If you’re looking for ADHD-friendly gifts, I submit for your approval, 15 suggestions that address everything from time management, to procrastination, to better eating. I ho-ho-hope it helps (I’m so sorry).
Oh, and for the record: I am not affiliated with any of these products. These are just things that I think will be helpful.
As always, watch me talk about these here, or listen to me talk about them below or on your favorite podcast platform.
For Time Management: A Pomodoro Cube timer
If you happened to watch my video with Anne-So some time ago, you may have heard about this handy little tool. It’s simple to use (just lay it on the side with the length of time you need), and it’s a great visual cue to help you keep an eye on how long you spend on a task. It also adds a little more of that hands-on responsibility by needing you to move the cube to turn it off, which may help you stay true to those breaks you so need.
These come in many different types, so feel free to check around for a style that speaks to you. The one pictured is 14.99 on Amazon, and you can get it here. (https://a.co/d/bMXLlYs)
For Keeping Up With Your Routine: Dry erase checklist
I found out about this one on Reddit, and it’s brilliant.
Not only does this thing allow for you to write out your routine step-by-step and then check it off as you go, but it’s also dry erase, so that you can adjust your routine as you find it necessary.
These are also pretty cheap, so you can get a few to leave in different rooms if you so choose. On Amazon, these are 8.99 here. ( https://a.co/d/iz92H87)
For Procrastination and Day Planning: An ADHD Digital planner
Some of us still really need the feeling of a planner, but we also need to be able to take it with us everywhere. My favorite of all the ones I’ve found is still Artful Agenda because it 2-way syncs with Google Calendar and allows for plenty of customization, but if you’re looking for something different, there are a slew of ADHD-friendly digital planners that are dedicated not only to organization, but to procrastination busting as well. The best place to find these, I’ve found, is Etsy or Commit30.
For Energy and Focus: Shower steamers
Aromatherapy can’t cure anything, obviously, but there are studies suggesting that it can give a nice, quick jolt when it comes to mood, energy, and focus. You can definitely still go with diffusers if you like, but I’m partial to the shower delivery method, because it can also make showering more fun for those ADHDers who struggle with it sometimes. There are a number of options when it comes to these, but this particular brand is 19.98 on Amazon. (https://a.co/d/7rMzUYe)
For focus, calm, and deliciousness: a Green tea set
One of the underappreciated heroes in the land of focus, tea, can be a lovely and personalized gift for the right ADHD brain. Green tea is anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and rich in L-theanine, a compound that has shown promise in lowering anxiety and increasing focus.
You don’t have to do green tea, of course; black tea is also rich in L-theanine. And, depending on how much love for tea there is, I’d suggest even looking at Sipsby. Their tea sets, accessories, and subscription boxes are all top notch.
If the set above is your jam, though, you can get it for 34.99 at Amazon here. (https://a.co/d/0y9jCYv)
For Overstimulation and Extra Focus: Noise canceling headphones
Definitely one of the pricier gifts on this list, noise canceling headphones are still worth every penny. They help you stay sane on planes, block out noise while you work, and generally come with fantastic bluetooth capabilities in case you’d rather listen to some of your favorite music. Sometimes, they even come in handy when you’re trying to overcome overwhelm or overstimulation, too.
In my experience, Bose brand (pictured above, usually around $250) is the best, but if you’re looking for something a little cheaper, I’ve found the Anker Q20’s by Soundcore (closer to $40) are also pretty great.
For those little things we lose: Key finder tiles
It gets a little old, constantly trying to remember Where We Put That Thing, and while we can’t use these for everything, these bluetooth tiles can cut down on our moments of confusion. There are a number of different versions of these. Some whistle, others come with an app. Whichever ones you pick, though, will be lifesavers for those who’re tired of screaming “WHERE ARE MY KEYS” over and over again.
The particular tiles pictured are available here for about 35.99.
For Those Who Forget, Or Sudden To-Dos: Wearable to-do list
Sometimes, we’re going to get hit with a sudden task. Or, you could just be one of those people who walks into the grocery store, chanting that you need “lettuce, cheese, and bread” over and over,until you get to the first aisle, and then you’ve completely forgotten what you said you needed. OR, you could suddenly get hit with an idea that you need to check on when you get home.
Whatever your sudden need for a memo, this is a great way to make sure that it gets written down. This is basically a slap bracelet (remember those?) That comes with a special pen and eraser. And if you lose those? It looks like any dry erase marker will work.
A few companies make these, but this particular one is 12.99 at Amazon.
For those who need to remember to drink water: Hidrate Spark water bottle:
I’m constantly reminding clients to eat, take breaks, and hydrate, and for some reason that last thing is the thing they struggle with most. The best way to deal with this is to carry your water bottle with you everywhere, but it also doesn’t hurt to make hydration a little more fun.
There are water bottles out there that get fancy, like the Hidrate Spark bottle, which connects by bluetooth and uses an app to remind you of when to drink water next. It’ll light up to catch your attention, and then reset the timer when it’s go-time, which can both reinforce routine, and help with the expectation of water after a certain amount of time. You can buy it from Hidrate’s website, or from Amazon.
And if the 69.99 price tag is a little rich for your blood, another good option is a water bottle that simply provides motivation and measurement, like this one. Those’ll run you more like $20.
For those who need humor and support: Mental breakdown cup
Sure, you can just write little notes to yourself, but sometimes it helps to have more colorful, interesting reminders.
This cup is adorable and a great thing to have around when you’re having a rough day, because it removes stigma we often deal with in regards to not finishing everything, not always feeling happy, and being anxious. It’s 19.99 and you can get it here.
For those who struggle to choose what to eat: A meal service subscription
We already know that many ADHDer’s struggle with eating well because we don’t do so well with uncertainty. There are often too many choices, and not enough mental energy to decide what, exactly, we’re going to eat. Then Pop-Tarts or chips look better, because we don’t need to expend energy both choosing the food and preparing it.
So, signing your ADHDer up with services like Blue Apron, Hello Fresh, or Purple Carrot can increase the possibility of them eating healthier. Sure, there’ll be times where they still don’t feel like cooking, but you’d be surprised how much less often that’ll happen when the struggle of deciding in the moment has been taken off their plates.
For those who struggle to choose what to eat, Parte Deux: Meal dice:
So you don’t really need a subscription, but you’d really like help sometimes deciding on food that actually has substance? Enter meal dice.
Generally, these are going to be for takeout, though there are a few that get really into cooking (seriously, they include how you’ll cook your meal as well as what you cook), so you can go for something that matches your general energy level when it’s time for dinner. For an extra suggestion, you can roll this 7 times in a row and use it to help plan your week’s meals.
The die pictured above is 12.97 and available here, but you can find multiple types.
For those who want to learn on their own time: Online classes
ADHDers generally love to learn, we just prefer to do so at our own pace. Helping someone you love to learn about things they’re interested in is a great sign of support, and you can find a ton of places to do that. Masterclass, Skillshare, and Udemy are the most popular, but I can guarantee you that you can find what you’re looking for anywhere on the internet.
For those who need external support, with a little more to spend: A Digital assistant
Of course, Google Homes, Amazon Echoes, an Amazon Shows can also be super helpful for those who need reminders, time, weather, or just about anything else to run their day more smoothly. The best part about these things is that they’re voice-activated, too, so there’s no need to stop what you’re doing to write anything down.
You can also hire a real person, who’ll be available digitally to help you run your life if you have the funds to do so. Companies like Yohana are apparently at the ready to get you set up for that (I have never used Yohana; I just found them with a search, so make sure you do your research)
For the ADHDer Who Already Has Everything: A gift certificate for their latest hyperfocus
Alright, so your ADHD friend/family member doesn’t really need any of this. That’s cool. What’re they into lately? What are they obsessed with? Do you know how happy they’d be to simply receive a gift certificate or gift card to the thing they’re all about right now? Get it for them, and let them control when they stock up or take part, which we know brains like ours love anyway.
Just make sure you remind them to use it every-so-often. Can’t let all that dopamine go to waste.
When I’m not giving gift ideas, I’m coaching ADHDers and helping them feel better and stronger in their lives. You can go here to reach out and start working together.
