My sister wants to know what to get me for my birthday.

[Deep13]

Telling her that I don't need anything never works, so I have to think of something. It has to be pretty cheap since she doesn't make much money. Also, I live in Akron, OH and she lives in central MA, so she can't invite me over for a home-cooked meal or anything.

Any suggestions? I'll be 43 if that matters.

[Richardo]

1. Ask her to donate $x worth of groceries to her local food bank in your name.

[Deep13]

2. Good idea, but she won't do that. I've tried something like that before.

"But I still want to get YOU something!"

Kind of like how when I got married we told people to donate to the American Lung Association in lieu of gifts. We still got gifts and only two checks for ALA.

[quakerboy]

6. Gift card for grocery stores

Which you then give to a food bank. There's gotta be some way to make this happen. Something easily returnable for a gift card, which can then be converted to food?

[demmiblue]

8. How about a gift membership...

like the Sierra Club?

You will get a gift, as well as be a part of a good organization.

https://secure2.convio.net/sierra/site/Ecommerce?VIEW_PRODUCT=true&product_id=4861&store_id=2581

[gmoney]

3. let her get you something.

being a gracious recipient is something I learned too late in life... I'm sure there's a book on your wish list that she could afford. Or maybe there's something regional she could send? Or even just a nice little framed picture of herself.

[Deep13]

4. Yeah, I just have to think what.

Otherwise she will shoot from the hip. :shrug: One year I got a framed picture of me and our Dad wearing matching suspenders. That was a good one. Then there are dustable things I keep just because she gave them to me.

[applegrove]

5. David Sedaris came out with a new book this week. He's usually pretty funny.

[Dr Morbius]

7. Can she paint? Knit? Sew? Weld? Do calligraphy?

Invite her to make something for you.