It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! For those of you living the life of the typical college student (i.e., swimming up to your neck in student debt), you're probably already panicking and wondering what you're going to give to your friends and family. Chances are that some of them probably know about your situation already and they'll be forgiving. Or maybe not. Either way, you still want to contribute a meaningful gift, but you don't know what the heck you're going to do. Your wallet is starving and your pockets aren't exactly jingling like Christmas bells right now.
Fret not, though! There's a solution, my friend! Awesome gifts don't always require a big wad of dollar bills. As Sarah Dessen once said, “The best gifts come from the heart, not the store.” Here are some ideas of what you can give this holiday season!
Do you have a special talent or skill that you're willing to share with others? How about teaching someone? For example, if you can speak another language, I'll bet someone you know would be totally psyched if you took the time to sit down and teach them some basic words and phrases! Know an awesome recipe? Why not show a loved one how it's done with a cooking lesson?
Speaking of things you can make, what about using artistic talents? Can you knit or crochet? Do you grow fruits or vegetables? (I'm not kidding; my husband grew his own vegetables while he was in college. Stop raising your eyebrows at me.) Can you paint something on a canvas? I'm sure that no matter what you make, the person receiving your creation will be touched by the time and effort you took just for them!
"But, Cara!" you say, "I don't have anything interesting to teach anyone! And I'm not crafty! What now?" Try thinking a little more within the box then. Can you clean? Can you help out with errands? Can you house-sit? Then you still have something to give! Sure, it may not seem thrilling, but I'm sure your recipient will appreciate it.
This next suggestion may sound a little tacky, but I figured I should still throw it out there. Maybe you have something laying around your home that you've never used. Secondhand gifts can be pretty sweet! I remember being touched when my little sister scrambled around to put together a little gift bag full of things she had never opened, such as perfume and nail polish bottles, a few years ago. I would just recommend that the secondhand item you give is in mint condition (or really close to it) and make sure you're not re-gifting something.
Have other ideas? Feel free to mention them in the comments below! The more suggestions, the merrier!
