Christmas Preparations With Vision Loss

With advanced planning, this next Christmas in the time of Covid and vision loss can be as good as it used to be, with the proper preparation and perhaps an acceptance of some necessary compromises.

Helping each other out

I recently went out to dinner with friends, celebrating a birthday. Mine! My friend with 2% vision (from a stroke, not macular degeneration) is an inspiration to those of us with declining vision.

She ordered pizza, as it’s food she can eat with her hands, knowing that sometimes, or perhaps I should say frequently, something on her fork lands on the table, or maybe on her lap. She chooses her meal online ahead of time; to avoid needing to have someone read the menu to her. We then just let her know of any specials available.

The topic of how we were celebrating Christmas arose, as we each live alone, but do have family close by. All four of us have downsized our decorating as we’ve aged, but my friend’s style of Christmas decorating has changed more to accommodate her vision loss. More minimalist, which seems to be the trend with the designers now.

Making things easier for our eyes

Gifts and decorations

A few years ago, she bought a set of three rustic-looking Christmas trees. They’re pre-lit, and look snow-covered, so don’t require any other decorations. The collection of ornaments gathered over the years have gone to good homes with the grandchildren for their own trees.

The wreaths, garlands, and crystal centrepieces have been used for so long she could “do it with her eyes closed” as she says with a laugh. Gifts can be seen and ordered from The Shopping Channel, or Amazon, easily done with the 45” TV set up as her computer monitor.

Cooking and baking

She can still, for the most part, cook special meals for her family members. Often with some additional help from her children or grandchildren who usually plan to arrive early. She also can still do most of her own Christmas baking. She finds using recipes from the Google Home device easier than trying to read her own tried and true recipes. I tried this myself, saying “Hey Google, do you have a recipe for peanut butter cookies?” It answered with one it said was from allrecipes.com and very patiently waited in between each ingredient.

When I said “next” it read the next one, then on to give me the instructions in the same manner. After the last instruction, it said: “Enjoy”! My friend does have a large CCTV in her spare room/office she could use, and occasionally does for a favourite recipe, but that requires running back and forth to read the next step. It’s just too frustrating.

Finding technology to help

Some things don’t work well with low vision. Butter tarts have become a no-go, but most other Christmas treats can still be made. Many kitchen helpers for those of us with low vision are available at MaxiAids.com. From simple things like high contrast dishes and cutting boards to measuring cups with very large, high contrast numbers. There is even a gadget that tells you when your cup is getting full.

I’ll spend Christmas day with my daughter and her family. I’ve already made arrangements for my grandson to drive me home.  I’ve chosen not to drive after dark, and it will probably be raining, making it even more difficult. Now, what will I bring besides my famous caramelized Brussels sprouts with bacon?

I hope you have a Merry Christmas and a magical New Year!