Gifts for the unemployed

Have you read about the wonderful gift-giving trend that's been building in U.S. culture over the last few years?

Instead of giving things or even gift cards to each other, people have been donating money or time to charity in the gift recipient's name. The charities benefit, the recipient has less junk to take care of and the giver has a less-harried holiday season.

Even though I like this idea a lot, I'm going to suggest that you revert to giving actual gifts to people on your list who are unemployed or seriously underemployed.

WORKING STRATEGIES

Amy Lindgren

It's not that these recipients wouldn't appreciate the meaning behind a gift to charity. It's just that they probably could really use a hand, and the holidays are a time when you can offer help without hurting someone's dignity too much.

To make the following gifts more fun to open (and more fun to give), think "basket." Wrap smaller items individually and pair them with sweets, packets of gourmet coffee or even mini-bottles of wine, if you don't think that sends the wrong message. Put everything together into a basket or gift bag, and your present will communicate just the right mix of compassion, thoughtfulness and festivity.

Here are some ideas to get you started.

Transportation: Mobility is a serious issue for any job-seeker or underemployed worker. Given the expenses involved, neither owning a car nor using public transportation offers a simple solution. Here are a few transportation-related gifts you can give to make things easier:

• Prepaid certificates for car expenses, such as oil changes or gas
• Handmade certificates offering free rides to interviews
• Public transportation tokens or cards
• Membership in an hourly rent-a-car club
• Quarters for parking meters

Personal appearance: Every job-seeker wants to look his or her best, but sometimes the circumstances behind unemployment work against that goal. Weight gained or lost during this emotionally difficult period can mean the end of a favorite interview outfit; lack of funds quickly cut out the extras, such as manicures or frequent haircuts. Because self-confidence takes a dive when we don't look our best, these gifts will have a double impact:

• Certificates for haircuts, manicures, tailoring, etc.
• Handmade certificates for monthly hair trims or manicures provided by you (if you have these talents)
• A gift card to a department store for a new interview outfit
• For a really big impact (and expense, I'm afraid), help paying for new eyeglasses -- or even dental work to correct an unsightly smile

Clipart.com

Job-search expenses: If you haven't been in the job market lately, it's easy to underestimate the expenses that a job search brings. For those on a tight budget, the impulse is to hold back on spending. This works to a point, but it can backfire when it comes to some of the basics. Here are a few things your job-seeker might appreciate a hand with:

• Certificates or prepaid cards for Internet access or cellphone use
• Prepaid cards to coffee shops, to help him or her host networking meetings
• A stock of good stationery, envelopes and stamps for "snail mail" contacts
• Packets of stamped thank-you notes
• Handmade certificates for future use of your computer to look for job openings
• Certificates for resume help or job-search counseling
• A new laser printer or computer, if you can afford a bigger-ticket item

Personal relief: The stress of a bad job situation can take its toll. Some of the best gifts might have nothing to do with the practicalities of life or a job search:

• Certificates for a massage or dinner out
• Tickets to a movie, concert or sports event
• Membership to a gym
• Home spa gifts, such as a basket of goodies for the bath
• Handmade certificates to baby-sit for an evening

Gifts of friendship: Your gifts to an unemployed or underemployed loved one don't have to cost money or be relegated to the holidays.

Anytime is a good time to bring over a hot dish for dinner, lend out your favorite DVDs for comic relief or offer to proofread cover letters.

Nevertheless, the holidays do add emotional pressure and stress that are easy to underestimate. If you can pick up the phone and call the people you care about this holiday season just to tell them you're thinking about them, your gift of friendship and support will mean more than you might guess.

- Amy Lindgren owns Prototype Career Service, a career consulting firm in St. Paul, Minn. She can be reached at alindgren@prototypecareerservice.com or at 1071 W. Seventh St., St. Paul, MN 55102.