There’s one thing I have learned about gift giving over the years as someone who doesn’t like my friends spending money on me: I love when they remember things. So since it’s slowly getting closer to the holiday season: remember to remember.
Now that you’ve been given a few seconds to have remembered the keywords about what your friends might be consciously hinting that they need, or have subconsciously hinted at: either for their living spaces—like their dorms, apartments, tables, or desks. Maybe even their kitchens or their day-to-day items? Either way, with any little hint you can easily brainstorm and see where you might find things that correlate.
If the person you’re getting a gift for also has a space that needs to be decorated (with all respect), gifting a piece to take up this space would be appreciated.
Cheap but meaningful if you’re down to be crafty: If this gift receiver is one who admires the arts there is a good chance they might enjoy a painting or piece of art. Even if not, it’s the thought of creating art for someone that will make this gift more meaningful. Thrifting canvases or paintings and being able to draw on top is an easy, environmentally friendly, and fun activity to try out. This can also be done with mirrors and paint, spray paint, and/or expanding foam.
Thrifting! Thrifting organization is always a fun way to add character without worrying about it not fitting in or being too much for a space. If the person you’re getting a gift for has a messy desk, collects jewelry, or enjoys color or organization in any form this may be an easy gift. There is a lot that can be found within the decor and house item aisles of consignment and thrift stores. Near the Stevens campus, there is Vintage on First. I have heard good things about it and a plus is that it’s in Hoboken.
Other nice gifts (for your friends as well as your pockets) to receive that might bring up specific ideas: books that you’ve already read and would recommend for a reader-friend (if they’d like annotations you can even make them inside the book for them to find). I’ve found out that printing out posters instead of getting overpriced ones of artists, players or any photography really can be done through stores like Staples. Lastly, a little plant for someone who already has a few might be a cute addition your friend would appreciate (The Home Depot off of the PATH on 23rd Street is close if you’re in Hoboken).
Just know any set budget is more than fine this year and every year. There have been plenty of times when my friends and I have just thrifted each other items as gifts, painted or made little trinkets for each other and swapped them, and enjoyed it the same amount as other gifts. Making food together or going out to see something together may also be just a gift for your friends this year. I hope these ideas help sprout your own plans for your shopping and gift-giving this year—just don’t wait until the last minute!
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