My sister with learning difficulties. Help! [Title edited by MNHQ]

[Pollyparkin]

I need some bits to bulk out her bag. She's crafty but can't do complicated stuff. She's very sensitive skin wise so no toiletries. No candles/ Reeds. Doesn't like to snack. Got her nice pjs and clothes but what bits could I get her? Any ideas please ! I can get to to maxx and big supermarkets. She does like to bake

I'm so very tired after being unwell with migraine and will take all your suggestions please 🙏

@mumsnet please can you edit title as my fat fingers have duplicated words Thanks

Books, socks, toothbrush, jigsaw?

Ahh hope you start to feel better soon!
Would she like an adult colouring book and some nice crayons or pens?

Markers and a colouring book
Nail varnishes
New bed covers/ blanket
New slippers
Teddies
A purse
Fairy lights
These are all the things the ladies liked when I worked in a unit for people with ld/ Id

Gingerbread house to decorate
Cookery/baking book
Slippers
Baking tins
Cake decoration kit
Notebook

How old is she and give you gave some idea of how her learning difficulties affect her?

I have similar problems filling DD2’s stocking as she is nil by mouth and has severe learning difficulties but if your sister has moderate difficulties my suggestions might be way out.

I get DD board books, she can’t read but enjoys being read to if they are Julia McDonald type books. Lava lamp type things are good. Would she like a feather boa? Make your own necklace and bracelet kits and simple but attractive jigsaws might be nice if she doesn’t have motor skills deficit, - unfortunately DD2 has a significant motor defect so that sort of thing is out for her.

My friend’s daughter has Down’s syndrome and really liked a gingerbread making kit last year with icing to decorating. She is obsessed with “her” football team and Harry Styles, so loves anything to do with those - mugs, calendar, has a duvet set of the football team etc. We always get her the away kit shirt from the football team. Does your sister have anything similar she really likes? My friend’s daughter had a Simpsons phase and a Friends phase a while ago.

A photo jigsaw?

Would loom bands be too fiddly, or a Spirograph?

We’ve had some really nice paint your own Christmas decorations this year as an early gift - I just Googled and you can get wooden ones (like these) or clay/pottery type ones.

Would she like to go to a pottery café with you and do something like painting her own mug? Our local one did takeaway kits during Covid and you took the item(s) back to be fired.

For baking, you could look at fun/novelty biscuit cutters or a silicon mould.

Lava lamp
Jigsaw
Soft toy/ teddy
Easy craft kit

Sainsbury's had craft kits in this week
Things like make a Pom Pom.
Games like snap dominoes

Hi, I have a severe visual impairment and can struggle when things are overly complicated. I know you didn’t mention online, but Amazon does have some at jigsaw puzzles for people with dementia, there are 13 or 20 or 30 pieces, and very easy to do, but they’re also not childish. Would something like a squish, mellow or a fidget gadget? Be good if she has sensory issues? For the kitchen, I found some ice, lolly molds, some cake, pop, molds, some Christmas shapes, and other things that I have really enjoyed using. I found scented markers on Amazon and I can handle coloring books if they’re not complicated, so maybe these. I think I also saw scented markers one time in Sainsbury’s. Clay and some shapes or paints so maybe she could even make a painted clay? And I agree with pajamas, nice, soft slippers, cozy blankets if she enjoys that type of thing, if she can do her hair, maybe some nice scrunchies? I can’t do make up yet, and also have sensitive skin so don’t even know if I would be able to, but I do like velvet or nice scrunchies. I bought some home decor, Christmas wall, stickers or window stickers today, maybe those? I think they also have color your own stickers or color your own puzzles?

I could cry at all these amazing suggestions. She's in her 40s but mentally much more child like. She gets fixated on things and does like a bit of craft but would like someone to do it with her so maybe I could get a kit and help with it
Fidget toys are a brilliant idea as she used to like to twiddle a piece of wool. Thanks Mumsnet. This sort of thing warms my heart

Rubix cube
Can she knit, or cross stitch? Small craft kit.

I really hope you feel better soon.

A lovely beanbag pillow thing that I saw suggested on Mumsnet (for reading:crafting/anything in bed or slouching around), a pretty hardback A4 notebook for drawing or list making, a photo frame with a choose-your-favourite-photo note on it, a pencil case, nice pens, an I-love-you stone (they feel lovely and smooth, I love these little message stones), pretty placemat or coaster?

I came on to say an assortment of fidget toys. Loads about in physical shops if Amazon fails you.

Also a Squishmallow. Everyone loves them, and they are lovely and soft. Can use BB if one's as pillows too

Does she like listening to music, and still use CDs? Tickets to a Christmas carol concert or light show

@LightDrizzle

We have the same issue, so few things are suitable but we have bought a new soft toy and play dough as well as clothes. Mostly we remember that her needs are met but she likes going to cafes which we do regularly

My relative who has learning difficulties loves a fidget toy/game as a pp has mentioned. She especially enjoys light up ones like below. But also games like Simon and Bop it. Also crafting and puzzles - we look for 'chunky' items due to her motor and visual skills.

A few companies make mini brownie/cookie skillet baking kits like this for a few quid https://www.therange.co.uk/cooking-and-dining/gifts-for-foodies/brownie-skillet-with-nutella — the skillets really are tiny, but it might be familiar enough to be doable while being different enough to be fun and Christmassy?

Try this site OP https://www.bakerross.co.uk/ lots of arts and crafts some aimed at primary children, but I have used them with groups of teenagers.

The jar craft might be interesting, there is also jewelry making and lots of others.

They don't sell baking utensils but they do have free recipes for things like cupcakes that look like ice cream.

Does your sister read and write (I know learning difficulties can be very variable so not meant as an insult, purely an inquiry)?

A blank recipe book so she can write down her own recipes.

Hobby craft voucher?

Therrs a lot of craft aimed at tweens which might be good?

Dejeco is a nice brand

New slippers/dressing gown, rucksack/bag/purse for days out,
coaster/mug
Room decor - wall art

I've got her adult colouring / puzzle book combined as she likes a word search, 2 little fidget toys (my son wants to give her another one of his own !) plus a calendar and diary of cats (hopefully enough time has passed since family cat died to like these pics ) and some Christmas socks. She's got a nice bag now to open
On and a lavender pillow spray but I need to save this thread for her birthday as there are more ideas to explore ! Crochet might be good. She can read and write so have got her a book too.
Again, Mumsnet at its finest with some wonderful people supporting me. Thank you 🙏

You sound like such a lovely caring sister. I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas 🎄