Top Ten Gift Ideas for the Extremely Poor Person

Just because one is poor and has nothing, does not necessarily mean they'll just be happy to have anything. Of course they'll be gracious and polite and likely never complain, as they display their new 10-pound crystal statue of Santa on their make-shift coffee table surrounded by torn, mismatching furniture.

But if you really want to bless the person in your life who doesn't have much with a gift they will really appreciate, you'll need to think in more practical terms. You'll want to consider all the things they would like to buy themselves, but are never able to.

10. Clothes
It's quite possible that this person has not bought new clothes for some time. And they may not even have the option of buying a winter coat. It's something they would love to do, but like many other things, clothing has fallen into the "luxury" category along with car insurance and good laundry detergent.

9. A meal at a restaurant
Especially one you can sit down in, that has a wait staff. This is almost never an option, and would be a huge treat. If it's a single person, maybe take them out. If it's a couple, send them out for a date, and throw in some babysitting.

8. Dishes or cookware
This also falls into the luxury category for the ridiculously poor. They may have only one piece of a given pot or pan, and probably not a very good version of it. Things like silverware and glasses that need to be replaced usually have to wait - indefinitely.

7. Subscription to a favorite magazine
Buy a year's subscription to something this person really enjoys reading, but would never subscribe to on their own. I know I really like Reader's Digest, but I'm fortunate enough to get each issue after someone else who subscribes is done with it. This is a gift they'll appreciate and think about every time they see it in the mail.

6. Simple appliances you take for granted
Things like toasters and coffeemakers are not big expenses for the average household in need of them. But for the below-average household, even simple standard versions of these must be placed on the back burner - again, indefinitely - in the wake of other, more pressing needs. If this is the case, you can solve that problem without much cost to yourself.

5. Bedding
This is another common household element most take for granted. Those less fortunate must rely on hand-me-down sheets for their beds. They probably have, at best, one comforter that goes with nothing and has tears and strings coming out of it. Or maybe that's just me. Granted, women care more about bedding than men do, but they care about it a lot. It's something they long to have looking pretty in their bedrooms. While on the subject of things women care about more than men do, let's look at number four...

4. Picture frames and candles
Again, here are more simple things that are luxuries. It doesn't cost much to acquire pictures of loved ones, but it does to frame them. And framed pictures sure are a nice way to decorate a room. Big collage frames are good for taking care of multiple pictures at once.
Candles are something many women love for some reason. They are pretty, they smell good, and they make a room look and feel nice. But there is absolutely no room in the too-tight budget for a $7 smell-goody candle in a jar.

3. Groceries
Since the holidays put people in a giving mood, give the gift of groceries to a needy family. Second only to rent/mortgage, groceries eat a significant portion of a family's income. And they aren't something that can be done without. If you know a family who is hurting financially, surprise them with the wonderful gift of lightening this burden. Even if they're too proud to ask for help, they will still feel blessed.

2. A one-time maid service
It's not saying to someone, "whoa, your house needs some cleaning!" This is simply a treat that we've all wanted at one time or another, and sometimes really needed. Whether it's preparing for a special occasion where there'll be a lot of guests, or circumstances that have caused the housework to become overwhelming, this is a service that can help anyone. Only not everyone can afford it.

1. Cell Phone
Although it's rare to be this poor, some are so poor that they can't even own a cell phone. There are plenty of good pay-as-you-go service plans out there that are great for people who can't afford the costly contract plans. So just providing them with a phone will give them the start they need to join the mobile world.

Poor people are fun to shop for, as they truly appreciate simple things.