The Ultimate 2021 Lupus Holiday Shopping Guide!

The holidays are upon us my friends, and tis’ the season to start shopping for the ones you love!

If you are shopping for someone with a chronic illness like lupus, that can sometimes be a challenging endeavor. Have no fear, your little holiday elf Kelli, has compiled the ULTIMATE 2021 LUPUS HOLIDAY SHOPPING GUIDE to help you along the way!

The best thing about this list is that EVERY item can be purchased through smile.amazon.com!

Though 2021 has felt like the Virus Who Stole Christmas, don’t let it turn you into the Grinch! Have some fun shopping online this year! Here is a list of her top holiday items that are sure to be a big hit this time of year for anyone with lupus or a lupus overlap disease.

GLOVES, SNUGGIES, HEATED BLANKETS:

The lupus overlap disease, Raynaud’s Syndrome, can leave a person’s hands, feet, ears, and nose bluer than Jack Frost! That is why heated blankets, Snuggies, and gloves are a must!

• The MaxKare Electric Heated Blanket is the #1 TOP Seller on smile.amazon.com and is machine washable!

• The Pavilia Premium Fleece Wearable Throw Blanket is an extra soft, microplush, cozy blanket that votes amazon’s choice this year!

• The Global Vasion Electric Heated Gloves are awesome gloves to keep your hands warm when you are walking, traveling, or driving. They come with rechargeable batteries and you don’t have to remove them to use a touchscreen!

• The Luna Weighted Blanket is an awesome choice to keep you comfortable at night and give you a restful night's sleep. People swear that weighted blankets create a calming effect!

• Pavilia Premium Fleece Wearable Throw Blanket

• Acupressure Foot Slippers: These slippers offer a magnetic massage AND acupressure on your feet!

• Compression Fingerless Gloves: These gloves are great if you have "rhupus" or another form of arthritis!

• Here's a great gift if you live in colder/snowy areas and have to scrap your car windshield but have Raynaud's : Poboola mittens!

ESSENTIAL OILS:

Essential oils or “aromatherapy” have been used for hundreds of years. A 2016 article by Lupus News Today stated how using essential oils may help give symptomatic relief with sleep, joint mobility, relaxation, and overall well-being.

• The Homasy Essential Oil Diffuser, Ultrasonic Humidifier with Essential Oil Gift Set, is a smile.amazon.com top seller! It also comes with an auto-off button and 7 color LED lights.

Regarding the oils themselves, you might want to reach out to someone who sells DoTerra or another similar brand. If you want amazon’s top pick, it is GuruNanda. They have a Top 6 Singles Essential Oils Set - that includes 100% Pure and Natural Therapeutic Grade Oil - Lavender - Peppermint - Eucalyptus - Lemongrass - Orange - Cedarwood.

Here are some top essential oil suggestions for those with inflammatory

conditions like lupus:

For Pain/stress/sleep: peppermint, frankincense,

ginger, black pepper, lavender, petitgrain, Roman and German

chamomile, clary sage, lemongrass, helichrysum, and marjoram.

SLEEP MASKS & PILLOWS:

Need a little assistance to get some restful zzzzzz’s? Here is the top rated sleep mask from amazon!

• The HOMMINI Sleep Mask has breathable 3D memory foam and a contoured shape.

• While you’re at it, throw in a Side Sleeper Pro Air Neck Pillow which helps with neck pain, and aligns your cervical spine for a more comfortable position while sleeping!

KITCHEN APPLIANCES:

When you have a chronic illness, you want your kitchen to be a place of convenience and efficiency! Here are a few great holiday gift ideas to get you there!

• The INSTANT POT! This heaven sent device is a pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, steamer, sauté, yogurt maker and warmer, all-in-one and prepares dishes up to 70% faster!

• The Hamilton Beach Soft-Touch Can Opener, is a MUST! I use mine almost every day! Comes in black/chrome, it is an effortless appliance that removes lids without leaving a sharp edge!

• The Good Jar Opener with Base Pad is great as well, especially for pickle and tomato sauce jars.

• Another GREAT GIFT is a grabber/reacher aid! This is fantastic in the kitchen to help you save your back if you drop something or keep you from falling if you need to reach for something high on a shelf! Try this one from Amazon!

BOOKS:

Here is a great list of lupus and inspirational books that everyone needs in their collection!

• My Special Butterfly! (in English or Spanish) "My Special Butterfly" by me (Kelli Roseta) is a book to help children understand a loved one's life with lupus in a way that is easy for them to follow and sensitive to their feelings. It tells the story of two young siblings, Olivia and Jack, and their thought process as they cope with their mommy's sudden lupus symptoms. Written in a way that children will connect with, it breaks down some of the most commonly asked questions about the disease, while focusing on the parent/child connection.

• The Lupus Encyclopedia: The Lupus Encyclopedia by Dr. Donald E. Thomas is an authoritative compendium that provides detailed explanations of every body system potentially affected by the disease, along with practical advice about coping. People with lupus, their loved ones, caregivers, and medical professionals—all will find here an invaluable resource.

• When Lupus Throws You for a Loop: When Lupus Throws You for a Loop by Donna Oram is a handbook for those newly diagnosed, lupus veterans, and those who love them. It takes you on a journey to acceptance acknowledging the difficulty of incorporating lupus into your life.

• The Lupus Diet Plan: The Lupus Diet Plan by Laura Relihan is a must-have addition to your cooking and lifestyle book collection.

• Thank you Adversity for Yet Another Test by Dr. Stephen Grinstead. Fantastic read if you live with chronic pain!

• Daring Greatly: Daring Greatly by Brené Brown, a transformative new vision for the way we lead, love, work, parent, and educate that teaches us the power of vulnerability.

• Sick and Tired of Feeling Sick and Tired: By Paul Donohue Ph.D. and Mary Siegel Ph.D. This is a great book for anyone who deals with a chronic illness.

• If You Have to Wear an Ugly Dress, Learn to Accessorize. The authors share a collection of

deeply personal stories and poetry to describe their journey from illness to health, well-being, and fruitful living.

• The Mindfulness Journal: The Mindfulness Journal provides 365 daily writing prompts divided into 52 weekly mindfulness topics building stress reducing habits for each day.

• Finding Meaning: The Sixth Stage of Grief, by David Kessler. In Finding Meaning, Kessler shares the insights, collective wisdom, and powerful tools that will help those experiencing loss.

OTHER GREAT IDEAS:

• SUBSCRIPTION TO APPLE MUSIC - Music is great therapy. It is also a great motivator to get walking! With Apple Music, you can stream any album, anytime on your Apple device!

• IT COSMETICS - By far one of the BEST cosmetic lines for covering a malar rash, or cutaneous rash. This line was developed by a woman with severe rosacea, and offers full-coverage foundation, and a fabulous moisturizer.

• COOLIBAR SPF CLOTHING - If you suffer from lupus related photo-sensitivity, it is important to cover up! And this brand will keep you covered and keep you cool!

• JEGGINGS! Yep. I said it. AND this brand from amazon are amazing!

• POSH CANN I BE GREEN GODDESS FULL SPECTRUM BATH BOMB-This is a relaxing and soothing addition to your bath. I would use one of these every night if I could!

• SUBSCRIPTION TO HULU/DISNEY+ : I mean, who doesn't love a good binge on a rainy day? Am I right?

• A BETA FISH! Why do you think there is always a fish tank in a Dentists office? Because having a fish tank and watching fish swim has been scientifically proven to lower stress! Aim small and try a low maintenance fishy friend!

STOCKING STUFFER IDEAS:

• Hand warmers

• Pill organizer

• Sugar free candy (Russell Stovers is the BEST)

• Travel size hypoallergenic lotions (Cetaphil)

• Artificial tears eye drops

• Tea (turmeric, peppermint, chamomile)

• Essie Gel Couture Nail Polish

• Compression socks

• Word searches or crossword puzzle books

• Epson Salt

• Wool gloves

Also, if you like to serve See's Candies or give them during the holiday season, you can purchase them through our More Than Lupus See's Yum-raiser! This is a fantastic way to get your sweets and give back to the lupus community at the same time! Click here to order!

Don't forget to use smile.amazon.com while doing your online shopping and select The More Than Lupus Foundation as your charity of choice!

~Have a wonderful holiday season and Merry Christmas! ~

Article By:

Kelli Roseta

**All resources provided by this blog are for informational purposes only, not to replace the advice of a medical professional. Kelli encourages you to always contact your medical provider with any specific questions or concerns regarding your illness. All intellectual property and content on this site and in this blog is owned by morethanlupus.com. This includes materials protected by copyright, trademark, or patent laws. Copyright, More Than Lupus 2020.

November 2021