Introduction
It’s that time of year where you might ask yourself “What do I get for someone with ADHD for Christmas?”
It’s a question that’s tougher to answer than it first seems.
For one, the rampant impulsivity associated with ADHD means that we’re likely to have already bought “all-the-things” and this can leave partners, friends and parents a little bit stuck as to what to actually get us.
The good news is that, in general, ADHDers aren’t particularly materialistic. More than anything, we just want to be seen and heard and the gifts we receive help us measure that.
This list of gift recommendations has been curated with some fundamental key features of ADHD in mind to ensure that whatever you get your ADHD loved one for Christmas, your gift will help them feel seen and heard.
Full disclosure: if you buy anything from the links in this article, I will earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Thank you in advance for supporting the work I’m doing and I wish you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to come.
Post contents
Fun and Fidget Gifts
You’ll have noticed, people with ADHD like to have fun and we like to fidget. We also know it can irritate and annoy others. It might seem like we don’t care, but we do. So much.
It seems fitting then to start this list off with a collection of presents that can ease the ADHD fidget, without bringing judgement on shame through gift-giving. Have at it!
My Social Battery Pin Badge
For those of us who want to express that we don’t want to talk to anyone today, without having to actually express that we don’t want to talk to anyone today. A nice little gift for ADHD adults and children alike.
Yogi Fidget Toy
If the noise of ADHD fidget toys is something that gets on your wick, this is the perfect gift to get for someone who has those hyper-kinectic tendencies. It is pricier than most other fidget toys, but it’s worth the premium because of the feel and the silence!
Elegancy Fidget Pen
From no noise to fun noise - this magnetic pen clicks and clacks into all sorts of different shapes. It’s super satisfying and a perfect stocking filler for someone with ADHD.
Luxury
If there’s a special person in your life who has ADHD (and not the kind of special your mum calls you), then these luxury gifts are ideal to answer the question “What should I get my ADHD partner for Christmas?”
Sony WH-1000XM4 Noise Cancelling Wireless Headphones
I bought a pair of these 12 years ago - and they’re still going strong!
Build quality is excellent, sound reproduction is top-class, the noise cancelling is best-in-class and they last forever!
Noise cancelling headphones can feel quite oppressive - like stepping into an anechoic chamber or having your ears smothered by a dense memory foam cushion - not these though! Sony’s noise cancelling is highly effective, yet gentle on your brain-hole. Can’t recommend them enough!
Cosy House Collection Adult Weighted Blanket
It might not be the first thing that comes to mind when exploring gift ideas for adults with ADHD, but a weighted blanket can mean the difference between a cr-nap (crap-nap) and a decent cat-nap.
They’re not for everyone, but for me jumping under my weighted blanket is like getting a whole body hug, from myself, or whomever I wish to think about in that moment.
This particular one has a bamboo fibre cover, which is antibacterial so you never have to worry about how to combat the inevitable nap-drool.
Ravensburger GraviTrax PRO Starter Set Extreme
If the ADHD person you’re buying for hasn’t got into marble runs yet…like…do they really have ADHD? Is all I’m saying…
This starter kit will excite and delight both kids and adults. My only warning here is don’t get this unless you’re ready for an amazing, rewarding and (potentially) expensive hyper-focus to begin.
Then again, what’s the point of a hyper-focus if it isn’t bankruptcy-levels of expensive…is it even a hyper-focus if it isn….you know what…that’s for another post.
Books
It might seem counter-intuitive to include a list of books in an article about presents for people with ADHD, but trust, yo, these aren’t just any books.
Colouring books help us relax, we actually LOVE learning stuff (but only on things we enjoy learning stuff about…if you get me) and new journals contain magic.
“Things I Want to Say But Can’t” Colouring Book
A wonderful, wacky, sweary colouring book. ‘Nuff said.
ADHD Workbook: Adult ADHD Planner & Journal With Prompts
Stick “work” in front of anything, and it’s likely to put any ADHD-er off. That is until, we realise that it’s fun-work, not work-work. This little beauty is a great way to start January off with some self-care.
For more on journaling with ADHD, check out this post:
Journaling Ideas for Better Mental Health
ADHD 2.0 - by Edward M. Hallowell and John J. Ratey
The New Science of ADHD. For those who are interested in the condition itself (like me), this publication is a fantastic gift for the learned ADHD folk in your life. It’s an ultimate study on how ADHD works and affects our lives. Great reading!
The Zen Monkey and the Lotus Flower
This collection of short stories is a wonderful gift for adults with ADHD, kids with ADHD and parents where ADHD is a factor in their lives. Each story charms and calms the busy brains of hyper-thinkers. Ideal for a Sunday wind-down or bed-time stories any day of the week.
Conclusion
So there you have it - my list of recommendations of what to get people with ADHD for Christmas.
We can all feel a lot of pressure around this time of year; socially, financially… ecumenically (I suppose). Please don’t let this pressure weigh on you too much - especially when it comes to your ADHD person.
If you want to absolutely nail it for your ADHD person, simply keep the phrase “seen and heard” at the centre of your gift buying activities. It’s actually all we really want for Christmas, and birthdays, and Easter and…whenever.
To know what gift fits the criteria of being seen and heard, is to know your ADHD person.
Thank you for buying anything using the links above, it is hugely appreciated!
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Fun and Fidget Gifts
You’ll have noticed, people with ADHD like to have fun and we like to fidget. We also know it can irritate and annoy others. It might seem like we don’t care, but we do. So much.
It seems fitting then to start this list off with a collection of presents that can ease the ADHD fidget, without bringing judgement on shame through gift-giving. Have at it!
My Social Battery Pin Badge
For those of us who want to express that we don’t want to talk to anyone today, without having to actually express that we don’t want to talk to anyone today. A nice little gift for ADHD adults and children alike.
Yogi Fidget Toy
If the noise of ADHD fidget toys is something that gets on your wick, this is the perfect gift to get for someone who has those hyper-kinectic tendencies. It is pricier than most other fidget toys, but it’s worth the premium because of the feel and the silence!
Elegancy Fidget Pen
From no noise to fun noise - this magnetic pen clicks and clacks into all sorts of different shapes. It’s super satisfying and a perfect stocking filler for someone with ADHD.
Luxury
If there’s a special person in your life who has ADHD (and not the kind of special your mum calls you), then these luxury gifts are ideal to answer the question “What should I get my ADHD partner for Christmas?”
Sony WH-1000XM4 Noise Cancelling Wireless Headphones
I bought a pair of these 12 years ago - and they’re still going strong!
Build quality is excellent, sound reproduction is top-class, the noise cancelling is best-in-class and they last forever!
Noise cancelling headphones can feel quite oppressive - like stepping into an anechoic chamber or having your ears smothered by a dense memory foam cushion - not these though! Sony’s noise cancelling is highly effective, yet gentle on your brain-hole. Can’t recommend them enough!
Cosy House Collection Adult Weighted Blanket
It might not be the first thing that comes to mind when exploring gift ideas for adults with ADHD, but a weighted blanket can mean the difference between a cr-nap (crap-nap) and a decent cat-nap.
They’re not for everyone, but for me jumping under my weighted blanket is like getting a whole body hug, from myself, or whomever I wish to think about in that moment.
This particular one has a bamboo fibre cover, which is antibacterial so you never have to worry about how to combat the inevitable nap-drool.
Ravensburger GraviTrax PRO Starter Set Extreme
If the ADHD person you’re buying for hasn’t got into marble runs yet…like…do they really have ADHD? Is all I’m saying…
This starter kit will excite and delight both kids and adults. My only warning here is don’t get this unless you’re ready for an amazing, rewarding and (potentially) expensive hyper-focus to begin.
Then again, what’s the point of a hyper-focus if it isn’t bankruptcy-levels of expensive…is it even a hyper-focus if it isn….you know what…that’s for another post.
Books
It might seem counter-intuitive to include a list of books in an article about presents for people with ADHD, but trust, yo, these aren’t just any books.
Colouring books help us relax, we actually LOVE learning stuff (but only on things we enjoy learning stuff about…if you get me) and new journals contain magic.
“Things I Want to Say But Can’t” Colouring Book
A wonderful, wacky, sweary colouring book. ‘Nuff said.
ADHD Workbook: Adult ADHD Planner & Journal With Prompts
Stick “work” in front of anything, and it’s likely to put any ADHD-er off. That is until, we realise that it’s fun-work, not work-work. This little beauty is a great way to start January off with some self-care.
For more on journaling with ADHD, check out this post:
Journaling Ideas for Better Mental Health
ADHD 2.0 - by Edward M. Hallowell and John J. Ratey
The New Science of ADHD. For those who are interested in the condition itself (like me), this publication is a fantastic gift for the learned ADHD folk in your life. It’s an ultimate study on how ADHD works and affects our lives. Great reading!
The Zen Monkey and the Lotus Flower
This collection of short stories is a wonderful gift for adults with ADHD, kids with ADHD and parents where ADHD is a factor in their lives. Each story charms and calms the busy brains of hyper-thinkers. Ideal for a Sunday wind-down or bed-time stories any day of the week.
Conclusion
So there you have it - my list of recommendations of what to get people with ADHD for Christmas.
We can all feel a lot of pressure around this time of year; socially, financially… ecumenically (I suppose). Please don’t let this pressure weigh on you too much - especially when it comes to your ADHD person.
If you want to absolutely nail it for your ADHD person, simply keep the phrase “seen and heard” at the centre of your gift buying activities. It’s actually all we really want for Christmas, and birthdays, and Easter and…whenever.
To know what gift fits the criteria of being seen and heard, is to know your ADHD person.
Thank you for buying anything using the links above, it is hugely appreciated!
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
