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Put thought into your gifts.

Like any other child, disabled children are sure to be looking forward to receiving gifts this holiday season. By putting a bit of extra thought and effort into your gift-giving, you can make your present even more special. Consider any special interests they have and how you can show your love and support through that lens. Or, for a more minimalistic approach, consider a unique experience as a special gift. Investing in a pediatric hearing screening, for example, can be a great way for young children a head start on tackling hearing loss or other issues before they worsen. You can make a fun trip out of the day, so that it’s not all about your kid’s hearing loss. Take a trip to a favorite location on your way to the audiologist, and even get them a treat like ice-cream on the way back. he hearing screening can be a part of a special day you spend together.

Don’t push them too far.

Thoughtful gift-giving isn’t the only opportunity for you to consider your child’s disability in terms of the holidays. Depending on their needs, be sure to watch your son or daughter throughout the holiday. For many disabled people the sights, sounds, and stress of the holiday season can be overwhelming. Whether it’s a party at school or an event with family or friends, make sure your child isn’t overstepping their limits in the name of festivities. If your child has an appointment with their audiologist or pediatrician in the morning, rescheduling your afternoon gift exchange can give them the time to rest and recuperate. Young children of all abilities benefit from a nap between activities in order to rebuild their endurance from one event to the next.

Let them enjoy themselves.

While it’s important not to push your child too far, that doesn’t mean they should miss out on the opportunity to enjoy the season. Believe it or not, some festive activities might actually help your son or daughter to better handle their disability. The health benefits of ice skating, for example, mean your child can increase their confidence and feel a little extra holiday joy. An infant may not be able to ice skate, but some young children start ice skating as early as just two years of age. Ice skating is a skill they can take into adulthood that will always bring them joy.

Singing Christmas carols can help with language development, while being around family and friends can help boost your child’s social skills and improve their mental health. If you have any concerns about a particular activity being a risk factor in aggravating your child’s condition, consult their pediatrician for suggestions or expertise.

Get advice.

Whether you have years of experience or you’re new to parenting a disabled child, a little advice from fellow parents or disabled adults can go a long way. Resources like trulymama.com can let parents connect with other parents to share stories and tips for making the holidays—or any time of year—a little easier. Not only that, but building connections with other moms and dads can let you feel less lonely, a worthwhile feeling at any time when parenting a child with disabilities.

Give yourself a break.

As you work to make the holidays enjoyable for everyone, remember that “everyone” includes you. Parenting a disabled child is a challenge year-round, but the holidays make it more stressful than ever. Making self-care and other personal time a priority can help you to stay happy and healthy throughout the holiday season—and make you a better parent in the process.

From striking a better balance between ice skating parties and audiologist appointments to turning to fellow parents for thoughtful gift ideas, a bit of effort can reward you and your child with an especially special holiday this year. You can’t wrap the holiday spirit in tissue paper and pass it to your son or daughter, but by taking the time to create special memories and give thoughtful gifts, your child will be smiling all season long.

 

1. Know when to remove your jewelry.

Your jewelry is delicate, no matter what materials it’s made of. It’s important to know when you should remove your jewelry to prevent physical damage. Always remove your jewelry when doing things like gardening, cleaning, exercising, or using a pool or spa to reduce the risk of exposing your jewelry to harsh chemicals or environments. Chemicals and abrasives can cause color changes and structural damage to gemstone jewelry.

 

 

2. Put your jewelry on last.

Be sure to put your jewelry on last when getting ready for the day. Accessorizing after you apply makeup, hair products, perfumes, and any other cosmetics reduces its exposure to chemicals. Think of your gemstone jewelry as the finishing touch for your daily ensemble.

 

Wearing a sparkling diamond ring or other precious gemstones is sure to catch attention. People pay attention to impressive jewelry, especially when it’s worn by noteworthy figures. For example, when healthcare lawyer Howard Fensterman isn’t busy as the managing partner of his law firm, he maintains a blog dedicated to minerals and gemstones. From fun facts about diamonds and the geology behind them to who’s wearing noteworthy gemstone rings, Fensterman balances his passions for healthcare law and minerals in a fun and unique way.

3. Lotion and jewelry don’t mix.

Hand and body lotion is great for keeping your skin soft and hydrated, but it’s not the best for your jewelry. Lotion usually doesn’t harm gemstone jewelry, but it can damage the finish on costume jewelry. You may find that your valuable items need more frequent cleaning due to a build-up of lotion.

 

 

4. Store your pieces separately.

Remove your jewelry before bed and use a soft cloth to wipe away any residue on your pieces. Store your jewelry pieces separately to prevent harder gemstones from scratching softer ones and to prevent necklaces and bracelets from getting tangled. This is especially important for jewelry pieces containing pearls, wood, plastic, precious metals, and some gemstones.

 

5. Not all jewelry can be cleaned the same way.

Your collection of valuable jewelry is likely comprised of a mix of materials. Different types of jewelry have different cleaning procedures depending on the materials in them. You can usually find a stamp somewhere on your jewelry that tells you information about the metal content. Ask for information about the gemstones and materials for any new jewelry you purchase so that you know the correct maintenance care.

 

 

6. Know when to call a professional.

Most of the time you can take care of cleaning and minor repairs at home, but sometimes you need the expertise of a professional jeweler. Loose jewels, scratches, broken clasps on bracelets or chain links on necklaces, and lost parts all require the help of a jeweler.

 

Enjoy donning your expensive items with the peace of mind that you are protected by jewelry coverage. Most homeowners’ insurance policies or renters insurance policies offer personal property coverage, but it’s not always enough for your valuable items. The best way to protect your valuable jewelry is with jewelry insurance from a specialty insurance company.

 

A jewelry insurance policy provides better coverage than a homeowner or renter insurance policy. Jewelry policies cover you for different types of loss such as theft and mysterious disappearance worldwide with no impact on jewelry insurance claims and no deductibles.

 

Whether you need to insure an individual piece such as your engagement ring or wedding ring, or your family heirloom collection, there’s a jewelry insurer and insurance coverage for you.

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Maintain the value of your jewelry with these six tips and keep your gemstone jewelry sparkling for years to come.