Christmas is only a few days away, but for Wright State University (WSU) students, the semester is just wrapping up. If you need gifts, and have no idea where to start, here are some ideas, because whether you lack time, money or ideas, it is not too late to show loved ones you care this holiday.
Gift-giving categories
Before you start shopping for someone, it is essential to understand them on a basic level and have some idea what type of gift they would enjoy.
Some friends and family members would love a present that will make them feel emotional, while others would prefer something straightforward and less personal. Maybe they want something funny or are a huge foodie and want something to munch on.
This can depend on how close you are to a person or what the vibes of the relationship are. For some friends, a walk down memory lane is the perfect present; for others, a laugh-out-loud gag gift is more up their alley. Before you step out into the cold or start browsing on same-day delivery Amazon, decide which avenue you want to choose. No path is better than another, but they are all distinct, so you have to decide early, or else you may end up giving a disjointed present.
This is also a good time to set a budget— no matter how much, there will be suitable options available.
Places to shop
Whether your family lives a few minutes or several states away from WSU, you are guaranteed to pass a store with options in your price range on your commute to see them for the holiday.
While stores like Barnes & Noble and Dick’s Sporting Goods are great for specialty items, those are the destinations that you would have wanted to stop by a week or two ago. Now that you are down to crunch time, the places to focus on are Target, Walmart, Kroger and Dollar General. These stores offer a wide range of items, depending on what you are looking for. Target is best for home goods or clothing items, while anything snack-adjacent can be found at Kroger or another local grocery store. Walmart has just about everything, and Dollar General sells a wide range of items at affordable rates, but it is less consistently priced than Dollar Tree— which sells most items for $1.25, so you can purchase presents and packaging at an affordable rate.
If you have a longer drive, gas stations are also a great place to pick up last-minute additions that make you think of the person you value. Phone chargers, beanie babies and travel items are always good gift add-ons and will make it seem like you had practicality in mind this year.
Homemade touches
Often, the best aspects of a gift come from your own hands, rather than the store. When you are at the store, grab some affordable stationery— or use some you already have at home— and write a thoughtful note, memory or a series of inside jokes.
Pinterest is a great place to find easily-crafted presents, which can frequently be made from materials that can be found around your parents’ houses or even your dorm. These are usually small gifts— like a plastic bag of two Q-tips and a drawing of someone at the gym that reads “beginner weights,” or a pebble with a paper reading “you are my penguin" and an accompanying cartoon. There are so many more, ranging from hilarious to intimate. Little gifts like these are sure to get giggles and are low-budget ways to show someone you were thinking of them.
Of course, if you are genuinely crafty, then you can go way further with your homemade gifts— make jewelry, crochet hats or follow whatever your personal niche is— but if you were artsy, you probably would have already done that. For those of you without any artistic inclination, this is the time to try something new in the name of holiday spirit and affordable gifts.
If you had a higher budget and found a candle or blanket at the store, there are still opportunities to add personal touches. Packaging or wrapping the gift can be another opportunity to leave your mark, making it clear that you took the time to put this together. Whether this is done by sloppily taping the paper, crumpling the tissue paper or you intentionally make the present difficult to get into, the presentation can be fun for both the giver and receiver.
You can purchase gift bags and zip ties to help achieve these effects, but extra boxes and duct tape are just as effective. You can also do origami to fold and tape your own envelope in place— a good way to save a few cents and create a unique package to encase your letter.
Important takeaways
Up until you sit down at the gift exchange, it is not too late to get a present for those you love the most. While the items you find at your local dollar stores might not feel like the perfect gifts to express your care, it truly is the thought that counts— having something small and goofy is better than showing up empty-handed.
Regardless of what phase of life you are in, the people who matter most will only care that you put forth the effort to get them any gift at all. Whether you make something for them yourself or find an item that has a personal connection to your relationship, it will be appreciated.
So, grab a piece of paper and write a note to your loved one. Whether you produce heartfelt poetry or a simple statement of appreciation, you have successfully given a meaningful gift— even if you finished it ten minutes before the gift exchange.
