent bookstores”. Disclosure: We are an affiliate of Bookshop.org and will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.
Journal, Planner, or Calendar
Writing things down is one of the top strategies recommended by speech-language pathologists (SLPs) for supporting memory, planning, organization and task completion. Kick off the new year with one of the many styles of planners, ranging from small pocket-sized notebooks to monthly calendars. There’s also some great paper “To Do” lists available. Bonus tip: There are many styles and designs out there, and choosing a pleasing pattern may help with motivation to stick with your habit.
Yoga Props
The only thing you NEED to practice yoga is yourself and an open mind. However, there are many nice, affordable props that can help support your practice, such as a thick yoga mat (I use the Manduka ProLite mat – which I found at discount at a Marshalls, so keep your eyes peeled this holiday season!), a set of two yoga blocks, a yoga bolster, or a blanket.
Gift Card for Lotus Speech & Wellness Yoga or Wellness Groups
We are excited to announce that we now offer gift cards which can be used for our live classes and wellness groups, or our on-demand yoga video collection. If you are interested in buying a gift card, please CLICK HERE or email Katherine at Katherine@LotusSLP.com.
Reusable Drinking Cups
Because staying hydrated (and perhaps caffeinated?!) is self-care, and reusable cups and mugs mean less waste. Check out Etsy for some cute options, or a lot of small businesses and cafes sell their own branded reusable cups and mugs. Of course, Stanley cups are ALL the rage right now.
Assistive Technology
SLPs, PTs, and OTs often recommend adaptive equipment for folks with neurological impairments. There’s lots of great options out there, including adaptive utensils, clothing, pill boxes, technology and mobility options. You can even think of a tablet, Alexa, or Apple Watch as assistive technology, because these tools can help with memory and communication. The latest iPhone update also includes great accessibility features! Feel free to contact me if you have specific questions.
Board Games
I love playing games! So many games target attention, memory, problem solving, and communication skills. Some of my favorite language and cognitive games are Scattergories, Rat-A-Tat Cat, Pickles to Penguins, Taboo, and SET.
Self-Care
Treat yourself to something EXTRA that’s just for self-care! We have our eye on some scented shower steamers, nice tea, and an extra soft throw blanket. I also bought myself a hot water bottle with a cozy “sweater” cover last year and it keeps my feet nice and toasty on cold nights – highly recommend!
Make a Donation
There are so many great causes out there to support at the local, national, and international levels. Making a donation supports organizations working to make the world a better place. I might suggest the Brain Injury Association of America, LoveYourBrain, the National Aphasia Association, or the Parkinson Voice Project.
Support Local Business
The pandemic has made it even more important to support your local businesses. If you don’t feel comfortable heading out to your local store or restaurant, many are offering gift cards and curbside pickup. You can also check out CEI’s Women’s Business List directory to find women-owned businesses in Maine.