It’s that time of year again, when family members come to me complaining that they don’t know what to get me for Christmas.

“You’re so hard to shop for,” they say, as if I don’t already know that. I live with me 24/7 and have direct access to the inner machinations of my mind, and sometimes I still don’t know what to get me for Christmas.

I have a feeling that anyone else with a millennial in their life can relate. Money seems like a thoughtless cop-out. The things I need, such as a reduction of student debt or a place to live, are a little too expensive to ask for. Guilt usually puts the brakes on any frivolous things I could ask for, like a video game or a vacation, though that may be just me. And as much as I would love for people to get me more kitchen stuff for that apartment I’ll eventually have, I don’t have it yet and I’ve already taken up too much space in our basement.

So what’s a person to do? Here are a few ideas I have for getting something meaningful for your friendly neighborhood millennial.

• Money. It’s not a thoughtless cop-out, it’s a recognition that sometimes physical things aren’t what someone needs. Chances are it’ll go straight to food or gas or rent; most of the Christmas money I get goes directly to my savings account. If you’re worried about them spending it on something stupid, cut a check and make them go to the bank, which could make them feel bad and then put it into their savings.

• Gift certificates. Another solution if you don’t trust your millennial not to buy something stupid, though I find I’m more likely to buy stuff I don’t need with an Amazon gift card than actual money. It can be generic like Walmart or tailored to their specific needs like clothing, housewares, or the grocery store. Or you can splurge and go local with a favorite restaurant or store that they might not be able to visit otherwise.

• Donation to charity. Just because we’ve passed Giving Tuesday doesn’t mean non-profits are magically set for cash, and donating is a good way to get involved if scheduling keeps your millennial from getting more involved with causes they love. Do your research to make sure it’s somewhere that you (and the giftee) would want the money sent.

• Go out on a date. It doesn’t have to be black-tie formal; even just burgers and walking around the mall with a parental unit, sibling or friend will work. Most millennials won’t turn down an offer of food, especially if their budget prevents them from eating out much, and sometimes it’s nice to get off social media, leave the house and hang out with someone one-on-one.

• Teach them something. In this day and age when millennials are accused of not being able to find our way out of a paper bag, teaching someone something, like how to cook, sew or change the oil can go a long way. Other non-essential skills can be fun too, like teaching someone how to build a bookshelf when they (ahem) run out of room in theirs. If it’s something you can’t teach, like a language or sport, chip in for lessons or a course elsewhere.

And if all else fails, cookies are usually a safe bet.

Amanda Hutchinson is a 2015 graduate of Ithaca College, a resident of Ledyard, and the assistant community editor for The Times. Read more of her work at amandalhutchinson.wordpress.com.