If the last three weeks of the fall semester had a taste, it would taste like dark chocolate. On one hand, you’ve got bitterness of finals looming over your head like a shadow. No matter what your major, your schedule is bound to be full of essays, exams, presentations, and group projects. I won’t lie–finals season gets rough, but everyone gets through it!
Instead of drowning myself in the misery of my stress, I choose look forward to the light of the holidays and the sweet taste of our upcoming winter break. Especially in Rochester, where the snow has already made itself at home, I find it relatively easy to get into the holiday spirit. I decorate my dorm room with fairy lights and a mini-tree, blast Christmas carols in my headphones, and start getting preparing gifts for my friends and family.
As cheesy as it sounds, giving people presents is my favorite part of the holidays. I love seeing the look of pleasant surprise that they get when I hand them their present. Now, like most college students, I’m not rolling in dough, so I still make sure to stay conscious of my spending during the holidays, but even if it’s something small, I think the gesture itself is a good way of showing those who are important in my life my appreciation. So here are some general ideas for gifts on a budget!
Something that decks the hall with purple and gold.
For the past couple years, I’ve been slowly integrating more and more Naz swag into my parents’ and siblings’ closets. My parents were happy to represent the Naz by wearing new t-shirts or jackets, and my siblings love showing off their college gear at school. This is also a great way to bring some Golden Flyer spirit back home with you.
Something that really says “college.”
These kinds of presents are the ones that your friends will use everyday as they navigate the ins and outs of college. Mugs, a new calendar or planner, laptop stickers, reusable water bottles, something they can hang up in their dorm. These are all examples of simple, yet practical that fellow college students can get a lot of use out of.
Something homemade.
One of the best ways to save while giving to others is by making the presents yourself. There are plenty of DIY projects that are incredibly easy to pick up. Even though I’ve never sewn before, I’ve learned how to make these felt ornaments to hand out to my friends and a few professors (I’m hoping to tackle a felt golden flyer ornament next!). Homemade gifts are super thoughtful, and personally, I think it means a lot more when they were created with time and energy rather than bought with money.
Something from the past or for the future.
These gifts are extremely personable and really come from the heart. For these gifts, it’s really important to keep the recipient in mind. Think about the memories you share–inside jokes, little traditions, movies or television shows you binged, restaurants you ate at, silly mistakes that you can look back and laugh at–or all the things you will be doing together–big trips you want to take, future jobs and careers, activities that you both have on your bucket list. For example, I got one of my friends Dr. Suess’s Green Eggs and Ham because she’s studying to be a teacher and has already started collecting books to put in her future classroom. For another, who happens to be a huge meme addict, I got the card game “What do you meme?” so he could play it during his family game nights. Really focus on these shared memories and goals and center a gift around that. Not only will it be meaningful for them, but it will also remind them of you until you’re reunited for the spring semester!
Happy Holidays!