With Thanksgiving break over, now is the time for when those who celebrate winter holidays to begin stressing over what to gift loved ones. Rising prices have not made it easy on the humble shopper who needs to buy gifts for parents, siblings, friends, and/or significant others. This guide is intended to soothe some of your anxieties around gift giving and offer helpful tips on saving money this holiday season.
If you’re someone who likes to do your shopping online, you should definitely sign up for a discount platform. There are hundreds of brands that give out discounts to college students, many of which are accessible when you join a discount platform. Student Beans is a widely used option that you can access by registering with your school email. From fashion to food to entertainment, they provide a variety of codes to get you great deals on your purchases that let you save money while buying quality gifts.
Another tried-and-true gifting method is to go homemade. Nothing says “I love you” more than taking time to craft something special for someone special. The trick is to know your giftee well. Would they prefer something useful, a meaningful trinket, or both?
A fun idea for the reader in your life is to make them a personalized bookmark — bonus points if it’s embroidered or has a beaded page-marker. On a similar note, bag charms and keychains are so in. Collect some charms or beads that match your friend’s vibe and put together a keychain for them.
Something sweet for your relaxation-focused friend is a homemade candle using a thrifted mug or glass — you can even get artsy with it and put dried flowers in the wax or add a scent using essential oil. For the whimsical person in your life, handmade jewelry from repurposed buttons or beads is to die for. Something that takes some extra time but is sure to warm the hearts of your family members is a personalized calendar. Collage together some photos and add the important details — birthdays, reunions, anniversaries — to really show them you care.
A final note is to pair any of these options with a tasty treat to show you love them and a handmade card that says it in writing. And remember, the gifting does not stop at the gift itself — make sure to customize the wrapping, too! Bows and ribbons go a long way.
