Give yourself a moment to block out the chipper, eggnog-drunk voices proclaiming that the best part of the holiday season is giving. Though there's certainly something to be said for watching someone's face light up as he unwraps the perfect gift, the fact of the matter is that gift giving is stressful. A present should be personal, unique, thoughtful and even a tad whimsical. Frankly, those are a lot of qualifications to meet on a college student's schedule and budget, and this editor finds it much easier to receive presents — or, for that matter, gift cards.
Unfortunately, gift cards, though significantly more useful than a basket of vanilla-scented nonsense from Bath & Body Works, carry the stigma of carelessness. After all, a $15 gift card to Barnes and Noble doesn't exactly scream, "You're important to me and I spent all day hunting for the perfect thing to prove that to you." So, rule number one: no gift cards.
Rule number two: Set a budget — both for yourself and the people you're exchanging gifts with. If you feel awkward setting a price on your relationship with your loved ones, just imagine how much more awkward it would be to receive a $300 watch from your sweetie while he or she unwraps "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2" (2011).
Though the Daily Arts Department doesn't claim to know your best friend, boo, mom, dad, cousin or acquaintance you're awkwardly roped into buying a gift for better than you do, we are decidedly avid consumerists, and there are a few things we wish we owned but would never crack open our own wallets to purchase for ourselves. So whip out your credit cards and prepare to cross this daunting task off your to-do list — or to slyly leave this page out around the people who love you.
For your Secret Snowflake
Steal: Offer the gift of relief from holiday music with Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa's new album, "Mac & Devin Go to High School" (2011), out Dec. 13 for about $10 plus shipping on Amazon.com. Anyone with Jumbo pride will love Jonathan Adler's bright orange, elephant-shaped giant eraser — it's an easy way to brighten up any desk for just under $11. Finally, Ms. & Mrs. proves that good things come in small packages with the brand's Minimergency Kit for Her. The $13 kits come in an array of funky metallic colors and contain a bevy of useful objects — earring backs, bandages, dental floss and stain remover, to name a few — all while fitting in the palm of your hand.
Spend: For the dude who tried and failed to rock a 'stache for No-Shave November, check out the $30 winter hats with knitted "beards" at Beardhead.com. The aqua-colored lizard mini wallet from Madewell promises to perk up purses for a reasonable $32. And as holiday parties loom, ugly Christmas sweaters are in vogue for anyone with a sense of irony. Check out Rustyzipper.com's selection of delightfully tacky pullovers, going for as little as $24.
Splurge:J.Crew sells gorgeous leather flasks for about $43. Though marketed to men, these classy alternatives to the old vodka-in-a-Nalgene-bottle are suitable for imbibers of any gender.
For the geeky foodie, "Heston Blumenthal at Home" (2011) marries science and cooking to create unusual recipes; the cookbook can be purchased online at Amazon.com for $38 plus shipping. And to see your favorite fashionista go positively dotty, check out Anthropologie's $78 Twofold Lucia Loop, a silk infinity scarf that expertly balances muted and perky color palates in chevron and polka dot patterns.
For your significant other
Steal: Though it's a little sappy, you can't go wrong with a framed photograph of the two of you together. To take the sentimental edge off, buy a frame that comes with a Hallmark-worthy generic insert of another couple and cut-and-paste your faces over theirs — cute, but not cutesy. Urban Outfitters has a few picture frames on sale for under $15.
Spend:Photojojo.com's $18 shot glass lens set is perfect for three reasons. First, it's a fun way to suggest party time if you feel like the two of you have spent too many weekends in a row vegging out and watching "Breaking Bad" reruns. Next, it's perfect for anyone interested in photography. Finally, it's a great gift for anyone who loves to drink — though, as we all know, those people are few and far between in college.
Gifts that a handmade card can elevate from thoughtless to thoughtful include: the Pendleton "Whisper" wool scarf for $48 at Nordstrom, snazzy iPhone cases for about $35 in Apple stores, Barneys New York's $36 jacquard socks and Anthropologie's $28 curvy chrysanthemum vase stuffed with fresh flowers.
Splurge: A few of our favorite something-extras include AllSaintsSpitalfields' $75 Euler earrings and L.L.Bean's $99 Bean Boots. Finally, if you're dating anyone remotely fond of music and you've got the cash, check out the Crosley AV Room Portable USB Turntable, available on Urbanoutfitters.com for $160. Disguised as a suitcase, this crafty turntable is a retro addition to any apartment, and you'll both love scavenging for old records to play.
For your parents
Steal:Barneys New York's colorful knotted cufflinks are on sale for $4.80 at Barneys.com, so go crazy and buy your dad two pairs. Meanwhile, help your mom find her chi with a Gaiam Tree of Life yoga mat, going for as little as $10 on Gaiam.com.
Spend: Find a Groupon for a restaurant in your area and bring your mom, dad or both out to dinner for a little family time. You'll be able to subtract up to $20 off the bill, and, best of all, if you have siblings, you can split the expense.
Splurge: Whether your parents go for hearty academic texts, murder mysteries, cookbooks or Dan Brown novels, NOOK e-readers cover all the bases. The handy device goes for
$99 on Barnesandnoble.com, and new members can get up to $25 off. If your parents already have NOOKs, buy them fancy NOOK cases to infuse their daily lives with a little luxury. Lauren By Ralph Lauren offers sleek leather cases in black and red for $68 at Bloomingdales.com.
Finally, if your parents are animal lovers, nothing could be more adorable than a teacup pig. OK, maybe it's not the most practical gift — the absolute cheapest of these miniature cuties are $350, and then there's the upkeep of owning a pet. But your parents are real grown-ups, which means they're probably responsible enough to take care of an animal. Plus, how cute would a teacup pig be, scurrying around discarded gift paper and affixed with a red velvet ribbon? We're squealing at the thought.
