| College students anticipate the holiday season for | | | | with holiday basics can make for a personalized |
| numerous reasons-final exams are over, festive | | | | and memorable gift that doesn't break the bank. |
| celebrations lie ahead and to top it off, no class | | | | - Organize a gift exchange. Regardless of whether |
| for weeks. But if you are like many students, the | | | | your social circle is large or small, the pressure is |
| excitement surrounding the holidays is marred by | | | | on when it comes to giving holiday gifts to friends. |
| the looming pressure to give the perfect gift to | | | | No one wants to be the friend on the receiving |
| everyone on your nice list. These ideas for | | | | end of a holiday gift unprepared to spread the |
| surviving the financial pressures of the holiday | | | | love in return. An organized gift exchange can be |
| season are designed with the student budget in | | | | a fun way to alleviate the pressure from |
| mind. | | | | everyone. There are a few ways to go about a |
| - Look for opportunities to save on travel. If going | | | | holiday gift exchange. You impose an expenditure |
| home for the holidays involves taking a flight, it is | | | | limit, have each friend draw a name and bring one |
| best to purchase airfare as far in advance as | | | | gift for that person. Or, you can arrange a "Dirty |
| possible to get the lowest price. Also, experiment | | | | Santa" type exchange, in which everyone brings |
| with the rates for departing and arriving on | | | | one gift, draws a number, and gifts are selected |
| different days of the week, because prime travel | | | | and opened in numerical order. Typically there's a |
| days are always more expensive. If your travel | | | | twist-each person may open a new gift or take a |
| plans involve several hours on the open road, | | | | previously opened one from another player. |
| having a tune up beforehand can improve your | | | | Organizing a gift exchange provides the |
| vehicle's fuel economy and save you money in | | | | opportunity for a fun social gathering and |
| the long term. Issues such as a clogged air filter, | | | | removes the pressure for each person to |
| worn spark plugs, and underinflated tires can | | | | purchase several gifts for friends. |
| cause your vehicle to consume more fuel than | | | | - Capitalize on your time out of school. Many retail |
| necessary and cost you more at the pump. | | | | stores, restaurants and other businesses seek |
| - Tap into your creative side. Even a $20 gift can | | | | seasonal staff to cover the high demand of the |
| be difficult to afford when you are trying to give | | | | busy shopping season, providing the perfect |
| a gift to everyone on your list. Purchasing a | | | | opportunity for students to earn extra income |
| pricey gift for everyone is not only unnecessary, | | | | without committing to long term employment |
| but self-imposed pressure to be everyone's Santa | | | | over the holidays. Students have a lengthy hiatus |
| can cause you to overspend and go into debt. | | | | from school during the holidays, affording them |
| Expressing a sentiment does not have to cost a | | | | the free time to earn some much needed extra |
| fortune; you can save money and add a personal | | | | cash. |
| touch by using your imagination to put together | | | | The holidays are a time that should be centered |
| homemade gifts with minimal investment. For | | | | on family, friends and reveling rather than financial |
| instance, create individual, decorative packages of | | | | struggles and societal pressures. Students can |
| hot chocolate mix for loved ones, and couple each | | | | free themselves of the pressure to overspend by |
| with a recipe and a mug personalized to suit that | | | | indulging their creativity and making conscious |
| person's taste. Simply pairing creative packaging | | | | effort to minimize spending over the holidays. |