What do the unemployed in the Bay Area want for Christmas this year? A job, of course, and help with their job search. After that, the hip and savvy guide for the under- and over-employed, "Time Off! The Unemployed Guide to San Francisco" tops the list, according to several retailers.
“The book has been enormously popular as a gift item,” says Cory Villano, owner of the creative gift store Wishbone, located in the Sunset district in San Francisco. “In fact it’s been our number one selling book this year.”
Kevin Ryan, co-owner at the venerable Green Apple Books in the Richmond district, agrees. “People are buying the book either for themselves or for friends and family as a way to rediscover life away from the office – whether they are working or not.”
Dean LaTourrette of Leisure Team Productions, publisher of Time Off! reminds people that even the underemployed need leisure. “Sometimes your strongest job qualification is a good attitude,” says LaTourrette. “Time Off! will show you how to have fun, even if you’re looking for a job.”
Other stocking stuffers for the underemployed include free counseling at the Bay Area Career Center, the definitive jobhunting guide "What Color is Your Parachute," and a subscription to Entrepreneur Magazine. Remember to flip through your address book too, with your jobseeker in mind, and make introductions where you can.
What if you are the unemployed one, wondering what to give to overworked friends and family? In addition to Time Off!, the hot item of the year is the gift of free time: a few hours of babysitting, errand running, dog walking, or grocery shopping. Shopping online can reveal some bargains – try Overstock.com. Ikea serves us many popular, festive and affordable options, and don’t forget those dollar stores in the Mission District – a coffee mug stuffed with Hershey’s kisses or a framed picture gives a personal touch at a reasonable price.
2005 Unemployed Holiday Gift Guide
Gifts for the unemployed:
1. Time Off! The Unemployed Guide to San Francisco (Leisure Team Productions, www.leisureteam.com)
2. Free counseling, Bay Area Career Center (BACC, 415-398-4881, www.bayareacareercenter.com)
3. What Color is Your Parachute (Ten Speed Press, www.jobhuntersbible.com)
4. Magazine subscription to Entrepreneur (www.entrepreneur.com)
5. Travel books and accessories from Lonely Planet (www.lonelyplanet.com)
Gifts for the overworked:
1. Free time! Offer to babysit, run errands, walk dogs, grocery shop, clean the windows or mow the lawn.
2. A vacation – housesitting, anyone?
3. A good book (the overemployed need Time Off! too).
4. Clogs. No laces!
For more information on Time Off! and Leisure Team Productions, call 415-564-9894, or see http://www.leisureteam.com.
Contact: Kristine Enea, 415-609-5322