Christmas is just around the corner. Less than three weeks, to be precise. If you haven’t done so, it is high time to think about presents for your loved ones. To make things easier, here are ten great ideas for your amputee friends and family members. Ranging from little ideas for a few bucks to big monster presents that blow a similarly big monster hole into your budget. We are talking from roughly 15.00 US$ to around 20,000.00 US$. Yes, I know, that is a very steep - almost obscene - price tag. But don't worry: seven of the ten gift ideas listed below are below 200.00 US$. So I am sure there is something for everybody.

In my eyes, one of the best resources for people affected by limb loss or limb difference is Amplitude magazine. Amplitude magazine provides valuable and unbiased news, information, and resources for amputees who want to live more fully, as well as articles and information relevant to their families and their caregivers. It offers content on a wide variety of topics, including peer support, active living, emotional issues, health and wellness, mobility, and adaptive living - anything that will help amputees enjoy all that life has to offer. A yearly subscription gets you six issues of the print version. It costs 15.00 US$ (for residents of the US). A perfect and very affordable gift for any amputee.

For more information, please visit the Amplitude Magazine website.

Being active outdoors is great. But once winter sets in and the walking conditions get a bit more tricky, many lower limb amputees feel scared of slipping and falling, resulting in way too much time spend indoors. So here is a gift idea that provides additional safety when being active outdoors in winter: Quick-fit ‘snow chains’ and spikes (so-called Grödel) for your shoes. There is a whole range of different models out there; from rather cute rubber straps with six or eight small metal pins per shoe to solid models that look like small crampons with 14-20 metal teeth per shoe. Some models are pulled over the boots using strong rubber or silicone straps. Others use classic nylon straps. What is suitable for whom depends very much on what you are planning to do and what terrain and weather conditions you want to be active in. These winter aids weigh around 250-500 grams per pair. I currently use the Ice Track from Stubai (around 25.00 US$). For more demanding outdoor activities, there is the Grivel Explorer with sturdy metal plates (around 45.00 US$).

For more information, please visit the Grivel website.

Okay, I admit: When it comes to this gift idea, I cannot talk from my own experience. But I still think it’s an amazing gift for people with disabilities. I am talking about adaptive underwear for women. I first stumbled across Liberare on Instagram. It’s one of these brands with a series of products where you instantly wonder why no one thought about this earlier. Here is what the founder has to say about Liberare: "I started Liberare because my mom deserved better. After years of shoulder and hand pain, she struggled to find a comfortable, easy-on bra. Most options were scratchy, difficult, or unflattering. I knew women everywhere deserved more. After 4 years of perfecting every detail, we created the world’s best easy-on bras. Knowing my mom and 10,000+ women with their Liberare bras start their day with ease means everything to me. And we’re just getting started..." The adaptive bras by Liberare range from around 40.00-70.00 US$. Side-opening adaptive underwear is around 30.00 US$.

For more information, please visit the Liberare website. 

The next gift idea aims again at people who want to be active out in mother nature, while providing additional safety while out in the elements. This present is ideal for anybody active in, on, or near the water. It’s called Restube and it basically is a small inflatable safety buoy you strap around your waste. Folded up and packed in a small bag it does not get in your way during your activities. No matter of you are into stand-up paddling, swimming, canyoning or the like, the bag can easily be worn around the waist. If you get into a tricky situation, you pull on a cord and the tube inflates automatically within no time. The bright yellow buoy gives buoyancy and visibility - and thus safety - in all kinds of water activities. An ideal gift for all active amputees (an ideal gift for any active person, actually!) Depending on the model, you are looking at a price tag of about 100.00 US$.

For more information, please visit the Restube website.

And yes, more pressi ideas for enjoying the great outdoors. As all of you know, I love walks in all forms and sizes. No matter if it’s the 20 minute stroll to the bakery and back early in the morning or a multi day hike with a heavy pack clocking in 20 k and more each day with plenty of ascents and descents that wear you out - I love them. I think walking is such a great way to be active because there is initially no need for any special gear. Once you start wondering off the beaten tracks and begin to walk on muddy paths, rocky hill tracks or on snow and ice, you might want to consider getting yourself a pair of good quality hiking poles. In my eyes a pair of high quality trekking poles is the most important piece of gear for any active amputee. For me they opened up a new world. I have been using relatively cheap models for close to a decade, which have often been on sale and can be found for around 75.00 US$ per pair. I recently upgraded to a much more expensive carbon version: The Sherpa FX.One Carbon which sells for around 185.00 US$ (ouch, I know).

For more information, please visit the Leki website.

The next gift idea is something for the whole family. Great fun for those rainy days when you feel like staying inside. I am talking about a balance board. Why a balance board? Well, for us amputees, we need a lot of core strength combined with excellent motor skills for a smooth and confident gait. And exercising with a balance board strengthens your entire deep muscles, concentration, fine motor skills, balance and coordination. The board I want to recommend to you is from a small start-up on northern Germany. Sara, the founder of Boho Boards has the right combination of technical skills and creative inspiration to offer a wide range of beautiful boards of the shelf as well as develop customs designs as per your wishes. These - in my eyes beautiful - wooden board including a roll made out of cork cost about 165.00 US$.

For more information, please visit the Boho Boards website. 

The days of the ugly prosthesis are over - if you want it. The last decade has seen more and more small companies making good use of 3D printing techniques to offer stunning prosthetic covers to personalize the look of your prosthesis. From the rugged protector to the delicate customs design to go with a wedding dress - there are hardly any limitations when it comes to expressing who we are. The company I want to recommend to you today is ANATOMIC STUDIOS from Sweden. Each and every one of their covers is tailored to who will wear it. Created through digital craftsmanship, 3D-technology and with a whole bunch of heart. Always. Covers are available for lower limb as well as for upper limb prostheses. Depending on the design, they start at about 850.00 US$.

For more information, please visit the ANATOMIC STUDIOS website.

Full disclosure: ANATOMIC STUDIOS and The Active Amputee are strategic partners. ANATOMIC STUDIOS has been placing advertisement on my blog and thus has been supporting The Active Amputee financially since 2022.

One of the best gifts for any amputee is - in my eyes - the chance to experience something new. And to do so in a physically and emotionally safe environment, together with others, in a stunning location. This can be anything from climbing to cooking, from kayaking to yoga, from woodworking to surfing. Open Ocean, for example, offers accessible activities and has a great reputation when it comes to inclusive surfing projects. Everyone can learn to surf on Open Ocean’s surf trips - regardless of physical ability or previous experience. Whether you surf standing up, sitting down, on your knees, lying down or don't even know what position you'll be surfing in. A one week surfing course in Portugal costs about 1000.00 US$ (excluding flights).

For more information, please visit the OPEN OCEAN website. 

The two tips covered in this last section are both playing in a different league from all the ones mentioned before. And initially I was hesitant to even mention them. But then I decided to do so. So if you really want to break the bank, here are two great ideas for a monster of a present: Either the therapy bike Kettwiesel ONE by Hase Bikes or a top of the range hand bike by Lasherbikes.

The Kettwiesel ONE from Hase Bikes is the result of 30 years of passionate bicycle engineering craftsmanship and the firm belief that cycling brings a smile to your face. The Hasebike team goes the extra mile to enable people of all abilities to get back on a bile. They offer a range of accessories and adaptations and can draw on a proven track record when it comes to first class service to fit every bike to its proud new owner. Depending on the model, the accessories, and if you want the add a battery-powered motor, the purchase of a Kettwiesel ONE can set you back about 10,000.00 US$.

For more information, please visit the Hasebikes website. 

Similarly, Lasherbikes offers a wide range of high quality hand bikes for your next off-road adventure. With a rugged, full suspension and magnesium frame and using top of the line materials, the handcycles offer unmatched performance, durability, and accessibility. The bikes come either with or without an e-assist motor and are designed for adventurers who demand the best, no matter the terrain or condition. The top models with a motor come with a price-tag of up to 20,000.00 US$

For more information, please visit the Lashersports website.

And here comes tip no. ten. Spend time together. Quality time to chat and to listen and be silent together. Time to cook and eat and have a nice glas of winde together. To to read together, listen to music together, go for a walk or a wild swim or a bike ride or a canoe trip together. No material thing beats spending time with loved ones. No thing beats building relationships, forging memories, and creating communities.  And best of all: It often comes with price tag that ranges from free to very affordable.