As a child, we were always told from one place or another that it is better to give than to receive. Being college students, we obviously don’t have an unlimited budget in order to get everyone exactly what they’d like to receive, but this doesn’t mean your gift giving skills can’t be on fleek. If you’re a little stuck on what to get someone for a gift, here’s a guide.
Parents: Although it may seem impossible, it’s fairly easy to please your parents gift-wise. They are aware that we’re struggling college students and they don’t expect the world, even though they may give off that vibe.
Take it back to your Kindergarten roots, parents love homemade gifts. No, this doesn’t mean you have to get it popping with the macaroni noodles and glue, but they still would appreciate something you took your time making. Possibly making them a collage of family photos or something of sentimental value.
If you have a little extra cash, I would suggest anything Pandora for your mom. Take it from me, Mom’s love anything Pandora. For your dad, I would suggest anything he’s able to carry with him. Possibly a new wallet or a simple watch. Either way, they’re sure to love pretty much anything you give them as long as it’s thoughtful.
Significant Other: A gift for your significant other can be quite complicated, but just as with the parents, a DIY gift can go a long way on a budget. It shows that you took the time to make something that came from your heart. Possibilities include a basket of their favorite candy or a photo album of all the pictures and memories you two have made together.
A really cute idea would be to buy some of their favorite movies on DVD, (yes DVD and not Netflix), some popcorn and their favorite snacks and organizing it into a basket. This is everything you need for a cute “date night” and it’s something you both can benefit from. It’ll help to make a really cute memory moving forward.
If you’re not really on a budget when it comes to your significant other, there are endless options as to what to buy them. This includes perfume/cologne, a piece of jewelry, clothing, footwear or accessories.
Friends: When it comes to your friends, gift giving is probably the easiest. You aren’t really obligated to spend a lot to let your friends to let them know you care about them and appreciate them being in your life.
If it were your best friend or a really close friend, some matching product would be perfect. It lets them know that they mean a lot to you. This could be a matching shirt, hat, necklace, etc. Another really good idea could be to print photos of you all doing things together and making a collage or something to hang on their wall. This way, it’s a constant reminder of your friendship.
You could also get them a combination of their favorite things, like a gift card to their favorite store and an accessory in their favorite color.
No matter what you decide to give people that are important to you, as long as it comes from your heart, it’ll be appreciated. Just remember that it doesn’t have to be the most expensive gift to prove that you care.
