Gift Ideas for ADHD Brains
If you know and love someone with ADHD and are stumped about what to get them, you are in the right place. This is especially true if you are also an amazing ADHDer and are in analysis paralysis about what to get them because you want it to be thoughtful and useful. I’ve got some ideas based on things I love and use regularly, so there are ideas here for ADHD entrepreneurs as well!
I’ve got both practical ideas and gift ideas and suggestions that are a lot more fun and also a little helpful! You will also see gifts in a wide price range because, as a financial coach for service-based ADHD entrepreneurs, you know I’ve got your budget in mind! 🤑 Please add a comment for me if you’ve got ideas for things I have left out, and I can add them in or do a round 2!
I’m including links, primarily from Amazon, because it makes it easy to fulfill your shopping list. If you’ve got the time, executive function, and access to small businesses with items on the list you want to wrap up for a friend, I strongly encourage you to seek out those options. I’m always looking for opportunities to make a small business owner do a happy dance and help keep more money in my community! ♥️
A quick warning: This article will contain many links. I’m setting them up so that each time you click on a link, it will open a new window so you don’t lose any links you want to look at later or on this page. I know that could be overwhelming if you weren’t expecting it.
1. Fun and Fidgety
Because there are better things to do with our hands than picking at our faces and nails. I recently got some magnetic fidgets, and they have been very helpful when I edit my podcast! Here are a few options.
Small Magnetic Balls: You can squish, shape, or build with tiny magnetic balls. This company sells the Speks brand in Canada. Warning: These are not for kids, and because of that, they may not be best for households with ADHD folks and kiddos.
MindPanda Therapy Stress Balls: These come in different ‘strengths,’ so you can go up a level or two if you're feeling more anxious. These are great for quietly keeping hands busy and working on grip strength! 💪🏻
33mm Magnetic Balls: Apparently, I’m going with a ball theme, but what I’m trying to do is suggest items that don’t need visual focus so that hands are busy, allowing the mind to focus on a meeting or while watching training or even TV without feeling the urge to grab for a little screen.
2. Tools for Time Blindness
Ah, our time optimism often means that when an ADHDer needs to get out the door or be on a Zoom call at just the right time, we believe we can shower and clean the kitchen in 7 minutes. Alas, while we will continue to believe we are superhuman sometimes, there are items out there that can help your ADHD loved one! And when it comes to timers, they are like real estate, location, location, location.
Shower Timer: This is perfect if the shower becomes a time warp! It’s got a clock and a timer function, and it is (of course) waterproof. It also has a suction cup that can be attached to a shower wall without hardware.
On-the-Go Timers: x2! This is a low-cost option for someone who would benefit from a timer they can stick in their pocket and might misplace it once in a while, as this is actually two timers, and it also comes with a kick-stand and a magnet on the back.
Visual Timer: This one comes in so many different colours. It looks like it would make a ticking noise, but it is silent as it counts down your timer. It has an optional alarm when the timer runs out, which could be necessary for someone in hyperfocus mode!
Pomodoro Timer: While not specifically designed for the Pomodoro method, it can help with that. This one looks really fun and is currently sitting in my Amazon cart, so if you get one or have one, let me know what you think of it.
3. Tools to Help with Sleep
My brain hitting hyper-speed as soon as I try to go to sleep is a big challenge for me and many ADHD folks, so it wouldn’t be right not to include a few items to help an ADHDer get off to dream world. 😴
Sleep Mask: A sleep mask may seem bougie, but it significantly benefits my sleep. I think it signals my brain that it’s sleepy time. Amazon informed me that I have purchased this item 5 times, so you know I love it (but it also wears out)! It is also an affordable option, that you can handwash to keep it clean. While I have replaced these several times, I do get a lot of wear out of them. I also have one in my overnight bag, and at the cottage, so they last!
Sleep Mask with Headphones: Full disclosure: I tried one similar to this and found that I felt the small speakers too much. But I have had friends and clients that swear by these!
Philips SmartSleep Wake-Up Light: This alarm clock gradually brightens like the sun, helping with those tough ADHD mornings. It is best not combined with a sleep mask 😆. This can be especially good for the dark winter mornings.
Clocky Alarm Clock on Wheels: This is a fun (and infuriating) gift for anyone who hits snooze too often. I just got a little distracted watching the videos! This can be great for kids or adults who like to try to ignore their alarms!
4. Systems for Visual Organization
Dry-erase Surface Sticker: Turn any wall into a giant whiteboard to jot down ideas. Keep reminders or visual trackers easy to see at a glance, or make the largest to-do list you’ve ever seen!
Assorted Post-It Notes: A love language for ADHDers, post-it notes! And when you aren’t sure which size they like the most, get ‘em a variety of sizes. Although, if you’re shopping for me, I like the 4x6” lined ones in the package that has a teal pad. 😆
Magnetic Chore or Task Board: Again, ignore that it says it for kids, I see so many practical applications for ADHDers! Stick it to the fridge for easy daily reminders or put it by the front door to make sure all the things you need some too!
5. Sensory-Friendly Goodies
Gravity Weighted Blanket: Soft, comforting, and available in various weights and sizes. Or even a really soft cozy blanket could be a great option if your looking for someone who likes to cuddle up on the couch with a good book!
Noise-cancelling Headphones: Amazing sound quality and sensory relief. I’ve chosen a more budget-friendly option here, but you can find these at every price point you could imagine!
Aromatherapy Diffuser: Pair it with essential oils like lavender or peppermint for calming vibes. This diffuser is one I love and have a few of, because it’s nice not to have to cart it to every room you want to smell like your fav essential oils!
7. A Few More I Couldn’t Leave Off!
Gravity Weighted Blanket: Soft, comforting, and available in various weights and sizes. Or even a really soft cozy blanket could be a great option if your looking for someone who likes to cuddle up on the couch with a good book!
Noise-cancelling Headphones: Amazing sound quality and sensory relief. I’ve chosen a more budget-friendly option here, but you can find these at every price point you could imagine!
Aromatherapy Diffuser: Pair it with essential oils like lavender or peppermint for calming vibes. This diffuser is one I love and have a few of, because it’s nice not to have to cart it to every room you want to smell like your fav essential oils!
Electric Toothbrush: This is a little more practical but, personally this items is so helpful for me. It makes a steps of taking care of ourselves a little easier and helps remind us when two minutes is up so that we don’t brush for 30 seconds, or end up at the other end of the house still brushing 5 minutes later. 😆
I hope this list has been helpful and as I’m writing these last few sentences, I am realizing how much more helpful this would have been to include the prices and arrange them based on price point. So, check to see if I did a part two with prices included, which will need to wait a little bit because I started this on Cyber Monday and we know that will impact the prices.
