Wednesday, February 10, 2016

What-to-Know Wednesday : Tips For Gifting in College



Hello all!

With Valentine's Day right around the corner, I can't think of a better time to discuss some gifting tips that I've had on the back burner lately!

If you're away at college and in the process of getting a gift for a friend (or more than a friend!), chances are you'll run into a few issues without the plethora of resources you're probably used to having at home. At the very least, these are a few of the issues that I've run into (and learned to adapt to) in the past!

Let's get gifting!


Plan ahead over break!

Sometimes thinking of the perfect gift for your best friend or significant other is effort you can't afford to make in the throes of the semester. Maybe you're thinking of taking the homemade route, in which case, that's time you can't afford to spend in your breaks between classes.  And even if time weren't the issue, resources for a DIY project will probably be pretty slim in the confines of your dorm room.

Whatever the case may be, it's never a bad idea to start planning ahead during the break before a particular holiday/occasion (for example, Christmas break before Valentine's Day). Whether that means making a list of ideas or fleshing out the complete gift, you'll be glad you spent some time thinking at home!


Get creative with wrapping!

I don't know about you, but there's no room in my suite for my mom's arsenal of gift wrapping supplies (...as much as I wish there was. Like any great friend I'm making so much effort to wrap a gift for, that dresser drawer of paper and bows is always there when I need it).

That being said, now is the time to show off just how industrious you can be with limited resources! Whether you're using your leftover copy of the school newspaper for a makeshift wrap job or making cute cutouts of construction paper for tags or cards, making sure you've wrapped your gift in some way really takes things the extra mile. (Or, this could be another situation that thinking ahead at home would come in handy! Bring back just enough paper and/or ribbons for that gift you've got in mind, and you're on your way to gifting stardom. And possibly writing a book about how great you are.)

Be discrete!

Smuggling a special package back from the mailroom? Please don't walk that line on your way back from lunch with the soon-to-be gift recipient. Just got that very package back to your room safely and secretly? Now it's time to hide it. Depending on how often you get together with this person, this could be a very easy task or a nearly impossible one. Whatever you do, pick a spot you know they won't be nosing around in on any given day, or ever: the back of your closet, under your bed hidden in your suitcase, buried in your sock drawer, etc. Choose accordingly.


Happy gifting to all, and to all a great Valentine's Day!




Let's Connect!
Instagram: @claire_cavanaugh
Twitter: @CavanaughClaire
E-mail: ccavanaugh2@mail.smcvt.edu

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