Now I know what you’re thinking, “It’s not even Thanksgiving … why is there already an article about Christmas presents?”
While I feel the same way whenever I pass by a store and see Christmas decorations already being set up, we have to come to terms with the fact that time moves insanely fast — especially when you’re a college student with classes, jobs, responsibilities, and homework to do.
This article isn’t just a reminder to start looking into Christmas presents; it’s a guide to help you get the perfect gifts for your loved ones without the stress of last-minute shopping!
Plan a strategy
One of the biggest stresses of Christmas shopping is figuring out where to look and who to get gifts for, all while staying within a college student budget.
To keep things organized for your future self, make a list of who you want to get presents for, what those presents could potentially be, possible stores to visit, and any priorities.
I know it sounds tedious, but having a list will be a lifesaver. Just remember to check it twice!
Be a little cruel
Don’t feel bad if you can’t get an amazing gift for every single friend. It sounds cruel for a holiday like Christmas, but let’s be honest — your wallet will not survive that.
Instead of thinking you need to get an individual gift for everyone, remember that gifts can also be shared experiences. Explore the holiday markets at Union Square, go ice skating at Bryant Park, or have a warm, cozy meal together.
Start visiting stores now
Now that you have a list of people to get gifts for — which has hopefully been slightly reduced by a bit of necessary evil — it’s time to start visiting stores. There’s a reason stores are placing holiday-themed products on their shelves already.
Even if you can’t find exactly what you’re looking for, you’ll still have plenty of time to check out another store until you find the perfect gift.
Remember you’re at The New School
The New School isn’t like other universities — you were accepted because you have a creative spark!
If you go to Parsons, make cute holiday cards. If you go to Mannes, play your friends’ favorite holiday tunes. If you go to Lang, write poems or short stories.
And even if you can’t afford to spare one more creative drop for anything outside your assignments, remember it’s the effort that counts.
Food is your savior
Let’s say you made a list, shortened your gift list, visited all the stores you could think of, and then got overwhelmed with homework. Now what? Food.
We’re college students. Our brains are still developing, all our energy is dedicated to assignments and staying awake, and our stomachs are never full. Food is gold.
It doesn’t even have to be a fancy meal. A fresh supply of instant noodles, a bag of their favorite sweets, or a pack of energy drinks is enough to make any college student smile.
Remember presents aren’t everything
Although this may contradict everything in this article, presents truly aren’t everything in a friendship. What really matters is time spent together, equal effort from both sides, and mutual trust.
A gift that was clearly bought too late won’t make your social life crumble into pieces. Your friends will appreciate you just for showing up. That’s what the holiday spirit is all about, isn’t it?
Hopefully, this guide helps alleviate some of the stress that comes with holiday shopping. You don’t have to run to Sephora or Barnes & Noble tomorrow after class — just keep this reminder in the back of your mind and start taking baby steps after Thanksgiving!