Creating Stress-Free Christmas Traditions with a Visual Impairment

It’s almost that time of year. Time to start making your Christmas list for the VIPs (visually impaired persons) in your life. Especially if you’re the VIP. Santa does a much better job with a few hints. The right gifts don’t need to be expensive.

Gift ideas for the visually impaired

Some suggestions might include:

• A talking watch
• Talking kitchen scale (but a talking bathroom scale might just add to the stress!)
• A large button TV remote
• How about a lighted magnifying mirror, or do we really want to see our wrinkles up close and focused?
• Audiobooks or a device such as a Kindle or an iPad pre-downloaded with some great reads would be a much appreciated gift
• Taxi coupons - useful tor that Chinese Christmas dinner (see below)
• Did you know there is a large print keyboard available in high contrast black and yellow?

Tips for reducing stress

Give yourself the gift of a calm, stress-free Christmas.

Remember, you don’t need to do the things you’ve always done. Or you don’t need to do them in the same way you always have. Go easy on yourself. Do you really need to make those handmade gift tags that you can barely see for your designer-inspired wrappings? Or bake 12 dozen sugar cookies decorated with Santa faces? Especially when you stress over trying to see the difference between one cup and a 3/4 cup measure. From personal experience, I can tell you they’re not interchangeable! Maybe tactile or large print ones should be on my list! Your local church or school probably have a Christmas craft fair where you can buy a variety of wonderful homemade Christmas baked goods and gifts while supporting important causes at the same time.

Online shopping

Don't forget the ease of online shopping. Even Walmart lets you shop online where you can spend as much time as needed to find that perfect gift. Easier than trying to see what and where things are in the store, especially when it may be difficult to get there.

Making adjustments

I bought a small pre-lit tabletop tree a couple of years ago. The first year I took the ornaments off, packed them away carefully and stored the tree in its box. The second-year I was smarter and just covered it with a large plastic bag which I taped around the bottom. It sits in a corner of the spare room closet, needing only a bit of touch up when the Christmas spirit arrives.

Starting new traditions

Make new traditions; take a taxi (using the new taxi coupons) to a Chinese restaurant for Christmas dinner. Let your children or even your grandchildren start hosting it. Or go to your local shelter and help serve dinner for those less fortunate. If you don’t have family close by, perhaps get together with others in a similar situation to share the workload, expense and above all, the companionship. Anything that cuts down on the stress and increases the enjoyment of the season could become the new normal.

How do you reduce holiday stress?

What can you suggest as a gift for yourself? Or your spouse? What would help make your life easier or more enjoyable? Or more productive if that’s what works for you. What changes could you make or have you made to enjoy a less stressful holiday season? Please share your helpful hints for others in the comments.