Our favorite time of the year has approached us once again! Most of us look forward to being surrounded by loved ones, eating delicious food, opening special gifts, and looking forward to gift giving. As college students, this Christmas may be bittersweet for some being that many of us do not have an income to fully participate in Christmas shopping and gift giving. However, look no further, here is a guide on how to survive Christmas as a college student:
- Evaluate Your Budget
The first order of business is evaluating how much you can, or are willing to spend based on your budget. In order to have a successful Christmas this year is to make a plan and stick to it! Ensure you factor in all of the necessities and other responsibilities outside of purchasing gifts. Then, write out all the people you wish to give to this holiday season and possibly two or three things they like. After that start the list of possible gifts for each individual and calculate how much all of it will be to ensure you are still on budget.
- Look For The Deals
Christmas deals are everywhere, so take advantage before paying full-price for an item. Most online retailers offer various deals on items during this time of the year, In addition to percentages off when you sign up through their text or email newsletter program. Also, utilize student discounts on retailer platforms, if you enter your student identification, you can become a student member and receive exclusive discounts. Platforms such as UniDAYS, Wisebread, and Studentbeans aid in shopping on a budget as a student by providing additional deals. Although, the feeling of buying an expensive gift and seeing the reaction of a loved one is a special kind of feeling. However, this holiday season, be realistic with yourself and your pockets. Hitting up stores such as Dollar Tree, Five & Below or shopping in the clearance sections will not be frowned upon. It’s the thought and effort that makes a difference
- Embrace Your Creativity
You don’t need to break the bank to still show your loved ones you care; a simple Christmas card, gift card, or care package full of necessities will be sufficient. If you are crafty, handmade gifts are the way to go. At the end of the day, it’s the thought that counts. Christmas is truly about spending time with the people you love most and getting into the spirit. So why not try making a gift, you can utilize items already in your possession or go out and buy small things to make the perfect gift? Some ideas include Handmade cards, drawings, paintings, words of affirmation jars, and photo collages. Also, utilizing platforms such as Tik Tok or YouTube can help you to come up with cool and unique ideas to spread love.
- Quality Time
Christmas is more than just a gift wrapped in paper. Away at school, we often miss out on memorable memories to make with family members, friends, or significant others. This Christmas, if you can’t spend any money on monetary gifts, investing in making memorable memories with loved ones is one gift that; will be cherished forever. Quality time is all one needs to feel loved. Some ideas include: planning a movie night, game night, or just a talk with your family to let them know you are still thinking of them during this time of the year. Overall, don’t panic, you can still enjoy Christmas without stressing over finances.