By: Lily Elkhay
Now that it is November, the holiday season has arrived, and we can finally begin preparing. Each year, especially with finals occurring in the midst of the holiday season, I try to get a head start and begin planning what to gift everyone in my life. This year it is more important than ever to begin getting gifts early because of the inventory and shipment issues the world is undertaking during the pandemic. Plus, with Black Friday coming up, it is important to be able to score some great deals by planning what to buy ahead of time. I know each year I struggle with trying to think of what to get everyone. Finding a balance between gifting something that is sentimental, but without having to spend a fortune is something I am sure we all struggle with, especially during college. Here are some ideas I have gathered to help you think of what to give your loved ones this year!
1.Genealogy Kit
I was given an Ancestry.com kit back in 2019 and have loved seeing my results on the website ever since! Personally, I am a broad mix of different cultures and origins, so it is fascinating to see all the different regions of the world my ancestors are from. Plus, many of my other family members have also done it, so I can compare my genes to theirs. Each time I look at my Ancestry account, I am always intrigued to see that Ancestry can tell who my relatives are solely because we share many of the same genes. Ancestry is always updating as more people give their results and they collect more research, so it is a gift that keeps on giving! These genealogy kits make a great gift to someone who is interested in their heritage and learning more about themselves and their family’s origins! Thankfully around holiday time these kits usually go on sale, making them much more affordable.
2. Etsy Jewelry
I know most of us have a jewelry lover in our lives! A great place to find unique and handmade jewelry is on the website Etsy, where small creators can post their products to the world. I have ordered jewelry there myself that was very affordable but also great quality. Also, the big upside of Etsy is supporting small businesses and artists that sell unique pieces, you won’t find at the mall, all while still conveniently shopping online. Etsy does not just stop at jewelry either, the site offers endless gifts from countless artists and small business owners to make it easy to find something for everyone, making it a great site to consider when holiday shopping. Plus, many of the products can be personalized, making them extra special. Another website to keep in mind while shopping, especially for those people who already seem to have everything, is Uncommon Goods. The website also offers many personalized and unique pieces!
3. Books
A book can be a great gift for many this year! Books are wonderful because they can appeal to just about any type of interest. If you know someone who enjoys cooking you can give them a cookbook, or if they are really into sports, you can give them a book pertaining to their favorite team. Books are amazing because the possibilities are endless. If you both enjoy reading fiction, a fun idea is to buy yourself and the gift recipient the same book to read at the same time and later discuss your thoughts. Books are also great for children, my cousin recently had a baby over the summer, and this holiday season I am going to steer away from toys. I am sure she is not lacking in an overwhelming abundance of toys, so instead, I will help build her book collection.
4. Self-Care Items
Everyone can always benefit from some self-care. Bath bombs, bubble bath, and all the different sorts of bath accessories make for a great gift. Plus, you can easily put these things into a cute gift basket to make the gift look creatively put together. Especially as a marketing major, I believe presentation can go a long way, and it allows you to show you really put the time and effort into the gift-giving. Skincare and exfoliating items are also not to be forgotten when thinking about self-care. Self-care gifts give you the opportunity to show your creative side without having to spend a lot. While shopping for self-care items for others, don’t forget to buy yourself some as well to help yourself get through finals and the hectic holiday season.
5. Remember the act of giving means more than the gift itself!
Gift-giving can seem like a stressful time while also having to come up with ideas that won’t cost you your entire bank account. At least for me, starting college was also the time when I finally had enough money to buy gifts, but I still must navigate how much to spend per person and who to include. One thing to remember while gift shopping, is that gifts are usually meant for something someone really wants but won’t buy themselves. Or other times, a gift is something someone does not even know they wanted! Receiving a sentimental gift from someone is always very heartwarming and knowing that someone even thought to get you the unique gift usually means more to you than the gift itself. One of my favorite gifts I’ve received is when my best friend gifted me a woodchuck stuffed animal. It may seem random, but she knows I adore the woodchuck family who lives underneath my shed at home. Next time you are strolling through local shops or browsing the web and see something that makes you think of someone, buy it to gift this holiday season. Sentiment and giving real thought to the present are the most important things to keep in mind while shopping!