As usual, the gift-giving season has snuck up on us and that often means that parents are searching for gift ideas. Gift cards and cash seem to be the easiest option, but also can feel impersonal and boring. The best gifts for anyone – especially teens and tweens – show the recipient that the gift giver really “sees” them and appreciates their unique qualities. Parents want to encourage their children to be secure in who they are. Gifts that convey their support and love are always appreciated. For Scoliosis patients, a thoughtful gift can go a long way in supporting them as they journey through their treatment.
This holiday season we’ve curated a great list of gifts sure to delight our patients and parents.
Chelsea Barbie Doll
Child psychologists agree that pretend play can help children to work through challenging life events. That’s why the Chelsea doll will make a great companion for our younger patients. Chelsea can be dressed up as your child wishes and has a removable brace just like our patients do.
The Silver-Horned Girl: A Modern Fairytale by Lisa Owens
Lisa Owens, who suffered from low self-esteem and anxiety when wearing a scoliosis brace in her childhood, decided to use her story to help others. The Silver-Horned Girl tells the story of a girl whose life is changed when she wakes up with a beeping silver horn growing out of her head. She suddenly feels scared and alone. The book helps to facilitate conversations about how all teens can experience insecurity whether their differences are visible or not.
Brace Yourself: Scoliosis with Strength by Sarah Larson
This book was written by Sarah Larson who was 12 years old when she was told that her S-shaped curve would require that she wear a brace for 20 hours a day. Sarah shares her experience to encourage other scoliosis patients to embrace imperfection. This touching story details her personal, spiritual, and physical transformation as she journeyed through her treatment.
Scolios-us Stickers
Teens and tweens love to decorate their phone cases, water bottles, and laptops with stickers that convey their unique personalities and styles. Scolios-us – an organization committed to empowering patients with scoliosis and the health care providers treating them – creates a variety of fun stickers that promote self-esteem and acceptance. These make perfect stocking stuffers for the holidays!
Higgy Elf
Higgy Bears is one of our favorite vendors. They offer a variety of stuffed animals with braces in multiple patterns and colors. This year they offer the Higgy Elf! Patients can choose a girl or boy and light or dark skin for their Elf. In addition, they can choose from two holiday patterns for the Elf’s brace.
Scoliosis Coloring Book
According to the Mayo Clinic, coloring is a healthy way to relieve stress. It can calm the mind and body and reduce feelings of anxiety. This Scoliosis Coloring Book for Kids is great for our younger patients. Higgy Bears also offers a downloadable Digital Coloring Book with encouraging quotes for older patients. Grab a set of colored pencils to add to this gift that will promote relaxation and well-being for your child.
12-Month Scoliosis Journal
Another great way for patients to relieve stress and sort through their emotions during treatment is journaling. Scolios-us offers a 12-month journal to help patients navigate scoliosis bracing. They can track their brace wear time, take notes about what they are feeling, and document their progress.
Scoliosis Warrior Socks
These Scoliosis Warrior Socks are a fun stocking stuffer and a way to support your son as he starts treatment. In addition to the socks, Redbubble offers a variety of different Scoliosis Awareness gift ideas from stickers to tees to sweatshirts.
“At Least You Don’t Have to Wear a Cone!” Tumbler
Keeping a sense of humor goes a long way to helping children and families cope with challenging circumstances. This hilarious tumbler, featuring a dog’s lament about wearing a cone, is sure to lighten the mood as your child begins bracing treatment. Laughter, after all, is the best medicine.
A Little Bent, But Never Broken Tee
The encouraging words on this soft tee will bolster your patient’s confidence to embrace the challenges she will face during treatment. With sizes from XS-3XL, and a variety of colors to choose from, you’re sure to find a tee your patient will be thrilled to wear.
If you need more ideas, check out our Scoliosis Book recommendations or last year’s gift ideas.
The support of the entire family during scoliosis treatment is crucial to the success of our patients. These holiday gifts offer you the chance to show that support and encouragement to your child in fun and unique ways. We wish all of our patients and families the happiest of holiday seasons.