Amy Lindgren

It has to be one of the bigger conundrums of the holiday season: How to handle gift-giving for friends and loved ones who are looking for work.

On the one hand, you don’t want to ignore what could currently be the most pressing issue in someone’s life while you hand over a frivolous tchotchke. But neither do you want to create a ponderous tsk-tsk session with gifts focused on their current employment issues.

Navigating these waters will depend largely on your relationship and your gift-giving traditions. Of course it’s fine not to exchange gifts at all, especially if you usually don’t with this person. In that case, a warm note or holiday card might be just enough to convey your ongoing support. Since the holidays are often difficult for job seekers, this would be a nice touch in any case.

If gift-giving is on your mind, the following points might trigger some ideas. They’re arranged in categories calibrated toward the needs of job seekers, but most could be a handy present for others on your list as well.

Career-oriented gifts

These are selections that could help your job seeker or careerist with the processes of finding employment or improving a work situation.

• Professional association dues, to provide contacts in their field

• Membership in a co-working space

• Subscription to Coursera or another online training platform

• Digital subscription to their newspaper, to keep them up to speed on local employers

• An upgrade to LinkedIn’s premium level, making networking a little easier

• Gift certificate for career counseling or résumé services

• A nice portfolio notepad to use at interviews

Services or practical gifts

• Un- or under-employment often means money is tight. These gifts can feel practical and loving at the same time.

• Gift certificates for personal services, such as haircuts or manicures

• Meal kits or meal delivery, to relieve the stress of a busy day

• Gift card for a favorite or high-end grocery store, to provide a treat

• Transit card or gas card to help with transportation

• AAA membership, to alleviate the worry of driving an older car

Gifts of fun or self-care

This list that could go on for pages. There are so many options available, you just need to consider your recipient’s favorite activities, or things you’d like to do together.

• Movie or theater passes

• Tickets to sports games or concerts

• State park passes

• Pickleball court time

• Pre-paid greens fees for golf

• Gift certificate for an escape room or other group experience

• Certificate for community education classes such as cooking or woodworking

• Pre-paid yoga sessions

• Frequent flier miles to be used for a fun trip

• Certificate for massage or other pampering services

Long-lasting gifts

If you’re looking for a gift that gives all year or longer, these might fit the bill.

• Gym or spa membership

• Podcast playlist you create with favorites you want to share

• Gift of the month club for … cheese, puzzles, craft kits … almost anything

• Subscription to a favorite magazine, print or digital

• Membership to a local museum

Gifts of time

Do you live near the person you’re gifting? These presents can be personal, practical and sometimes essential, all at once.

• Help practicing or role-playing for interviews

• Certificates for time spent together on walks

• Assistance with babysitting or elder care

• Certificates for home-cooked meals

• Help with pet-sitting or plant-watering

Personal encouragement gifts

We never know what someone else is going through, even when they seem to be handling things well. A gift that demonstrates that you care could be the best one someone receives this year. These are just a few that fit that category.

• A framed photo of good times together

• A book of encouraging quotes or inspiring stories

• A good luck charm or inscribed jewelry

• Your personal holiday card or letter expressing love and support

That gives you a good start; the rest is up to you. In the meantime, thanks to you this year as always for the gift of time and attention and sometimes correspondence that you give me every week when you read this column. I hope you have a wonderful holiday season.

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Amy Lindgren owns a career consulting firm in St. Paul. She can be reached at alindgren@prototypecareerservice.com.