With Black Friday fast approaching, shopping is a hot topic of conversation — and anxiety. Finding the perfect gifts while respecting your budget can be challenging enough. But when someone on your list is a job seeker, there’s even more to consider.
Should you give gifts that acknowledge the unemployment? Do that and you risk seeming like a nag or buttinsky. But ignore the unemployment and you might look disinterested or coldhearted.
And then there’s the option to discontinue gifts altogether, out of empathy for the job seeker who can’t afford to reciprocate. But doesn’t that just make the job seeker feel worse? It’s like saying, “We know you can’t afford gifts, so we’ll give up our traditions until you can.” A better alternative might be to declare this the year of homemade gifts or gifts of service, rather than just canceling the gift exchange altogether.
Of course, cash or its plastic counterpart is always a safe bet. But how much fun can it be to unwrap an envelope? That was a trick question. If there’s enough money in the envelope, it can be loads of fun. Here’s a tip: If you go this route, you can make a little feel like more by wrapping it around a top-grade chocolate bar.
In the end, one of your best tools is likely to be perspective. Every family will have its own challenges and solutions, and this is only one year out of many. Opportunities abound to make your celebrations memorable regardless of the gift-giving puzzle.
That said, if you have job seekers on your list this year, you might benefit from ideas from the front lines of job search. The following lists encompass gifts that would be appreciated by most of the job seekers I meet on a daily basis.
GIFTS TO HELP WITH JOB SEARCH
Technology items
- Flash drives, device chargers, ear buds, phone headsets
- Tablet computer, smartphone, GPS for the car
- Toner cartridges, printer, scanner
Technology know-how
- Setting up a simple website for your job seeker to showcase work samples
- Taking a good photo for the job seeker to use on LinkedIn
- Practicing video interviews on Skype, or helping to set up the process
Non-technology items
- Notebooks, index cards and other office supplies
- Leather portfolio and premium pen set for interviews
- Handsome pocket calendar to record meeting dates
- A packet of stamped thank-you notes to send after interviews
Non-technology know-how
- Advice / shopping help to pick out an interview outfit
- Watching the kids during interviews
- Proofreading or writing resumes and employment letters
GIFTS TO HELP FORGET ABOUT JOB SEARCH
Gift items
- Word games and puzzles
- Inspirational book or journal
- Bath kit to create a home spa experience
- Cooking kit (ingredients and recipe)
Gift experiences
- Dinner out
- Movie night
- Recreation activities such as bowling or golfing
- Gym membership
GIFT CERTIFICATES
- Salon services such as haircuts or manicures
- Dry cleaning or tailoring
- Cellphone minutes or long-distance calling cards
- Book downloads or iTunes credits
- Transit or gas cards, or certificates for hourly car services
- Coffee shop debit cards
- Certificates for resume help or job search counseling
- Homemade certificates for your time or expertise
Still searching for ideas? To make any of the above gifts more fun, think “basket.” Wrap smaller items individually or with sweets or gourmet treats, then put everything together in a basket or gift bag.
Really, you can’t go wrong as long as you communicate the core message of caring and thoughtfulness. For most people, the real gift is knowing they’re valued and remembered by others.
