Holiday Gift Suggestions for Adults with ADHD
ADDitude readers shared their favorite gifts to give and receive. Some readers who enjoy arts and adventures suggested gifting "experiences," such as theater or concert tickets, or a membership to a local museum. Others recommended subscriptions to Audible for bookworms or to Master Class for those who enjoy learning.
One reader noted, "Listening to a book that I enjoy while doing tedious or difficult tasks distracts me from the negative aspects of the task."
Below are more gift suggestions for adults with ADHD:
The MindPanda Therapy stress balls are perfect for alleviating anxiety and promoting relaxation. The set comes with three themed balls - gratitude, mindfulness, and positivity. Each ball is made from a high-strength TPR gel and is wrapped in Lycra, featuring motivational sayings like, "As you think you become" and "Be. Here. Now." They also come with delicate scents of rosemary, jasmine or lemon. You can choose from soft, medium or hard balls, which are perfect for squeezing, tugging and bouncing. These balls are BPA-free and don't contain latex, making them safe for sensitive hands.
This compact notepad offers features that can help those with ADHD stay organized. Each sheet is titled "Today's Plan" and includes a to-do list area, a ta-da checklist box, and a brain dump space. You can use it to jot down reminders, grocery lists, goals, etc. Its small size allows it to easily slip into pockets and purses.
Fidget toys are a popular suggestion amongst ADDitude readers. One reader noted, "I am 50+ and love my higher-end fidget spinners." The Speks Flex building set offers a tactile and creative way for those with ADHD to fidget. The set pieces are made from silicone and neodymium rare earth magnets which can snap together or pull apart, allowing for endless combinations. The set comes with two colors and a small magnetic tray to display your masterpieces.
Prioritizing self-care can be difficult for those with ADHD, but this Gratitude Journal can help. It includes writing prompts for the morning (appreciation) and evening (self-reflection) and only takes five minutes or less. The journal spans six months of daily journaling, features inspirational quotes, affirmations, and weekly challenges for promoting positivity and mindfulness. Additionally, it is made from recyclable, sustainably sourced paper with a cover available in eight colors.
Gifts that evoke childhood nostalgia can bring joy to any adult. As one ADDitude reader noted, "Puzzles, coloring books - anything that was a favorite as a child is still good to give." The adult version of the popular Paint by Number books is the Paint by Sticker book. This one features ten full-color "paintings" of musicians such as Elvis, The Beatles, Beyoncé, Madonna, Kurt Cobain, and more. All you need to do is find the sticker, peel it, stick it, and watch as your "painting" comes to life.
Crystal worry stones are not just decorative pieces but also calming discrete fidget toys. They are small enough to carry in a pocket or store in a desk drawer. Each polished stone has a central indentation that fits the thumb. To soothe fidgety fingers, just trace the outline of the imprint. The cooling touch of the stone can help with mindfulness and breathing exercises. This set includes a tiger's eye and an amethyst worry stone.
It’s impossible to achieve a peaceful night’s sleep when disruptive noises keep you tossing and turning. The HoMedics white noise sound machine can help you or a loved one catch much-needed Zzzs by blocking out distracting noises. Choose from six sounds: white noise, thunder, ocean, rain, summer night, and brook. The white noise machine also includes a 15-, 30-, and 60-minute auto-off timer. The white noise machine weighs just eight ounces, making it portable, and ensuring you can get some solid shuteye even in unfamiliar environments.
Say “goodbye” to the frustration of jamming one-size-fits-all, disposable earplugs in your ears only to have them pop back out. The Loop Quiet earplugs are a modern and stylish alternative. Available in multiple colors, Loop Quiet earplugs are made of soft silicone and come in four different sizes. When worn correctly, the round shape of the noise-reducing earplug sits perfectly in your ear and won’t stick out. The earplugs have a noise reduction rating (SNR) of 27 decibels. Bonus: The earplugs are reusable, washable, and come with a carry case, providing a sustainable solution to those ill-fitting disposable plugs.
The promise of this product is simple and powerful: Just attach a Tile to your most easy-to-misplace items, such as keys, purses, or bags, then use the Tile app to find them when they go missing. The Tile Mate Essentials four-pack provides the same ease-of-use, but much more versatility. Place the slim Tile in your wallet, plop the Tile sticker on remotes or water bottles, and leave a Tile Pro in your car. The Tile Pro has a range of 400 feet, so you’ll never again circle the parking lot looking for your vehicle. Maybe attach the original Tile to a pet collar to keep tabs on the sneakiest of your four-legged friends.
Keep track of appointments, assignments, and more on this magnetic dry-erase white board, which is ideally suited for families living with ADHD. “A dry-erase white board is essential to have on my wall in my kitchen/living area,” said a woman who responded to our survey of favorite gifts. “It is the best place to put things down as soon as I think of them.”
This basic white board from Amazon is 36x24 inches and includes mounting accessories, one whiteboard marker, two magnets, and a pen tray.
Fidget discreetly with an eight-pack of unisex spinner rings that come in different designs and sizes to fit your mood or style. This gift is appropriate for adults and older kids and helps to curb nail biting and anxiety. The MUCAL fidget rings are made of hypoallergenic stainless steel. Rings offer various sensory inputs. Triple interlocking rings or rings with a sandblast finish or chain provide different textures. Rings with a sliding function offer a subtle way to occupy restless fingers.
