Holiday Joy or Pain?

To most people, the December holidays mean family gatherings, parties with friends and catching up on long distance relationships. It also means shopping for the perfect gift and then… oh, no!... hours of preparing boxes, assembling gifts, cutting wrapping paper, wrapping the gifts, and writing out and addressing cards. For people with arthritis and other challenges that affect the hands, the joy of the holiday (and their energy level) can be sapped very quickly.

The staff at Dynamic-Living.com has identified low cost strategies and alternatives that can help maintain the fun of the season while preserving patience and energy levels.

~~~~~

Start Right From the Beginning

• Some people are really early shoppers, starting to collect gifts during the summer. But if you've waited until November, you can still conserve energy by shopping online or from catalogs. If you enjoy the holiday crowds, plan your shopping time carefully, so it won't be too exhausting.

• Start the assembly line for preparing gifts early. Use a box cutter from the hardware store to open cardboard shipping boxes. Remove tags and pricing labels when you sort and inspect the gifts the first time. If you need to assemble a gift with screws or bolts, a battery powered screwdriver will save a lot of hand twisting. If you need to use other hand tools or a paintbrush, slip foam tubing over the handle to make it more comfortable.

~~~~~

Gift Wrapping Tips

• Don't be afraid to ask for help. But if you prefer to go it alone, set a schedule, including rest breaks so that you don't over do it. If you can start wrapping early, your schedule can allow for wrapping only two or three gifts a day.

• Wear an Arthritic Glove to keep your hands warm, increase circulation and reduce fatigue.

• Battery powered scissors will assist in cutting wrapping paper, ribbons and gift tags. 3M makes a Pop-Up Tape Strip Dispenser that you can wear on your wrist. The tape is always where you can find it, and the pieces are perfect for wrapping gifts.

Avoid wrapping altogether by using decorative alternatives:

• Gift bags have become very trendy and they're very easy to use! You can find designer bags, but you can also find inexpensive bags at warehouse and 'dollar' type stores. For the finishing touches, buy prepared bows and ribbons already curled. Use colored tissue paper to cover the gifts.

• Old fashioned shoe boxes, garment boxes, envelopes, tins, flower pots and glass jars can be collected from tag sales, flea markets or possibly your own brimming basement shelves.

• Find another gift that would make an appropriate container as well. Like a new backpack or canvas reading bag to hold a new book, an oven mitt that holds kitchen utensils, gardening tools in the pocket of an apron. Pillowcases, socks, scarves, hats, bandanas, handkerchiefs can all serve as colorful, and useful, wrapping alternatives. Presentations like this are fun and will often get more attention than a wrapped package!

~~~~~

Forget Wrapping Altogether

• Take advantage of the wrapping counters at the stores. The cost of the service often goes toward charity.

• Give the gift that comes in an envelope. Such as donations to charities in the names of friends/relatives. You may want to pick charities that seem appropriate for each person. Or buy gift certificates or tickets to sporting events, movies, concerts, etc. We found little promotional items at office supply stores, like briefcases to hold business cards or small paper clip cases, that can serve as terrific containers for this type of gift.

• Hang earrings, bracelets, or necklaces right on the Christmas tree.

~~~~~

For the Holiday Cards

• If your holiday card list is long, consider cards that are pre-printed with your name. If you want your message to be more personal, you can design and print cards on your home computer. Keeping your address list in the computer will also allow you to print out envelopes or labels with addresses every year, rather than doing it by hand.

• If you still need to do the task by hand, consider a wider ergonomic pen or pencil grip to make the writing more comfortable. If your grasp is very weak, use an Arthwriter, a ball-shaped tool that slides over your pen, to help write out Christmas cards and gift tags. If your vision is poor, writing guides will help you keep the envelopes and notes evenly spaced and easier to read.

• Rather than licking them, seal the envelopes with a sponge stick from an office supply store or use a damp paper towel. Make sure you buy self stick postage stamps. They come in a variety of styles to make the seasonal statement of your choice.

The holidays are busy enough and pain can make you even more weary. Taking care of gift presentations shouldn't add to the stress of the holiday. Plan ahead, simplify wherever possible and keep yourself rested so that you can enjoy the season!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
© Copyright 2004 Dynamic Living, Inc.
Dynamic Living Newsletter may only be redistributed in its unedited form. Written permission from the editor must be obtained to reprint or cite the information contained within this newsletter.

(return to top of page)