If you haven’t finished your holiday shopping yet, is it too early to panic? We think not. If you’re not panicked at this point, it’s time to start.
Luckily for you, we’re here to help with our annual list of gift ideas for yourself or your favorite amputee. It’s the usual mashup of merch that the recipient can wear, eat, read, work out with, hang on the wall, or immediately ship back to the store (as the case may be). From the practical to the whimsical, here are our suggestions. If you don’t see the perfect item here, scroll on to the bottom for more ideas from previous years’ lists.
Joe and Bella Adaptive Apparel
This four-year-old company has grown rapidly into a specialized brand of stylish, functional clothing for older adults. Its signature product, CareZip pants, is perfect for anyone who relies on a prosthesis or wheelchair for mobility, while its magnetic button-down shirts and blouses are ideal for people with upper-limb differences. Shop at joeandbella.com.
Ancheer Under-desk Elliptical Trainer
Here’s a perfect gift for anyone who’s not in top physical shape and wants to build momentum toward improved fitness. Specifically designed for seniors and/or people who are rehabbing from surgery or injury, it facilities low-impact strength training and promotes circulatory/cardio health. You can use it at home while seated. Shop at ancheersport.com.
NeoTrek Footwear
Created by partial-foot amputee Joe Sherbanee, this brand-new company produces customizable shoes and socks to fit anyone with a nonconforming foot shape. Products are engineered for stability to minimize fall risk, pressure distribution to prevent foot-ulcer formation, and breathability to deter infection. Shop at neotrekfootwear.com.
Amplitude print subscription
You didn’t think we’d put this all the way at the end, did you? A steal at just $15/year for six issues. Here’s the link. Moving on . . . .
Knitsy Bitsy Blankets Residual Limb Warmers and Socks
We listed Knitsy Bitsy last year, and we got so much positive feedback we’re giving them an encore plug. These items are individually hand-sewn; no two are alike, and proprietor Diane Gorsline will cheerfully knit to fit if you send the specs on limb length and circumference. Socks in NFL team colors are also available on request; the Saints, Cowboys, and Bears are all currently in stock, although we don’t imagine the demand for any of those teams is high in 2024. Shop at etsy.com.
Walk Easy Collapsible Travel Crutches
Know any globe-trotting amputees with overstuffed carry-ons? These forearm supports fold into a 20-inch, luggage-friendly package. At full height they’re suitable for anyone between five and six feet tall, with adjustable grips to size them to your specific frame. They’re sold as a pair, but you can request an individual crutch for half-price. Shop at walkeasy.com. (For a higher-end version, try Ossenberg’s folding crutches—h/t Josh Sundquist.)
Courtney Gilmour’s Wonder Woman
The Canadian comedienne’s debut album, Let Me Hold Your Baby, won a Juno Award last year for best comedy album. The new disc was taped in Toronto in August and covers the theme of dealing with other people’s expectations for her as a person with bilateral upper-limb difference. Not for kids/teens, and definitely NSFW. Buy at courtneygilmour.com.
Boho Balance Board
For folks with moderate to advance physical fitness, balance boards offer terrific exercise for core muscles, reflexes, and (duh) balance. We heard about the Boho brand from Bjoern Eser, who blogs and podcasts at the Active Amputee—he published his own great list of gift ideas last week. Find a Boho board at boho-boards.de/en.
Rx Mono Rope
Billed as the first-ever jump rope designed specifically for one-armed individuals, this adjustable, portable device is great for maintaining fitness at home, at the gym, or on the go. We found it at Equip Products, which offers a broad range of adaptive workout gear for people with both upper- and lower-limb disabilities. You can also buy direct from the manufacturer at rxsmartgear.com.
Amputee-branded Frisbee Golf Discs
If you need a random one-off gift for someone, we call your attention to this set of four competition-grade discs from the 2nd Amputee Disc Golf Classic (held earlier this year) and the 2014 Legapalooza. Both events raised funds for the large and active Dallas Amputee Network. The discs are suitable for playing golf or can be used as oversized coasters for a punch-bowl-sized cocktail. Buy at Etsy.
New Books
See our recent list of 2024 books by and for amputees; eight titles to choose from.
More Gift Ideas from Amplitude
How I Became an Amputee Punk
The Best Etsy Shop for Amputees
Best Holiday Gifts for Amputees in 2023
Best Gifts for Amputees to Celebrate Limb Loss/Limb Difference Awareness Month
Best New Technology for Amputees at CES 2023
Gamut Seal of Approval Brings Trust Factor to Adaptive Fashion
More Holiday Gifts for Amputees in 2022
Best Holiday Gifts for Amputees in 2022
Gifts for Amputees During Limb Loss/Difference Awareness Month 2022
