5 Ways Handicapable Individuals Can Simplify Holiday Shopping

Holiday shopping can be challenging for all of us, but particularly for those of us who may face daily challenges of physical disabilities. Personal physical challenges, from illnesses to injuries to other incapacitations, may make seasonal gift shopping seem like a daunting prospect - but it need not be so.

How can handicapable individuals streamline holiday gift shopping to make the most of their efforts without wearing themselves out?

Here are five practical pointers for simplifying holiday shopping. Although these tips are specifically intended for handicapable individuals, these steps may make holiday shopping easier for nearly anyone.

Shop online for holiday gifts.

Online shopping is so easy these days. Consumers may even purchase groceries on the internet. What's more, many online retailers offer free shipping from Thanksgiving to Christmas. Why waste time and gas by trekking to the shopping mall, when basic browsing and simple item sorting is available online?

Online shopping makes the holiday gift simple and stress-free, particularly for handicapable folks.

Give gift cards.

Gift cards have become perhaps the most popular holiday gift ever for just about anyone. From restaurant and gift certificates to online music download credits, and from bank cards to specific store gift cards, this option could not be any simpler for handicapable folks and others.

Many gift card purveyors offer both e-mail and traditional mail options for delivery, facilitating holiday shopping for even the most procrastinating of purchasers.

Make a list, and check it twice.

A little advance planning makes in-person holiday shopping much more convenient, especially for those facing physical challenges. The most savvy of holiday shoppers actually make lists and perhaps even arrange items by geographical location.

By plotting out shopping excursions ahead of time, handicapable and other shoppers can minimize extra steps and save plenty of time too.

Those with physical disabilities may also benefit from obtaining and using designated parking permits, particularly for crowded shopping facilities. Of course, non-handicapped drivers need to leave these special parking spots vacant for those who truly need them.

Enlist the elves to help with holiday shopping.

Of course, the number-one assist for handicapable holiday shoppers is to call in reinforcements. By taking along an energetic assistant or two, a physically challenged consumer can greatly benefit.

Holiday shopping crowds can be stressful and make navigation difficult, particularly to those who must rely on wheelchairs, walkers or other assistance devices. A deft helper can clear the way and steer the handicapable shopper through the maze and mayhem.

Skip trips for shipping.

With online label printing and flat-rate shipping options available from the United States Postal Service (and certain other shipping providers), few folks may actually have to head for the local postal office and stand in line to send holiday gifts.

The USPS will actually deliver free flat-rate shipping boxes to customers' own locations - and return to pick up the filled boxes as well. Even stamps for holiday cards are available for purchase online.

Holiday shopping need not be a hassle, even for folks who face daily physical challenges. With a bit of smart planning and strategic shopping, holiday gift shopping can become a joy again.