Each year, the winter holiday season brings exciting opportunities for special events, gatherings, and celebrations. Holidays can foster connection, community, and joy, and for many people, they are rich with meaning and purpose.
But the holidays can also be a difficult time for some. Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) or a traumatic brain injury (TBI) sometimes feel especially isolated and lonely during the holiday season. Expectations about the winter holidays and potentially stressful family and social dynamics can make this time even more difficult. The same can be true for people with mental health disorders or who are on substance use recovery journeys.
Your intentions for happiness and wellness in every aspect of the winter holidays — in the deep meaning of the holidays themselves, in being together with family and friends, and in giving and receiving gifts — can always emphasize community, mutual care, and love.
Gift-Giving Guidance — and a Gift-Giving Guide
Gift-giving is a part of many families’ holiday traditions.
Gifts can come in many forms. For people with I/DD, you can give people the gift of your time by visiting someone, sharing a meal at home or a favorite restaurant, joining them for a walk at a park, or enjoying a movie together. The gift of your time is especially meaningful when you recognize the gift of their time.
With time together, everyone’s holidays are made even more beautiful with resonant, purposeful, and joyful connection.
“Really try to be intentional about remembering what the holidays are about and enjoying the people who are important to you — use the holidays as a reason to intentionally do that,” said Dr. Richard Zenn, Chief Medical Officer at Vaya Health. “It doesn’t mean having to give the most expensive gifts. It means enjoying the time together and focusing on the people and the unique aspects of the holidays that are most important to you.”
That said, sometimes people with I/DD may not receive many presents, so a gift or a card can be especially impactful as a token of recognition, relationship, and care. The same can be true for other people, including people with mental health or substance use disorders or with a traumatic brain injury.
People with disabilities — and I/DD specifically — also sometimes have businesses in which they sell products or services that can be given as gifts for the holidays. Such presents can carry special meaning for everyone.
“Most people enjoy gifts with meaning,” Dr. Zenn said. “Gifts that are handmade or made by people and supporting people who can benefit from that are a valuable way of feeling good about gift-giving and gift-receiving. I think it’s a wonderful way of looking at it.”
Purchasing such gifts supports people with I/DD in their businesses and is also a tangible expression of appreciation that they are making a worthwhile contribution to their communities with their work.
Here are people with I/DD who are selling products and services that might brighten someone’s holidays. Some of them are included in Vaya’s Microenterprise Business Directory, in which you can discover even more gift-giving possibilities:
Wire-wrapped jewelry
Andrew “Chase” Burchfield owns Dream Chaser Jewelry. Burchfield, who was diagnosed with autism when he was 2 years old, lives in Robbinsville, Graham County. Burchfield enjoys collecting and tumbling various types of stones, which he incorporates — along with other materials — into his beautiful wire-wrapped jewelry and unique strung beads and charms. Burchfield has a business Facebook page, and his jewelry can also be purchased at several outlets in Asheville and Hendersonville listed in the Microenterprise Business Directory.
Magnets, greeting cards, and bookmarks
Created by artist Jacob Ray, Complicated Music Machine is a band that features four cartoon characters, each with their own distinct personalities, that create country, blues, and Latin music. Together, the band hopes to make music unlike anything the world has ever experienced before. These characters are featured on Ray’s imaginative greeting cards, bookmarks, and magnets. You can learn more about the characters and purchase gifts at the Complicated Music Machine website.
Fleece blankets
Maran Pearce, who lives in Henderson County, creates hand-tied fleece blankets. Pearce, who launched her business Maran Makes It in 2025, especially loves creating blankets with pet-themed designs. Some of her blankets are already made, and she takes custom orders for blankets in a variety of sizes. Email Pearce at maranmakesit@gmail.com for more information and to place an order.
Wood-burned art
Dustin Burgess of Foy Artwork enjoys making art across mediums, and his passion has extended into pyrography — making unique wood-burned artwork and plaques. Burgess said he wants to become a professional artist and, one day, “buy a farm with horses, cows, and pigs and live life as a cowboy.” You can purchase his artwork on the Foy Artwork website or at outlets listed in the Microenterprise Business Directory.
Creative T-shirt designs
From his Asheville home studio in Buncombe County, Adam Ranney creates custom T-shirts at Gray Family Custom Printing that blend creativity and family inspiration. Every design is thoughtfully made to celebrate individuality and connection. Inspired by the entrepreneurial spirit of his grandfather, Don Gray Sr., Ranney crafts each custom design with purpose and heart.
Customized music playlists
Alex Pott, also known as DJ Sparky, can create unique, customized playlists for the holidays or for any special event or gathering. Pott loves music and loves creating playlists for dancing, singing along, and general merriment. Visit the DJ Sparky website to learn about Pott and his Open Heart Arts Center day program, to watch a video in which he talks about his love of music and creating playlists for people, and to contact DJ Sparky about DJ services.
T-shirts with cartoon art
Bo Fisher started drawing and making art as a young child. Fisher now creates a world of joyous cartoon themes in his artwork, and these designs are available for sale on T-shirts, mugs, prints, and much more at the Bo’s Creation Station website.
Two more online shopping destinations involved in supporting people with I/DD
Visit the Open Heart Arts Center shop to purchase fabulous artwork by some of the people the nonprofit program supports. Art sales are split 50-50 between the artist and the center to cover operational costs.
Additionally, check out Friendly Farmette Inc. — a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating more options for recreation, employment, and housing for people with autism in North Carolina — to look at their delightful assortment of two-color and reversible wool and acrylic yarn hats for sale in short, medium, and toboggan lengths.
Finding a unique gift from our microenterprise directory supports small businesses and uplifts the most entrepreneurial members at Vaya. So, this holiday season, why not gift for the greater good? Not only will you brighten your own holiday, but you’ll also make a difference in the lives of small business owners and the ones you love.
