By Cole Mingledorff
Photo by Cole Mingledorff
Are you having trouble deciding what gifts to buy for loved ones this holiday season? If so, here is your updated gift guide to help you pick what to give your friends and family.
- Give them something they need. Although it may not be the most glamorous gift, you know they’ll use it and your gift won’t wind up in the back of a drawer or the Goodwill bag. Whether it’s school supplies or cleaning utensils, daily necessities are always a safe and easy gift to choose. Ask if there’s anything they need a resupply of. Think about if your loved one has lost or broken something recently, then give something to replace that item.
- Give them something they want. This one is harder unless you’re told specifically what the person wants because it’s presumably not something you see them using already if it’s truly a wish. Think of this gift as more of a luxury item. This could be beauty/spa products, toys, or the newest video game. Ellen Lee and Wirecutter Staff of The New York Times recommended for teenagers water bottles, wallets, makeup, bath bombs, candles, lego sets, and ear buds for gifts. “These gifts are great for growing and coming-of-age teenagers that are still kids at heart,” Lee writes. On the other hand, you want to make absolutely sure the person truly wants the gift before you shell out a lot of money for something luxurious you’ve never seen the person use.
- Give them something to wear. This could be flashy clothes to stand out in a crowd, or cozy clothes to stay warm in the winter. Colorful jackets or jewelry are high risk but high pay off if you nail it. “Jewelry is a thoughtful gift for someone who likes to dress nicely,” Willow freshman Tan’yrea Ward said. If you have a more laid back friend you’re giving to, I would recommend a comfortable hoodie or sweatpants. When giving clothes, make sure to give something thoughtful and good for them, not something that is careless or something they don’t need or wouldn’t want. Also, be absolutely certain you’re getting the correct size.
- Give them something to read. This gift is especially good if your friend is a book lover. This could be a particular book they want, a library card, or a magazine subscription. Ms. Eshleman recommended the book series Harry Potter and The Color of Magic. The book she recommended in particular for high school students is The Tao of Pooh by Benjamin Hoff. “This book completely changed my life as a highschooler,” Eshleman said, “and changed the way I looked at and handled anxiety.”
- Give them a game to play. Classic board games are great for family game night. This could be a classic like Monopoly, Clue, Trouble, and Sorry, or something more modern and trendy. The New York Times recommended Wavelength, Tapple, Hues and Cues, The Chameleon, and Pandemic. “These are great party games where, by the end, players have lost all track of the score and are just invested in playing,” said James Austin.
But, of course, as they say, it’s the thought that counts. Just try to actually think about the specific person you’re giving to (likes, dislikes, things you’ve overheard) and what might truly be appreciated before handing over your hard-earned money for a holiday gift.
