You can express appreciation for your sister without spending a lot of money.
Brigham Young University's Laura Padilla-Walker published a study in 2010 in the "Journal of Family Psychology" that found that having a sibling -- particularly a sister -- increased mental health. According to the university's press release, "Statistical analyses showed that having a sister protected adolescents from feeling lonely, unloved, guilty, self-conscious and fearful." Even if you don't have a lot of extra money, you can let your sister know you're grateful for the support she's provided you over the years with a thoughtful gift that celebrates your bond.
Childhood Books, Toys and Games
Think of the books, toys and games you and your sister most enjoyed when you were growing up. Search online for current incarnations of these treasures and see if you can find any, used, at an inexpensive price.
Revenge Book
Photo albums make for fairly generic family gifts. You can liven yours up by thinking of all the people your sister struggled with through the years as she was growing up. Recall her crushes and the lovers who broke her heart, the best friends who stabbed her in the back, the teachers who gave her poor grades and anyone else who caused her problems. Search the Internet for current photographs of these people, or use old pictures from school yearbooks. You might desecrate the images by drawing mustaches and devil's horns, or write scathing comments about them alongside each photo. If you can find news items stating that any of these people have gone to jail or failed in some spectacular way, by all means include them.
Affirmations Book
On a healthier note, if you and your sister live far apart and cannot visit or talk on the phone as much as you would like, you can maintain a connection with her by purchasing two copies of the same daily affirmations book. Such books provide meditations for people of various religions and spiritual practices. Include a card with the gift in which you commit to reading from the book every morning or evening at a certain hour and invite her to do likewise. That will provide a meaningful connection, even when you can't be in contact.
