Sure, it’s supposed to be the season to be jolly and for a carol of the bells, but no holiday cliché seems to capture the sound of a college student’s wallet tightening as the economy continues to weaken. If you weren’t willing to wake up at 4 a.m. on Black Friday and still have a full list of friends and family expecting gifts in three weeks, here’s a guide that’s sure to help you save some money and avoid resorting to an iTunes gift card.
Make a scrapbook
Remember all of those photos of you and your friends on Facebook? Make those memories last forever (or at least long enough to outlive your favorite online social network) by putting them into a scrapbook. With the new surge in hip do-it-yourself aficionados, scrapbooks aren’t just for your Great Aunt Agnes anymore. Print your favorite pictures out for less than 25 cents each at a drug store and pair them with old concert tickets and magazine clippings to create a cool relic to give to your friends — just don’t include those pictures they untagged of themselves.
Knit a Scarf
As long as it gets cold in the winter, scarves will always be in style. If you haven’t learned already, take up a useful new hobby and learn to knit. If you’re good enough at it, you can knit as you study for exams or watch a movie — no need to fight mall traffic to take care of holiday gifts this year. You can find a lot of soft, colorful yarn for little money at craft stores like Michael’s or Fabrixx in Metairie. Homemade scarves are inherently unique, so your friends will be sporting a one-of- a-kind accessory. The Gap’s got nothing compared to you.
Cook a Gourmet Dinner
Whether it’s for that someone special or for a group of friends, learn something from those Food Network programs you always salivate over and cook a three course meal. It’s destined to be impressive unless you get in over your head à la “Bridget Jones’s Diary.” Go with a specific style of cuisine or ask your mom for the recipe to your favorite home-cooked meal. Pick a budget and stick with it by avoiding overpriced exotic ingredients. You’re sure to outdo those Betty Crocker brownies you handed out last year.
Go Vintage
There’s a reason thrift stores are popular. They’re cheap and you’re likely to discover something that no one else has. Take secondhand to the next level this holiday season by going retro for gifts. Find an old record player on eBay and put it together with some classic records from a local thrift store like Bloomin’ Deals or Red, White, & Blue for your favorite audiophile.
Or, if you know someone who constantly refers to the genius of Super Mario Brothers, use eBay to buy an old gaming system like the original Nintendo or Sega Genesis for far cheaper than a single game for PS3 or Wii. Childhood nostalgia not included.
T-Shirts
Web sites like http://www.threadless.com show that the once simple T-shirt has evolved into a graphic design masterpiece. There are few people who would reject a cool looking T-shirt, and with stores like Dirty Coast and Metro Three in town, they’re easy to find. Both stores offer an alternative to expensive designer gifts and produce shirts with a local flare that would be great to bring to friends back home. Not interested? Create your own design and have it screen-printed onto the shirt of your choice at stores like Funky Monkey or All-American Tees.
Gift Baskets
If you can’t think of a single thing to get as a gift, buy a shopping basketful at a store like the Dollar General or Wal-Mart. The toy aisle is a great place to be inspired and to find some exciting gag gifts. Know your audience and go for a theme that they’re sure to enjoy. Have friends that are big fans of “Twilight?” Find some vampire fangs left over from Halloween and pair it with a movie poster and soundtrack. If they’ve seen the movie countless times, they won’t turn it down.
Masako Hirsch can be reached at [email protected].
