Need a great holiday gift for the healthcare worker in your life? Or if that person is you, maybe it’s time to treat yourself for surviving the holiday season so far. We’ve chosen gifts for self-care, tools for use in the classroom/clinic, and a couple of novelty items for fun.
- Self-care: Compression socks
Healthcare practitioners are on their feet all day, so they need socks that minimize swelling and reduce fatigue. Compression socks are not just healthy—they can be fashionable as well. Choose a brand that combines therapeutic engineering with stylish colors and patterns, and maybe even a holiday theme.
- Self-care: Spa gift certificate
Many healthcare practitioners work long hours solving stressful patient problems. Encourage them to relax and revitalize with a long soak in a hot tub, a deep-tissue massage, or other luxurious spa treatment (within pandemic safety guidelines of course). Get them a gift certificate to a local spa.
- Tool: Lightweight stethoscope
For nurses who wear their stethoscopes all day, a lightweight style is more comfortable on the neck and shoulders. Top stethoscope brands make lightweight models that are inexpensive and good quality. Consider a festive color.
- Tool: Pulse oximeter
These handy tools have become the go-to gadget during the pandemic—some experts have advised that everyone have their own pulse oximeter to test their oxygen levels routinely and in case of illness. In some healthcare work environments, pulse oximeters may be useful but hard to come by, so it’s good to have one at your fingertips.
An anatomy reference clipboard is a handy gift for physical therapy and occupational therapy students. It’s a great reference tool if you need to quickly glance at dermatomes, MMT scales, ROM, cranial nerves, types of CVA effects, the ASIA impairment scale, and much more.
- Novelty item: Coffee mug
Many healthcare workers rely on some form of caffeine to get them through their long shifts—especially night shifts. For a fun but still useful gift, get the healthcare worker in your life a coffee mug—one large enough to make the caffeine count.
- Novelty item: Monogrammed jacket
Etsy.com sellers offer monogrammed jackets for nurses in a variety of styles, materials, and colors. It’s a thoughtful and practical gift that affirms the nurse’s identity and vocation!
These gifts are a great way to show how much you appreciate the healthcare worker in your life–and all their hard work this year!
