Personalized Christmas Gift Ideas for College Students

Along with the pressure of upcoming final exams, most college students like myself are thinking about how to cover their Christmas shopping on a tight budget. We don't have much money to buy gifts, much less time to go out and make money. With the holidays, we finally get the chance to go home and visit with the family, and it just doesn't seem right to return empty-handed.

Here are some gift ideas that are easy to make or buy on that skimpy college budget:

1) Mix CDs. Last year, I was on the same tight budget. But college students are always listening to music. So, I decided to spread the cheer and made each of my family members a personalized mixed-music cd. Some oldies and classic rock for Dad. John Meyer and Michael Buble for Mom. You can really show your family that you know them well when you match their music tastes with a little bit of your own. Decorate the CD on the outside with sharpies to add a little prestige and include a song list with artists' names.

[For something extra...write down inside jokes to go along with each song on the list. You could also include personal memories you have with that person that correlate with the song.]

2) Journals. Not everyone gets into the faithful daily journal, but most people enjoy a little sketchbook, journal, or planner to write in. Purchase a plain notebook, journal, or planner and decorate the outside with magazine pictures (in a collage), photos, etc. To create a laminated outside, cover each side with clear packaging tape (sounds cheap, but it works great). On the inside, every 5 pages or so, write in a quote, song lyric, poem, or memory that relates to the person you're giving it to. As they write, doodle, draw, or organize, they will be reminded of the time and heart you put into their book.

3)Memory Box. I got this idea when I found a unique wooden box on sale at Bonnaroo. Purchase a small wooden box, either already decorated or plain (from an arts and crafts store) to decorate yourself. Line the inside of the box with fabric or felt. Then cut little pieces of paper into squares, hearts, or any other shape. On each piece of paper, write a memory that you have with that person, both funny and sentimental. Fill the box with as many memories you can think of and encourage that person to add more when they get it. When you give it to them, you may want to add some chocolates or candy to the inside to make it more festive.

[This gift can continue to give, as you each add new memories with time.]

4) Calendar. Yes, you could drive over to a local drug store and have them print out a calendar with any photos you want. Or, you could do a more personalized datebook. Include on the calendar anniversaries, memories, pictures, jokes, quotes and little things that will remind them of good times as they flip through the year. When I made this gift, I just bought a cheap calendar and covered up the pictures with my own and added some personality.