Students
get creative for Christmas
Whitney Wallace, posted Dec. 4, 2006
With finals week just around the corner, it’s not hard
to find students with tired eyes and fragile minds stressing
until the relief of December 15 arrives. As campus closes,
students will head home for a much-anticipated month-long
break. This needed rest and relaxation might be hard to come
by during the Christmas season as students struggle to find
gifts for loved ones without breaking the bank. Luckily, several
Mizzou students have suggestions to help others get creative
when looking for worthy and meaningful gifts for friends and
family.
Because of tuition, rent and other costs, students face a
limited budget; however, those choosing homemade gifts will
spend less money and give more meaningful gifts. Mizzou student
Kara Booker suggests the best homemade gifts this holiday
season are tasty treats with a meaningful twist. “I
might make them cookies or fudge and creatively package them,”
Booker said. To get more involved with gift giving, she suggests
spending time together as you prepare the gourmet gift. “People
who are not as creative can bake a friend or family member
their favorite meal or dessert as a gift,” she said.
This not only allows for a creative and inexpensive gift,
but also makes it meaningful with the time you are able to
spend together.
Whether making a package of delicious holiday sweets or fixing
a friend’s favorite meal, Booker has another personal
touch for these one-of-a-kind gifts. “Give them a hand-written
card that would be meaningful to the person that [you] are
giving it to,” she said. “I would make the card
myself and write a meaningful message that I'd spend some
time thinking about.”
Just like the baked goods, other homemade items are meaningful
and less-expensive. “One year I made my brother a memory
board instead of just buying one,” Booker said. Memory
boards, which are similar to portable foam bulletin boards,
are great for using photographs of friends and family. Selecting
a few pictures taken with friends and placing them in a collage
frame creates a simple and appreciated gift. Decorating the
frame with personal touches even adds more meaning.
Mizzou student Ellie Braungardt suggests gathering many pictures
to create another keepsake. “Make a scrapbook with all
kinds of pictures and write a story about each picture,”
Braungardt said. She suggests students looking for an idea
that is even more unique can plan for a group gift with friends.
“Go out with your close girlfriends and get your pictures
taken together. Then split the cost,” she said. Another
idea Braungardt gave takes a good memory but will pay off
in the end. “Pay attention to what their favorite songs
are and make them a CD,” Braungardt said.
While friends are easily pleased with baked goods and pictures,
a popular item for parents and other family members shows
even more thought. “Make a coupon book with things like
clean the car, feed the dogs and other things like that that
they would usually do,” Braungardt said. By giving coupons
students can fulfill basic chores, which takes time rather
than money to make their parents lives a little easier.
Whether gifts were made at Winter Craft Night or on their
own, this year students can head home to celebrate the holidays
without burdening their budget. With such a great combination
of low-cost gifts carrying significant meanings, these crafty
ideas are bound to make this Christmas season merrier than
ever.
