Looking for a Sensory-Friendly Gift? This Guide Is a Great Place to Start
The holidays are a time for connection, comfort, and care, and sometimes, the best gifts are the ones that help us feel grounded. Whether you’re shopping for a loved one on the spectrum, someone managing anxiety, or just a friend who loves soothing textures and motion, these thoughtful picks show that you truly see and support the person you’re gifting.
Our Sensory-Friendly Gift Guide 2025 is composed of recommendations from NEXT for AUTISM partners across the country. Each was chosen because it brings comfort, style, and stress relief to any stocking or self-care basket.
From weighted pillows to stylish earplugs, these gifts speak a universal language... comfort. Whether you’re giving calm, focus, or a small moment of sensory joy, you’re giving the gift of being understood.
Listen to an audio of the gift guide (below)
Here are a few highly recommended fidgets from NEXT grantees:
Frog Sac Adjustable Headbands: soft, stretchy, and sensory-friendly, style without the squeeze - Care Cuts (Texas)
Magnetic Fidget Pen: sleek and professional looking, useful for those long meetings when you need a little support to help you focus - Els for Autism (Florida)
Loop Switch 2 Earplugs: chic, adjustable earplugs that let you choose how much sound to keep out - Jefferson Center for Autism and Neurodiversity (Pennsylvania)
Quiet Mind Weighted Pillows: gentle pressure, deep calm - Evolve Coashing (Pennsylvania)
Sensory Playtivity Hidden Stuff Discs: compact tactile fidgets great for travel or classrooms - Stepping Stones Recreation (West Virginia)
Vibration board: great for movement seekers and body-based calming - Growing Right Over Wealth (Ohio)
Noise-Cancelling Headphones: another top-rated pick for focus and calm - Camp Encourage (Missouri)
Cloud9 Hoodies: soft hoodies with built-in stress balls, cozy meets clever - Pawsability Dog Club Inc (New York)
Sensory Stress Cube: a durable cube that fidgets and soothes in one - LEAP Institute (New Mexico)
Weighted Blanket: for better sleep, calm mornings, and cozy nights - The Arc of Northern Virginia (Virginia)
ONO Roller: a smooth, endlessly rollable fidget that keeps your hands busy and your mind calm - TEVA Community (Arizona)
Ocean Friends Sensory book: bring tactile sensory input, with colorful pictures of friendly ocean creatures - Abilis, Inc. (Connecticut)
Ocean Drum: a soothing, wave-like sensory instrument that creates gentle, rolling sounds perfect for calming nerves and sparking a little peaceful focus - Banding Together (California)
Worry Stones: For the gemstone lover who likes to keep their stimming stylish. Smooth, pocket-sized, and quietly satisfying... a perfect blend of sparkle and self-regulation - NEXT for AUTISM
From weighted pillows to stylish earplugs, these gifts speak a universal language... comfort. Whether you’re giving calm, focus, or a small moment of sensory joy, you’re giving the gift of being understood.
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