We’re heading into the last part of the year, which is always my favorite part. But surviving the holidays with chronic illness is really difficult, not to mention thriving during them. So how do you do it?
If you’ve been reading my blog for a while, you know that my answer is always “planning ahead,” which is why I’ve collected 37 blog posts about different aspects of the holiday season and chronic illness. These will help you eat, shop, and feel well during a stressful time of year.
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Surviving the Holidays with Chronic Illness: Miscellaneous
Before we really get into food, shopping, and illness-specific tips, there are a few miscellaneous things we need to discuss.
Tips for a Frugal (and Ethical) Christmas (Tripping through the Treacle) – “As much as I love everything to do with the festivities – mulled wine, roaring fires, carols and delicious food – I dont [sic] love how expensive it is!” (x)
This Time of Year Can Be Whatever You Want it To Be (Stephen Fratello) – “It’s a tough time of year for a lot of us and now the rest of the world gets to join in. After this pandemic, we are seeing so many economic problems, that it seems the holidays are going to be challenging for not just those of us with chronic illnesses, but for everyone” (x).
Expert Holiday Blog Post Ideas You Need This Year
Yes! Chronically Ill People Can Make Plans For Thanksgiving! (Navigating the Storms) – “Planning! Planning! More Planning! Yes! With planning for Thanksgiving, chronically ill people can definitely still enjoy the holiday!” (x)
Easy Holiday Decorating Ideas for When You Have a Chronic Illness (Me!) – “It’s time to think about decorating for the holidays! It can be especially difficult to decorate when you have a chronic illness. To make that a little bit easier, I’m sharing decorating tips and holiday decorating ideas for a variety of holidays that are coming up” (x).
Gift Ideas: Gifts That Give Back
Surviving the Holidays with Chronic Illness: Food
One thing many chronic illness patients do to improve their symptoms is changing their diets. I personally have cut out gluten, dairy, corn, soy, and eggs, which are pretty key ingredients in recipes in general, but especially holiday ones. But, for many people, the food is one of the best parts of the holiday season. So how do you preserve that after someone has cut out key ingredients?
Well, these posts are here to help! Whether you’ve cut out foods or you’re cooking for someone who has, these will help you make delicious foods that won’t make the holiday a bad time for people eating them.
The Best Gluten-Free Vegan Allergy-Free Christmas Cookie Recipes (Strength & Sunshine) – “Looking for the best gluten-free, vegan, and allergy-free Christmas cookie recipes? This round-up is your resource for all the holiday and Christmas cookies you used to love, but now suitable for all your dietary, celiac, and food allergy needs! From gingerbread men to chocolate crinkles, snickerdoodles, sugar cookies, even shortbread!” (x)
Gluten Free From-Scratch Cornbread Stuffing (Livable by Design) – “The holidays are just around the corner, and as groups of loved ones gather, I start turning my mind toward those recipes that are just a little extra-special. At the same time, if you live with food allergies, sensitivities, or restrictions (such as celiac disease), you may feel a certain level of panic as you think about those holiday feasts. I always feel better knowing there will be one or two dishes that are safe for me to enjoy” (x).
12 Simple Ways for Bloggers To Get Ready for the Holidays
5 Dairy-free, Low Saturated Fat Holiday Treats (Tripping through the Treacle) – “I’ve been following the Overcoming Multiple Sclerosis lifestyle programme for exactly 5 years this month. I remember really panicking during my first Christmas after starting the diet. It extolls [sic] a low saturated fat, dairy-free and largely plant-based diet and my previous Christmas’ were pretty much, well, let’s just say not dairy-free or low fat. Over the years, however, I have come to really enjoy finding holiday treats that stick to the diet’s ‘rules’ whilst still satisfying a naughty food craving” (x).
The Ultimate Gluten-Free + Vegan Thanksgiving Menu (Strength & Sunshine) – “Have no fear! A gluten-free vegan Thanksgiving can still be delicious and may just have you wishing you had these dishes on the table years ago! No one will miss out when the options are endless, mouthwatering, and so satisfying!” (x)
The Best Food Substitutions for Common Intolerances
84 of the Best Gluten-Free Holiday Recipes (Me!) – “I know it might seem early, but it’s never too early to think about delicious food. And if you have foods you can’t eat, holiday meals take a bit more planning. I’ve been gluten-free for 11 years, so in this post I’ve compiled 84 of the best gluten-free holiday recipes. Specifically, this post contains gluten-free recipes for Halloween, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, and Christmas, so you have tons of options for planning delicious meals” (x).
56 Gluten-Free Holiday Recipes To Make This Year (Me!) – “With the holidays coming up, there is a lot of cooking on the horizon. But holiday cooking can be tricky when you can’t eat gluten, or if you’re cooking for someone who can’t. To make it a bit easier, I’m pulled together a list of recipes to make. I’ve broken them into categories (drinks, entrees, etc.) and, where applicable, I’ve broken those categories down even farther. That being said, let’s get into these gluten-free holiday recipes!” (x)
Surviving the Holidays with Chronic Illness: Gifts
Holiday shopping is one of those things that can be hard on everyone, not just chronically ill folks. (It’s why gift guides are so popular.) But I’d be lying if I said having a chronic illness doesn’t make it harder to shop for gifts. Whether you’re dealing with chronic pain or the possibility of fainting, requiring dialysis or managing an inaccessible world, there are a variety of reasons chronic illness makes shopping difficult.
On the other hand, if you’re shopping for someone with chronic illness, then you might want to give that person something that would be helpful for their illness(es).
Either way, these posts will help you complete your shopping.
Gift Ideas for Men with Chronic Illness/Disability (Livable by Design) – “The holidays are upon us, and you’re probably turning your mind to your shopping list and gift-buying. If you have a man on your list with chronic illness or disability, you may be looking for something extra meaningful or useful this year” (x).
How to Cut Down on the Cost of Christmas Gifts (Despite Pain) – “Many people, especially people with chronic pain, illness or disabilities are unable to work and cannot afford to spend lots of money on gifts. But surely Christmas can be special without spending a fortune?” (x)
Dangerous Gifts for People with Chronic Illnesses (and Gift Ideas to Swap Them With) (A Chronic Voice) – “Certain products can actually be physically harmful or triggering for people with various chronic illnesses. In this post I will list down some of my favourite presents to receive, but people you should never, ever give them to. Not even to ‘try out a little bit and see’” (x).
25 Gift Ideas For Someone Living With Chronic Illness (Strength & Sunshine) – “When we have loved ones and friends who are sick, going through difficult times, or struggling, a small gesture can go a long way to elevate the sadness. Here are 25 Gift Ideas for Someone Living with A Chronic Illness that will bring a smile to their face” (x).
Gift Ideas for Women with Chronic Illness/Disability (Livable by Design) – “The holiday season is just around the corner, and most of us are busy totting up lists of gifts to buy. If your list of people to buy for includes someone with chronic illness or disability, you may be hoping to find something especially helpful or welcome to make them feel celebrated” (x).
20 Migraine Gift Ideas for People you Love (My Migraine Life) – “For the last few years, I have been putting together lists of my favorite holiday and year-round gifts for people living with migraine. Every year, I find new migraine relief products and add them to my toolbox. Below you’ll find my favorite migraine relief gifts with discount codes, reviews, and links” (x).
What Your Wish List Looks Like When You Live with Chronic Illnesses (15 Gift Ideas for a Better Quality of Life) (A Chronic Voice) – “Do you know someone who lives with chronic illnesses, but aren’t sure what to get them this Christmas or holiday season? Here’s 15 gift ideas that might make a small or big difference in their lives!” (x).
Great Gift Ideas for Kids with Disabilities or Chronic Illness (Livable by Design) – “The holidays are fast upon us, and we all find ourselves turning our thoughts to gift-giving. If your shopping list includes children, especially children with disabilities or chronic illness, you may be looking for something a little extra special this year” (x).
Holiday Gift Ideas: Holiday Gifts To Make
Give People the Gift of Your Time at Christmas (Despite Pain) – “The gift of your time could make a difference to someone. Your visit, your invitation, a short phone call or even just a few kind words on an online support group could mean the world to them. The gift of your time could be better than any gift with a monetary value” (x).
All I Want for Christmas is Some Pain Relief! (Real Wish List Ideas from 13 People with Chronic Illness) (A Chronic Voice) – “My original intention for this post was more of a show and tell wish list session. Where the chronic illness community could share what was on their wish list, and maybe learn about new coping tools from others like them, too. But it turns we mostly want the same thing, no matter where we are in the world – some good old pain relief. Even for just a day.” (x).
Gift Ideas: Chronic Illness Must-Haves (Me, 2022) – “Patients might want these because they will make their life easier. Patients might want them because they have to spend their money on things like medications and doctor’s visits. Patients might want them because they are illness-specific products. Whatever the reason, there are plenty of reasons why chronic illness patients might want these gifts” (x).
Holiday Gift Ideas: Best Gifts for Someone with Chronic Pain & Illness (Me, 2021) – This post “definitely has the most gifts I’ve ever included in a chronic illness gift guide! All of this is to say that this post has the best gifts for someone with chronic pain or a chronic illness. I’m serious!” (x).
Gift Guide: Gift Ideas for Chronically Ill People (Me, 2019) – “Friends, I love pulling together gift ideas for chronically ill people every year because there are so many levels to being chronically ill that most people don’t realize. I’m going to get into what I mean by that in the particular categories of this post, but suffice it to say that the chronically ill life is difficult. And it’s expensive! So expensive. Which is why gift-giving holidays can be so helpful for us. That being said, let’s get into this gift guide” (x).
Holiday Gift Guide: Gifts for Chronic Illness Patients (Me, 2018) – “If you’re shopping for someone who has a chronic illness or condition, they might have some special gifts on their list that you wouldn’t think about. Never fear, the resident chronic illness patient is here! These gifts include those that can help patients, entertain/distract them, and more” (x).
Holiday Gift Ideas: Holiday Gifts for Dad
Surviving the Holidays with Chronic Illness: Managing Illnesses
Finally, let’s talk about the most helpful part of this post: tips for managing your illnesses/symptoms during the holidays.
The holiday season is a lot for everyone, but it can specifically be a lot for chronically ill people. To be completely honest, it took me a lot of time to accept that the holidays will always be hard on my body. Sure, it’s worth it, but it’s extra difficult. If you’re in the same boat, these posts will help make them easier.
3 Important Holiday Checklists for Those with Chronic Illness (and Their Supporters) (A Chronic Voice) – “I’ve created some holiday checklists here for those with chronic illness, and those who want to lend a helping hand. Holiday seasons are a time for fun and bonding, yet they can also be stressful periods, more so for some than others” (x).
How to Have a Stress-Free Christmas (Despite Pain) – “There’s so much to think about, isn’t there? Money, gifts, food, where to go, where not to go, who to invite, who not to invite… It’s one stress after another. And we all know that stress doesn’t mix well with any chronic health condition” (x).
How To Cope with Sensory Overload During the Holidays (Through the Fibro Fog) – “While the festive season brings a lot of fun with it, one of the downsides for many with chronic illness conditions is all the noise, crowds of people, flashing lights and so much more. This form of sensory overload during the holidays (and at other times too) can be overwhelming and really take the joy out of the season” (x).
10 Ways to Survive the Holiday Season with Migraine Attacks (My Migraine Life) – “The holiday season with migraine attacks is miserable but inevitable for me. Every year, I get a spike in attacks due to stress, excitement, change of environment, and routine. Although I know I’ll be faced with lots of migraine triggers, I have learned over the years that there are ways to help ease the holiday season with migraine. I’ve put together 10 ways to survive the holiday season with migraine attacks and hope it helps” (x).
Surviving the Holidays with Chronic Illness (Livable by Design) – “The holidays are just around the corner, and you may already be feeling exhausted or wondering how you’ll get through it all. Whether you’re attending get-togethers with friends and family, going out to parties, or hosting in your own home, the holidays can take an awful lot from already-low energy stores” (x).
How to Survive the Holidays When Chronic Illness & Disability Cause Pain (A Chronic Voice) – “The holidays bring along with them: Increased physical activity, shopping for gifts, sparkly lights, Christmas carols on repeat, rich foods, sweet treats and more. I admit that I love all that, but it also means an increase in pain levels if left unmanaged. Many of us with chronic illnesses or disabilities would love to immerse ourselves in all that fun and festivities. But yet most of us struggle to even get through a single event” (x).
Managing Chronic Illness During the Holidays: Advice from Fellow Spoonies (Through the Fibro Fog) – “Managing chronic illness during the holidays can be a little overwhelming. While twinkly lights, wrapping gifts and eating all the food may be fun for some, it can be difficult if you live with health conditions. There is disruption to our usual schedules, more social occasions and often a lot of stress too” (x).
Decking The Halls With Comfort And Joy (My Medical Musings) – “Do you feel overwhelmed by your chronic illness, which refuses to understand Christmas is fast approaching, and you really could do with feeling healthy for the festive season?” (x)
What No One Tells You About Autoimmune Diseases
Accommodating Holidays (Life’s a Polyp) – “The holiday season is already starting. It’s a rather busy time for the majority of people between parties and meals amongst family, work, and friends circles. It’s not even December and my month is already booked with holiday festivities” (x).
A Chronic Christmas Celebration (My Medical Musings) – “We often talk about how hard Christmas is when we are alone, or perhaps just two of you at home, perhaps a love [sic] one has passed recently and the grief is raw, add in extreme pain, a new diagnosis, symptoms that prevent you from enjoying food, the list goes on” (x).
10 Ideas for Self Care You Need This Holiday Season (Me!) – “Can you believe it? The holiday season is coming right up. It’s a fun time of year, but it can also be a tricky one, which is especially true if you have a chronic illness. That’s why I’ve pulled together 10 ideas for self-care that chronic illness patients need this holiday season, as well as a free downloadable holiday self-care plan workbook” (x).
Cheap Custom Gifts (All Under $50!)
Holiday Survival Guide: Living Well with Chronic Disease (Me!) – “My friends, it is my favorite time of the year: the holidays! To me, the holiday season is Halloween through New Years. Obviously the holidays are going to look different this year with COVID-19. But they’re still going to happen. This post isn’t about the holidays and COVID-19, but it’s a survival guide for the holiday season when you have a chronic illness. More specifically, we’re talking about the holidays and living well with chronic disease in today’s post” (x).
Chronic Illness and the Holidays: 10 Rules for a Great Season (Me!) – “I’m sharing this because, as of 2014, there are 133 million Americans living with a chronic illness[,] That is 133 million people trying to get through Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and/or New Year’s Eve, all while dealing with chronic illness. It can be difficult to do! I’m sure 133 million people won’t read this post, but I hope that it will help some people!” (x)
Can Chronic Pain Go Away? What You Should Know
Whatever your relationship to chronic illness – patient or loved one of a patient – these posts will help you have a better holiday season.
Like this post? Share it! Then check out:
Gift Guide: Great Gifts for Mom, Hacks for Chronic Disease Management That You Need, Holiday Gift Guide: Most Useful Gifts, What Is Considered a Chronic Illness? And Other Chronic Illness Basics
Kate Mitchell is a blogger, chronic illness patient, and advocate who helps people understand chronic illness and helps chronic illness patients live their best lives.
This is such a treasure trove of great posts! Thank you for sharing (and for including some of mine).
Thank you so much, Kate, for including me in this roundup – I really appreciate it and will share widely! Also, really useful compilation and I’ve got plenty stuff to read and share from other bloggers including you as well now! 🙂
Some great tips!