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Image description: an illustration of a path through the forest. Next to the path sits a dog with a wounded pawl lifted. On the path is a penguin with a toolbox. Image has the number 12 placed in a tree and the hashtag #ChronicChristmas

This is my daily Advent calendar of gift ideas for people with chronic illness, running from December 1-25. Some entries will contain affiliate links.

Coping with chronic pain isn’t simple. As mentioned previously in the #ChronicChristmas Gift Guide, it takes a toolbox. That might sound weird if you don’t live with chronic pain, so let me explain.

Each of us uses many different tools to address the pain. Why? Because most devices, treatments, or regimens available to us don’t remove all of the pain. Especially these days when the war on opioids are increasingly restricting the one tool that can be really effective for severe chronic pain. But this is a gift guide, not a diatribe about how people who have chronic pain are being left in the lurch by ill-informed government regulations.

A-hem. Moving on.

Back to the tools. Personally, I use heat and ice, painkillers, rest, distraction, fun, acupuncture, sunshine, movies, comfort, and many others that I probably don’t actually realize help me cope with pain.

My friend Britt once wrote about her own pain management toolbox, which was literally her coping tools placed in a basket for easy access.

Make one of those for that person you know who has chronic pain.

First, find a nice box or basket. Your friend will want to leave it in an easy-to-access place, so it should be decorative. Next, think about what might be useful to help them combat pain. This might require a circumspect conversation with them about what helps, but here are some ideas you may want to include:

• a Magic Bag
• a couple of ice packs
• a stuffed animal (comfort is important)
• a colouring book with some markers
• a good movie or book. Note: think light and fluffy, requiring little focus. That is, not something serious or literary death has won the prize. Think disposable paperback or its movie equivalent
• a candle. Scented, if your friend’s condition isn’t triggered by it. Battery powered is a good option, as well
• massage oil for self-massage (scented or fragrance free, depending on the needs of your friend)
• over-the-counter topical painkiller (I have no personal experience with this product, but have heard good reviews)
• ginger candies or tablets for nausea (often accompanies pain)
• Healthy snacks and tea

And there’s one more you should put in this magic box. A letter from you to your friend or family member, telling them how much they mean to you. In detail. A letter like that is something that gives strength during hard times.