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This article was published 19/12/2025 (239 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

DEAR MISS LONELYHEARTS: I’m a broke-as-a-joke first-year university student with no money for Christmas gifts this year, but I really want to give something to the close people in my family.

I’m the first person in my family to go past high school; they say they’re depending on me to get rich and look after them one day.

They say they’re not expecting any gifts, but I know they’ve already bought presents for me because I’ve overheard them talking.

What can I give that won’t cost me anything?

Believe me, I barely have 50 cents, just piles and piles of books and papers.

— Strapped for Cash, Osborne Village

Dear Strapped: Just use what you have — a giving heart, pen, paper and a quick brain. You will naturally have words of love and praise for the people you want to receive your gifts, so create personalized cards or even just illustrated Christmas letters for them.

If you’re not much of an artist, a simply sketched Christmas tree will do. Maybe you’re better with words; if so, jot a little poem for them.

Expressing your gratitude and heartfelt wishes for them in the coming year will make a great gift. These are the types of presents that get folded up in wallets or sit on top of bookshelves to look at when people are thinking of family.

For a sweet touch, a dollar-store cake mix won’t cost you much, but again, you could put a personal touch on it with festively coloured sprinkles or icing.

With these homemade gifts, your family will feel your desire to give back very clearly — and it will be a Christmas with you they will remember fondly.

Dear Miss Lonelyhearts: My grandparents complain that nothing lasts anymore and also that they don’t have actual photos of the family to keep like they used to because everything’s just shown to them on phone screens or online.

I have my first good job this year, so I’m thinking of buying them an instant camera that produces an actual photograph for them on the spot. What do you think?

— Favourite Grandson, South St. Vital

Dear Favourite: Great idea! Instant cameras are available from many makers now and cheaper ones can be purchased for as little as $80. There’s a range of options available from about $100-$300, depending what features you’re looking for.

And here’s a hot tip: as an instant-camera owner, people are often asked to give away photos they snap at parties, which makes them popular guests, but means they sometimes go home without their best shots. So make sure to tell the grandparents they’ll just have to take two photos at a time if they want to be sure to keep one for themselves.

Please send your questions and comments to lovecoach@hotmail.com or Miss Lonelyhearts c/o the Winnipeg Free Press, 1355 Mountain Ave., Winnipeg, MB, R2X 3B6.

Maureen Scurfield
Advice columnist

Maureen Scurfield writes the Miss Lonelyhearts advice column.

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