The holidays can be wonderful, but the many activities surrounding this time of year can present some unique challenges for persons with low vision. Fortunately, by utilizing a few basic adaptive strategies and aids, anyone with low vision can enjoy all the opportunities this special season has to offer! If you or someone you know has low vision, this Top Ten Tips and Tricks from SeniorJournal.com and the Hadley School for the Blind will assist you in making the holidays fun and accessible:

1. If sending holiday greeting cards is one of your traditions, using a writing guide or template and a flair tipped pen can keep this activity easy and enjoyable.
2. Why not transfer a holiday contact list in an old address book to a new, large print version? This can be a terrific activity for a helpful grandchild.1)   If sending holiday greeting cards is one of your traditions, using a writing guide or template and a flair tipped pen can keep this activity easy and enjoyable.
3. Cooking is a time-honored pastime. If favorite recipes are becoming difficult to read, consider re-typing them in large, bold font and preserving them in a large print recipe book. You might also consider sliding each page into a plastic sleeve that can be wiped clean of spills. What a perfect gift for a friend or relative with low vision!
4. Speaking of cooking, when preparing a holiday meal, keep all pot handles turned toward the side of the stove. This will keep them out of the way and prevent unnecessary spills.
5. Lighting your home for the holidays is a fun and important part of the season.  Make sure all extension cords are safely out of the way of foot traffic to prevent accidents.
6. When visiting friends and family, why not bring along a flashlight to illuminate dark walkways and entryways?
7. If company visits, ask them to remember to close cabinets, not to leave doors ajar, and to respect home organization.
8. Holiday shopping is a pleasure, but reading small labels on merchandise can be difficult. Bringing along a handheld magnifier can make the experience easier.
9. Going out to eat with friends is fun. Organizing your cash beforehand can reduce confusion when paying your bill. Keep denominations in separate compartments of your wallet or have a system or folding bills for identification.
10. Finally, we all know how busy schedules are this time of year.  A large print calendar and a low vision or talking watch will keep you up to speed on all the activities!

Using these tips can make for a very happy holiday and a safe and wonderful New Year!