Christmas gift tips for students

Despite all the stress associated with buying Christmas gifts, it is amusing how the whole process of sorting Christmas gifts out always creeps up on us...and then you are sat there in the middle of December buying socks for your dad because you gave up on finding something else.

As a student it can be especially hard planning gifts - so here are some tips for the festive period which we are now entering.

Obviously you need some sort of budget and plan for how many people you are actually buying a present for. Lists are glorious to have and prove to be life savers every year.

Then it comes to actually deciding what to get everyone…

Memories! 

This is a gift idea that will suit every budget and will be appropriate for everyone from grandparents,  and parents to partners and best friends. The more pricey examples would be to get concert tickets, a little weekend trip or similar. The more budget friendly way could be a day out, dinner, museum tickets or cinema tickets. If you are a student and don’t have the chance to see someone as much anymore, this is a great, meaningful gift.

For Christmas I got a hotel night in London with my best friend for when she was coming over to Southampton to see me and we had the best time. It was the perfect gift because we are so far apart and only see each other a few times every year.

Homemade things! 

No, I’m not taking about the drawing you made in school that you gave your mum and dad for Christmas 10 years ago (although I’m sure parents still love to receive these types of gifts).

This could be an album, a framed photo or a homemade cup. It could also be several small gifts. The nicest thing is obviously the thought and time that goes into making something for someone, which I’m sure is a winner with grandparents and parents.

I’d love to show a picture of my masterpiece of a coffee mug I made my mum for Christmas 15 years ago in school; she still loves it so much, but it is unfortunately in Norway.

Pampering! 

You might think this is a gift more suited towards females, but this is a gift I dare to say will go down well with everyone – because everyone needs a bit of pampering sometimes, right? A gift card for a massage or manicure, makeup, skincare or simply a new fancy shaving set for your boyfriend, brother or dad. I can’t see anyone not being happy with any of these and this is a great way of giving something most people don’t always take time out or allow themselves to do.

Magazine subscription, books or something similar! 

A year's subscription of someone’s favourite magazine or a gift card for iTunes, Spotify or similar are definitely winners regardless who the gift is for.

I hope this guide is helpful when planning for Christmas gifts and remember, f nothing seems tempting, you can never have too many white t-shirts or socks!

Alexandra