Christmas spirit is pretty well in full bloom now that the lights are up on the front, but holiday spirit is not all cookies and caroling for the average college student. The holiday season is often a reminder of just how much of your budget you spent on pranking your roommates and how little you spent on things you actually needed. It is particularly stressful to be a freshman during this time of year, as they are quickly learning that being a lifeguard 20 hours a week during the summer does not necessarily support the 30 hours a week spent at Sonic during the fall. Nevertheless, Christmas time presents a wondrous opportunity to replenish those necessities the average collegiate pocketbook cannot quite manage: presents. Here are list of the top five most valuable Christmas gifts a college student can receive, and a complimenting analysis of each.
5. Bathroom Accessories (Toilet paper, toothbrush, shampoo, cleaning supplies, etc.)
This may seem strange to the average person, but to a college student a nice roll of toilet paper can be a lifesaver. Also, living off of the same tube of toothpaste for 15 weeks can prove challenging, unless you cut back on your brushing habits like that weird suitemate you had last semester. I am not saying bathroom accessories are the most exciting gifts, but trust me, once you have a real toilet brush to clean with instead of your old socks, you will be thankful you asked for it.
4. Clothing
Speaking of old socks, when was the last time you washed them? Probably the last time you had a ton of quarters laying around, which was in October. Do not worry, instead of having to wash your clothes more often come springtime, just get your friends and family to increase your wardrobe volume so you can put off doing laundry even longer. Picking out a few winter clothing items can be very helpful come January as well, seeing as you may not have realized the winters in Searcy are so brutal. I have seen people in flip-flops when its snowing outside, and I can only hope it is due to lack of preparation and not some attempt to prove masculinity.
3. Fuel/car repair
Holiday travel can oftentimes put a huge dent in your wallet, and there is no need to let a cost like that get in the way of your road trip plans come springtime. Gas money is a precious part of every college student’s money, and a little extra goes a long way. It also might help to get that check engine light checked out as soon as possible. We all know going to the mechanic is an expensive yet necessary evil, so you might as well make it more enjoyable by going during the holidays.
2. Food
Remember several months ago when you had this precious thing called DCB? What a magical stress-free time that was. Now you are most likely living off of cafeteria food and whatever scraps you find left in your refrigerator that have more than likely expired. Stop shaking the vending machine like a mad man and ask your parents for some homemade food or even a gift card to a real restaurant. Your wallet and your stomach will thank you later.
1. Cash
When all else fails, there is no shame (well, maybe a little) in just straight up asking your parents for money. I know that XBOX looks enticing but trust me, cash is the gift that keeps on giving. You may have forgotten what U.S. currency actually looks like, and if you are going to be a poor recent college graduate someday, you want to look at it as much as possible while you have another party to finance you. Receiving cash is exciting, but like your grandmother used to say, “Don’t spend it all in one place.”
