Ho-ho-oh my goodness, Christmas can be an expensive time! And, if the many autism gift guides are to be believed, tjhen the whole process only becomes more pricey when purchasing presents for a person on the spectrum.
But hold up, just because someone is in our community that doesn’t mean you have to be out of pocket and, to prove that, today, I have 20 brilliant autism gifts which won’t break the bank (all under £20 UK/$25 US).
As always, everything mentioned today can be reached by clicking the affiliate links in the titles or any bold red font. Also, through the magic of Christmas (and geographical targeting) said links will take you to the most relevant site to your country with the currency converted.
1. 2020 Bubble Wrap Calender
A sensory-friendly sensation which adheres to an autistic person’s love of routine. No, the 2020 Bubble Wrap Calendar wasn’t exclusively made with autistic people in mind, but boy does it feel like it was. Featuring different coloured bubbles to let you know when those extra special days are approaching, and varying language for international gifters, the bubble wrap calendar is an out the box idea which is bursting with potential.
2. Greta and the Giants
Even if environmental activist Greta Thunberg wasn’t autistic herself, this next recommendation would have still made this year’s list for its inspiring message, beautiful illustrations and eerie Brothers Grimm take on the climate change school strikes. The story of a young girl trying to get her planet-saving message out to the (literal) giants of the world, like Greta herself, this book is an easily underestimated powerhouse which shouldn’t be ignored.
3. Harry Specters’ Chocolates
Okay, so you could go down to the shops at the very last minute and grab a crummy old selection box by a brand that rhymes with schmadburys. However, this year why not give a gift of luxury, style and unimaginable mmm-mmm-mmm-ness with a box of chocs from Harry Specters – the award-winning chocolatier which employs members of our community throughout the creation process (which hopefully includes the tasting too!)?
4. Computer Glasses
There’s no denying that the internet is a blessing for autistic people, allowing us to shop, socialize and slack off with streaming services. However, all that time spent looking at screens can leave us strained, tired and, in certain cases, with a banging headache. Thankfully, blue light filtering glasses can reduce strain caused by computer/mobile glare, making them an unexpected essential this Christmas.
5. Funko POP!
Autistic people make up many fandoms including film, tv, music and more, while Funko POPS! give every fandom a quirky crafted figure to express that interest. Put simply, this makes the two a match made in heaven and, given that this is the only entry on this list which I have a collection of (15 and counting!), you best believe they are something I wholeheartedly endorse.
6. The Great Courses
Autistic brains love knowing the intricacies of a topic right down to its foundations. That’s why a course from The Great Courses catalogue is ideal as an autism gift this season. With online/CD/DVD lesson plans, covering a variety of topics from International Languages & Medicine, right down to niche subjects like the History of Hamilton the musical, The Great Courses is a fountain of knowledge at your fingertips where the only question you’ll be left with is ‘what to study next?’.
7. What Do You Meme?
Sure, you can’t beat a classic like the friendship ruining Monopoly but, when it comes to ushering in real fun at your families festivities (with a strong 17+ age rating), What do you Meme? is the comical alternative that will leave you cracking a smile by a crackling fire. Need further proof that this is the game for autists? Then check out my good pal IndieAndie’s various and hilarious autism meme review videos, which show just how quick-witted our community can be when adopting meme culture.
8. Underdogs Audiobook
When it comes to representing autism from an exhilarating new angle, Underdog’s story of a neurodiverse teen army, fighting to liberate England, is undeniably the pigs in blankets of 2019 (that is to say, it’s the best). Now, just in time for December, this brilliant debut novel has been released in audiobook format, opening up this exciting new story on a platform for those always on the go or of limited literacy.
9. Christmas Jumper
Christmas jumpers can be seen as a bit of a joke present during the festive season but, for autistic people who have sensory issues, a sweater of quality and comfort can be the best gift we receive. In most cases it is best to steer clear of man-made fabrics, whilst anything which is marked as breathable and lightweight is a winner. Similarly, going for oversized fits is often advisable and, for bonus points, cut out any potentially itchy labels/tags in advance.
10. Headphones
Noise-cancelling headphones are a timeless staple of any autism gift guide. However, it’s important not to overlook the minutiae. When searching for the perfect protectors, remember that wireless models can sometimes cause disorienting feedback, while ‘comfortable’ thick padding can occasionally make for uncomfortable sweating. Where budget is concerned, Ijoys are a joy to wear, whilst I would direct those with deeper pockets to last year’s Christmas gift list for examples of the more technical, pricey models.
11. Name A Star
It may sound like the opening lyric of a Lana Del Ray song but, the stars are dead. In fact, most lights you see in the sky ceased to exist quite some time ago and the light that reaches us is a capsule of what use to be. NEVERTHELESS, while this means any business trying to sell you a star is largely a hoax, it doesn’t stop the idea from being pretty damn cool and, hey, they come in a exceptionally awesome presentation box, so I guess that’s something…
12. Lush Products
For autists looking to relax in a sensory soothing setting, few stores offer as many goodies as the cruelty-free (i.e not tested on animals) Lush. Of course, the same can’t be said about Lush stores themselves (which are often filled with strong smells and overly enthusiastic teens), but this just gives you all the more reason to go in our place and bring back its treasures for us to unwrap on the 25th.
13. V.R. Experience
While the future hasn’t quite turned out to be the tech-tropolis many sci-fi movies promised, one digital delight the autism community does have is the blessing of VR. Capable of bringing the outdoors in for any autists of limited mobility, VR offers anxiety-free exploration, which can be hired daily for those who don’t want the pain of having to set up and calibrate a personal model themselves [no link has been included here as prices and availability vary from city to city].
14. Groot Flower Pot
In a journal presented at INSAR 2018, it was found that the 4th most popular area of interest for autistic people was gardening (behind, autism itself, gaming and music). So, whether you’re looking to add fuel to an already fiery obsession or aiming to ignite one, this Groot plant pot might just be the perfect autism gift. ‘Why Groot in paticular?’ you ask? Because why the heck not!?
15. Galaxy Projector
When it comes to getting bang for your buck, few bargains are as grandiose as that of the Science Museum Star Lamp Projector which, for £10, allows you to bring an entire galaxy into a bedroom. Of course things aren’t that simple, as the projector takes waaaaay longer than its proposed 30mins to set up. However, this is a small price to pay for the gift of knowledge and the bonus of a reliable autistic sleep aid.
16. Something For The Pet
Man’s best friend is also autism’s greatest ally, so make sure your Christmas cheer spreads to your furry friend and give an autistic person the opportunity to give back to any assistance animals they may have. A fun costume always goes down a treat but, personally, I love the pet-friendly Christmas puddings which are often available in most local stores (or on Amazon if you are strapped for time).
17. LED Alarm Clock
Humans were not intended to wake up in a frenzy, frantically throwing pillows around whilst searching for the off button on an unreasonably loud iPhone alarm. Furthermore, when that person is autistic and likely to have sleep problems, this is even more detrimental and undermines the hard work many of us put in trying to get some shut-eye in the first place. A gift of an LED alarm clock resolves this by simulating a sunrise over 30 minutes before waking up, leading to a calmer more refreshed you.
18. Fidget Spinners+
It wouldn’t be an autism gift guide without some mention of fidget spinners and this year’s Orbital Fidget is something truly special. Featuring all the same anxiety-relieving, ADHD focusing, stress-soothing benefits of years gone by, the Oribital Fidget Spinner stands head and shoulders above its brethren, thanks to its gravity-defying magnetic makeup, which allows the compact ball and cap wonder to be pushed and pulled in all-new ways.
19. Yankee Candles
For autists who aren’t overloaded by strong smells, a candle from Yankee Candles can be a great way to relax and unwind after a stressful event. Sure, the idea of aromatherapy is on par with infrared saunas and tea-toxing and, yes, there is always a risk of fire, but connotations with candles make them the perfect placebo for calmness and, regardless of what the sceptics say, there’s no denying they at least make the room smell great.
20. Whatever Your Weird Tradition Is
Autistic people love routine and building in a few surprises (which are anything but surprises) is a brilliant way to relieve anxiety on any big day. This can be a tangerine in a stocking, the timeless Lynx Africa set or, if you’re in Iceland, a new piece of clothing to ensure your loved one won’t get eaten by the Yule Cat (no that isn’t a joke). Whatever you pick, sticking to the plan will kick Christmas off the best way possible, setting this year’s celebration up as one to remember.
Carry on the Conversation:
Got an autism gift idea you think I left out? Then let me know in the comments below. And, for those who still haven’t had their stocking-full of autism gift ideas, then be sure to check out my previous autism gift lists found here, here and in the latest Your Autism magazine (which features a few familiar entries from this year’s list.)
As always, I can also be found on Twitter @AutismRevised and via my email: AutisticandUnapologetic@gmail.com.
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Thank you for reading and I will see you next Saturday for more thoughts from across the spectrum.
