NAMI Holiday Gift Drive 2017 – Suggested Gifts

NAMI will be accepting Holiday gifts for children and adults hospitalized over the holidays in local psychiatric in-patient units and adults in residential facilities. Particular types of gifts are sought - nothing sharp or breakable, no ribbons or strings. Please check below for gift suggestions. Gifts should be new, unwrapped and dropped off at the NAMI office from Dec. 1-19, between 9:00-5:00.

Ways to participate: Bring in a personal donation of items for the drive, have a party and put together themed kits (see below), or organize a mini-drive at your business, organization, or school to gather items for NAMI. If you are outside the metro area, consider partnering with your affiliate and a local residential facility or direct service provider to host a drive of your own.

1) Gifts for children hospitalized over Christmas in inpatient psychiatric wards (ages 6 to 18). Items must be safe (no sharp edges, ribbons, etc) and can include: art materials, puzzles, games, air dry clay, DVDs (G rated), origami paper, bingo, legos, large beads for making jewelry, science and construction kits, hacky sacky, scrapbook supplies, 3D puzzles, cardstock paper, journals (no spiral notebooks).

2) Gifts for adults with mental illnesses hospitalized over the holidays in inpatient psychiatric wards. Items must be safe (nothing sharp, ribbons, etc.) and can include: novels, word puzzle books, find the words puzzle books, crossword puzzles, puzzles, Sudoku, deck of cards, journals, gift cards, magazines.

3) Gifts for adults in residential facilities over the holidays. Items can include toiletries (toothbrush, soap, shampoo, deodorant, lotion, toothpaste, bodywash, dental floss) games, puzzles, DVDs, hand-held games, deck of cards, gift cards, microwave popcorn, calendars, t-shirts, stocking hats, gloves.

Also Themed Kits:

• Art Therapy: watercolor paints, air-dry clay, origami paper, sketch paper/pads, colored pencils, etc. • Fidget Kits: Stretching or bendy toys, mini-kush or splat balls, small bottles of bubbles, mini play dough, tactile toys, etc.• Journaling Supplies: non-spiral journal(s), stationary, and nice pens, etc.• Toiletries: A washcloth (no poufs), body wash, nice soaps, bath items, etc.• Gardening Kits: seed packages, indoor or windowsill herb gardens, etc.• Games: puzzles, board games, Sudoku/Crossword or word-find books, cards/card games, etc.• Healthy living basket: CSA garden shares, cookbooks, Y memberships, workout dvd's, etc.• Relaxation Kit: stress ball, mini zen garden, lavender lotion, spa-type items, etc.