8A
HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN MONDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2007
FRIENDS
Gift-giving options abound
BY MOLLY STANLEY
Editor@kansan.com
For those students who did not competitively participate in "Black Friday" and have not finished all of their holiday shopping already, the pressure to start making their list and checking it twice is increasing. Deciding whom to buy for, outside of family members, can be a difficult decision — especially for college students who are often on restricted budgets. So how do students decide whom to buy for and how much to spend?
Erin Solis, Wichita sophomore, said that, outside of her family members, she would buy a gift only for her best friend, and she would probably spend about $15 on the present. Denae Oberdring,
Seneca freshman,
said she was
also buying
solely for her
best friend.
"She is
the only one
that will probably
give something back;
Oberdring said.
Olberding said she would be willing to spend up to $50 on a gift for her best friend.
Caitlin Brigham, Bonner Springs freshman, said
Caitlin Bridg freshman, said that she would buy a present for her best friend, who is also her roommate
"I'm cheap. I'm a college student, I'll just give my love to my friends," said Jackie Koester, Hoisington freshman, Isaiah Bruce, Andover junior, said that the only people he planned on buying for were "me, myself, and 1." Many other students, however, are finding ways to include as many friends as possible in their holiday shopping without having to consequently eat nothing but ramen noodles for two months.
"I'm buying her a poster-sized photo of the two of us so I can admire myself every time I'm in our living room." Brigham said.
But not all students can narrow their shopping lists down to just one best friend. Amy Nye, McLean, Va., freshman, said that she was going to buy gifts for her 10 closest friends and was willing to spend about $20 on each. Emily Bergman, St. Benedict freshman, also plans on buying gifts for about four of her closest friends, she said. Bergman said she would be able to spend only about $10 on each of her friends' gifts.
"I'm hela poor," Bergman said.
But many students do not plan on buying gifts for anyone outside of their family.
"I want to somehow let all of them know that I'm thinking of them this holiday season," Groff added. Many students, like Meredith Caldwell, Plano, Texas, freshman, have made agreements with their closest friends
"I'll give a beer to everyone on my floor," said Andrew Sigler, Lawrence freshman. After spending $10 or $15 on his five closest friends, Sigler still wanted to find a way to include the rest of his friends without spending a large amount of money. Brandy Groff, loa freshman, said that she, too, planned on buying fun gifts for her closest friends, and that then, because she can't afford big gifts for everyone, she would buy cards for the people on her dorm floor.
Significant others stress meaning, cost in presents
BY BROOKE HEATH
Editor@kansan.com
》RELATIONSHIPS
With the gift-giving season getting closer, people worry what to get their significant other. Many college students wonder how to show their significant other that they care, without spending all of the money they set aside for spring tuition. At the same time, students do not want to look cheap by purchasing gifts such as 25-cent vending machine rings. Ariel Alexandrou, Dallas freshman, is dating her boyfriend of about one month, Karthik Bonam, Overland park sophomore. She said in new relationships, it was more acceptable and appropriate to spend less money.
David Richart, Overland Park sophomore, also plans to spend at least $100 on his girlfriend of three months, Kristin Werp, Huntsville, Ala., freshman.
"I definitely don't want to spend more than $200, but I want to get him some nice clothes," she said. "I've already spent $80, and I still want to get him some more things."
"I want to get her something that has value, like a necklace," he said. "I also want it to be more personalized, because it will have more meaning coming from the heart, and I think she will appreciate it more."
Werp said she was still throwing around ideas such as clothes, shoes and watches.
"She really likes jewelry, especially rings, so I'd really like to get her something like that." he said. "Or maybe just a season of her favorite TV show, 'America's Next Ton Model.'"
Bonam, on the other hand, plans to spend between $100 and $200 on Alexandrou.
"I think I'll try and stick to the $20 price range," she said. "If I do see something that's a little more and it's perfect for him, I'd get it."
"I used to get him gifts he liked, but it gets harder each year," she said.
While Bonam, Richart and Werp are trying hard to impress their partners with nice gifts, Sherry Her, Peoria, Ill., junior, and her boyfriend of more than three years, Michael Hegeman, Shawnee junior, said they were going to buy each other gifts that they use practically.
"So now I get him stuff he needs. It's just the thought that counts because you want to show you care by getting them something, but not something that's meaningful."
Hegeman purchased her lotion, perfume and a stereo in the past, but isn't sure what to get her this year.
"I want to find an equilibrium between something she'll like and something that's extravagant, because I'm just ballin' like that," he said.
In the past, Ladini Jayarnthe, Olathe freshman, purchased her boyfriend of more than two and a
half years KU basketball tickets and videos.
"For a guy, it's hard to get a really creative gift, most of the time," Jayarante said. "It's easy to get a DVD or video game, but if you got him his favorite football jersey with a signature would be impressive — too bad I can't find a gift like that for him."
Think cheap — unless they are a close friend
"I try not to spend more than $20, unless it's for a really good friend."
Jayaratne also agreed with Richart and said that she tried to personalize her gifts because she thought they were more meaningful.
Zach Ingalls, Lansing junior
Not sure what to buy your friends for the holidays?
Here are some suggestions from fellow KU students:
Sarah Leonard/KANSAN
Edited by Meghan Murphy
In the midst of the holiday season, students find difficulties in gift shopping for their significant others. While some student stress price range, others stress meaning in gifts.
Tips for Buying Holiday Gifts
Colleen Long, Overland Park senior
Make them a gift
WE BUY BOOKS FROM ANY CAMPUS STILL MORE CASH FOR BOOKS NOW THRU FINALS Jayhawk Bookstore ...at the top of Naismith Hill (785) 843-3826 • jayhawkbookstore.com
You can never go wrong with gift certificates "Because they can choose what they want." Zachary Sherman, Coldwater freshman
"You could make something like a picture of what you and a friend together."
Make them an ornament
"It's cheap, and it's personal."
Sonja Pantoja, Mission junior
Spending time together is the best gift of all "To me, the holidays aren't about gifts, but more about spending time together with the people you care about." Tovah Mendelsberg, Denver senior
Bake them a treat
Bake them a treat "It's a safe bet, and it is cheap and personal" Abbie Jensen, Overland Park sophomore
American Express disposable credit cards "You can use them anywhere. It's easier than carrying cash."
Johnny McGuire, Gallup, N.M., freshman
If all else fails, buy them music "It's hard for someone not to enjoy music." Sean Handley, Olathe junior
Go with your gut "Buy them a gift based off of their personality." Travis Morstorf, Topeka sophomore
Show your school spirit "Get them Bowl tickets." Brant Richardson, Milan, Mo., junior
Jason Baker