Store shelves are stocked with festive decorations! This includes an endless supply of holiday ornaments intended to spruce up Christmas trees. The word ‘ornament’ is defined as “an accessory, article or detail used to beautify the appearance of something to which it is added.” Those that celebrate Christmas sometimes choose to adorn trees in a specific fashion – like color schemes (i.e. winter white), personal interests or other passions. Within the disability community and beyond, advocating for disability awareness and inclusion is a beautiful sentiment indeed!
Here are 15 Christmas ornaments supporting disability awareness and inclusion.
1. ALS Awareness Ornament
This glass ornament is filled with blue and white colored paper shreds, and topped with a silver sparkle bow and ALS awareness ribbon charm. Made by Merry for Cause, this family-run company originally focused on cancer awareness in honor of their daughter. Now, in addition to cancer awareness items, ALS is among many other disability causes available through their product designs. Available on Etsy.
2. ASL Reindeer Ornament
This circular bulb features a cute reindeer face with a red nose reminiscent, of course, of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. The white antlers are hands signing “I love you” in American Sign Language (ASL). This ornament has customization options to add a date/year and additional ASL wording. Available on Etsy.
3. Braille Christmas Tree Ornament
Custom-made by Candice Coatney, owner of CoatneyCreations on Etsy, this inclusive holiday decoration says “Merry Christmas” in both the English language and in braille. It also features a traditional red and black checkered pattern (known as buffalo plaid), a vintage red truck with a Christmas tree in the back, and a red string for easy hanging. Available on Etsy.
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4. Celiac Disease Ornament
This hand-blown glass bulb is filled with shiny green glitter and topped with a sheer black bow. The design features lines eliminating ingredients known to be harmful to those living with Celiac Disease: wheat, barley and rye. A green ribbon, in alignment with Celiac Disease awareness, rounds out this festive piece. Available on Etsy.
5. Epilepsy Awareness Ornament
This unique, handmade design is intended to support epilepsy awareness in a truly beautiful way. It is comprised of natural amethyst beads, a silver heart charm, a purple ribbon charm and a swirly silver hook for hanging. Available on Etsy.
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6. Family Christmas Ornaments
There is something extra special about personalized gifts! This ornament can be customized to feature people with different physical attributes. Plus, there is a wheelchair user option. The design features family members positioned in front of a cozy fireplace with Christmas stockings hung. Available on Etsy.
7. Healing Light Angel
The Healing Light Angel, one of Hallmark’s 2022 Keepsake Ornaments, is intended to aid in the fight against breast cancer. For every one of these ornaments sold, Hallmark donates $2 to Susan G. Komen. The angel features pink wings, a pink ribbon and a pretty dress design etched with the words Beauty, Strength and Courage. Available on Amazon.
8. Heart Disease Support Message
If your heartstrings are pulled by the heart disease hurdles of a loved one, this supportive Christmas ornament is the perfect gift. The “Go Red” messaging doesn’t exactly align with the standard red and green hues; rather, Go Red for Women is the American Heart Association’s longstanding imitative aimed at increasing women’s heart health awareness. Available on Amazon.
9. Heart of Down Syndrome Awareness Ornament
Move over red and green… blue and yellow have arrived to bring some Christmas cheer. The combination of blue and yellow represents Down syndrome awareness. This round ornament displays a delicate pattern of hearts, artistically pairing a blue half and yellow half together. It comes with a shiny gold ribbon for hanging. Available on Amazon.
10. Infinity Rainbow Ornament
Various symbols have been associated with awareness of autism spectrum disorder, such as the color blue, puzzle pieces and a butterfly. Created with the help of neurodiverse advocates, the infinity rainbow was introduced in 2005 for Autistic Pride Day. The infinity rainbow symbolizes “diversity with infinite variations and infinite possibilities.” Available on Amazon.
11. Purple Cactus Benefiting Alzheimer’s Awareness
Brush Strokes Pottery specializes in handpainted, colorful ceramic pieces. The artist has several cactus designs, including a vintage-style ceramic Christmas cactus. She offers several items in purple, the color associated with Alzheimer’s disease, in honor of her mother who battled Alzheimer’s disease. The Purple Mini Ceramic Cactus Ornament is adorable but, to go even bigger, opt for the Lighted Ceramic Christmas Cactus as a portion of its proceeds benefits The Alzheimer’s Association. Available via Etsy.
12. Seasonal Spoon
People who live with chronic pain, such as fibromyalgia, lupus, migraines and rheumatoid arthritis, may connect with the spoon theory, an analogy about self-pacing energy. Some people with anxiety and depression also consider themselves to be “Spoonies.” This delish ornament is a flattened silver spoon featuring the text “I love you more 2023” and hearts. Available on Amazon.
13. Silver Multiple Sclerosis Ornament
In addition to cause-themed jewelry, the Inspired Silver brand crafts various Christmas ornaments supporting disabilities. This one is made of brass, topped with a sterling silver finish and embellished with cubic zirconia. The center charm features an orange ribbon in honor of multiple sclerosis awareness. Available on Amazon.
14. Willow Tree Angel of Friendship Ornament
This hand-painted resin ornament features Willow Tree’s famous angel figurine, dressed in a cream dress and wire wings, and hugging a small brown dog. Topped with a brown elastic cord for hanging, this Christmas decoration is a sweet choice for people who have a companion animal or service dog. Available on Amazon.
15. Fabric Ribbon for Cerebral Palsy
If you worry about breaking fragile glass ornaments, know that this green and white ball is a safer bet. It’s handmade using fabric ribbon and topped with a green bow in support of cerebral palsy awareness. Available on Etsy.
