If you need meaningful gift ideas for your friends or family…hey, even if you need some ideas for yourself when people ask what you’d like for the holidays, this list is going to help you think outside the box!
Brought to you with the help of Friendly Like Me, the first-of-its-kind app and web platform helping users “Go in Confidence” with accessible travel, dining out, sightseeing, shopping, and even accessible entertainment venues. The platform also recommends products and services people with access needs really want.
The Co-Founder and CEO of Friendly Like Me, Elysia Everett, is a woman of size and says, “People are more than just one thing, and accessibility and comfort mean something different for everyone. With nearly one-third of the US population having access needs or needing plus size friendly accommodations, businesses that prioritize the plus size community and people with access needs will thrive this Holiday season and throughout the year.”
So you can rest assured that all of the gifts in this guide were Friendly Like Me approved!
A Dreamy, Romantic Getaway or Girl’s Trip
If your loved one is a fan of pristine nature, water views, outdoor adventures, and gourmet food, they will relish a trip to the Mohonk Mountain House in New York’s Hudson Valley. Featured in the hit TV Show “Upload” as an afterlife paradise, Friendly Like Me’s reviewers gave it high marks for accessibility and spacious accommodations.
This stunning accessible spa has 4 levels of indulgent spa activities including rooftop thermal pools, hydrotherapy pools with Manhattan skyline views, a plethora of saunas, a variety of different treatments, and a fantastic friendly dining area. They offer treatments at a range of price points and robes that come in plus sizes. Cost starts at $90-135 per day pass.
This spa is home to the world’s deepest geothermal hot spring. Rated highly by plus size reviewers, this natural hot springs has gorgeous pools and a friendly atmosphere. The minerals in the natural hot spring are said to increase resistance to stress and disease, help prevent fatigue, and promote good skin tone. Adult General Admission for locals starts at $25 and $65 for the rest of us.
High-Quality, Luxury Clothing Items
With a rich history of sourcing premium cashmere directly from Mongolian herding communities, NAADAM created timeless, sustainable knits to last a lifetime. NAADAM uses materials that are meant to be breathable, temperature-regulating, moisture-wicking, and hypoallergenic.
In buttery soft cashmere and fantastic prices, Quince sweaters make a great gift for your friend or family member who appreciates the finer things in life. Quince believes quality shouldn’t be a luxury, so all of their materials and designs are created to stand the test of time. They are sustainable while keeping financial access in mind.
Glamorous Custom Items and Accessories
EShakti is beloved by women of all sizes because they offer both standard sizing up to 6X and custom sizing and alterations that are based on your measurements and preferences. Want longer sleeves or a shorter hemline? Simply have fun playing with their easy to customize online tool. We wish the website had more plus size models, but the ease of ordering and customizing a dress to your measurements is on point. This would make a great “Experience” gift if you want to design a dress with your recipient.
A Sleek Black Dress for New Year’s Eve
Torrid is known for fun looks in a spectrum of sizes. Consider giving a loved one the “Pretty Woman” experience with a glamorous Holiday Dress that they could wear for New Year’s Eve.
It can be so hard to find plus size tights and leggings that fit correctly and are comfortable. Friendly Like Me’s head researcher, Taylor Uster, swears by these tights and leggings that fit curvy shapes and come in fun colors and high-quality, sturdy knits.
Cozy, Comforting Spa Essentials
As we all know, robes are not one size fits all. When you attend a spa with a full set of amenities, you want to know that you will be able to wear a robe that fits in with the traditional spa aesthetic. These white terry cloth robes in a wide variety of sizes fit that bill.
The Friendly Like Me team of researchers was excited to confirm that the Hand and Stone massage chain features lots of friendly, accessibility accommodations, including tables that are mobilized to adjust up and down, sturdy professional massage tables with a capacity of up to 550 lbs, tables that offer two section tilt, which enables comfort to those who can’t lie flat. They are well versed in accommodating guests who are prenatal or at an advanced age.
All towels are not made equal. If you’ve ever tried to wrap a towel around your plus size body after a shower, you’re already familiar with this issue. For those who love the feeling of being wrapped up from head to toe when you step out of the bath American Soft Linen has a lovely handspun cotton line of Bath sheets that are 40inches x 80inches. (Much bigger than typical towels and even bigger than standard bath sheets.) A great hostess gift too at only $24.99.
We hope this gift guide gave you some idea inspo for yourself or for your loved ones this Holiday season! Happy gifting!
