By Caroline Koustos
College students know the importance of cutting down costs all too well. Whether it’s for tuition, school books or groceries, college can be expensive. With the gift-giving season upon us, finding something special is often daunting for those on a budget.
Gift-giving can also be wasteful. According to the Center for Biological Diversity, the U.S. creates 23% more household waste during December over any other month.
To combat waste and conserve money and resources, here are four gift recommendations to get you creatively inspired during this holiday season.
- Baking
Baking or cooking for someone can be a thoughtful, personalized gift that allows you to customize the gift to what they enjoy. It can be indulgent or comforting, and the options are truly endless.
The best part is that it can be as involved or simple as you’d like. Making cookies is just one trip to the grocery store away – either pre-made or from scratch.
Everyone appreciates a sweet gift, and you can adjust it to your level of baking expertise as needed. Here’s a list of no-bake cookie recipes on Pinterest and a recipe for a cranberry loaf using fruit that’s in season!
- Thrifting
Thrifting is a personal favorite pastime, and thrift-inspired gifts are all over social media.
The ability to gift something timeless and unique, makes thrifting incredibly special.
You could put together an outfit or get a special mug. Even books or antique items related to the interests of the person you’re purchasing for make a great gift. Thrifting your gift allows you to think outside the box, and draw on special memories or inside jokes you have.
“Sometimes [thrift stores] have really good furniture things or knick-knacks…I also get hoodies or shirts I associate with the person,” freshman kinesiology major Kennedy Bell said.
Ethan Pham, a senior information science major, created a thrifting alternative for students called Retro Collegiate, previously known as UMD Thrift. The pop-up vintage store allows students to browse their collection right on campus.
The upside of shopping vintage, Pham said, is that they are made to last, whereas newer fast fashion companies mainly follow trends.
“All these clothes would have just gone to waste, so it [helps] reduce our carbon footprint. It’s obviously good for the planet and way cheaper, too,” said Pham.
- Knitting or Crocheting
While making gifts this season, why not pick up a new hobby at the same time? Knitting a stuffed animal, mittens or a hat could add a personal touch. Crocheting a pair of oven mitts, for example, could be a practical gift. Katie Coyle, a junior finance and math major, has been knitting and crocheting gifts for years.
“I feel like everyone likes a stuffed animal,” said Coyle. “And you can personalize things for people…if you make a hat or socks, it’s super fast and you can do patterns or different yarn and stuff.”
Here’s a tutorial on how to knit some quick holiday gifts!
- Homemade Card
If you’re looking for something that is less time-consuming or that you might not be able to buy at a thrift store, a homemade card can go a long way.
Card-making is a form of crafting, which is a great way to improve your mood, increase your self-confidence and relieve stress, according to Spectrum Health & Human Services. As a therapeutic exercise, a crafted card benefits both the maker and the recipient.
You can design the front with a drawing or their name in a nice font and then just get to writing! It’s a thoughtful, small gift that can really show your gratitude for someone.
Instead of buying paper, you can use any notebook paper you have lying around or test your design skills by gluing scraps into a holiday scene. Homemade card-making can remind someone that they matter to you, and perhaps become a new hobby in the process!