The following story was written by a student on the staff of The Jaguar Times as part of Hilliard Bradley High School’s Journalism Production course.
by Addison Maley
Staff Writer
Holiday shopping stress is setting in across America as Christmas draws near, with inflation remaining high.
Inspired Christmas gifts are difficult to come up with every year, but a tight budget adds another challenge. This compilation of budget-friendly gifts for your loved ones will alleviate that stress.
For siblings
Siblings can be both the easiest and hardest family members to shop for, depending on how close the relationship is. Lucy Cotter (11), second of six siblings, says their siblings are the most difficult to shop for “because it’s hard to know what they would like”. Gift cards feel impersonal, but alternatives can be a struggle to find.
Makeup can be an overwhelming aisle to shop in, but it makes useful gifts for those who wear it. Lip oils like the Nooni Korean Lip Oil are perfect for cool and dry winter months. Similarly, cheek tints have gone viral for being budget-friendly and universally flattering. For those unsure of the perfect shade, the Hard Candy Selfie Cheek Tint from Walmart reacts to the skin’s pH, flattering every skin tone.
For crafty siblings, Diamond Art is an easy, rewarding activity that can be purchased from any craft store. Similar to paint-by-numbers, a kit consists of many small gems that are stuck onto a sticky background, creating images when completed. Crafty gifts such as these are great for Netflix-lovers who want to keep busy while binging their favorite shows.
Legos are a classic toy that siblings of all ages will enjoy building. For creatives, Amazon sells a tub of assorted Lego bricks, and for those who need more direction, lego.com has features that allow you to sort by interest, age group, and price range to find the perfect set.
Experience gifts
Experience gifts are always a hit with close friends and family. Winter awards many opportunities for group activities, such as ice skating, the Columbus Zoo Lights, and skiing. Whether tickets are gifted to a whole family or friend group, or to an individual, they will make a fun adventure.
Taking a friend or family member along on one of your own interests is a worthwhile way to bond and introduce them to a hobby they may enjoy. Leon Norman (11), rock climbing enthusiast, gifted his younger brother a trip to go rock climbing with him. Norman “knew [rock climbing] was something he’d like and was interested in,” and they both had “a lot of fun”. In fact, he said the best part of the trip was “watching him try something he had never done before”, making it a gift for both brothers.
Concerts are another affordably fun experience. Bradley student Maggie Schurman (11) shares the “best gift [she’s] ever received” was “tickets to see Linkin Park”. While stadium shows can be expensive, Columbus has tons of small music venues, like Big Room Bar, Woodlands Tavern, and the Bluestone where you can find many shows for less than $30 a ticket. Discovering a new local band or an old goodie with a friend or sibling makes a great gift and an even better story.
For parents
A mother’s favorite phrase around the holidays is usually something along the lines of “you don’t have to get me anything, you’re my gift!” Though they’re well-meaning, kids still want to show their gratitude through a thoughtful gift under the tree.
Sentimental gifts are a consistent favorite among moms. While a pair of slippers or a Bath and Body Works set are nice gifts, nothing beats the smile on their face when they receive a reminder that their kids aren’t so grown-up after all. A handmade ornament or keepsake may seem immature, but it will hang on the tree proudly for years to come.
A creative way to make family photos into a gift is with a fold-out “explosion” box, which, when opened, collapses into an array of pictures. Amazon has a customizable kit with a space in the middle for a small gift, such as a gift card to her favorite restaurant or store.
Both parents will appreciate acts of service. Though it cannot be wrapped under the tree, French teacher and parent Madame Lawrence says all she wants for Christmas is “for someone to clean [her] house”. It can be easy to overlook all that parents do around the house in addition to their other responsibilities, so tidying up, decorating, or doing housework can be an immensely appreciated gift.
Fathers are notoriously difficult to shop for, and stores don’t make it easy with their tempting “#1 Dad” mugs lining the shelves. French teacher Mr. Howard’s father is easy to shop for, and “all [he] gets him are golf balls”. Though it’s an easy gift, showing interest and contributing to his hobby makes it meaningful.
While some may be reluctant to purchase a sentimental gift for their dad rather than a functional one, a customized plaque with a meaningful song is a sweet gift to share. Similarly, there are many artists on Etsy who create commissioned family portraits that anyone would be sure to love.
As the holidays quickly approach, don’t forget to enjoy the season of giving. Feeling good about what you give to others is the most selfless way to get into the Christmas spirit. Happy Holidays!