Five present ideas you can get your parents on a college budget
Emma Ogren, staff writer
Graphic by Emma Ogren
Christmas can be a stressful time of year when you’re a college student worried about finances. We all want to give our parents the best gifts we can to repay them for all the years they spent getting presents for us. It can be hard, however, to find a thoughtful gift that fits within the college student budget. Here are a few ideas to get you inspired.
- Put together a basket
This is a really easy gift that can fit a variety of budgets. You can find a cheap basket at any retailer or thrift one for a cozy touch. Then, you can fill it with whatever you want! I would recommend a movie basket where you put in popcorn, candy and a warm blanket. Another idea is a hot cocoa mug: for this you just need a mug and fill it with hot cocoa packets and marshmallows-maybe even a candy cane. You can typically find these fillers in places like the Dollar Tree and Five Below.
- Something handmade
If you’re the crafty type, something handmade would be the perfect gift. Not only does it add a personal touch, but it’s typically easy to put together if you already have materials. Whether you draw, paint, knit, make music or do any other type of craft, you can put something together. A painting or drawing of a family portrait or your family pet is the perfect gift for parents.
- Go thrifting
Another cheap gift idea is thrifting items that your parents will love. It could be trinkets, a new top or a second-hand book you think they’d like. Not only is it a great way to save money, but it’s also a sustainable idea to keep more out of landfills. This is also a good way to support small businesses while finding a more personalized item that cannot always be found in a big box store.
- A new plant
If your parents have a green thumb, a small new plant is a great gift idea. Whether it is real from a greenhouse, a bouquet of flowers or a fake succulent, they are sure to add a nice touch to any room. You can typically find flower bouquets all year round in any grocery store, ranging from $10-30.
- If you want something more hands on
A great gift for parents who like to create is a cheap Lego set. Lego sets can get very pricey, but there are a good number of sets for under $30. Typically, retailers have better deals on Lego sets than Lego’s official site, so I would recommend looking at Target or Walmart. Right now, there is a happy plants set for $18 at Target that would be a great gift (find it here). There are also small botanical sets for under $15 (find it here).
