Need more ideas for your ADHDers? Here are 4 more guides for you to get some holiday shopping checked off your list.

I know I said to buy them things they need over what they want (since we typically don’t struggle to treat ourselves), but if you want to celebrate the ADHDer in your life with some fun stuff, I present to you…

The Hobby Enthusiast

• Hobby subscription box: This cool subscription sends you a new hobby to try each month, which is PERFECT for ADHDers. We love novelty and a good challenge, and you can often find us with our latest hyperfocus hobby. However, we can lose interest almost as quickly as we gain it, so having a new hobby each month is gold.
• Self-watering planters: If you have an aspiring plant parent in your life but can’t remember to water them for the life of them, get this black thumb ADHDer a self-watering planter. It won’t solve all the other ways they kill their beloved plants, but it will give them a fighting chance.
• LibroFM Credits: Have an audiobook lover in your life? Get them a gift card to LibroFM, which not only provides them with monthly audiobooks, but also helps support local bookstores. If reading physical books are more their speed, consider a gift card to a local (to them) bookstore, or an eGift Card to Bookshop.org where they can decide which local bookstore to support.
• Gift cards to a favorite cafe, restaurant, or salon: If you know they’re gonna spend their money on these things anyways, why not help ’em out and get them a gift card to their favorite shops. It allows them free coffees for a week!

Sensory Items for the Sensory Seeker

This category is where I shine, as a sensory seeking ADHDer myself. Everything on this list is everything that’s also on my list too. Just saying…

• Mini Trampoline: We have a mini trampoline for my daughter and I attempted to step on it one time and realized quickly they have a weight limit. Get the sensory seeking ADHDer you love a mini trampoline of their very own (most can handle over 400lbs).
• Weighted stuffed animal: Or a weighted blanket, or weighted lap pad. But what adult doesn’t want a stuffed animal? They are excellent to provide that sensory input to help regulate ourselves (emotionally and physically) and they are so stinkin’ cute! Plus, some of them provide aroma therapy as well and you can warm them up for additional sensory support.
• Balance board: This is number one on my list this year. I used to use one at my friend’s house when I was a kid and I’ve been riding that high for 30 years. There are LOTS of different kinds of balance boards, from “slack boards” to “wobble boards” to “balance trainers” to traditional balance boards. Even a Bosu ball-style can give the same input! My personal choice is this style. It’s versatile and allows you to up the challenge as you improve. Not to mention, research suggest that ADHDers who incorporate balance exercises increase their focus and attention overtime (Hallowell & Ratey, 2021).
• Fidgets: You can buy a big bulk amount of handheld fidgets, but I find these tend to be cheaper quality and not necessarily with ADHD in mind. My personal favorites as an adult with ADHD are Speks ferrite putty (those bean magenet fidget things), Schylling NeeDoh squeeze toys (the firmer the better), and Aaron’s Thinking Putty (which come in different colors, aromas, and styles).
• Kinetic or Moon Sand: Similar to fidgets, although have the potential to make more of a mess, kinetic sand (sometimes called Moon Sand) is such a soothing sensory experience for me. I love sculpting with the sand, creating castles or using tools. Who says you need to be a kid to make ice cream or work on a construction site with your kinetic sand? Just make sure you gift them a container to keep it in!

Sensory Items for the Sensory Avoider

And if you have a sensory avoider in your life (think, someone who is triggered by loud noises, bright lights, intense movement), consider some of these gifts.

• Noise canceling headphones: There are lots of different brands who make noise-canceling headphones and they range in price. A fan favorite are the Bose, but I have a pair of Beats I enjoy. You really can’t go wrong.
• Loop ear plugs: There are lots of ear plugs on the market, but my favorites are the Loops. They have different levels depending on how much noise cancelation you’re looking for, and they are perfect for the ADHDer who gets overstimulated in the grocery store, has trouble concentrating at their office job, or just wants to drown out the chaos in the other room.
• Mood lighting: Overhead, fluorescent lighting is a BIG no-no. Grab your loved one a set of smart bulbs (which can help create ambiance in their normal light fixtures) or even some flameless candles. If they enjoy aromatherapy, consider grabbing a calming diffuser.
• Indoor fireplace: Speaking of mood lighting and flameless, grab them an indoor fireplace. Keep ’em cozy, calm, and regulated.
• Self-Regulation Kit: While not specifically for sensory avoiders, creating a kit for your ADHDer to help with emotional regulation (often a challenge for us), can be a great gift. I recommend putting in different calming fidgets, ear plugs, calming essential oils, crunchy and sour snacks (great to help regulate our systems), and photos or other meaningful items in a cool pouch, tin, or bag. It’s a personal gift that keeps on giving.

For the ADHDer with Time Blindness

These gifts for all of those who struggle with time management, being punctual, and estimating how long tasks will take. So, you know, most ADHDers.

• Wall clocks: This one doesn’t sound fun, but you can make this more interesting by buying them cool, interesting wall clocks that match their home or personality. Just make sure to steer away from clocks that are too abstract or modern-looking; once it becomes more art than clock, it’ll be used as such.
• Smartwatch: This one could get quite pricey (although there are affordable options too!) but if you’re looking for a big ticket item for a loved one, this one is great for time blindness. I wear my Apple Watch every day and utilizing for setting myself reminders, setting timers, checking time (duh), find my phone, check the weather before leaving the house, set up alerts to take a break or move, and the list goes on. There are so many features on a smartwatch that this could be a great gift for any ADHDer in your life.
• Visual timer: I LOVE visual timers and now they come in so many different colors and styles. Something about an elapsed clock is perfect for an ADHDer’s brain. I love that this one can come with a white board to help keep yourself or your loved ones on task. They also have different cases you can personalize them with.
• Pomodoro Timer: Another timer option that can work for the ADHDer is a Pomodoro Timer. This type of timer comes with pre-programmed digital times in 5-, 10-, 25- and 50-minute intervals, with timed breaks built in. To make it a bit more fun and interesting, some of them come in cool colors. This strategy is especially effective for ADHDers who struggle to initiate tasks, as they just have to set the timer for the pre-programmed amount of time they choose, without the expectation to complete the task.

Are any of these items on your wish list or “to buy” list this year?