Well, its that time of year, the most wonderful time of the year. Christmas lights are up, stockings are hung and the smell of merriment is in the air. You’re looking forward to relaxing, spending time with your family, eating home cooked meals and relaxing. Everything is great and you’re really excited and then one of your friends goes “wait till you see your gift!” And then you go, “Oh, sh**.” You kinda, maybe, sorta tried to forget about giving gifts. Not that you’re a scrooge, or you aren’t giving or that you don’t love them and want to shower them with gifts because they deserve it, they really do for putting up with your whiny self buutttt it’s the end of the semester. You’re stressed about finals, you’re stressed about money. You spent the whole semester trying to stretch your budget, making it go as far as it can but it has finally gave. There’s not a whole lot in the budget for merriment, let alone gas. Even though you’re on a paupers budget there are still a few fun inexpensive ways you can show your appreciation for everything they do for you.
Make them dinner! Even if you aren’t the most talented cook in the world they’ll still appreciate a meal they don’t have to make themselves.
Make them their favorite snack or baked good. Pretty sure that store bought cookie dough is around $2 a pop, they won’t know the difference! Throw some festive sprinkles or candies on it and call it a day, they’ll love that you thought of them.
Crafting! We’re in college. I’m sure that either you or someone you know has a bunch of paints and paint brushes hanging around that you could paint a canvas or a jar for your friend. Do a quote they like or a bible verse or if you’re so inclined a picture you think they’ll like.
Pick me up jar! Get a mason jar and fill it with scribbles of inspirational sayings and mix in candies they like. It will bring a smile to their face when they see it and give them something on grey days to be happy about.
Dollar store goodie bag. If you are a college kid you probably live in a college town meaning that there is most likely a Dollar Store within driving distance if not walking distance from your apartment. Go nuts! Everything is a dollar. Find little things that make you think of them. Find their favorite candies. Heck, even think practical, buy the things we hate buying ourselves like hair ties and socks, maybe a new hair brush.
Just spend time together. Life is really busy, especially when it’s the end of the semester. Find some time during that week when neither of you has to cram study or work or be anywhere- even though it’s tough and just spend time together. My old roommate and I are still best friends and we always do a Christmas extravaganza where we bake cookies, listen to Christmas music, settle down with hot chocolate and watch a Christmas movie. We appreciate our time together without talking about finals. We enjoy how hard we worked and reward ourselves with a little joy. And to be truthful, that is all you need this holiday season-joy.
So, no matter how broke or stressed you are, just find the time to say thank you to those who are near and dear to you.