11 Great Gift Ideas for Your Favorite Clinicians
By Jordan Hoffman, PT, DPT
Physical Therapist, Pennsylvania
As the holidays roll around, you may find yourself asking yourself what can I buy my favorite clinician, or what can I buy my favorite colleague?
A gift is always a thoughtful gesture to show someone how much they mean to you, but the important questions to ask yourself are what will they enjoy and what will they actually use? The items listed below will be useful and make a physical therapist, occupational therapist, speech-language pathologist, or exercise physiologist smile.
1. Lanyard Clip:
A lanyard clip is a great way to show your personality or represent your field! There are thousands and thousands of options to choose from. Here are unique options for different specialties.
2. Comfortable Apparel:
A sweatshirt or t-shirt repping your field is always a welcomed addition to any wardrobe, plus this option has dozens of choices to suit anyone’s style. These personalized options will ensure your clinician always has something fun and functional to wear to work.
Insulated Travel Mugs or Water Bottles:
At FOX, most clinicians work out of their vehicles—I even call it “my office.” Many other clinicians do the same, so a personalized insulated coffee mug or water bottle is a great gift to keep their favorite drinks hot or cold throughout the day.
Collapsible chair:
This may be something you haven’t heard of before, but it is a great tool for any clinician. A collapsible chair is a great alternative when a chair or sofa may not be readily available to the clinician. The best part is that it is relatively small and light and can easily fit in a backpack or chair. This was one of my favorite personal additions to my PT toolkit. I use it daily!
Coffee or Lunch Gift Cards:
When clinicians work out of their cars, or in a busy environment, a gift card to a coffee shop or grab-and-go restaurant is always greatly appreciated. It’s a thoughtful treat, but it can also save the day when a busy clinician may forget (or not have time) to pack breakfast or lunch.
FOX Shop Gift Card:
A FOX Shop gift card is a great idea for any FOX clinician ready to sport FOX’s mission proudly. It’s also nice that the clothing is of great quality. I personally have the crewneck and love it!
Favorite Snacks:
Have I mentioned that FOX clinicians work out of their car yet? I always keep a box of granola or protein bars in my car for a quick snack or pick me up later in the day. Ask your clinician what their favorite snack is and I’m sure they will find use for a box or two to save for a hungry afternoon.
Key Organizer:
Have you ever heard someone walking down the hall just by the sound of their clanging keys? It’s pretty common to have more keys that you can keep track of! This key organizer is a great idea for any clinician who seems to have a key to every room on their lanyard.
Key Chain:
And even for clinicians who don’t require a full organizer, a keychain is always a thoughtful gift! Whether your clinician puts it on their lanyard, car keys, or backpack, a personalized keychain is always a nice addition:
Pens & Notepad:
Even though most note-taking is now done on the computer, clinicians still have to write down a list, a quick home exercise program, or instructions for transferring or modifying a patient’s diet. Pens and a notepad, whether simple or personalized, is a gift that will always be useful!
Stickers:
Looking for a small gift to show your appreciation? Stickers are a great addition to a water bottle, folder, or laptop case to show a clinician’s personality. Here are some of my favorites for PTs, OTs, SLPs, and EPs:
No matter how big or small, a thoughtful gift is always appreciated. I hope you found a perfect gift for your favorite clinician within these suggestions. Have a great holiday season and stay healthy!