As the the beginning of the end looms before us (of course not the apocalypse, but finals), the holiday season is creeping in fast, which means many different things: family, friends, merriment, cheer and of course, no classes.

For some of us though, the holidays also signify giving, with giving coming in forms of everything from charity, volunteering, and a present of a little something that you know some person in your life needs. With the holiday season upon us, you're probably beginning to think how you should probably go shopping at some point, wondering what to get and who to get it for. In the blink of an eye, it's December 23rd and you haven't bought any presents.

Fear not friends; there is hope for you. Try to avoid treating Christmas shopping like finals and actually try to get it done early (unless you're one of those awesome early, pre-planners in school, in which case, proceed with your life.) There's no need to venture into Lamont for this, unless you're planning on giving the gift of a stolen book (they check our backpacks for a reason) to someone this merry season. So, times ticking by and you have a night to shop for six of the most important people in your life. What should you get?

1) School Gear

The COOP, our bookstore on campus, makes my bank account cry every time I walk away with a bag of freshly made purchases. This place, along with the Harvard Shop and many other Harvard apparel shops, are definitely the places to hit up before going home for the holidays. They have a great family apparel selection and if all else fails, they also have some neat pens and keychains!

Nothing says happy holidays quite like Harvard gear!

2) Postcards

If those Harvard t-shirts are just not cutting it or you need a new idea, one of the benefits of living out of state is that you can always pick up a pretty postcard and write a personalized note on the back about what that person means to you. Sometimes giving isn't material, but personal and emotional.

3) Giftcards

While I have heard many arguments against people giving gift cards as presents, describing them as low-effort, meaningless, or lazy, I disagree. If the gift card is to someones favorite place and comes with a note of what that person means to you, then you can't go wrong. Sometimes happiness means personal choice in what they get, from coffee drinks at Starbucks to a cute shirt at H&M.

4) Drinking Objects

So if you left your shopping to the last minute, then you probably have limited options on what to get. Don't fear; one thing that everyone has to do is drink! From water to coffee to alcohol, you can't go wrong in buying cute cups, shot glasses, or mugs. Also, if you want to spruce it up, just put on a cute bow and fill the cup, shot glass, or mug with something interesting like candy or even cocoa (not made yet).

5) Sweets

Definitely take advantage of the limited edition Christmas candy rolling around from candy canes to specialty chocolate. Find out what is the best fit candy for who you're buying for (aka their favorite sweet.) Odds are you'll bring a smile to their face because you remembered one of their favorite things.

6) Be creative! Make Something!

Sometimes on that late December 23rd night the best option left, if all else fails, is to just be creative and make something. From painting to drawing stick figures to writing a poem or even a story, nothing says you mean something to me like a one of a kind present.