The loss of normalcy is one of the painful side
effects of unemployment
Add to the list of awkward situations: what do you give a friend who is unemployed while you’re still fortunate enough to have a job? Money probably isn’t the answer – chances are you can’t afford enough to make a difference. And if you had a job to offer, the friend probably wouldn’t be unemployed.
The gift has to be small enough so as not to be humiliating, but at the same time be truly helpful. Here is a list of the best gifts to give the unemployed:
What color is your parachute – For many years this book has been the standard resource for every aspect of both job hunting and career planning.
Restaurant gift certificates – Eating out is one of the extras that goes first when one becomes unemployed. A gift certificate to a favorite restaurant can bring back a sense of normalcy at a stressful time. Most supermarkets have racks of these cards (just avoid those whose value decreases over time and encourage the recipient to use them soon). Or check out restaurant.com for discounted certificates and monthly dinner subscriptions.
Tax return software – Unemployment tends to reduce annual income, so bigger than expected tax refunds become possible. Help them get their refund faster with this useful gift.
Movie gift certificate – A night at the movies often vanishes along with those dinners out. Some movie certificates can provide a nice escape (offer to baby-sit if appropriate to make it extra-special). Available at your local theatre and on most theatre chain web sites. Visit your local Costco or costco.com for possible discounted certificates. AMC Theatres lets you create customized photo gift cards.
Netflix or Blockbuster gift certificate - The pay cable or satellite service was probably cut along with nights out at the movies, so this gift can become the heart of a family’s entertainment. Don’t skimp on period here – sign up for fewer videos but make the gift for a whole year. Otherwise the gift will become yet another disappointing loss once the subscription runs out.
The economy lost over 500,000 jobs in November and things are getting worse. Most of us have friends who are unemployed. Being a friend and offering support and encouragement is the most important thing you can do for someone who is unemployed. The kinds of gifts mentioned here can help as well, particularly durng the holiday season. Do your part to spread the word so that we, as a nation, can provide what support we can to those who are suffering difficult times.
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Comments
Great article. I would add the following:
-printer ink and paper for printing resumes and cover letters. (find out what kind they need of course)
-personalized coupons for things like transportation to and from job interviews or child care so the person can actually go to the interviews
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