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Student Life

Broke College Kid? 5 Gift Ideas To Show Your Love During The Holidays - No Pennies Necessary

EESSHHH. So much love in your heart, so little money in that bank account. Here's how you do Christmas in College.

madisonmckeefox

Dec 10, 2018

Michigan State University

Broke College Kid? 5 Gift Ideas To Show Your Love During The Holidays - No Pennies Necessary

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Mom, Dad, BF, GF, BFF4Life. We all have someone special in our life who deserves the world and plus some. Yet, we open up our wallet to find nothing but a half used Starbucks gift card and a couple pennies. Sigh. We've all been there, dude. So what do you do? It's time to get creative.

1) SPA DAY. Aye! Pamper that special someone, at home of course.

Get your massage hands ready. Cut up some cucumbers and make a homemade face scrub. Set up a mani/pedi station. Find a nice, relaxing playlist. Make a few of their favorite snacks and fruit-infused water. It is a gift to our bodies to take care of them, and your loved one will totally think you are the sweetest person ever for this. (we all know you are, *winky face*) Really do it up and make this something special! It'll be fun for the both of you.

2) Let's go old school. Burn them a CD of all their favorite songs.

Include songs you both sing along together to in the car, songs from their favorite band, and music that makes you think of them. If you're feeling fancy, write up a note as to why you included the songs you did, and you should definitely be on the receiving side of a loud and elaborate "awwww!"

3) For my creatives, make your person a short movie of all your pictures and videos together.

I've created a few short movies for special occasions in the past, and it always goes over so well. There will be snapchat videos and throwback photos they might've forgotten about, and that'll definitely pull on their heart strings. Not only is it an intimate and thoughtful gift, but it is also a ton of fun to create.

4) Make a jar full of personalized messages from you.

Another gift I have had the privilege of creating was a jar of messages for my besties birthday! I included little notes about the things I love about her, old memories that I knew would make her smile, and inspirational quotes I knew she would like. This is a gift that will last over a long period of time because they can open up a new message every day. It's a creative way to not only make a holiday exciting, but to gift a gift for everyday life. Boom. Amazing friend award.

5) A classic: Coupon book!

Who hasn't made one of these before? "One free load of laundry." "One free meal made by me." These never get old, and will again be a long term gift to your loved one.

No matter what you decide to give, do it with love. Try not to treat the holidays as a money exchange by giving a gift to get a gift. On the other hand, don't feel pressured to spend money you shouldn't be spending. It truly is the thought that counts. Use these ideas, or simply draw inspiration from them, and make that special person smile! At the end of the day, it's about spreading and showing love.

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Broke College Kid? 5 Gift Ideas To Show Your Love During The Holidays - No Pennies Necessary

EESSHHH. So much love in your heart, so little money in that bank account. Here's how you do Christmas in College.

1) SPA DAY. Aye! Pamper that special someone, at home of course.

2) Let's go old school. Burn them a CD of all their favorite songs.

3) For my creatives, make your person a short movie of all your pictures and videos together.

4) Make a jar full of personalized messages from you.

5) A classic: Coupon book!

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Or at least try to do.

1. I will wake up (sorta) on time for class.

2. I will look decent for class.

3. I will go to the gym more.

4. I will go to the library and study more.

5. I will meet new people.

For those long nights that turn into mornings when the struggle is real.

1. Walk in motivated and ready to rock

2. Disappointed you let it get this bad

3. Distracted: When a 10-Minute Break Becomes an Hour

4. When the Yearning for Sleep Sneaks Up

5. In the words of Lorelai Gilmore "Coffee, Coffee, Coffee"

Oh, so done.

You need sleep, but also have 13 things due in the span of 4 days.

1. When it's December 1 and you have seven things due, three exams, and haven't slept in three days.

2. So you stress.

3. And cry.

4. Then call your mom to cry some more.

5. After the pep talk, you feel determined to get everything done.

6. But, now you're tired.

7. And really hungry.

8. Suddenly, it's 2 a.m. and you have only written three sentences and your paper is due in the morning.

9. You've made it to Friday... somehow.

10. Then Sunday hits and you find yourself back at the Lib.

11. So you cry some more.

12. But, you fight through the tears to get everything done because you're determined.

13. In the end, you feel on top of the world because you made it through the last week of class alive.

14. But, now it's finals week so good luck.

The ultimate list and gif guide to a college student's brain during finals.

What does the world outside the library look like?

Can I read this entire book tonight?

I should have gone to class more often.

Did the professor even teach this?

What is the lowest grade I can get on this exam and still pass the class?

Should I just drop out of school now?

Finals are ruining Christmas.

Just wrote three sentences so time for a break.

Need. More. Coffee.

What is sleep?

I'm too stupid for college.

Brain hurts.

Time for a Facebook Break.

I think I'm dying.

When will I ever need this information in the real world?

I can't read any of my notes.

I need my mom.

When was the last time I showered?

I need study snacks.

The struggle is so real right now.

"I want to thank Google, Wikipedia, and whoever else invented copy and paste. Thank you."

1. I'm so tired. I need a nap. Maybe I can sleep with my eyes open in class? Or pretend I'm not napping?

2. We have a test today? Why didn't anyone tell me? Did I know this?!

3. Can I quit school yet? It's only October, and I need a vacation.

4. The struggle is so real.

5. I'm so broke. SOS.

6. Stressed? Eat everything you own in your pantry and stuff your face with all your feelings.

7. "Did we have anything due in class today? Homework? Quiz? Test?" "Not that I know of..."

8. I need food. Where is the closest place to get food? I need it stat.

9. This is the longest day of my life. I need a drink, or two, or three.

10. Sleep? What is sleep? What a foreign concept.

11. When someone suggests going and studying in the library, let alone studying in general.

12. When the cafeteria or student center is packed and you can't find a seat anywhere so you literally have to sit in an abandoned corner.

13. When you see someone you used to hook up with. They see you, and approach you; so you have to pretend like everything is normal.

14. When you get your exam and realize you didn't study as much as you should have.

15. When you crush it on an exam or paper that you totally bullshitted.

16. I need a grande, extra strong coffee to get me through today.

17. When the professor announces you have a project due the following week with no instruction on what it's on and how to do it.

18. Is it Friday yet? Where's the weekend when you need it most?

19. It's freezing in here. I feel like I'm sitting in an igloo. I should have brought a jacket or worn long pants.

20. Did I remember my book? Damn, I forgot the book, and of course I need it for that quiz in class.

21. I would pay a million dollars to not go to class today; or actually never again.

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