Dear Santa...

I've been very, very good.  Arthur; not so much.  That said, a question I get asked annually (and not just by one person, may I add) is "What would you like for Christmas?".  

Every.  Single.  Year.

I get it.  What do you get the person with everything - Rheumatoid Arthritis included?!  I know I'm not alone - once you start earning your own money, live in your own place and pay your own bills, there's an expectation (realistic, too!) that you will buy much of the stuff you want and or need.  I am here to tell you that yes, that may be true - but there are plenty of 'gifts' you can buy for someone with RA or pretty much any other chronic illness that will let them know that you both appreciate them and really put a lot of thought into your choice.  

While for me this is pretty much the 'perfect' gift I recognise it may not be the same for everyone - but hopefully my ideas will give you a cracking idea for something for Christmas, a birthday, or a just-because-I-care-gift!

Thanks to RA Guy (www.rheumatoidarthritisguy.com) for sharing this scarily accurate account of ChRAstmas!

Pamper me please!
While massages, mani/pedis and facials are an intensely personal thing, nothing (and let me say this loudly, nothing) comes close to vouchers for a shampoo and blow dry for me.  I have way too many days where drying, straightening and styling my hair is a herculean effort - so for special occasions, or periods where I am particularly sore and have neglected my mane, having a professional do the hard work is delightful.  Let's face it - someone else drying your hair is one of the best parts about going to the hairdresser, but since my hairdresser started using the L'Oreal Steam Pod I can get about 5 days out of a salon blow dry, and it leaves my hair nourished and feeling like I should be in a rival shampoo ad.  Amazing!  (I should add, if someone who loves me reads this and is still clueless as to what they should get me for Christmas - please go see my friend Alera at Lush Hair Seaport and buy me the retail version of the Steam Pod.  I would love you forever - though vouchers for shampoo/blow dry/Steam Pod would be pretty amazing too!)

Other gifts that you might like to consider:
The gift of normalcy
I'm not going to lie - on days when I feel like utter rubbish, the gift of normalcy would go down a treat.  Think a 'voucher' for picking your friend up for lunch (not driving is such a luxury when you feel a bit sub-par), or even just out for coffee, ice cream, or if they're up to it, a drive in the sunshine to a destination to catch up.  

The gift of assistance
We've all let our gardens get out of control, or the lawns grow to jungle-like proportions, or ignored the vacuuming/dusting/cleaning/ironing when we're not feeling our best.  Again, the services of a professional cleaning company for a quick once-over is a fabulous gift for the energy-challenged, or as a welcome home gift from a stint in hospital.  If you're willing to get your hands dirty, giving a card with this promise is also a lovely gesture - though I know my pride will often get in the way of taking a friend up on the offer. 

The gift of comfort
A girl with chronic pain can never have enough wheat packs, comfy cushions/pillows, and soft rugs/wraps.  As we speak I am propped up on half a dozen pillows in bed, with a heat pack around my neck (a long one so it doesn't fall off), one down my spine and another long one around my hips, and a throw rug over my legs.  I'm totally rocking my inner Nanna, but by goodness there's a comfort to it!  Products like this Sunbeam Heated Throw Rug, the Sunbeam Quilted Massager with Heat, and the Sunbeam Back and Neck Heat Pad have long been on my wishlist for obvious reasons!

The gift of distraction
Everyone has their 'thing'.  Mine is having brightly coloured nails (to distract people from my swollen, red and angry-looking hands.  For this reason, I always welcome the gift of a voucher for nails (think the long-lasting gel polishes that are all the rage at the moment, or the nail foils that last around a month on toes), or a fabulous new season colour that is all the rage.  I am a big fan of stalking friends' Pinterest pages for inspiration (and if you haven't signed up for Pinterest yet, be prepared to get addicted)!

The gift of healing
I have found a few bits and pieces in my time that help me to heal and strengthen my body - and this one is two-fold.  This awesome Starlight Foundation Stress Star not only helps improve and maintain my grip strength, but also supports a very worthy charity in the process.  I would also like to point out that I would know someone truly loved me if they gave me hope for a cure for Christmas, by donating to Arthritis Australia!  If your gift-ee is an all-round charitably-minded person like myself, donations to the likes of Unicef, World Vision, the Starlight Foundation, Make-A-Wish, Canteen or my personal favourite, the Inspire Foundation are all very worthy gifts for your friends, and the world!

I should add - if you have given or received a gift that has completely shifted the Earth on its axis (or perhaps just brought a very big smile to the face of the receiver) please feel free to share it in the comments below!