19 Holiday Gifts For Wheelchair Users Who Love To Travel

With the holiday season fast approaching, now is a great time to start thinking about what to get the special folks in your life. For those who have loved ones in wheelchairs, or for those who use wheelchairs themselves, thinking of creative, out-of-the-box gift ideas isn’t always easy. Thankfully, we have some suggestions for gifts for wheelchair users.

Since we are Wheelchair Getaways, we are going to focus on gifts that help you make the most of traveling. That’s why we curated some gift ideas that are not only great for wheelchair users but for people who are looking to do some traveling during 2022. (because who doesn’t want to get out and travel after these past couple of years!)

#1: A Wheelchair-Accessible Vacation

Did you know that once someone receives an item their satisfaction with it immediately starts to decrease? An experience, though, people report having increasingly better thoughts about as time goes on. What better present than that of a trip?

Sometimes the very best gift you can give someone is an experience and what better way to do that than by gifting a vacation to their favorite destination! With over 197 locations around the United States, including Hawaii and Alaska, you can start your trip-planning process with Wheelchair Getaways. We make traveling where you want and when you want with all of our popular destinations.

All you have to do is pick the location and we’ll help you get set up with a wheelchair-accessible rental vehicle. This is definitely one of the gift ideas for wheelchair users.

#2: A lap tray/desk

Finding extra table space as a wheelchair user can be tricky when you’re on the go. If you or your loved one enjoy traveling but need a way to get some things done while you’re on the move, a lap tray is a perfect solution.

Whether you need a spot to enjoy a meal, do your makeup, or even pop open a laptop and get some work done, a lap tray can help. These versatile tools are made by a variety of manufacturers and come in all shapes, sizes, colors, and materials.

#3: Wireless headphones

There are so many advantages of wireless headphones, especially for wheelchair users. First of all, someone in a wheelchair will never have to worry about cords getting snagged, caught, or tangled up in any of their equipment. They’re also easy to charge, last for hours, and can easily be connected to any device via Bluetooth, making them perfect for travel.

If you or your loved one flies frequently, you can even find noise-canceling wireless headphones (ANR) to help drown out the sound of plane engines on long flights. Finally, they’re very cost-efficient, as you can find a great set of wireless headphones online for as little as around $25.

#4: Wheelchair bags/pouches

If you are or know a wheelchair user, you probably know what a struggle it can be to keep all of your belongings organized and accessible. A simple Amazon search will show you that there are plenty of solutions to this problem, in the form of pouches that attach to the arms and bags that attach to the rear of your chair.

These bags are especially useful while traveling, as you might need to carry around a few more items than you usually would. They’re also typically easy to put on and take off, making transportation a breeze, and making them one of the best gift ideas for wheelchair users.

#5: Universal camera/phone mounts

There’s so much to see and do when traveling, and almost always too little time. Make sure you remember the memories you created on your trip by recording them! Companies like GoPro and RAM Camera Mounts make a whole slew of universal camera mounts that you can easily attach to your chair.

Purchasing these for yourself or your loved one will not only allow them to record precious memories on their next vacation but help them put their phones down and enjoy the moment without having to worry about snapping pics or filming.

#6: An umbrella

Whenever you’re traveling, it’s always wise to plan ahead for the various types of weather you may encounter. Whether you’re visiting a particularly hot climate or a rainy one, it’s almost always a good idea to carry an umbrella.

All you have to do is search amazon for an umbrella with a universal clamp, and you’ll find plenty of options to meet your needs, like this Sport-Brella Versa-Brella. With an umbrella conveniently clamped to your chair, you’ll get extra shade, UV protection, and a means of protecting yourself from the rain, no matter where you’re traveling.

#7: An audiobook subscription

Oftentimes the most frustrating part about traveling is waiting. Waiting in airports, waiting at train stations, waiting through long car rides… There’s always plenty of waiting to do. To help yourself or your loved one pass the time, why not pick up a good book? Or, better yet, have someone read a book to you.

Audio subscriptions are a great way to pass the time while traveling, and subscriptions are usually very affordable. For example, you can sign up for Audible for as little as $7.95/month. Plus, even if you can’t travel, you should never underestimate how a good book can take you to new places.

#8: Wireless Heating Devices

Traveling to a cold climate this winter? Make sure to stay nice and cozy with a cordless heating pad. Equipped with an adjustable waistband, this heating pad will stay in place whether your loved one is riding in a car, flying, or using their wheelchair. The low setting will allow the battery to last up to four hours.

Rechargeable wireless hand warmers are perfect for wheelchair or scooter users who have their hands exposed to use their equipment. This product warms up quickly and can provide up to 15 hours of warmth. 

Want to combine the two gifts into something a little more user-friendly? Consider getting a rechargeable wireless heated jacket. With back, arm, and pocket heating zones, it’s designed to keep anyone comfortable for hours. The low setting will last for 9-10 hours, while the high setting will last 3.5-4 hours.

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#9: Gloves

If your loved one uses a manual wheelchair, protective gloves are a great gift idea. The silicone palm coating protects the user’s palms from chaffing and provides extra grip. The gloves also have two special fingertips on each hand so that the user can easily operate their touchscreen devices. 

#10: Shoes

Everyone loves a comfy pair of shoes, and Sketchers is one of the top brands and best gift ideas for wheelchair users that offers a variety of cozy and durable footwear for men, women, and children. Their fur-lined, slip-on shoes are comfortable and easy-to-use while traveling. 

If your loved one likes to visit warmer climates, check out the Skechers Foamies collection. This line offers a variety of styles including clogs, sandals, and flip-flops , all of which are slip-on. Made out of durable foam, they are easy to wash and make trips to the beach a breeze.

#11: Nintendo Switch

The Nintendo Switch is the perfect item to keep your traveler busy on long flights or car rides. The Switch allows the user to purchase games directly on the console via the internet, so there’s no hassle of carrying game cartridges around. There are a wide variety of games at your disposal in the Switch online store, from puzzle games to action-based games and much more.. You can also use the Switch to watch shows, movies, and content creators using Hulu and  YouTube. The Switch is an all-around travel entertainment machine. 

If your loved one already owns the Nintendo Switch, go ahead and get them some accessories to make traveling with it even better. A pack of glass screen protectors will help protect it from accidental drops during travel; just make sure you’re choosing screen protectors for the Switch model your loved one has. A car headrest holder is another way to give your loved one an easier and more comfortable hands-free option for watching movies while traveling, and a car charger can help them recharge their Switch on long car rides. And when all else fails, grab a Nintendo shop gift card for the pickiest of players, and they can get whatever they please!

#12: Battery Banks

Keeping devices charged is a constant struggle while on the go. This holiday season, give your loved one a rechargeable battery pack capable of keeping any device going for an extended period of time. This device has multiple charging ports for a variety of different cords, making it essentially universal for any wireless device. The percentage display on the front is easy-to-read and lets the user know when it’s time to recharge it.

#13: Activity Books

If your loved one is more into brain games, then get them an adult activity book. This particular book has 6 types of puzzles to keep them entertained on their journeys. 

#14: Seat Cushion

Sitting for long periods of time can be uncomfortable for anyone. Flights often are long, have lengthy layovers, or both. Gift your loved one an ergonomic memory foam cushion to make their travels a little less arduous. 

#15: Crossbody Bag

This crossbody bag comes in almost every color and is sure to keep your loved one’s necessities close at hand. This bag gives the wearer the option to have it positioned on their back or their front and has a detachable strap to allow them to decide which shoulder they want to wear it on. There are multiple pockets and compartments to make sure passports, tickets, and various devices are easy to find, making it helpful for wheelchair users who love to travel.

#16: Sensory Toys

Traveling is fun and exciting, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t stressful moments. Adults and children alike find that sensory toys are an excellent way to quickly relieve travel-induced stress. Get your loved one a 4 pack of 3D-printed sensory toys to help reduce their travel anxiety and make their trip a little more fun.

#17: Compact Medication Holder/Jewelry Organizer

If your loved one takes medication, make sure they have a compact medication holder to simplify their travels. This small case will assure that they won’t lose anything important in their luggage. If they don’t take medication, the case also doubles as an efficient way to carry jewelry, earbuds, hearing aids, and other small items.

#18: Nutrition

Help your loved one prepare for their next trip by building them a gift basket that will help keep them going throughout their travels. These OLLY vitamins are perfect for managing stress while traveling Liquid I.V. packets are another great way to give any traveler extra energy and hydration all at once. Finally, since portable protein is hard to come by when traveling, a sampler pack of beef jerky would be a good addition to your loved one’s gift basket. Keeping your loved ones healthy is definitely one of the best gift ideas for wheelchair users.

#19: Portable Wheelchair Ramp

Unexpected things can happen to anyone while traveling. Take some of the guesswork out of your loved one’s next trip by gifting them a portable wheelchair ramp. This ramp can assist them with curbs and tricky ledges that may be difficult to navigate. It also folds down the middle with an easy carry handle to make traveling with it even more convenient.

Choose Your Holiday Gifts Now!

We hope you’ve enjoyed our gift guide for wheelchair users who love to travel! Remember, if you’re planning a holiday trip or would like to give someone the gift of a wheelchair-accessible vehicle rental this holiday season, get in touch with Wheelchair Getaways.

Wheelchair Getaways is not affiliated with any of the products or websites mentioned herein.