‘Tis the season for gift giving, and if you find yourself wondering what are the best gifts for diabetes, you’ve come to the right place!
In this article, we’ll cover all of my favorite gift ideas to give your loved ones living with diabetes for any occasion. Plus, I’ve included some diabetes gift basket ideas with these goodies. And, I guarantee some of these gifts for diabetes are going to surprise you!
Gifts for a person with diabetes
There are a lot of different things to consider when thinking about buying anyone a gift… and especially when they’re living with a chronic condition like diabetes. The gifts listed below range from super practical to super fun and frivolous. Consider if the person you’re buying for would even want a gift related to diabetes or food, or something else… I’ve got lots of ideas to share with you! Keep scrolling or jump to a section that interests you most!
- Kitchen gifts
- Baking gifts
- Coffee gifts
- Drinkware gifts
- Food gifts
- Clothes and accessories
- Travel gifts
- Diabetes cookbooks
- Gifts for kids
- Gift basket ideas
- Care package ideas
Diabetes gifts for all occasions
We’re definitely about to enter into prime time gift giving season, but the gifts below can be given anytime of year and for any occasion! So, make sure to come back and reference this list next time you need diabetes gifts for him, diabetes gifts for her, diabetes birthday gifts, house warming gifts, or any other type of gift for diabetes.
What can you give someone with diabetes for Christmas?
Christmas gifts can often revolve around food, but that can be tricky if you don’t know what your friend or family member living with diabetes is comfortable eating. So, we’ve got lots of non-food gift ideas, as well as several food themed gifts and cookbooks featuring some amazing blood sugar friendly treats, snacks, and foods!
Birthday gifts for someone with diabetes
Birthday gifts can be a great time to treat someone to something they maybe wouldn’t buy for themselves. Or, maybe a more personalized gift like some of the options below.
45+ Best gifts for diabetes
These are some of my favorite products, foods, and books to give to people with diabetes for any occasion. Read through this list of gifts for diabetes and then see below for some fun ways to package them up!
Note: Some of the links below are affiliate links. This means I earn a small commission if you choose to purchase a product after clicking the link… at no extra cost to you.
Kitchen gifts for diabetes
1. Egg Cooker
My life changed the day I got an egg cooker. This model comes in a 6 egg or 12 egg size and is such an easy and stress free way to have an easy protein source ready to go for the week ahead.
2. Ninja Kitchen Air Fryer
My favorite air fryer is the Ninja Kitchen Air Fryer. One of the main reasons I love having an air fryer is just how tasty and easy it is to cook veggies in it. Which means, we’re much more likely to eat our veggies! And, you know I’m a big fan of anything that helps people with diabetes eat more veggies!
3. Cuisinart 11-Cup Food Processor
A food processor is a must for anyone looking to make delicious healthy treats and recipes at home! And, this Cuisinart model is the best one on the market in my opinion.
4. Ninja Kitchen Blender
A high powered blender can go a long way in getting the perfect texture for lower sugar and more blood sugar friendly smoothies at home… but, if you don’t like the high end price tag that comes with a Vitamix, this Ninja Kitchen model is amazing for half the price.
5. GE Profile Opal 2.0 Countertop Nugget Ice Maker
Why do I love an ice maker for people with diabetes? It encourages people to stay hydrated… something that is super important for people with diabetes. This GE Profile Nugget Ice Maker is the top of the line ice maker. It is an investment for sure, but is so so cool!
6. Vegetable Slicer and Chopper
This vegetable chopper that went viral on TikTok a few years ago, offers another easy and fun kitchen tool to make preparing veggies way less time consuming and easier. And, again… if it helps you eat more veggies, I’m a fan!
7-8. Extra Large Food Storage Containers and Stasher Bags
Anyone looking to prepare more food at home or bake lower sugar treats at home will love these larger food storage containers and silicone bags to help keep everything from flours to beans to nuts fresher longer.
9. Cusinart Ice Cream Maker
A family member gave me this ice cream maker for my birthday a couple years ago, and I’m honestly wondering how I lived without it all this time! We have such a blast using this ice cream maker in the summer. Not only is it fun, but it also allows you to make some of the most delicious low sugar ice cream creations! And, it’s under $90!
10. Greater Goods Food and Nutrition Scale
I have had this Greater Goods food scale for almost 5 years now and it has helped make my carb counting a lot more accurate… especially for those high stakes foods or foods that don’t come with a nutrition label. I love the automatic nutrition label that it provides. And, it comes with both a paper booklet and a free app for your smartphone to look up food codes.
11. Caraway Enamel Pots and Pans Set
Caraway pots and pans are non-toxic, ceramic-coated cookware designed to be free of harmful chemicals like PTFE, PFOA, and heavy metals. They’re known for their nonstick performance, modern aesthetic, and eco-friendly packaging, making them a stylish and safe option for everyday cooking.
I was gifted a set earlier this year and have loved them! These are a pricey gift option, but if you’re looking to help someone with diabetes get set up with some new pots and pans for more at home cooking, I highly recommend these. You can use code MARYELLEN10 for 10% off any purchase.
Baking gifts for diabetes
12. Wilton non-stick donut pan
One of my favorite blood sugar friendly recipes I’ve ever created was for healthy homemade cinnamon sugar donuts, but not all donut pans are created equal. The center well in the Wilton pan is high enough so that making healthier donuts at home is actually possible!
13. Silicone muffin pan
And, muffins are such an easy and fun breakfast or dessert to make a low sugar version of at home. This silicone muffin pan from Target is the best I’ve found with hard edges and pliable wells so you don’t have to worry about using liners or greasing the pan. And, you can just throw it right in the dishwasher!
14-16. Baking pans, cookie scoops, and citrus zester
Being equipped with the right tools in the kitchen is half the battle of feeling confident in your ability to prepare delicious food while living with diabetes. Some of my favorite less expensive tools include: quality baking pans, cookie scoops, and a citrus zester.
17. Truvia Sweet Complete
Truvia Sweet Complete is my favorite no-sugar all purpose sweetener. If you’re looking to help stock the pantry of a loved one with diabetes, this is a must!
18. Popsicle molds
And, even though it’s technically not baking, making lower sugar popsicles at home is so simple with these fun molds! Low sugar popsicles make a delicious fun summer-time treat.
Coffee gifts for diabetes
19. Handheld stick milk frother
Flavored and sweetened coffee drinks from your local coffee shop are not only expensive, but also loaded with sugar typically. A stick frother makes making lower sugar lattes and other fun coffee shop drinks at home super easy.
20. RTIC/Yeti style coffee mug
And, everyone needs a good coffee mug to keep their low sugar drink nice and hot for longer.
21. Ninja hot & cold brew system
But, probably my favorite gift in this bunch is the Ninja Hot & Cold Brew System. I’ve had mine for 6+ years and it’s still going strong. You can make pretty much any coffee drink imaginable without the high price tag of an espresso machine.
And don’t forget to send them some of my favorite low sugar coffee reicpes:
- Homemade Apple Crisp Macchiato (Starbucks Copycat)
- Low Carb Healthy Pumpkin Spice Latte
- Low Sugar Caramel Brûlée Latte
Drinkware gifts for diabetes
22. Simple Modern insulated 24oz tumbler
Staying hydrated while living with diabetes is essential, but who says it has to be boring? Grab your loved one with diabetes one of my favorite tumblers in a fun color or pattern.
23. Owala 32oz water bottle
My preteens have informed me this is THE water bottle of the season! I love the larger size and the fact that it allows you to sip both with or without a straw.
24. Silicone ice cube trays
Water can get pretty boring, so I love using these silicone ice cube trays to freeze frozen fruit and add them to my water. Again, this helps make staying hydrated more fun! And, it’s a nice way to add some flavor when you’re bored with just plain water.
25. Crystal clear ice cube maker
If you want an inexpensive way to make fun large clear ice cubes for your favorite low sugar mocktails, this at home maker makes super clear ice cubes… and it’s a fraction of the price of more expensive ice cube makers.
26. Fun stainless steel straws
And, because I refuse to use soggy paper straws, these stainless steel straws are the best!
27-28. Fun drink glasses and low sugar drink mixes
Believe it or not, the occasional cocktail is not necessarily off limits for people with diabetes, so gift your favorite person with diabetes some fun glasses and some low sugar drink mixes! (And then send them here to learn about how to enjoy alcohol safely if they choose to, while living with diabetes.)
Food gifts for people with diabetes
29-30. Low sugar chocolate
If your friend or loved one with diabetes is a chocolate lover, I highly recommend the JoJo’s dark chocolate peppermint pretzel bites and Lily’s Chocolate Bars this time of year!
31. Mini honey pouches
Or, these mini honey pouches are perfect for treating low blood sugars on the go!
Clothes and accessories for people with diabetes
Who says diabetes gear can’t be fashionable?? Or, that you have to buy accessories specifically for diabetes? The products below are a combination of accessories made specifically for people with diabetes and items I’ve found over the years that just so happen to unintentionally work perfectly for living with diabetes!
32. Freshly Picked Park Pack belt bag
I personally have this belt bag and use it anytime I’m on the go and need to have my hands free throughout the day. It’s technically a small diaper bag so it’s lined with water resistant fabric and has a ton of space and pockets… perfect for carrying insulin, low blood sugar supplies and more.
33. Medical alert bracelet
Everyone with diabetes should wear some form of a medical alert tag. So, why not make it fashionable? American Medical ID makes some great options and you can use code MILKNHONEY for 10% off.
34. Apple Watch SE 2nd generation
In 2024, Dexcom announced a new feature for G7 users. Their new direct to watch feature means you don’t need to carry your phone around anymore to see your blood sugars on your watch. This feature is available between Dexcom G7 and a variety of apple watch models. The SE (2nd generation) model is the least expensive model this feature is available on.
35. Senita athletic wear
And finally, Senita is an athletic wear company founded by a woman living with type 1 diabetes who understands the need for pockets in workout gear! Everything form sports bras, to tops, to leggings has all the pockets needed for diabetes gear. And, not to mention the designs are so fun!
36. Omnilux LED red light mask
I was gifted this exact red light mask earlier this year for my birthday and to say I’m obsessed as an understatement! I love the way it makes my skin look and feel, but there’s also recent research showing that red light therapy may actually help people with diabetes. Recent research has shown that in some populations various forms of red light therapy may help people with diabetes with the following:
- Reducing diabetic neuropathy pain
- Quicker healing from diabetic foot ulcers
- Reduced blood glucose levels in people with type 2 diabetes
Travel gifts for diabetes
37 & 38. Bagsmart travel toiletry and diabetes supply bags
Did you know that in the US, you’re allowed an extra carry-on bag when flying on a commercial airline for medical supplies? While not intended specifically for people with diabetes, this Bagsmart toiletry bag and this travel toiletry bag can fit so much stuff… including all the diabetes supplies needed for a trip!
Both bags have all the features you’d want to see in a medical travel bag…
- Large tall pockets
- A waterproof, insulated compartment for insulin
- Compact design
I personally have fit up to 2 weeks worth of supplies (plus back ups) in both of these bags! AND, they both come in so many different cute colors!
39. Frio insulin cooling pouch
If your friend or loved one is on insulin or a GLP-1 and has to protect their medication from getting too warm, these insulin cooling cases don’t require an ice pack and work so well at keeping insulin temperature stable.
40. Frio lifestyle medication cooling pouch
Yes, this is the same brand and style product as the insulin cooling pouches listed above, but this lifestyle line is specifically made to look like a makeup bag or any other cosmetic bag, and it has a zipper closure instead of velcro.
41. Anker MagGo Power Bank
I’ve had this Anker power bank for a few years now, and I lost count of how many times it’s saved me. If someone with diabetes is wearing a medical device that they operate from their phone, keeping their phone charged on-the-go is a must! This one is small, lightweight, and perfect for throwing in your purse or pocket.
Diabetes cookbooks
42 & 43. My cookbooks
Now, obviously I’ve got a bit of a vested interest in promoting my cookbooks, but gifting them as a set to your favorite person living with diabetes would make such a great gift!
44. Milk & Honey Nutrition Meal Plan Subscription
Want to help your loved ones with diabetes in the kitchen even more? Take the stress out of meal planning and give them a Milk & Honey Nutrition meal plan subscription this year! Milk & Honey Nutrition meal plans are designed to help people living with diabetes (or anyone who pays attention to their blood sugar for another reason):
- Plan healthy meals
- Hit their fiber goals
- Eat enough protein
- Reduce stress in the kitchen
Meals plan subscriptions are available for a full day (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner/Snacks) or Dinner-only, and can be purchased as a yearly or monthly subscription. Each week, subscribers receive a new meal plan that they can customize to their own unique needs and an automatically generated grocery list which can also be customized. All active subscribers also get direct access to our customer support team.
Diabetes gifts for kids
Kids living with diabetes often need a lot of extra stuff to carry their supplies or keep diabetes devices close to them, but there are so many ways to make these things fun and exciting and less medical feeling!
45. SPIbelts
SPIbelts are perfect for small kids who are too young to know to carry a CGM or pump receiver around with them. They come in some super fun colors and designs.
46 & 47. CGM and insulin pump tapes
Both Skingrip and Expression Med offer some fun overpatch tapes for CGMs and insulin pump sites.
48. Type One Together custom stuffed animals
Probably my favorite of all of these is the custom stuffed animals from Type One Together. You pick your animal and the devices it wears and they custom make a stuffed animal for you or your child! I got my nephew a dinosaur who wears a Dexcom and Omnipod just like he does last year for Christmas and he loved it!
Diabetes gift basket ideas
Now that we’ve gone through my list of top individual gifts, here’s some fun ways to combine them into themed diabetes gift baskets!
1. Blood sugar friendly coffee basket
Pair a few bags of your favorite coffee with a hand held stick milk frother and an RTIC/Yeti style coffee mug. And, you can even add in your favorite no-sugar sweetener like stevia or monk fruit.
2. Baking for diabetes basket
Put together a fun baking basket with all the supplies needed to make blood sugar friendly treats at home!
- Almond flour
- Oats
- Truvia Sweet Complete for Baking
- The Easy Diabetes Desserts Cookbook
- Cuisinart 11-cup food processor
- Wilton non-stick donut pan or a Silicone muffin pan
- Aluminized steel half sheet pan baking pans
- Cookie scoops
- Citrus zester
3. Low sugar margarita basket
Making low sugar cocktails or mocktails can be a fun night in at home! And, make sure to use my go-to low sugar margarita recipe!
- Fun stainless steel straws
- Fun drink glasses
- Skinny Mixes drink mixes
- Lemon and lime juice
- Artisanal salt
Diabetes care package ideas
While the gift baskets above are more fun oriented, there’s also occasions for more practical care packages like these ideas.
1. Low blood sugar supply box
A low blood sugar supply box is a great thoughtful and practical gift for someone who’s just been diagnosed with diabetes. Grab an inexpensive basket from your local dollar store and fill it with some low blood sugar treatment options.
2. Travel with diabetes kit
Traveling with diabetes is an adventure in and of itself. Fill this travel pouch for diabetes supplies with any of the following:
- Frio insulin cooling case
- Alcohol wipes
- Low blood sugar supplies
- Snacks
- Expression Med tapes
- And more!
3. Care package for a child just diagnosed with type 1 diabetes
Children who’ve just been diagnosed and their parents often need all the help they can get. And while you may not be equipped to help with day-to-day management, you can certainly send a care package to bring a smile to their faces. Try combining the following into a fun basket.
- SPIbelt diabetes belt bag
- Skin grip or Expression med CGM and pump tapes
- Custom stuffed animals from Type One Together
- Low blood sugar supplies
4. Blood sugar friendly snacks
And finally, one of my favorite ideas for gifts for diabetes is to combine a bunch of blood sugar friendly snacks into one basket. This allows your loved one to sample an assortment of fun and tasty snacks and decide what they like best! Use this blog post with 60+ options for ideas!
Beyond gifts for diabetes
If you’re looking to learn more about supporting your loved ones that are living with diabetes, check out these other resources as well:
- Supporting Someone with Diabetes: What to say and what not to say
- Diabetes Burnout and Distress: Signs, Causes, and How to Regain Control
- Diabetes and Mental Health: Overcoming the Emotional Challenges of Chronic Illness
This article has been updated since it’s original publish date in October 2022.
