Social media spurs gift-making trend
The season for gift giving is in full swing and a less expensive trend of do-it-yourself gifts has made it more cost effective for college students to hand out Christmas presents to family and friends.
Do-it-yourself, or DIY, gifts are homemade gifts that range from lotions to baskets to jewelry. The new trend allows for people to make a variety of gifts for as little as five dollars.
Sophomore Erica Fett said do-it-yourself gifts are practical for college students.
The beauty of DIY gifts is that they can be tailored to fit the interests and personalities of the recipients. For example, if you have a friend who loves coffee, you can make them a gift basket filled with different coffee blends, a cute mug, and homemade coffee syrups. Another great way to personalize gifts is by choosing customizable gifts. These are items that can be engraved or monogrammed with the recipient’s name or initials, such as jewelry, phone cases, blanket etc. Personalizing a gift shows that you put extra thought and effort into it, making it all the more special.
“Between paying for tuition, housing, food, gas and other necessities there really isn’t much extra money to spend on Christmas gifts,” Fett said.
Fett said do-it-yourself gifts are best for family members.
Jim Taylor, employee of the Vermillion store New To You, said the business gets a lot of students buying little Christmas décor items and knick knacks for gifts.
“I’d say that our business is more cost-effective since you’re not paying new prices and we’re always running stuff on sale,” Taylor said.
Freshman Samantha McLean said the thought of recycling gifts has never really crossed her mind.
“I guess it would be easier sometimes to just re-gift instead of having to go out and buy a present, but I personally could not do it because I would feel bad that they went out and got me a present and I just gave them something that I found in my room,” McLean said.
With the advent of social media sites such as Pinterest and Tumblr, people have the opportunity to access ideas for do-it-yourself gifts.
McLean said she has seen ideas for do-it-yourself Christmas gifts on her Pinterest.
“They are a good idea because they are a super cute way to make a gift for Christmas and not spend a lot of money,” McLean said. “Plus it means more when someone makes you a gift than going out and buying one.”
Sophomore Mena Khanphongphane said do-it-yourself gifts as Christmas presents are a great idea.
“Making someone a gift puts more meaning into it,” Khanphongphane said. “It makes things more sentimental.”
Khanphongphane also said do-it-yourself gifts are smart for students.
“Being a college student and saving money is the way to go,”
Khanphongphane said.
Reach reporter Payton Randle
