The holiday season falls at the end of the fall semester when college students are usually a little strapped or cash. Secret Santa is popular within floor programs or among college friends and here; we have the perfect budget friendly solutions for your holiday season. These work great as they’re grouped or individually. Spread the holiday cheer with these ideas.
1. You can find plain mugs or travel mugs at the Dollar Store, Target, Walmart and other similar stores. Purchase or find your own sharpies and add on your friend of significant other’s favorite quote, song or drawing. The mug pictured has another unique idea by making a mixed tape playlist on the mug itself. Stick the mug in the oven on 350 for 20 minutes to make your ink permanent and you’ve got yourself a unique and special gift. It’s paired perfectly with a Starbucks or your friends other caffeine addiction in the form of a gift card.
2. Check out discount DVD options like the $5 section at Target or Walmart and pick out a holiday classic (“Elf” & “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” are my favorite). To make the movie night even better, stop at a craft store and get some fleece and make an easy tie blanket. Finally, a movie night is not complete without popcorn!
3. Blank CD’s are cheap and give you the chance to make a personalized playlist for your friend and design your own artwork. You could also make a digital playlist and attach it through an email or flashdrive. You can complete the music theme by finding a favorite music poster that your friend will love.
4. Any board or card game would go over well with snowed in college students, but Cards Against Humanity is a huge hit right now. You’ll laugh for hours and it’s perfectly paired with hot chocolate for a fun night in. As a note though: there is a significant amount of mature content in CAH, so use with discretion!
Written by Ali Sewalt. Ali is a senior at Nazareth College in Rochester, N.Y. and is the marketing intern at NextStepU. For more college planning advice, visit NextStepU.com and start your path today!
