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It’s typically hard to find the perfect gift for your girlfriend that’s meaningful, useful, and feasible on a student budget. So, the pressure is on! If your girlfriend wouldn’t be caught dead in a mall, here are five gift ideas that you can’t find at Sephora.
- A Vase
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Practical, romantic, and so much room for creativity.
You can easily thrift a jar, make a personalized vessel out of clay, or drop a little more cash on something fancy. This gift is best paired with a fresh bouquet of her favorite flowers; I highly recommend curating your own at Trader Joe’s and keeping the good vibes rolling by adding the trip to your weekly routine.
- Concert Tickets
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Wait! Don’t close your wallet yet! I’m not talking about the Era’s Tour; think local. This too can be budget-friendly if you play your (debit) cards right.
I recommend following small venues on social media and/or researching restaurants that invite local artists to play. My most cherished concert experiences have been going to see bands that I’d never heard of, especially with a loved one. You can dance to the rhythm, chat over the songs you don’t care for, and grab fast food together before heading home.
Having something to look forward to after Christmas makes the dull month of January a lot brighter. The tickets may be cheap, but the memories are priceless.
- Fidgets
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As a first-year college student, fidget toys are at the top of my list.
It’s hard when your partner is struggling with something, and you know you can’t fix it. Whether they’re a skin-picker, anxious, or just miss holding your hand when you’re away, there’s a fidget toy for nearly every occasion! The variety in style (and price) offered on the Speks website is especially helpful for gift-giving.
I love using my fidgets to keep my focus when sitting in boring lectures, brainstorming, and even analyzing long readings.
- Soft and weighted
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You can never go wrong with a cute stuffed animal or a warm throw blanket; the word “weighted,” however, takes a whole new spin on this classic.
Weighted stuffed animals, weighted blankets, and even weighted pillows… the options are endless! It’s easy to find something in your price range, but still in a style that adheres to your girlfriend’s taste.
Designed to ease anxiety, provide comfort, and feel like a warm hug, I highly recommend this gift for long-distance couples as it’s the closest you can get to the feeling of holding your partner.
- Love letter
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Whether you write it on an index card or a 10-foot scroll, all she wants for Christmas is you!
A handwritten letter is the most romantic gift a girl could receive, and yet… the cheapest! Sure, you can jazz it up by spilling some tea on the page to make it look vintage, but don’t forget to spill your heart out first! Explain how she inspires you, write a poem about her smile, or recount your meet-cute on paper.
She’ll feel the warmth in your heart as her fingers trace your pen lines, noticing their depth shift in emphasis from the weight of your hand. This kind of heat will keep her warm all season, and it’s absolutely priceless.
I hope this gave you some much-needed inspiration! Wishing good luck to all the girlfriends out there getting a pack of gum and a Target gift card this holiday season. But to the girlfriends of those reading this article, you don’t need luck.
Congrats on your awesome partner who knows you so well (You can thank me later)!
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