Written by Kimberly Kokernot
Between bites of turkey and spoonfuls of cranberry sauce, Thanksgiving prompts us to take time to reflect on what we are thankful for. Most people give thanks for the simple things in life, like friends, family and good food. It’s not a day for complaining, but for hugs and phrases like “I’m thankful for you, mom.”Not once over the Thanksgiving holiday did I hear anyone say how thankful they were for their big screen plasma TV, shiny new iPod orZhu Zhu pet. Yet as the refrigerator door closed and the leftover turkey sat in the quiet cold, I draped my overstuffed body on the couch and started thinking about Christmas. Expressions of “I’m thankful for…” became “Who do I have to buy presents for?” and “What do they want?”Every year, we emerge from ourtryptophan-induced turkey-comas as shopaholics, and spend the next month stressing over whether or not someone will like the obligatory gift we just picked up off the shelf.But my biggest question this holiday season is why we feel obligated to buy people presents in the first place. Chances are your friend doesn’t need another bottle of lotion or a scented candle, but you have to give them something, right?Most college students would say that the things that make college life so incredible are the experiences and memories made with friends.A new bottle of lotion will just join 10 others already on the bathroom shelf, so I challenge you to give a gift that requires doing something together.Go on a road trip, go out dancing or head to your favorite museum/aquarium/zoo for some quality time together. Remind your friends that even though Thanksgiving is over, you are still thankful for them and just want to spend some quality time together as your gift.This won’t work with everyone (some people just really love tearing that shiny paper open) but it’s worth a try. So give more than just a gift. Share an experience they will always remember.
