Stress from holiday shopping could be a thing of the past, thanks to home shopping by catalog, phone and the Internet. Why face jostling crowds in shopping malls and endless treks through stadium-sized parking lots when you can select and purchase gift items at your own leisure and in the calm and contentment of your home?

This article serves up a potpourri of special gift ideas, some expensive, some not, some directly targeted at the disability market, some of more general interest. We've decided not to print prices due to the possibility of holiday sales and other factors that might cause prices to change.

Use this article as a starting point for your own shopping research, but remember that Quest magazine hasn't tried or tested the products mentioned in this article and doesn't endorse products, companies or Web sites.

We'll start by spotlighting a number of unique items, and end with a resource list of other places to shop on the Internet. For those who aren't yet online, we've included phone numbers where possible so that you can obtain print catalogs where available.

Before shopping online, you'll obviously need a computer with a high-speed modem and Web browsing software such as Netscape Navigator or Microsoft's Internet Explorer. These days, virtually all new computers are Internet-ready when purchased.

You may also need to ascertain whether your Web browser supports current Internet security standards, so that no one but you and a vendor can view information that's being transmitted such as credit card numbers. Click under "Help" on your browser's menu and then go to "Contents" and then "Security" to check how secure your browser is.

In general, it's safer to shop with companies that have established names with which you're already familiar. If you're not sure of a company's reputation, you can check with the Better Business Bureau or Federal Trade Commission. Print and save a copy of online orders and make note of guarantees about delivery times.

It's standard for many sites to require you to set up a password in order to shop. This seems like a hassle at first but will make things easier when you return to the site.

For better security, try to create a fairly complex password using upper and lower case letters and numbers, and not just your birthday or home phone number. Try not to repeat the same password for different sites. If you do a lot of shopping on the Internet, it'll be hard to remember all your passwords, so you may need to keep a list in a secure place.

Happy shopping, and happy holidays.

WHEELCHAIR ACCESSORIES

Diestco makes a variety of products for people who use wheelchairs, scooters and walkers, including canopies to protect you from inclement weather, lap trays to help you write, cup holders that attach to wheelchairs and scooters, and a variety of backpacks and storage bags to hold important items.

You can buy Diestco products from local authorized medical supplies dealers. Contact Diestco or check the Web site to find a dealer near you.

The WeatherBreaker is a canopy that attaches to wheelchairs or scooters to protect you from the sun and rain.

No more eating or using a laptop on your lap with the MiniTray. Simply attach the MiniTray brackets to your scooter or power chair armrest. When you need it, flip it up from the side. When not in use, flip it back down like an airline tray.

The Large Front Walker Bag attaches to the front of your walker to give you convenient and easily accessible storage. Ideal for newspapers, magazines, spare sweaters, etc.

The zippered top and sides of the Side Access Bag let you get what you need without leaving your seat. It includes a zippered pocket and convenient mesh pocket in back.

Diestco's Cargo Shelf attaches to the frame under your wheelchair seat for toting books, clothes, etc. It has a front zippered pocket for keys, glasses or wallet.

The Large Glove Box attaches under most seats, and is useful for storing valuables and personal items out of sight. Small and large versions are sold separately.

Diestco
P.O. Box 6504
Chico, CA 95927
www.diestco.com
CALL: (800) 795-2392
FAX: (530) 893-3136

ADAPTED CLOTHING

Lokina Designs offers accessories and items of apparel that are colorful, stylish and comfortable. Products include the Liberty Line of apparel designed for wheelchair users, with special features such as extra length at the back of the blouse and shirt, and pants with a raised back for comfort.

Simple yet functional styling complements the Liberty Pants designed for men and women. The full-cut legs, extra long fly with Velcro brand fastener, elastic side waist and flat back provide nonbinding comfort.

Side-angled pockets, belt loops and additional length of 2 inches are featured for the seated position.

Vest Protectors are fashionable and practical for mealtime or eating in the car and help keep clothing clean and neat.

Lokina Designs
14092 Uxbridge St.
Westminster, CA 92683
www.lokina.com
CALL: (888) 434-0927
FAX: (714) 903-1196

EXERCISE

Saratoga Cycles offers exercise machines for people with disabilities that are designed and built by people with disabilities, including the new Spirit series of cycles that facilitate arm and leg exercise.

Saratoga Access & Fitness Inc.
P.O. Box 1427
Fort Collins, CO 80522-1427
www.saratoga-intl.com
CALL: (800) 474-4010

The Ex N' Flex EF-250 Leg Machine is designed for those who have little or no control over lower body movement. It's compact, lightweight and easily movable with specially designed wheels and lockdowns.

The accessible control panel offers easy operation, a biofeedback indicator, forward and reverse directions, and three speed levels for passive or active training. Height is adjustable to allow use from any chair or wheelchair.

Ex N' Flex
Box 6
4983 Del Monte Ave.
Victoria, B.C.
Canada V8Y 3A4
www.exnflex.com
CALL: (888) 298-9922

CHILDREN'S FRAGRANCES

Why should colognes and fragrances be used only by adults? Now children can be introduced to the world of fragrances through these delicate, high-quality My Very Own colognes, which come in easy-to-hold 2.24-ounce bottles, each with its own fun theme that a child can relate to.

This product has been created by a mother of a child with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

My Very Own
18032, Suite C
Lemon Drive
Yorba Linda, CA 92886
CALL: (877) VERY-OWN

BETTER SLEEP

The All Season Comforter from Bonne Nuit comprises two independent wool comforters that snap together for added warmth on cold winter nights and can be unsnapped and used as two single, lighter-weight comforters during fall, spring and summer. Both comforter sections have fine cotton quilted shells and are filled with high-quality Dutch wool.

Bonne Nuit also offers mattress pads and pillows made of 100 percent Dutch wool. They naturally "breathe" and help provide more comfortable sleep.

Bonne Nuit Inc.
P.O. Box 11
92 North Main St.
Windsor, NJ 08561
CALL: (609) 371-4711
FAX: (609) 371-7133

SPECIAL ITEMS

Instead of punching in multiple area codes or credit card numbers, let the new Voice Activated Auto Dialer do it for you. A synthesized voice prompts you for a name to call, asks which number to dial (home, office, mobile or other), then confirms your command as it automatically dials the number by emitting tones into the phone receiver.

Now you can make more calls in less time and never have to bother looking up a number. The voice-guided menu makes it easy to add, delete or modify your entries.

The water-shedding, stain-resistant, Teflon-coated Windefyer umbrella comes with a sheath, a wrist strap and a one-year warranty. It features a double overlapping canopy with mesh lining that funnels winds up to 60 mph and prevents the umbrella from turning inside out. It opens to a 4-foot-8-inch arc; folded, it's 20 1/2 inches long.

Both items are available from:

The Sharper Image
www.sharperimage.com
CALL: (800) 344-4444

GIFTS FROM MDA

Get your order in now for a set of beautiful Holiday Wishes Greeting Cards from the MDA Holiday Art Collection. Each card features a holiday image reproduced from a work of art created by an individual with a neuromuscular disease. Proceeds benefit MDA's programs in research, clinic services and summer camp for children.

Muscular Dystrophy Association
www.mda.org
CALL: (800) 223-6011

PLAYTIME

The JennSwing is a heavy-duty adapted swing, offering full-length body support. Suspended from plated steel chain and made of virtually indestructible polyethylene, the swing supports children weighing up to 125 pounds. Equipment Shop offers other adapted swings, toys, equipment and accessories.

Equipment Shop
P.O. Box 33
Bedford, MA 01730
CALL: (800) 525-7681

OTHER ONLINE SHOPPING RESOURCES

GIFT PORTALS

Internet portals are Web pages that serve as starting points from which to reach a lot of other Web pages. A few good Web portals for gift shopping are:

MSNBC Shopping Portal:
shopping.msn.com

Netscape Shopping Portal:
webcenters.netscape.com/shopping/

Yahoo! Shopping Portal:
shopping.yahoo.com