Is anyone else in full panic!-it’s-almost-Christmas-mode? *Jumps wildly in the air waving hands* I am! Oh gosh . . . I am. It snuck up on me again. Time blindness and ADHD are a real thing and man did it catch me out this month. I kept thinking, “It’s ok. I have time. It’ll be fine.” And then, I got the first email mentioning a Christmas activity. I thought “This is very early.” Then I looked at the calendar. It was, in fact, not very early. Dangit.
Christmas, like most holidays with neurodivergent and adoptive families, can bring an added layer of stress that makes having a good time feel like a far-distant dream. The divide in my kids on gift requests is either their lists have been ready since January and they are longer than the kid is tall or they stare blankly when I ask them what they might for Christmas, like, as if they don’t understand the words I’m saying.
It is, in a word, frustrating. That being said, I’ve been paying attention during the year and have made little notes about what they do and don’t like. There are things they want, things they need, books they want to read, experiences they want to have. And while Christmas isn’t all about gifts it is part of it and I want them to enjoy that part.
I’ve learned over the years to manage my own expectations so I’m not broken up when they don’t like something or cause problems on the special day because their emotions are all over the place. I’ve also learned that there are things that my kids will always be happy with and will never remember to ask for. So I’ve listed those and I’ve also listed some things I think are nifty and that my neuro-spicy clan would enjoy.
1. Kinetic Sand
I’ll be honest this stuff was not something I expected to like or for my kids to enjoy. We were gifted a small kit and wow was I wrong. The texture is fun for sensory seekers and it’s less messy than regular sand by quite a lot.
2. Weighted Plushies
I have a purple sloth plush currently sitting on my lap that I got myself as a just-because gift and the comfort I get from it is astounding. I am routinely keeping it from the clutches of my children. They will each find one of these under the tree this year (just not purple sloths . . . this one is mine.)
3. Squishmallows
We are a little obsessed over here. Squishmallows, if you are unfamiliar, are pillowy stuffed animals. The stuffing has a lot of loft to it and when you squeeze it it puffs right back up. It’s also, for lack of a better term, silky when you squish it in your hands and slide back and forth. I also have one of these next to me at the moment. Everyone in my house, besides my very confused husband, wants multiple.
4. Audiobook Subscription Service
Audible is probably the most familiar one, but Libro.FM, and Audiobooks.com are similar services. We rely on audiobooks heavily when we are on the road for more than half an hour. Our vehicles aren’t equipped with TV screens, but all of them have auxiliary audio inputs. Our kids listen intently and we all have something to talk about at the next stop.
5. Slime Kits
There are too many to list. And I’ll be completely honest here and say I personally hate this. I tend towards sensory-seeking, but I am very sensory-adverse to certain textures and slime tends to hit all the wrong nerves for me. That being said, three of my people love the stuff and are constantly using up my baking/household cleaning supplies to make more. I plan to buy them a kit to share so I don’t have to go on a hunt for cornstarch, glue, food coloring, and borax next time I need them.
6. Noise Dampening Earplugs
Loop makes a well-reviewed brand but there are dozens of different brands out there. I have a generic brand from Amazon. They don’t make everything silent, but they do tend to reduce the overwhelming pitches that can drive some of us into the stratosphere with annoyance. There are kid and adult sizes. If you’re worried about them losing the earplugs, you could also opt for the kind of ear protection used at shooting ranges. They let in conversation but filter out louder sounds. My kids each have a pair of these.
7. Hug Pods
I will be asking for one of these this year. Sometimes a weighted blanket is too hot, but I need the pressure from one. This looks like a good compromise. If you or your kid like being tucked in tight this might be something you’d enjoy.
8. Sensory Swings
Forget the kids, I absolutely want one. Sensory swings are a fun place to sit while doing homework or reading a book. I used to work at a center for autistic adults and these were a hit. There are a variety of configurations and styles these can take, the primary feature being a multi-directional swinging ability.
9. Hammocks
Hammocks are usually associated with camping and summertime. During the pandemic, I was desperate for my kids to have their own space so they didn’t argue out of sheer boredom. (#relatable). For about ten dollars each, I was able to provide everyone in the family with their own personal oasis in the form of a hammock. They can be strung up almost anywhere and if you buy some hammock anchors you can even put them up in the house. They provide a similar sensory input to a sensory swing, but there’s room to put books, blankets, coloring things, and a water bottle alongside you. Ours have worn out from the Texas sun so we’re getting more this year.
10. Reusable Drawing Tablet
Boogie Boards are a less expensive way to let kids draw for hours without using reams of paper or being distracted by other apps on a regular electronic tablet. While you can’t save the art, it is great for car rides and waiting rooms because it doesn’t make noise and doesn’t need to be charged. For people who always need their hands to be doing something I find it to be a fun toy to have on hand.
If you have family that would like to give gifts but you don’t want a whole lot of clutter, you could consider asking for a membership to a local science center, swimming pool, or zoo.
I hope you all have a happy holiday, a Merry Christmas, and that your gatherings are as drama-free as possible.
