Christmas gift ideas
Presents under a Christmas tree (Alana Moscoso-Mendoza, The Puma Prensa)
By Alana Moscoso-Mendoza, staff writer
It’s finally December, which means the holiday season is in full swing. Christmas is fast approaching, so it’s about time to be thinking about what to get your loved ones for this special occasion. If you’re stumped on ideas, don’t worry! I have student-requested gift ideas for you right here.
Christmas initially started as a way to celebrate the winter solstice and various religious beliefs, but you might be more familiar with the traditional celebration of gift-giving. While the Christmas holiday is often observed in many different ways, the main focus today appears to be the creation or purchase of various items for loved ones. The gifts are placed underneath a decorated tree to be opened by the recipient on Christmas day.
If you’re struggling with ideas on what to get for your loved ones this Christmas, then look no further. A great gift many students enjoy receiving is video games, ranging from in-game cosmetics to video game consoles themselves. Sophomore Ryder Kai Crocker said, “I want the Fortnite OG Battle Pass because an old friend and I used to play all the time before he moved.” The Fortnite Battle Pass is a seasonal paid pass in which players can unlock exclusive cosmetics and in-game currency, named V-Bucks, through leveling up. The Fortnite OG Battle Pass was released in celebration of a recent update to the video game. The update was a tribute to Fortnite’s early style, and it temporarily brought back the original look of the Item Shop and a few classic cosmetics and weapons. “I also want a Playstation 5 so I can really enjoy this update,” Crocker added, “Fortnite is my favorite game and I would love to play it on an upgraded console.”
Another gift idea is arts and crafts supplies. If you or someone you know is more interested in creating art, a wooden 3D model kit might be something to consider. The kits consist of small wooden pieces that you piece together to construct anything from boats to cars, and even the Big Ben. Sophomore Dante Mills said “I would love a wooden 3D model kit. I like the end product, it’s nice to show off.” The kits are also relatively inexpensive, the average model being around fifteen dollars.
For a more artsy gift, consider oil pastels, a painting and drawing medium that are similar to crayons. They’re easy to work with and blend between colors smoothly, so they make a wonderful gift for a beginner artist who might not know where to start. Oil pastels aren’t exclusive to beginners though, and even advanced artists might enjoy working with them. If you know a lover of the arts, these gifts won’t disappoint.
Pleasant scents are a satisfying and great gift! Candles are a very satisfactory gift for a loved one, and can even be collected. Consider purchasing a scented candle they don’t already own, or even create your own candle. “I want scented candles for my new room,” said sophomore Penelope Guilford. Candles can be thoughtful, inexpensive gifts that come in a very wide range of scents and are definitely worth checking out.
Another idea for a pleasantly scented gift would be a diffuser. Diffusers are small objects that deposit essential oils into the air of a room through a thin vapor. Essential oils often have fresh, calming scents, such as lavender, eucalyptus, and ginger. Also, diffusers are said to have health benefits and can aid with relaxation and calmness. Diffusers are oftentimes the more expensive option compared to candles, but both make wonderful gifts.
Finally, if your loved one is a fan of music, there are a multitude of gift ideas for you to choose from. For example, if said loved one enjoys collecting items, consider purchasing them a cassette tape or vinyl record. They’re a unique collectible that can simply be put on display or enjoyed through the proper music player. When listening to music on older audio devices, they often have a vintage sound to them which is very enjoyable. Sophomore Quinn Stahl said, “I really want some new records for my collection. I want to start collecting CDs, too.” CDs are a newer way to enjoy music compared to cassettes and vinyl records, and they’re an equally pleasant experience. They’re also generally cheaper than vinyl records. If a loved one’s favorite music artist or band is hosting a concert anytime soon, you should definitely think about purchasing a ticket for them. Concerts are very fun and enjoyable, and if you decide to go to one with someone, they are even more enjoyable. Purchasing gifts is easy, as long as you know some basic things they enjoy. Even if you don’t, these ideas are great for anyone. From video games to concert tickets, there’s sure to be something your loved one will enjoy.