Everyone loves receiving a thoughtful Christmas present.
This year many people find themselves without a job. Offering to help by giving referrals, and introducing them to employers or hiring managers is an excellent idea. But come Christmas morning, it’s really nice to have a few presents to open under the tree. Here are 29 useful, practical, and needed gifts suggestions for anyone on your list that is job hunting.
Cell Phone Carrier (Verizon, T-Mobil) Gift Card – check to know who they use before you make the purchase.
Bag of Groceries – include favorite foods, holiday treats, a Turkey, Spiral Ham, desserts, fresh produce premixed salads, etc. When in doubt, give a grocery store gift card.
Basket of Household Supplies – the most popular items consumers buy now are: soap, toilet paper, laundry detergent, paper towels, dishwashing detergent, disinfectant wipes and sprays, trash bags, sponges, and tissues.
Job Interviewing Book - 60 Seconds &You’re Hired
Career Book — Switchers: How Smart Professionals Change Careers — and Seize Success
Book – Tiny Habits: The Small Changes That Change Everything
Grooming Basket – shampoo, conditioner, body soap, cologne/perfume, facial products
Manicure and Pedicure — universally loved by most women and often one of the first things they stop doing when not working. It’s a great pick-me-up.
Haircut - call ahead and arrange to pay at their favorite salon. If you feel especially generous, add in hair coloring if they normally use that service.
Massage — job hunting is stressful, and this experience is relaxing.
Resume Writing Professional Help – Expensive but can be enormously helpful. Beware of scams. Read this Forbes article before purchasing resume writing services How to Hire A Resume Writer and Not Get Duped
Annual Subscription for their Professional Association – check to see if there are both local chapters as well as the state or national associations.
Exercise Equipment – Inexpensive but my personal trainer’s favorite. Fit Simplify Resistance Loop Exercise Bands with Instruction Guide and Carry Bag, Set of 5
Virtual Exercise Class – usually a monthly subscription or flat year rate.
Coupons for FREE babysitting – make your own and add in the details on how they can use them.
Collared Shirt for Men; Sweater or Professional Blouse for Ladies —working from home means wearing nice tops or collared shirts for all the Zoom or client meetings. Solid colors look best on the computer screen.
Inspiration Pop-Open Cards by Compendium. My personal favorite. It’s helpful to start your day off right by opening one of these motivating cards.
Standing Desk with spacious workspace - consider: FITUEYES Height Adjustable Standing Desk Converter 36” Wide Sit to Stand Up Desk Tabletop Workstation with Wide Keyboard Tray
Chair – A comfortable business work chair is essential, and it’ll continue to be used with most people working from home in 2021. Go to a store and SIT in the Chair – try Costco, Office Depot, Staples.
Craft Project, Model Building, or Game - everyone needs a fun distraction.
Flowers or Live Plant – something green to brighten up their space.
Grammarly Premium – applying for jobs means writing cover letters and resumes that are professional and have no mistakes. This software corrects grammar and spelling making it a terrific helper.
UV Phone Sterilizer, highly rated at a reasonable price.
Journal – writing can be very therapeutic.
A Pet including three months of pet food– Try the Humane Society to adopt a dog or cat.
Coffee or Tea basket — You might add a box of cookies too.
Music Subscription – Spotify or Pandora without Ads.
Gift Card – Amazon, Clothing Stores, Restaurants, UberEats, Barnes & Noble
Entertainment Subscription – Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, Apple TV or Disney+
