2025 Gift Guide
Naomi Aldridge
I am a special needs blogger who writes about mine and my son's special needs journey. I love being a mummy to Ethan and I want to share the highs and...
We've reached 15 this year so that means 15 Christmas's and 15 birthday presents that I've bought for my son!
Over the years I've tried to come up with so many different themes or sensory packs to mean that Ethans bedroom is now like a whole catalogue of SEN resources!
So, what do you buy for a child who has never progressed past the toys he was given in his first few years? Surely he has everything now?
I didn’t need to add any resources this year because we’ve already covered most topics! You name it we have the theme for it! Ranging from farmyards, to dinosaurs, to under the sea and to infinity and beyond with toy story toys!
So here's what I'm getting my disabled 15-year-old son this Christmas in case it helps you with some ideas!
1. A towel coat
We have a lazy spa in our garden for half the year to help with Ethan’s muscles. (The other half we prioritise heating the house!). Hoisting Ethan in and out of the hot tub and then transferring back into the house for a shower after means he gets quite cold coming out. We normally cover him in a towel and towels for his chair. I decided a large towel coat would keep him warmer.
I am going to slightly adapt it for ease of use.
The one I've gone with though is the Osprey one. It comes up cheaper than a dry robe and had better reviews than the Regatta one. I've also got him the Osprey hooded towel as well as it has a waterproof bottom which will work well with his chair.
https:// www.ospreyactionsports.co.uk/products/hooded-changing-robe-unisex-teal
https://bit.ly/Osprey-Changing-Surfing-Swimming-Multiple
2. Skin care
Moving into that spotty skin stage last Christmas I bought Ethan his first set of skin care. After so much research of what was best for teenage skin I settled on the following products: BYOMA - Boots
This year on Black Friday on Amazon I got a new blemish set. BYOMA Cosmic Glow Treat Trio | Cult Beauty
Also, this face wash is one we’ve been using as well.
It’s important for Ethan to feel and look good too.
3. Sensory lights
Bear with me on this one! Obviously, we have every light going but I couldn't resist these ones! I went for a jellyfish light from B&M and a set of 3 dino lights. He has some smaller ones of these but I thought the bigger ones were great at £4 each and I had to dig on the shelves but I got one of each dino for him! There are 3 in the set.
https:// www.bmstores.co.uk/products/glow-dinosaur-led-light-blue-4246771
4. Tonies
A couple of years ago we got Ethan a Tonie box and it’s been used every day since! Easy to add any story to and there's so many available now! They even do an advent calendar, a daily podcast and music Tonies.
The ones we’re adding this year are Aladdin and Cars!
5. Tickets to a Disney event
I love gifting experiences! It’s even more important when your child is life limited to ensure you keep making memories.
We’ve still not made it to Disney so when I saw this Disney pop up experience come up I knew this was perfect for Ethan. It’s also accessible to get round. You can also add carers for free. It will give us something to look forward to in the coming year and to make those all-important memories.
I hope this list helped give you some ideas. We hope you have a lovely festive season.
