How to Get the Best Gifts This Holiday Season
By Tara Goldstein
November 16, 2022
Image Credit: Lore Shodts for Unsplash
The year is flying by and with Thanksgiving break coming up, the holiday season is just around the corner. This season of gift-giving and celebration is loved by many, but it can also be extremely stressful, especially when it comes to figuring out what gifts your friends and family will enjoy.
But, there is no need to panic. There is still lots of time to plan and many ways to make your loved ones happy during the holidays.
For starters, there are websites like Amazon, Target, and Etsy that not only have a vast variety of inexpensive options, but also offer fast shipping services. A lot of websites also tend to have a lot of sales leading up to the holidays, allowing students to purchase typically expensive items at much lower prices. Sale days like Cyber Monday are the perfect opportunities to take advantage of these deals.
“I love shopping on Amazon Prime because I shop for gifts so late, it’s the only thing that comes on time,” sophomore kinesiology major Sara Cannuscio said. “Most of the stuff is also really cheap.”
Shopping in stores, especially on Black Friday, is another great option. In-person shopping may be inconvenient, especially for college students without a car, but it can make buying things like clothes and jewelry much easier.
“I love Black Friday shopping. I go every year and I always get so much Christmas shopping done,” sophomore public policy major Olivia Ryder said.
Easy Gift Ideas
Gifts for Her:
When shopping for a girl, you can almost always never go wrong with getting some accessories. Things such as bags, hats, belts, shoes, and jewelry are practical, yet affordable.
Duffel Bag
Perfect for college students constantly on the move.
Birthstone Necklace
A dainty personalized necklace great for everyday wear.
Baseball Hats
A popular accessory to wear to class or to cover up some greasy hair.
Skincare products
This makes for a great gift because a lot of girls would love to purchase skincare products year round but just don’t have the money to do so.
Perfume Kit
Kits with multiple options- like this one- are the perfect gift option.
Sephora Makeup Must Haves Sets
Why buy one makeup item when you can get six for the same price??
“Sephora and Ulta always have good options to choose from,” Harden said, “They have holiday collections and travel size options that make for the perfect gift.”
Ulta Gift Sets
Gifts for Him:
Backpack or Duffel Bag
Great for that adventurer or travel lover in your life.
Massager/heated neck pad
For the guys who spend their days working out or playing sports and are in need of relaxation.
Tile- Bluetooth tracker
Do you know someone who is always misplacing their things? If so, this is a great and extremely useful gift for them.
Over the Door Basketball Hoop
For the sporty guys always looking to throw a ball around. Or getting them new equipment for their sport of choice is great too. For example, buy them a new basketball if that’s what they play.
Ideas for the Game lovers
Experiences: Tickets or a Trip
If you’re looking for a more personable option, tickets to a concert or an event is also a great option. This makes a great gift for those who love going on adventures and really value quality time with their loved ones. It’s also a great option for when you feel like they won’t actually use anything you buy them.
“I always ask for experiences over tangible things. I love getting stuff like trips and concert tickets,” sophomore communications and government and politics major Ryan McCaffery said.
Gift Cards:
Another great option are gift cards. These make for the perfect options for any family member or friend, especially if you know their favorite place to spend money.
You can get your friend who always eats out a Chick-fil-a gift card, you can get your brother addicted to video games a Gamestop gift card, and you can even get giftcard for services, like a hair blowout or manicure.
“I am thinking of getting my mom a massage gift card for Hanukkah this year,” sophomore mechanical engineering major Laina Horowitz said.
DIY/ Customizable Options:
If none of these options standout to you, maybe taking a more personal route would be the way to go. There are so many websites that offer customizable gifts that are perfect options and are much more thoughtful than just clicking orders on Amazon. There are so many options on websites including Zazzle and Shutterfly.
Sites such as these offer endless options for handmade gifts that are easy and inexpensive. You can add your favorite picture together on mugs, puzzles, blankets, keychains, and so much more.
More Ideas:
Amazon Gift Ideas
Etsy Gift Guide
In the end, the holiday season is about spending time with ones you love, and no matter what you end up getting it’s truly the thought that matters.
But, there is no need to panic. There is still lots of time to plan and many ways to make your loved ones happy during the holidays.
For starters, there are websites like Amazon, Target, and Etsy that not only have a vast variety of inexpensive options, but also offer fast shipping services. A lot of websites also tend to have a lot of sales leading up to the holidays, allowing students to purchase typically expensive items at much lower prices. Sale days like Cyber Monday are the perfect opportunities to take advantage of these deals.
“I love shopping on Amazon Prime because I shop for gifts so late, it’s the only thing that comes on time,” sophomore kinesiology major Sara Cannuscio said. “Most of the stuff is also really cheap.”
Shopping in stores, especially on Black Friday, is another great option. In-person shopping may be inconvenient, especially for college students without a car, but it can make buying things like clothes and jewelry much easier.
“I love Black Friday shopping. I go every year and I always get so much Christmas shopping done,” sophomore public policy major Olivia Ryder said.
Easy Gift Ideas
Gifts for Her:
When shopping for a girl, you can almost always never go wrong with getting some accessories. Things such as bags, hats, belts, shoes, and jewelry are practical, yet affordable.
Duffel Bag
Perfect for college students constantly on the move.
Birthstone Necklace
A dainty personalized necklace great for everyday wear.
Baseball Hats
A popular accessory to wear to class or to cover up some greasy hair.
Skincare products
This makes for a great gift because a lot of girls would love to purchase skincare products year round but just don’t have the money to do so.
Perfume Kit
Kits with multiple options- like this one- are the perfect gift option.
Sephora Makeup Must Haves Sets
Why buy one makeup item when you can get six for the same price??
“Sephora and Ulta always have good options to choose from,” Harden said, “They have holiday collections and travel size options that make for the perfect gift.”
Ulta Gift Sets
Gifts for Him:
Backpack or Duffel Bag
Great for that adventurer or travel lover in your life.
Massager/heated neck pad
For the guys who spend their days working out or playing sports and are in need of relaxation.
Tile- Bluetooth tracker
Do you know someone who is always misplacing their things? If so, this is a great and extremely useful gift for them.
Over the Door Basketball Hoop
For the sporty guys always looking to throw a ball around. Or getting them new equipment for their sport of choice is great too. For example, buy them a new basketball if that’s what they play.
Ideas for the Game lovers
Experiences: Tickets or a Trip
If you’re looking for a more personable option, tickets to a concert or an event is also a great option. This makes a great gift for those who love going on adventures and really value quality time with their loved ones. It’s also a great option for when you feel like they won’t actually use anything you buy them.
“I always ask for experiences over tangible things. I love getting stuff like trips and concert tickets,” sophomore communications and government and politics major Ryan McCaffery said.
Gift Cards:
Another great option are gift cards. These make for the perfect options for any family member or friend, especially if you know their favorite place to spend money.
You can get your friend who always eats out a Chick-fil-a gift card, you can get your brother addicted to video games a Gamestop gift card, and you can even get giftcard for services, like a hair blowout or manicure.
“I am thinking of getting my mom a massage gift card for Hanukkah this year,” sophomore mechanical engineering major Laina Horowitz said.
DIY/ Customizable Options:
If none of these options standout to you, maybe taking a more personal route would be the way to go. There are so many websites that offer customizable gifts that are perfect options and are much more thoughtful than just clicking orders on Amazon. There are so many options on websites including Zazzle and Shutterfly.
Sites such as these offer endless options for handmade gifts that are easy and inexpensive. You can add your favorite picture together on mugs, puzzles, blankets, keychains, and so much more.
More Ideas:
Amazon Gift Ideas
Etsy Gift Guide
In the end, the holiday season is about spending time with ones you love, and no matter what you end up getting it’s truly the thought that matters.