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GIFT GUIDE
THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2006
Photo illustration by Amanda Sellers/KANSAN
What not to buy
Lame gifts are almost as much of a Christmas tradition as eggnog and Santa Claus. At some time or another, everyone has opened a gift and proceeded to think, "What were they thinking when they bought me this?" They weren't.
The only other time they thought about their horrible gift was when they were deciding how high to start the bidding at on eBay.
it doesn't have to be this way
You don't have to watch that
special someone force a smile
to cover up their crushing disappointment of getting a lame gift.
It's difficult to find the perfect gift for everyone on your list, but here are a few things that you should definitely avoid:
1. ) CDs — With the popularity and affordability of portable MP3 players, CDs are becoming more of a burden than a wanted gift.
"I don't want anymore CDS," Anna Kuklenko, Overland Park sophomore, said. "I can buy them cheaper off iTunes than they are in stores, and then I don't have to go through the process of transferring the songs
from the CD to my iPod. I don't even listen to CDs anymore. I use my iPod everywhere."
2. ) Novelty animals that sing and dance — Yes, they're cute, but what purpose do they serve?
"My grandma loves getting everyone those animals that sing songs," Dennis Chanay, Paola junior, said. "You could probably fill a truck with the stuff you get from her. Anything Santa Claus or Uncle Sam related that can sing you a song and dance."
3. ) Clothes — Unless that person specifically picks out an article of clothing, it's best to stay away.
"I got a sweater once that was actually a pretty nice one, but my girlfriend at the time was terribly paranoid about it," Cody Kennedy, Olathe senior, said. "As soon as I opened the box, she said, 'If you don't like it, don't take off the taps.'"
Unless you want to hear, "You don't have to wear it because of me," like Kennedy did, don't buy clothes unless the person you are giving to is picking them out.
Carly Halvorson
3Y CARLY HALVORSON
This year, celebrate the holidays wearing your heated socks while waiting for your hot dogs to cook in your hot-dog toaster. Afterwards relax in your new bath tub, one that makes its own bubbles.
After years of giving and receiving traditional gifts such as clothes and CDs, 'tis the season to spice up the holidays with some unique gifts.
"We have these ice cube trays that are shaped in shot-glass forms. You can pop them out and fill them up with juice or whatever," Jeremy Cain, employee at Hobbs at 700 Massachusetts St, said. "So you can take a shot out of ice shaped like a shot glass and your drink will be cold."
Unique gifts, which can be purchased on any budget, stray from the ordinary and will be
appreciated, regardless of what the gift is or even if it will be used.
"Every year, my best friend and I buy each other a good gift as well as a weird, random gift from Goodwill," Jordann Parsons, Wichita junior, said.
"Gifts include everything from a ceramic owl, a glass cat and the best one of all — a tree cookie jar. Some people might think we're a little weird, but I look forward to this every year."
Another student said her mom was the main person to give her weird presents.
"Every Christmas she gives me some useless kitchen utensil." Tricia Christenstein, Shawnee sophomore, said. "Last year she gave me an egg slicer, the year before that a potato slicer and a s'more maker. The s'more maker was pretty awesome; who doesn't love smores?"
Unlike the "normal gifts" such as shirts, shoes and CDs, distinctive gifts can be found anywhere. In Lawrence, people can find atypical presents at local shops and thrift stores.
And if all else fails when finding a unique gift, the Internet never will. Just a simple Google com search for "unique gifts" turned out a plethora of ideas.
"I think if you keep your eyes open you can find something interesting anywhere," Christensen said.
For example, those who like puzzles, may enjoy a 7 feet x 7 feet crossword puzzle, with over 28,000 clues.
Or there is an automatic, self-stirring mug, for those who want to lay back, watch TV and sip hot chocolate. These items were found on www.hammacher.com.
"One of the best Web sites to go to is skymall.com.It's based
off of those magazines in airplanes," Eric Snow, Wheaton, III., senior, said. "You can get an $800 chandelier or a stroller for a dog. Basically anything you could think of"
But no matter what the gift — traditional or unique, useful or useless — it is the thought that goes into the present that means the most.
"The things that really matters to people are the things that represent a special bond between two people," Scott Kemp, Overland Park sophomore, said. "One of them remembers something and gets a gift because it was important to both of them, not just one of them."
Kansan correspondent Carly Halvorson can be contacted at editor@kansan.com.
Edited by Elyse Weidner
what do you think? WHAT WAS THE BEST OR WORST GIFT YOU RECEIVED FOR CHRISTMAS?
KIRK SMITH Dallas junior
"An automated can opener."
KRIS LAUR Milwaukee sophomore
"My friend got me a box with fake poop in it."
EMILY EVELOFF Topeka senior
"For Hanukkah, my mom got me those bling rhinestones to put on iPods and cell phones. They were pink too. I hated it."
DUSTIN PICKMAN Atchinson sophomore
"I got the entire Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Action Figure Set."
KEEGAN ALFORD Lawrence freshman
"For Christmas exchange part, my basketball team in high school got me a pair of women's underwear."
STEPHANIE BELL Leawood freshman
"My parents took us to Ireland for Christmas."
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