This holiday season, I would like to share a list of things that those of us with fibromyalgia would appreciate being given for Christmas. These are items that truly would make our lives easier and a bit more fun.

General items or services

Pajamas: Anything soft and tagless. Something that looks less like pj’s and more like loungewear. Amazon has some great choices. I know a lot of us women live in our pj’s, so it’s super-important that they be soft and comfortable.

Massage: Give a gift card for a massage, preferably with massage therapist who is familiar with fibromyalgia. Getting out all those knots, being able to just relax, and allowing someone to relieve some of our pain is priceless. Check out the places in your area.

Gift cards: The list  of the kinds of gift cards you can give probably is endless — pharmacies, restaurants, hair or nail salons, gas stations, bookstores, grocery stores, and more. It helps us not only to save money, but also allows us to do something fun that our budget otherwise would not allow.

Time: It’s such a precious gift to give. Perhaps you could help with cleaning, driving to an appointment, driving to the grocery store, and helping put away the groceries. Be a mama’s helper, offer to babysit for free, or bring a movie and popcorn to enjoy together. I understand that giving time costs you, but the dividends are priceless.

Physical help: Offer to mow the lawn, rake the leaves, shovel the snow, clean the bathrooms, carry Christmas decorations from the attic, or pack for those who are moving. When you are healthy, these things are no big deal. But for those of us struggling with chronic illnesses such as FM, these are mountains that we just can’t climb.

Unique items

A cane with spikes for walking in icy weather.

A long-handled dustpan to make sweeping easier.

The Meebie, which is a unique toy to help your child express their feelings. A lot of people with FM have young children, and their illness and limitations may be confusing for a child.

Joint Mints are a natural homeopathic remedy to help decrease pain and inflammation.

DripDrop is an electrolyte powder you mix in your water bottle to keep you hydrated. It also reduces the need for intravenous fluids.

Dreampad is a pillow that plays music using gentle vibration, which signals the nervous system’s relaxation response. It’s great for those dealing with anxiety.

Hemp massage and body oil contains coconut and hemp seed oils. It starts with a warming sensation, then a cooling, relaxing sensation.

A heated throw blanket is a great gift idea. Whether you’re lying on the couch or in bed or sitting in your favorite chair, this will help you stay warm on those cold and painful winter days.

Coloring books and pencils make great gifts. They roll up to make it easy to take with you on appointments or if you’re just bored and need something to do.

An adjustable height laptop cart and notebook desk is so versatile, and you can use it while in bed, on the couch, or in a chair. The surface for a laptop is vented for cooling and can swivel.

The hands-free hair dryer holder is a godsend to those of us with FM. It’s a monumental effort to even consider holding a blow dryer and lifting our arms to dry our hair. This is a great solution!

Shower replacement wipes help us remove dirt, sweat, and body oils. Let’s face it, taking a shower is an exhausting ordeal. This product will help on those days when we just don’t have the energy to shower.

Dry shampoo helps revive and refresh our hair on days when we’re in a rush or just don’t have the energy to wash and dry our hair.

Take Them a Meal helps friends and family coordinate bringing meals. It’s a precious gift to get meals when we don’t often have the energy at the end of the day to cook a nutritious meal.

I know there are lots of other gifts that would improve our physical and emotional quality of life. My hope is that you would feel comfortable sharing this list with those who love and care about you during this holiday season.

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Note: Fibromyalgia News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Fibromyalgia News Today, or its parent company, BioNews Services, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to fibromyalgia.