One question that comes up quite often is the topic of occupational therapy gifts. In this blog post, we’re including some of our favorite occupational therapy gift ideas for new grads, fieldwork instructors, OT mentors, or retiring OT professionals. Let’s dive into the gifting!
Be sure to check out our list of ideas over on Amazon…we have a full page dedicated to gifts for OT providers. (Paid link) As an Amazon Influencer, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Occupational Therapy Gifts
Occupational therapy gifts can be thoughtful gestures for a variety of individuals in the occupational therapy field. whether you are purchasing a gift for a future OT new graduate, or a gift for a Level 2 student who is completing their fieldwork, or a as a way to thank your fieldwork instructor, these gift ideas are great ways to advocate for the profession with an OT gift!
The links in this blog post are Amazon affiliate links.
OT Gifts for New Graduates
Parents, grandparents, siblings, and friends may want to celebrate the accomplishments of new occupational therapy graduates by giving them a meaningful gift that marks the beginning of their career.
It’s a good idea to consider items that the new occupational therapy grad can use in their future.
Some ideas include:
These links are paid links. As an Amazon Influencer, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Commissions earned on each of these links below.
- personalized lab coats
- quality stethoscope
- Quick reference guide
- World’s Best Therapist journal– for keeping track of interesting cases and referencing information
- The Mindful Therapist book
- Laptop bag
- Other therapy bag
- Mental Health posters
- Academic year planner– for those therapy providers working in the school setting
- Letters to a Young Therapist book
- Occupational therapy clipboard
- Occupational therapy zippered pouch— great for adding to your therapy bag
- The OT Toolbox gift cards
- Membership at The OT Toolbox– a gift that lasts a whole year.
Gifts for Experienced Occupational Therapists
Occupational therapy providers who have reached significant milestones in their careers, such as achieving certifications or advancing in their field, may appreciate thoughtful gifts.
Consider gifts such as:
These links below are Amazon affiliate links in which commissions are earned from qualifying purchases.
- Discover the Power of Gratitude Book
- Occupational therapist badge clip
- Experienced occupational therapy coloring book- What OTs Really Want to Say
- inspirational books, or personalized desk accessories.
Gifts for Occupational Therapy Assistants
While occupational therapy assistants would love any of the other gifts listed in this post, there are many gift items out there that are specifically designed for the OTA in your life.
Try some of these:
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Occupational Therapy Gifts for All OT Providers
Then there are the mentors, co-workers, instructors, retiring OTs or OTAs, and occupational therapy advocates that would love an occupational therapy gift.
Some of these ideas are suitable:
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- Occupational Therapy shirts
- Occupational Therapy cups
- Occupational Therapy tote bags
- Occupational Therapy stickers to add to a laptop or water bottle
- Occupational Therapy posters
A variety of OT apparel and cute tote bags that will make any colleague happy that you thought of them and frankly, what OT practitioner can’t use a tote bag for their OT paraphernalia?
Other OT gift ideas
Maybe you don’t want to give them anything related to OT, but just a considerate gift that you have decided to give them to show them how much you appreciate and care for them. Take a look at some of these ideas below:
- Thank-you cards
- framed motivational quotes
- pictures
- heartfelt letter
- gift cards
- donations to a personal cause
- Coffee Gift Card – They can get their morning pick-me-up to boost their day all on you!
- Journal (commissions earned) Check out journals on Amazon and you will find several journal designs that will make the perfect gift for any colleague or friend. They can end their day by journaling and help lessen any feelings of anxiety and set up a peaceful night’s sleep.
- Dinner Gift Card – They can get a meal on you and make it the perfect end to any day!
- Awareness T-Shirt or Socks – Get the OT practitioner in your life that is passionate about a particular group of individuals such as those with Autism or Down Syndrome a t-shirt or socks designed to spread awareness and demonstrate their passion. Take a look at John’s Crazy Socks which has socks for every occasion and is owned and operated by a father and his son who has Down Syndrome. They even offer a sock of the month! These Down Syndrome awareness socks (commissions earned) are fun, too.
- Gas Card – Right now this card can be golden for your OT besties and colleagues! A gas card can support their travel to and from work and maybe support any traveling they do for work. Who knows maybe they can use it to travel on a family trip to get a much-needed break!
- Relaxation or Pamper Gift Box– (commissions earned) Pack a gift box or basket to the brim with as many self-care goodies you can find including bath, spa, and calming items such as a candle, bubble bath, lotion, essential oils, chocolate, face mask, and fuzzy socks. Let your creativity soar here!
- Treat Basket – (commissions earned) Pack a colorful basket full of as many quick treats as you can think of including cookies, candy, gum, chips, snack bars, fruit, water, or energy drinks. These can provide that quick snack when the workday is pure chaos!
- Office Supply Container – Pack an office storage container or organizer with necessary supplies such as post-it notes, paper clips, tape, writing utensils, index cards, Sharpies, scissors, and rubber bands. These are always needed and oftentimes you run out of them when you need them the most!
- Book or Bookstore Gift Card – Do you know the type of books that an OT colleague or bestie likes to read? Simply purchase a book from their favorite author, they’ll have an excuse to take a break. Maybe you don’t know the type of books they like; you can simply purchase a bookstore gift card and they can peruse the books they are interested in and make their own choice.
- Retail Store Gift Card – Simply purchase a retail store or Amazon gift card and your OT bestie can use it however they need or want to…maybe it’s for work or maybe it’s for personal needs. They just use it when they need it and think of you as they do it knowing you cared enough to think of them!
A little OT love to show off just how wonderful the profession of occupational therapy is and share how occupational therapy is changing lives and helping others build the life they really want to live!
Certainly, occupational therapy practitioners do make a difference in the lives of so many children and families everyday. Why not show some appreciation by giving a gift of OT love! Frankly, an OT gift can come in all shapes and sizes and
in many forms…read on below to see exactly how this really can be. Whether you think they need a physical gift, a gift they can use outside of work, or something for their job as an OT practitioner, we’ve covered it all right here.
OT Gift Cards or Certificates
When you work in the field of pediatric and school-based occupational therapy, those resources, products, and continuing education courses are essential in your daily practice. Whether it be for client activities or tools for gaining skills or advancing your practice knowledge and gathering further information on topics of interest, these are all necessary for practice. Also, let’s face it, it can get expensive.
Maybe a membership for Medbridge Continuing Education would make your favorite OT practitioner smile. Use our coupon code, THEOTTOOLBOX to save $150 off this subscription that supports the clinician’s licensure requirements. This is a great gift idea for the therapy provider that’s been in the field for many years AND the OT professional that’s just starting out. There are courses to meet every need.
So, why not purchase a gift card for an OT friend or colleague? There are many OT sites online where you can purchase a gift card for those you want to show appreciation for this OT month and what could make a person happier than that, they get to choose what they want!
The OT Toolbox gift cards are available to use on resources on the website, including membership club. The OT Toolbox is owned and operated by an occupational therapist and offers online tools, resources, activities, and ideas for therapists, teachers, and parents.
If you decide a gift of occupational therapy resources is for your special OT provider, reach out to use about The OT Toolbox membership. You can purchase on the website and let us know via email. We can transfer the membership to the occupational therapy rockstar in your life!
We hope you have found fun or functional gift ideas for that special OT someone in your life that could use a little OT bump this month!
Colleen Beck, OTR/L has been an occupational therapist since 2000, working in school-based, hand therapy, outpatient peds, EI, and SNF. Colleen created The OT Toolbox to inspire therapists, teachers, and parents with easy and fun tools to help children thrive. Read her story about going from an OT making $3/hour (after paying for kids’ childcare) to a full-time OT resource creator for millions of readers. Want to collaborate? Send an email to contact@theottoolbox.com.
