Gift giving in college can seem next to impossible, especially when buying a cup of coffee from Starbucks is out of your price range. From Secret Santas to buying your mom the jewelry she hinted at, Christmas time can by hard living on a dollar to dollar budget. However, there are tips to ensure that the gifts that you do give are affordable and meaningful even if you are living the dorm life.
Step 1: Set a budget
My mom is probably laughing at this right now because I suck at setting a budget. I always spend more money than I have and max out credit cards like it's my job. However, having control over you money is essential. In order to do this, you have to track your spending, plan future expenses, and spend less in order to save more (obviously). These steps may seem overwhelming, but mastering them will help you create a budget in order to by the perfect gift even if you are in college.
Step 2: Find the perfect gift
Finding the perfect gift?? That's impossible!
No, its not.
To all the sorority girls out there, you know how to craft. Canvases and tie blanket "how to's" are in your blood stream. Chances are if your little loved the crafts you made them, so will your family and friends. The skill level of painting the perfect Lily Pulitzer pattern is irrelevant as long as the craft you make is meaningful and pertains to the gift receiver's interests.
School Spirit is something every college kids has. No matter what the school and whoever the student is, an item pertaining to their school will be certainly be meaningful. A shirt for their next tailgate, water bottle or even car sticker will make a good gift and show you care.
Making them laugh with a gift is a fool proof way to make sure that the gift is memorable and "perfect." Remembering old inside jokes, gag gifts or fueling that fangirl inside them is a great basis for presents. They don't even have to be a big thing, something small will still show them you care!
Step 3: Remember Shipping
It's the holiday season which means that literally everybody is ordering gifs online, so shipping can become a hassle. They key to this step is to remember how long shipping really takes. 3-5 business days? Allow at least two weeks. Don't let shipping ruin your gift giving experience.
Being in college is not an excuse for not giving a good gift, even if you are living on a dollar to dollar budget. Remember these three easy steps and the gift you give this holiday season will be one to remember.
