Section B·Page 4
The University Daily Kansan
Wednesday, December 6, 2000
Holiday Guide
Merchants offer options for gift-givers on tight budgets
The Casbah, 803 Massachusetts St., sells a variety of affordable gifts, including these cinnamon-wood boxes. Photo by Melissa Corr/KANSAN
By Joanna Miller Kansan correspondent
Book Buddies, artistic coils which hold books open by both sides, are popular stocking-stuffer items at the Phoenix Gallery, 919 Massachusetts St. Photo by Melissa Carr/KANSAN
Pressure to afford holiday gifts for family and friends, while staying within a collegiate-sized budget, can make any student Grinchlike.
However, students needn't sell their blood plasma for holiday cash quite yet. Gifts costing less than $20 are abundant in Lawrence, giving the harried and cost-conscious student many options.
Kristi Kouloukius, co-owner of The Casbah, 803 Massachusetts St., said she understood that students had trouble scrounging for cash to meet holiday deadlines.
"You can get too high on your prices, and that gets very hard for students to afford," Koulouks said. She said her store sold some gift items that would be affordable for college students.
"You can always find a little gift of some sort," she said. "We focus on the out-of-the-ordinary. We try to find unique items that aren't found elsewhere."
For the holidays, "jewelry is always the number one gift," she said.
The Casbah sells small boxes carved from cinnamon wood ($10-13). The boxes can store jewelry or other knick-knacks.
For an unusual gift, Chinese calligraphy tools have been popular, Kouloukis said. Ink ($8), a brush ($2.50), and a rice-paper tablet ($8.12), make the calligraphy set an affordable present.
Kouloukis said hand-blown glass pens and penholders (15$ are)
another gift possibility.
For significant others, the Casbah sells Munachi love stones ($5) — miniature statues of lovers carved from alabaster. Indigenous Peruvian folklore says that if the intertwined hairs of two lovers were tied around the necks of the stone, the lovers would never part.
Of course, the best gifts for alleviating shopping stress at The Casbah are worry dolls ($2.50 each)
The Casbah is one of many
Lawrence stores offering gifts aimed at buvers on tight budgets.
Nikole Rowe, the business coordinator for the Phoenix Gallery, 919 Massachusetts St., said she thought students were intimidated by gallery-type stores, or stores with only one focus area. She said she hoped students knew these stores offered holiday merchandise.
Rowe said Book Buddies ($6.50),
made in St. Joseph, Mo., were a
new and popular item. This artsy-
"They're the new stocking stuffer craze." Rowe said.
looking item, made of wire coil,
holds a book open from both sides.
To tell a special someone that love is more than a passing fancy, the gallery sells 24-carat, gold-covered mistletoe.
Rowe said the Phoenix Gallery's merchandise was drawn from local and regional sources.
Each item the store sells is accompanied by information on how each item was crafted and the
artist who created the item. Rowe said this information personalized a holiday gift from her store.
"Especially for people who are from out of state, they know they are getting something from Kansas." she said.
Another store that might be off the beaten path for students is The Bay Leaf, 725 Massachusetts St. This store provides a wide variety of food gifts fitting into a student budget. When shopping for coffee or tea lovers, this is the spot. Amongst the many jams, food items and teas. The Bay Leaf also carries items such as dishes, potholders and cookie cutters for the chef on your shopping list.
Gunda Hiebert, co-owner of the Bav Leaf, said she was pleased with
how her store's displays for the holidays turned out.
"I think we have the nicest Christmas merchandise we have had in years." Hiebert said.
Another store students may not think of during the holiday shopping frenzy is Southwest And More, 727 Massachusetts St. Maria Martin, co-owner, said the store's specialty was Native-American jewelry and fine art, along with Mexican imports and other gift items.
The handmade element of many of the store's items could make gifts special. Ceramic Hopf art, spicy salsas and Southwest-themed calendars, tow towels, coasters and books all cost less than $20.
KU-inspired gifts popular with family
By Debra Steele
Special to the Kansan
This holiday season, many students will opt for the convenience of buying KU-related gifts on campus for their families.
"I have to buy all of the KU paraphernalia I can before I graduate," Krugel said.
Lawrence carry a variety of gifts for KU fans.
The Jayhawk Bookstore, Kansas Union Bookstore and other stores in
Shawn Krugel, Morehead, Ky., senior, plans on buying a KU blanket for his mom and a KU sweater for his dad.
"We can barely keep them on the racks." he said.
Jeremy Howard, gift buyer for the Jayhawk Bookstore, said the store's biggest seller this season has been KU hooded sweatshirts.
Fleece blankets and Jayhawk ornaments also are big sellers this time of year, he said. Even gifts for pets are available. The Jayhawk Bookstore carries KU collars and leashes as well as doggy dishes.
Mark Trompet, gift buyer for the Kansas Union Bookstore, said the
bookstore's biggest sellers have been history glasses. Each set of glasses features the evolution of the Jayhawk.
Those wanting to have a KU-inspired Christmas this year can purchase lights in the shape of Jayhawks, a variety of ornaments, stockings and even a Jayhawk dressed as Santa Claus.
For the ultimate sports fan, there are KU footballs, basketball poms, basketball calendars and Jayhawk golf accessories.
Nikki Campbell, Kansas City, Mo,
sophomore, plans to buy her dad KU
golf covers. tees and golf balls.
Brandon Wright, Tulsa, Okla.
senior, said, "I was hoping to buy a KU bowl T-shirt, but unfortunately it was another disappointing season."
With stores carrying everything from KU Monopoly to Jayhawk bedding, there is a gift for everyone.
Bob Torongo, Chicago senior, said he usually buys KU gifts for his family.
"This year I'm going to buy my grandma a KU piggy bank," Torongo said. "Last year I bought her a crystal Jayhawk, and she loved it."
Christmas classics endure
Edited by Sara Nutt
Even with new holiday movies out every year, people can't steer away from the classics. People turn to old movies, which have left a lasting impression and remind them of their childhood.
"They make me feel like a kid again when I had nothing to worry about," said Megan Crocker, Leawed senior.
2. It's a Wonderful Life
3. Home Alone
1. Miracle on 34th Street
Here's a list from Movie Gallery, 1501 W. Sixth St., of some of the favorite holiday classics available to rent or buy:
4. A Christmas Story
5. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
6. A Christmas Carol
7. How the Grinch Stole Christmas
8. Frosty the Snowman
9. A Charlie Brown Christmas
10. Rudolph the Red-nosed
Reindeer
Amy Riscoe
726 Massachusetts
FREE AND CONFIDENTIAL
Pregnant?
makeup
Birthright can help 1-800-5504900
fresh, delux, terax, tarte jules & jane, vincent lango
and arriving soon! cargo
STUDENTS: DO YOU NEED CHEAP BUT QUALITY FURNITURE? WE GOT IT!
BEDROOM SETS • BUNK BEDS • MATTRESSES • LIVING ROOMS • DINETTES
• PACETTE • BEACHBOOK • ASHLEY • CORPORAANA
FINANCING AVAILABLE • 90 DAYS SAME AS C.
ASK ABOUT OUR PRICE GUARANTEE
VISA
ASHLEY
THERAPEDIC
DISCOVER
749-SAVE
(749-7283)
CHAIRS THAT MOVE
F2A2KJLN
708 CONNECTICUT