Do you want to know what is better than paying for expensive school items yourself?
Asking for them for the holidays (aka asking for things you NEED rather than you WANT) and getting them for free. Every Christmas while in college (both undergrad and grad school) I ALWAYS asked for textbooks and other school-related items for Christmas. In the past I received the following things for Christmas: blood pressure cuff, planner, sticky notes, a printer, office supplies (paper clips, printing paper, high lighters, etc), conditions in OT textbook, anatomy textbooks, and other OT-related books.
Right now during Black Friday and Cyber Monday are a great time to find deals on OT items – especially textbooks since not many are shopping for textbooks during this particular time!
When thinking of your ~adult~ Christmas list if other people want to know what to get you, mention things that you truly need, that will optimize your education, and you will truly use and be thankful for. (Because who wants to add yet another thing to their closet that will never be used?).
Here are some things to think about…
Clipboard
I am sad to say that I didn’t start using one of these until Level 2 fieldwork in the SNF. But w o w. This has been such a lifesaver and I carry one with me everyday at work in the school system. I always carry around a lot of worksheets, like to have extra pens/pencils available, and I clip my schedule/important documents to the front to easily reference. This gem of an item is amazing for staying organized.
Gait belt
Having a gait belt to practice with during school and when on rotations is crucial! There is no guarantee that your fieldwork sites will supply you with one. I received TONS of compliments on this one from Amazon and it was only $8! It is very well made. Just remember to put your name on it so nobody tries claiming it! 😉
Good, long-lasting Pens
Alright, alright. I know pens aren’t the end-all, be-all of needs. Or so I thought. My love and NEED for good pens was heightened when I realized using those big, bulky .9mm pens with horrible ink were going to make my notes on fieldwork illegible and leave me with very little room to write for my daily notes (that were required to be handwritten). Nothing makes me happier when my notes look more organized, that .38mm writing is crisp and small, and there’s more room for me to write and is easier for others to read. Win-win. These tend to sell fast on Amazon and usually run for $7 for a 5 pack. My pens are still going strong after 3 months! Just remember to stash them away in a safe place at the end of the day. Nobody has time to get there nice pens stolen or lost. (We know who you are, pen stealers!).
Textbooks
Textbooks, textbooks, textbooks. The ultimate wallet drainer. This was huge to ask for during the holidays. Even if I asked for and received one book, that is one less book I have to stress about buying later. Especially when they are usually on sale during this time of the year. Prices for textbooks are usually the highest in August (yepp – these textbook companies know how to market well. And they jack up the prices right before the semesters start!). Checking prices on Amazon/Chegg is always a safe bet before buying from book stores.
Laptop Tray
Okay, so maybe this isn’t a necessity. Sometimes doing school work gets old at a desk. I received this super cute laptop tray for Christmas a few years back and it’s great for those nights you just want to …slowly… complete school work while simultaneously drinking wine and watching TV… 😉 Find this cute tray on Amazon! It usually fluctuates around $30.
Planner
Nothing rings in the new year, a new semester, and a new set of goals like a blank slate to write on. But if i’m going to be honest, I definitely don’t spend over $20 on a planner. That’s just my personal preference, but if you are trying to save money in places, this is one of them. You can buy decent planners that won’t cost you an arm and both legs. Amazon has great ones for $20 and under, and I often search the aisles of Marshall’s and TJMaxx for great ones too.
Christmas Gifts on a Budget
So maybe asking for a textbook is a little too steep. But other items that are great to ask for/give are office supplies to stay organized, which can include:
- Highlighters
- Whiteboard
- Index cards
- Staples/Stapler
- Printing paper
- Paper clips
- And more!
Need more ideas for OT gifts? Check out my Amazon store where I have included different categories for items (OT pediatric toys, Books, OT school, and more).
Happy Holidays, OT friends! <3
Amanda Gibbs, OTR/L
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