From fun games to handy tools to great gadgets and more, these gift ideas make a wonderful present for anyone on your holiday list
The holiday season is upon once again and while this time of year is fun for parties with family and friends, it can also be nerve wracking with hordes at the mall, preparing for a party and the general hustle and bustle that takes place.
We at PN can’t help with everything this holiday season, but we can possibly make shopping for a great gift a bit easier and maybe even avoid a trip to the mall. The gift ideas on this year’s list include ones that are fun, others that are practical and a few that probably fall into both categories. Something else this year’s list can help with is money since all these gifts are $50 or under.
Music On The Move
Everyone loves listening to good tunes while handcycling, when you’re on a roll in the park or just hanging at home. But wearing earphones can prevent you from hearing a car horn or even a knock at the door.
A simple solution is the colorful and portable Ivation Bullet. This 3.5-ounce speaker plays music via Bluetooth, MicroSD card or auxiliary line and features a 10-hour rechargeable battery. The speaker itself comes with four skins and matching mounts that are easy to take on and off a handcycle or wheelchair.
The Bullet comes with everything you need to start listening to your favorite song right out of the box, including the speaker, four skins and mounting straps, charging cable, auxiliary line and even a strap for your wrist.
$29.99, amazon.com.
Roll With It
An inventive member of the U.S. Air Force is proving not all fun and games require batteries, power cords or WiFi.
Rollors is a modest game of skill that can be played anywhere there’s a flat surface. Combining the elements of horseshoes and Bocce, the game features oversized wooden disks (aka Rollors) that players roll towards a color-coded, wooden goal 25 feet away. Points are awarded to the player/team that positions their disks closest to the goal.
Lt. Col. Matt Baurer first visualized the concept for Rollers between deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan. His creativity has resulted in an award-winning and unique game that is great for all ages.
$49.95, rollors.com.
Cliff Notes
SPORTS ’N SPOKES (S’NS) magazine is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year and if you or someone you know enjoys reading PN’s sister publication or just likes wheelchair sports, it’s a good bet you’ll both like The Editorials from Sports ’n Spokes 1975 – 2007 by Cliff Crase.
The book offers a peek into the history of wheelchair sports through the editorials of S’NS’s late co-founder and inaugural editor. Written in Cliff’s unique style, the editorials are a reflection of his charismatic personality and provide great insight into the development of adaptive sports.
Edited by his wife and magazine co-founder Nancy, the 280-page book includes the original pictures that accompanied Cliff’s writings, as well as many additional unpublished photos from the magazine’s archives.
$23.99 plus shipping and handling (proceeds benefit the Paralyzed Veterans of America), blurb.com/b/6516777.
The “Spirit” Of The Season
When it comes time to raise a toast this holiday season, why not do it with a unique all-American spirit that will also help out veterans?
Heroes Vodka was founded in 2009 by Marine Corps veteran Travis McVey and was first bottled on Nov. 11, 2011. Made with 100% American corn grain, Heroes has won multiple awards, including several gold medals. The mission of Heroes Vodka is to deliver exceptional taste and superior value to consumers, while honoring veterans and other American service organizations through charitable contributions.
A portion of every Heroes Vodka purchase goes to its giveback partner, AMVETS, to develop community assistance programs for American veterans, active-duty military and their families.
Price varies by state, available in Arizona, Alabama, California, Connecticut, Indiana, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and West Virginia.
heroesvodka.com.
Get A Grip
There are lots of flexible devices on the market to hold your smartphone or tablet, but some of them can be a bit clunky to set up or move from place to place. We found one that makes things pretty easy.
The aLLreLi Phone & Tablet Stand can hold iPhones, iPads, tablets and smartphones from 3.5 to 10.6 inches on an adjustable gooseneck arm that features a 360-degree rotating head.
The stand can be attached to almost any table, desk, nightstand or wheelchair via a base clamp that quickly screws on and off. Wearproof silica gel pads in the base clamp help it stay in place and also prevent it from marking up the surface where it’s attached.
$25.99, amazon.com.
Put It In The Pouch
Carrying around things such as a copy of PN, medical records, paperwork and other such items isn’t easy in a wheelchair, but this gift idea puts all that and more right at your side.
The Quilted Wheel Pouch for Wheelchair features a large outer pouch to carry reading materials, clothing articles and personal items. It also has an inner pocket to hold smartphones, remotes and valuables in any of three secure pouches.
The Quilted Wheel Pouch is machine washable and attaches to most any wheelchair with secure hook and loop fasteners.
$29.70, maxiaids.com.
Toolin’ Around
Few things are as frustrating as not having the right tool handy when you need to make a small, quick fix around the house or to your wheelchair. The Guppie from CRKT can literally fix that for you.
It may be tiny and cute, but the Guppie is a hard-working carabiner tool with dozens of everyday uses. Easy to carry on a belt or backpack, it features a knife, four screw bits, a detachable LED flashlight, an adjustable wrench and a stainless steel clip. The carabiner can also act as a bottle opener.
$39.99, crkt.com/Guppie.
