By Kaylee Johnson
Campus News
The holidays are here again; a time of togetherness, merriment, and materialism. Holiday shopping is a tradition for most families, but it can get pricey. As a college student on a budget, I am aware now more than ever of price tags, and how draining holiday shopping can be on a bank account. That said, there are some people that you will be expected to buy presents for, and you don’t want to look like a complete scrooge; or like my legendary late aunt, who allegedly gave all of the children in my family luxurious Christmas gifts in 1976, and took them back a week later because she did not have any money left to pay her bills. Here are seven affordable gifts that anybody will like, specifically selected for the busy student shopper:
Movie tickets: Are you shopping for a friend who lives on campus and is always complaining that they are bored? Buy them a couple of movie tickets at the nearby theater. Who knows? They might take you with them to the next revival showing of “Home Alone.”
Birch Box or Ipsy Glam Bag subscription: Subscriptions boxes are very hot this holiday season, and they vary wildly in quality and price. Ipsy Glam Bag and Birch Box are only $10 a month; for that price you will receive about six high end makeup and hair care samples in every box. This gift would be excellent for a close relative or friend who loves makeup. If you are going to buy this gift for somebody, buy 12 months of boxes, not one. Surely this is not an inexpensive gift; that is why it should only be purchased for people you truly care for. The best perk about subscription boxes is that they can be purchased online, which means you will not have to tough the shopping center warzones!
Not your typical box of chocolate: A box of chocolate from a real candy store is a classy gift for your co-worker, mail carrier, or Christmas party host. Boxes range in price, but you can usually find a medium sized one for fifteen dollars; opulence on a budget.
Personalized jewelry and ornaments: If you are too sentimental to give your loved ones gift cards, order a monogrammed pair of earrings or a necklace. Etsy is full of ambitious monogram fanatics who can make just about anything; but be mindful that you need to order any Etsy item far in advance if you want it to arrive in time.
My family Christmas tree is covered with sentimental ornaments that pay homage to all of my milestones, fads, sports, and favorite vacation destinations. Most malls have ornament kiosks that offer personalization; and they are all under $20!
Journal and pens: Inspire your younger cousins by gifting them a boarding pass to their psyche; a journal. As a child, journals and gel pens were always on my Christmas list, and they still are. By giving a child, or an adult a journal you may also give them a passion for writing, which is priceless.
Gift cards: If you are buying for a Secret Santa or the person who has everything, gift cards are a wonderful option. There is still some room for personalization with gift cards; if you have a beauty connoisseur in your family, get them a nail salon gift certificate, if a Disney College Program student is on your shopping list, get them a Disney Parks gift card from Target or the Disney Store. Gift cards can be extremely thoughtful presents, and stress-free for busy shoppers!
Photo album/scrapbook: You might not want to give a sentimental scrapbook to a new friend or relative you barely know, but for those you are closest to, scrapbooks and photo albums are a great affordable present that won’t get thrown in the trash in a few years. If you are a clueless crafter, use Shutterfly’s easy to use photo book templates. If you are more experienced, you can make your own Shutterfly template. The craftiest may feel compelled to make a scrapbook the retro way; wavy scissors, glue dots, paper cuts, and all.
This holiday season remember that the fixation we all have on presents is a societal flaw. Materialism and greed consume, so during the holidays; just look at the horrible fights that shoppers get into every year on Black Friday. The holidays are supposed to be a time of solitude and festivities, so don’t let your eyes glaze when looking into shop windows. If you can’t afford any presents this year, don’t feel guilty. Most people set low expectations for college students when it comes to exchanging gifts. Your presence, and the warmth you bring to your home will be enough.
Kaylee Johnson is now a junior Education major with a concentration in English.
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