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Welcome to Nancy's Gift Corner

Guest author Nancy Paskin, M. Ed., CVRT

Nancy Paskin, M.Ed., CVRT

Birthdays, special occasions and celebrations, and the holidays -- when you're stuck for a gift that is 'different,' practical, or a great treat, Nancy has some suggestions.

If you have other ideas, we invite you to participate in the VisionAWARE Forum and share your recommendations with all our visitors. Enjoy!

Please note: VisionAWARE.org does not promote, endorse, or receive financial gain from any of the products or services listed in Nancy's Gift Corner.

Fine and Fashion Braille Jewelry

Everyone likes giving and receiving jewelry, especially unique, handmade, and custom-designed items. You don't have to be blind or have low vision to appreciate the beauty of these unusual, finely crafted, and fun braille pieces — they're perfect for anyone on your gift list.

At First Sight: Fine and Fashion Braille Jewelry

At First Sight promotes braille literacy within the blind and sighted communities by offering unique, handcrafted fashion jewelry, including bracelets, necklaces, earrings, pendants, and one-of-a-kind items:

Braillestone Bleeding Heart Earrings. credit: Braillestone

Silver drop braille and stone earrings

Bleeding Heart Initial Earrings in sterling silver are adorned with semi-precious stones and braille initials — "for everyone who has ever had her heart broken. $45.00.

silver and beaded braille bracelet; credit: Braillestone

Silver and beaded braille bracelet

The handmade beaded Blind Faith Bracelet in sterling silver is available in reds, pinks, purples, blues, greens, ambers, oranges, bronzes, blacks, grays, and creams. $350

caption: silver braille ring. credit: Braillestone

Silver braille ring

The Follow Your Dreams Spin Ring in sterling silver has a moving braille band that fits over a stationary inner ring. $60.00.

Christiansen Designs

The Braille Collection for men and women includes sterling silver and gold pendants, earrings, pins, rings and cuff bracelets, and men's key chains, cufflinks, and tie tacks:

Silver brailled cuff bracelet. credit: Christiansen

Silver brailled cuff bracelet

The Live Laugh Love Cuff Bracelet is available in heavy gauge sterling silver for $55.00 (3/8" wide) or $70.00 (5/8" wide). Personalization is $20.00 extra.

Silver brailled triangular dangle earrings. credit: Christiansen

Silver brailled triangular dangle earrings

The Harmony/Serenity Earrings are available in sterling silver for $55.00 or 18-karat gold electroplate over sterling for $70.00.
square brass brailled keychain; credit: Christiansen

Square brass brailled key chain

The Solid Brass Key Chain can be personalized with up to seven braille characters. $40.00.
Novelty items

Braille novelties from the Future Aids — The Braille Superstore include key chains, pins, bracelets, letter openers, bookmarks, magnets, and holiday ornaments.

front and back of metal pocket token with rose; credit: Future Aids

Front and back of metal pocket token with rose

Braille Pocket Tokens feature an engraved tactile design on one side, backed with a single word in raised braille dots. The "Love" token, engraved with a rose, would be perfect to slip inside a card for that special someone. Additional designs include "Friend," "Faith," and "Lord." $1.95 each.

Kids silicone wristband

Children's Silicone Wristbands and Adult Silicone Wristbands are available in a variety of colors and print/braille words and phrases, including "Cool," "Best Friends," "God Loves You," "I Feel Lucky," "No Doubt," "Social Butterfly," "Braille Is Cool," "Make A Difference," and "One World." $1.49 each.

silver beaded and brailled stretch bracelet; credit: Christiansen

Silver beaded and brailled stretch bracelet

Braille Alphabet Bracelets from National Braille Press are available in either silver or gold tone metal. Each bracelet is composed of individual tiles, separated by plain spacers on a stretch band. Each tile represents a letter, with braille on the front surface and engraved Roman type on the back. $35.00.

Silver penguin brooch; credit: Dallas Pridgen

Silver penguin brooch

Dallas Pridgen Jewelry

Original designs, "crafted one at a time, by hand." Offers a wide selection of 14-karat gold and sterling silver figural and tactile animal jewelry , bracelets , brooches , necklaces , and seasonal jewelry .

The Penguin Brooch is available in sterling silver for $55.00 or 14-karat gold for $265. It's perfect for the penguin lover on your holiday gift list!

Gold maple seed drop earrings; credit: J.H. Breakell

Gold maple seed drop earrings

J.H. Breakell & Co.

Offers an extensive selection of 14-karat gold and sterling figural and tactile pieces, including penguins, lovebirds, snowflakes, shoes, seahorses, fish, shells, cats, dogs, pumpkins, raspberries, and strawberries.

Surprise your favorite nature lover with these Maple Seed Earrings , in sterling silver for $55.00 or 14-karat gold for $366.

Braille T-Shirts

Consider a unique, custom-designed braille T-shirt for a friend or family member. Every purchase helps to promote braille awareness and the use of braille for children and adults:

Bronwen Tagoe wearing a Braille-A-Wear T-shirt; credit: Braille-A-Wear

Bronwen Tagoe wearing a Braille-A-Wear T-shirt

Braille-A-Wear

Wearable, fun embroidered clothing, including T-shirts, tote bags, hats, and bibs, created by Deb Kersey-Tagoe and her daughter Bronwen Tagoe. Phrases include "Blind People Do It In the Dark," "Braille Is Beautiful," "Dots Talk," "Don't Trouch My Dots," and "Oy Vey." Prices range from $8.50 to $29.00.

purple brailled long sleeve T-shirt; credit: Braille T-shirts

Purple brailled long sleeve T-shirt

Brailletshirts.com

Hand-crafted men's, women's, and children's braille T-shirts use genuine Swarovski? crystals or metallic studs as braille dots. Standard grade two contracted braille phrases include "Brailliant," "Braille is cool," "Stop staring?" "Can't touch this," and "Feel the love." Also available in grade one braille. Prices range from $12.95 to $29.95.

Braille T-SHirt from Primitive state.

Custom-designed braille T-shirt or hoodie

Primitive State T-Shirts

Create your own custom-designed braille T-shirt or hoodie. Choose your word or phrase (a maximum of 10 characters) and then select your T-shirt or hoodie style and color. Prices range from $16.50 to $34.50.

Sugar-Free Treats

These delicious sugar-free treats make thoughtful gifts for friends, family members, teachers, and business associates.

Please note: Sugar-free items are not necessarily low calorie; in addition, individuals who have diabetes should always check with their physician or other health care provider before consuming sugar-free candy, cookies, or other food items.

James' and Bayard's chocolate and cookie gift basket; credit: James' Candy

James' and Bayard's chocolate and cookie gift basket

James' Candy and Fralinger's Salt Water Taffy

Sugar-free selections include Salt Water Taffy , Boardwalk Fudge , Bayard's Assorted Chocolates , and James' and Bayard's Gift Baskets . Prices range from $9.99 to $59.99.

Sugar Free Chocolate Cherries

Sugar Free Chocolate Cherries

Matthews 1812 House

Sugar-free selections include Fruit Slices, Sugar Free Shortbread Cookies, Sugar Free Cherry Chocolates, and Sugar Free Pecan Caramal Patties. Prices range from $11.00 to $40.00.

Peppermint Patties from The Wisconsin Cheesman

Peppermint Patties

The Wisconsin Cheeseman

Sugar-free selections include Peppermint Patties, Pecan-Almond Crunch, Old-Fashioned Cookies, Fruit Delights, and Peanut Butter Cups. Prices range from $6.99 to $60.00.

All occasion desert box from Cheryl & Co.

All-Occasion Dessert Box

Cheryl & Co.

Sugar-free cookie and brownie gift baskets include the All-Occasion Desert Box ($45.95-$99.95), Winter Frost Gift Tower ($39.95), and Winter Gift Tin ($44.95).

For Chocolate Lovers - And who doesn't love chocolate?

These hand-crafted chocolate braille treats are perfect for anyone on your gift list.

Happy Holidays braille chocolate bar; credit: The Chocolate Vault

Happy Holidays braille chocolate bar

The Chocolate Vault

Chocolate braille plaques embossed with "Merry Christmas" and "Happy Holidays." $10.95 each.

Choco braille greeting card

Choco Braille Greeting Card

Choco Braille Greeting Cards

Embossed with one of 13 assorted braille greetings, including "Merry Christmas," "Happy Chanukah," and "Happy Holidays." $5.00 each.

Braille Chocolate Mold

Braille Chocolate Mold

Braille Chocolate Molds

Make your own chocolate braille greetings cards. Phrases include "Merry Christmas" and "Happy Holidays." $4.95 each.

Outdoor Gifts

These useful — and thoughtful — gifts can help keep you safe when you're working (or playing) outdoors.

Stow and go fleece wristband wallet

Stow-N-Go Wristband Wallet

Plow & Hearth

The Stow-N-Go Wristband Wallet has a built-in zippered pocket to keep cash, credit cards, and keys handy. The soft fleece wristband will also keep you warm during outdoor activities. Red, black, and sand. One size fits most. $12.95.

Pocket Traction Pro treads worn over boots; credit: Sahalie

Pocket Traction Pro treads worn over boots

Sahalie Catalog

Pocket Traction Pro provides safer walking in snowy or icy conditions. Heavy-duty natural rubber and 1.4 mm coils of high strength steel are like tire chains for your feet that fit over the soles of your boots or shoes. Sizes S, M, L. $29.95.

LED dog collar

LED dog collar

And don't forget Spot (or Lucky or Rocky or Buddy or Sparky)

Sahalie Catalog

The LED Dog Collar has flashing lights and bright reflective trim to make your dog more visible during evening walks. Has a 50-hour battery life. Sizes S-XL. $15.95.

Functional, Stylish Lighting — Let there be light!

Consider a functional, stylish lighting gift for a friend or family member who has low vision:

Dual beam flashlight; credit: First Street

Dual beam flashlight

First Street — For Boomers and Beyond

The Nightlighter Flashlight contains two distinct light sources (bright white 5mm LEDs) that work together to provide wide-area illumination and coverage. One light source shines on the area ahead, and the other illuminates the ground near your feet. $29.95.

Avid Reader Natural Light Desk Lamp with white shade; credit: Gold Violin

Avid Reader Natural Light Desk Lamp with white shade

Gold Violin — Helpful Products for Independent Living

The Avid Reader Natural Light Desk Lamp is a natural daylight lamp that can help make reading easier and more comfortable and reduce eyestrain caused by glare. An articulating arm directs the light where you need it, and the white linen shade helps focus light for reading. $70.00. Also available as a floor lamp for $120.

Timepieces

An attractive, well-designed talking, large print, or tactile timepiece is always a welcome gift.

Fashionista Talking Watch with beaded stretch band; credit: Gold Violin

Fashionista Talking Watch with beaded stretch band

Gold Violin — Helpful Products for Independent Living

The Fashionista One-Button Talking Watch announces the time in a clear female voice. The beaded stretch band is available in abalone and black, crystal and gold tone, and crystal and silver tone. Has bold hands and numbers on a white or silver face. $60.00.

Fashionista Talking Watch with beaded stretch band; credit: Gold Violin

Women's Braille Talk Gold Wristwatch

"Braille Talk" Talking Watches provide the time in tactile raised dots and voice. These watches from Independent Living Aids are available in women's and men's styles. Options include a gold tone or silver tone face, an expansion or buckle band, and one-button (time only) or four-button (time and alarm) controls. $69.95.

Talking watches

Silver Atomic Watch with expansion band

Independent Living Aids

Offers a wide selection of Talking Watches. Most prices range from $8.95 to 49.95.

Designer Talking Atomic Clock and Calendar

Talking Atomic Alarm Clock

This Talking Atomic Alarm Clock automatically adjusts for either Daylight Saving or Standard time. Features include a female voice, high/low volume switch, an extra-long five-minute alarm, and large print numerals. $37.85

Audio and Electronic Gift Ideas

Audio and electronic gifts are always appropriate for a "techie" friend or family member:

Audio vision canada online video store

Audio Vision Canada online video store

AudioVision Canada

AudioVision Canada's online video store offers an extensive catalog of movies in DVD, VHS, CD, and cassette formats, all with audio description. Prices range from $29.95 to $199.95 for a boxed set. All cases are labeled in braille.

The VictorReader Stream; credit: Humanware

The VictorReader Stream Player

Humanware

The VictorReader Stream is portable, lightweight, and plays DAISY, MP3, and NISO formats. It has advanced DAISY book features, can play National Library Service downloadable books and book cartridges, and has a USB port to transfer books and music from a PC. $329.

Olympus Digital Voice Recorder and accessories; credit: MaxiAids

Olympus Digital Voice Recorder and accessories

Maxi-Aids

The Maxi-Aids Olympus Digital Voice Recorder with 512MB of memory provides approximately 136 hours of recording time. Features include optional voice guidance for easy navigation, high-quality audio book and MP3/WMA playback, a large LCD screen with white backlight for easy navigation, and storage for 200 messages per folder. $199.95.

Talking Solar Powered Bible

Talking Solar Powered Bible

Speak to Me Catalog

A resource for electronic and talking gifts of all kinds, including the Talking Solar Powered Bible ($99.95), the TapMemo Voice Activated Personal Digital Assistant ($159.00), the Voice Recognition Talking Universal Remote ($74.95), and a large selection of singing and talking plush cats ($4.95 to $31.95).

Fun and Educational Gifts

These educational — and fun — toys can provide hours of family entertainment for children (and adults!) of all ages:

The Discovery Voice Changer VX-3; credit: Discovery Channel Store

The Discovery Voice Changer VX-3

The Discovery Channel Store

The Discovery Voice Changer VX-3 can change the pitch and sound of the user's voice at the touch of a button. Three voice options (amplify, echo, and robot) can disguise the voice to sound like a robot, an alien, or a monster. $19.95.

The Electronic Hot Potato Game; credit: Highlights for Children

The Electronic Hot Potato Game

Highlights for Children

Toss and pass the Electronic Hot Potato Game from player to player until the music stops. The player left holding the potato collects a "potato chip" card, and the first player to collect three chips is out. Age 5 and older. $14.98.

The GeoSafari Talking Globe and Talking Globe Junior; credit: Young Explorer

The GeoSafari Talking Globe and Talking Globe Junior

Young Explorers Creative Educational Products

The GeoSafari Talking Globe teaches children about geography the painless way. Asks and answers 10,000 questions about world countries, capitals, cities, rivers, and oceans. Skill levels and answer times for each player can be customized. Also available as a GeoSafari Talking Globe Junior, with five world categories, two skill levels, and an explorer mode for guided world tours. Both models are $89.95.

Especially For Your Favorite Cook(s)

The cooks on your gift list will appreciate these well-designed kitchen items.

Oven Rack Guards installed on oven racks; credit: Independent Living Aids

Cool Touch Oven Rack Guards installed on oven racks

Cool Touch 18" Oven Rack Guard fit easily over the exposed sides of your oven rack using heavy duty snaps that are completely covered with fabric so they won't heat up. Made from NOMEX, a fire retardant fabric used by fire fighters and race car drivers, they are safe for temperatures up to 500 degrees. Measure 18 x 3 inches when fully opened. Machine washable. $19.95 for package of two guards.

Gift Books

These unique gift books emphasize the limitless potential within all of us.

Art Beyond Sight Book Cover; credit: AFB Press

Art Beyond Sight Book Cover

American Foundation for the Blind Bookstore

Art Beyond Sight: A Resource Guide to Art, Creativity, and Visual Impairment explores all aspects of art and creativity by people who are blind or visually impaired. Developed by Art Education for the Blind, this fully illustrated manual is the result of a decade-long international collaboration among researchers, art educators, teachers, psychologists, museum professionals, and blind and sighted art enthusiasts. Paperback, ASCII on CD-ROM, ASCII on floppy disk, $79.95.

Seeing Beyond Sight Book Cover; credit: Chronicle Books

Seeing Beyond Sight Book Cover

Chronicle Books

Seeing Beyond Sight is a book of photographs taken by teenagers who are blind or have low vision, and documents how educator Tony Deifell taught his blind students to take pictures as an innovative, multi-sensory means of self-expression. Hardcover, $24.95.

All Children Have Different Eyes Book Cover; credit: Vidi Press

All Children Have Different Eyes Book Cover

Vidi Press

All Children Have Different Eyes is an illustrated story book that empowers children with low vision to take on the social challenges of daily life, such as how to deal with bullies, explain their condition confidently, enter play groups, and handle mistakes responsibly. Activities in the back of the book help parents and teachers reinforce and support social skill development. Hardcover, 48 pages, $16.95.

Vacations and Special Holiday Customs

A cruise or vacation package is always a welcome gift at this time of year.

Outta Sight Travel specializes in vacations, cruises, and tours for people who are blind or have low vision. Outta Sight helps with planning destinations that accept service animals, procuring documentation, and providing travelers with itineraries and information in accessible formats. E-mail: drtravel@bellsouth.net.

Holiday Customs and Gifts

And finally, here are some additional links that explain a range of holiday customs and provide appropriate gift ideas:

Hanukkah Gifts How To Buy Hanukkah Gifts
Kwanzaa Gifts How To Buy Kwanzaa Gifts
Facts About Eid-al-Adha Islamic Gifts

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