Holiday gift ideas

While it may be a little late to get a Chanukah gift, Christmas is right around the corner and that means shopping for gifts.

For students who may not have a lot of time on their hands, here are a few quick gift ideas for mom, dad, a boyfriend or girlfriend.

DAD

Shopping for dad might not seem like the easiest thing in the world. It seems the typical dad is chilling in front of the couch watching golf and drinking a beer, and nothing could make him happier.

Here’s what would make him equally, or even more happy since it comes from you.

1. Dads love new, action-packed movies but usually refuse to spend $10 to see them at the box office. “Avatar” on DVD or Blu-ray (or another popular movie he mentioned) would be a fun way to spend Christmas evening after dinner and unwrapping of presents.

2. Some dads prefer to read over watching a movie. “Holidays on Ice” by David Sedaris is a funny collection of memoirs based on holidays in the Sedaris household.  It is a good laugh and read that any dad would appreciate. Other good books to get him are ones that focus on his personal interests.

3. The staple gift to give dad is the tie. It is a gift he will actually use and wear. It is the most average gift on the list, but can easily be personalized when the tie goes with a good suit or his favorite colors.

4. It is no secret that dads love their cars, though that doesn’t mean you need to get him a new one! Maddy Spraitz, an 18-year-old freshman pre-journalism major, said that her dad is also obsessed with cars.

“Usually when I try to think of gift ideas for my dad I try to get something he can use in his car like new carpet mats or seat covers,” Spraitz said.

MOM

Moms definitely deserve Christmas gifts, but sometimes are not the easiest to shop for.

1.With the amount of grocery shopping, work and cleaning moms tend to do, a nice gift certificate for relaxing day at the spa, including a massage, facial, pedicure, or manicure would suit her nicely. It is a gift any mom will appreciate and enjoy.

2. If moms like to read, a good book is “Water for Elephants” by Sara Gruen. It is soon to hit the big screen and is about an old man in a nursing home reminiscing about memories in the circus. A book is a safe gift, however, moms enjoy anything that is on Oprah’s Book Club list or by author Mitch Albom.

3. No one can go wrong with a nice pair of earrings.  On the Pearl Street Mall, there are many crafters who sell handcrafted earrings and other accessories, which could add a personal touch as well as a great way to accessorize any outfit.

This list is not the only thing that students came up with.

4. Marcus Richards, 21- year-old junior international relations major, said that earrings were a good idea, but his mom is more a chocolate lover.

“I think I would get my mom something from Godiva because she loves chocolate,” Richards said. “It is a shame they do not make chocolate-covered earrings.”

BOYFRIENDS

Boyfriends tend to be stubborn and claim to be indifferent to any gift idea. But girls, they are just being polite. Boyfriends want an activity you two can do together. It can be both heartfelt, entertaining and not something that emasculates them.

1. If it is in the early stages of a relationship, the book, “$5 A Meal College Cookbook,” by Rhonda Lauret Parkinson is both poking fun that he is a broke college student and somewhat useful at the same time. It is a way for a girlfriend and boyfriend to make one of these $5 meals together.

2. Boys love video games, thus, it seems like an obvious choice to get a boyfriend a video game, but maybe one that girls can enjoy too. “Just Dance,” for the Wii or Xbox Kinect is a fun game to play and poke fun at one another. Again, this is probably for the broke college girlfriend in a not very serious relationship, but it is both engaging and fun.

Colleen Ryan, an 18-year-old freshman open-option major, said she thought that video games were a really good gift idea for her boyfriend.

“Every woman knows the key to a man’s heart is through video games,” Ryan said. “If you can wow them with your Super Mash Bros. or Mario Kart skills, the man will know you are a keeper.”

3. The next gift is a dinner in downtown Denver then going to a Nuggets basketball game (or hockey game if he is more into that). It is simple, but a very desirable date on his part (and hers too).

GIRLFRIENDS

Girlfriends can be picky, difficult and never give a guy a straight answer. All they really want is a heartfelt gift. Most girls would be satisfied to see that men even put a little bit of thought in the gift.

1. Guys should remember one word: jewelry. A heart shaped necklace, any jewelry with her birthstone (bonus points if you don’t have to ask her), or a favorite color is always a good start. It doesn’t have to be gaudy or expensive, but it does have to be personalized in some way.

2. Try learning something new. It is out of routine and might be fun to practice something new together. For instance, take her to cooking or swing dancing classes. It is also an excuse for the girl to get a cute apron or vintage style dress. It is very romantic to do something together and learn something together.

3. Although girls love to learn new things, a girl cannot say no to a cuddle session on the couch watching a cute new movie. Some cute films that both can enjoy are “500 Days of Summer,” “Juno,” or “Love Actually.” Some TV show series that are good for cold days: “Arrested Development,” “The Office,” or “Friends.”

Some of the best gifts are the most personal. Jake Eggett, a 19-year-old sophomore psychology major, said he really exceeded standards.

“I bought my girlfriend all her art supplies for Christmas last year because I know how much she loves art,” Eggett said. “I wanted it to be a gift that she could really use and enjoy.”

This list won’t suit everyone but should be helpful whether it gives you ideas, or helps you come up with your own. One last tip: the best gifts are personal and from the heart.

Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Emily Cavanagh at Emily.cavanagh@colorado.edu.