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Cheap Gifts 101

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By JENNIFER TEUBER and WENDY WITHERS

Published: November 7, 2007

Editor's note:

We sent a group from the University of South Florida's multimedia journalism program out to find fun and relatively inexpensive gift ideas that more traditional holiday shoppers might never think of. Yes, this week might seem a bit early for a story on holiday shopping, but we know college students are crunched for time because of exams (and football games and end-of-semester parties). They need a running start. With ideas ranging from baking personalized cookies to shopping a Web site that offers one-of-a-kind handmade items, these busy and economically challenged students aced the test.

Video: Cookie Making

Snap Photo Gallery

Let's face it: The holidays can be a stressful time, especially for college students who also are studying for finals.

One aspect of the holidays doesn't have to be a hassle, though. With a little planning and a lot of creativity, gift-giving can be as easy as a 101-level course.

Click On A Gift

Etsy.com is a great Web site for those who have a list full of difficult-to-shop-for people. Similar in some respects to eBay, the site allows viewers to click on handmade art, fashions and crafts. Users also can look up artists by region and screen name. Most prices start at $5.

Orianna Kurrus, a recent graduate of USF's school of fine arts, made a name for herself in Tampa by creating a line of fashion and art that blends a childlike look with darker undertones. She lives in Virginia now, but fans can go to etsy.com and see what she has to offer under the screen name OriannaStudios. (Click Buy, then Sellers, then search for the name.) Prints, such as the one pictured, usually cost around $35.

Kurrus likes the site because it brings a targeted audience to view her products.

"I think Etsy is good for artists, because it's just for selling art and craftwork, as opposed to eBay, which just sells everything, so it's hard to weed through," she says.

Who Doesn't Love A Lullaby?

Know someone who loves tunes? Consider the iConnect plug-and-play iPillow, which can be plugged into any MP3 or CD or DVD player. It also can be plugged into a laptop or airplane seat jack. No batteries are required.

The pillow measures 12 inches in diameter, has volume control and comes in four colors: black, aqua, berry and chocolate. You can find it for $9.99 at Bed, Bath & Beyond. A similar product, called the Cozy Tunes pillow, is the same price at Linens 'n Things.

No Cookie-Cutter Idea

Many college students consider giving baked goods around the holidays. Here's a twist on an old favorite. USF senior Nikki Vyas makes homemade gingerbread or sugar cookies and personalizes them for each person she gives them to.

She uses red or black licorice or icing for hair. Candies such as Red Hots can be used for accessories such as a skateboards or headphones. Vyas sometimes uses photos of her friends and family as a reference when personalizing the cookies. Her best friend plays basketball, so Vyas gave her cookie a light-blue-icing jersey with her No. 22 on the front.

"This is my favorite holiday gift for my friends and family because it's affordable, a crowd-pleaser and you have the option to personalize it," Vyas says.

Play Your Cards Right

For busy loved ones, an accordion folder full of prestamped birthday cards, thank you cards or other gift cards is an economical and considerate gift. Everyone needs to run out and pick up a card from time to time; you can make it easier by giving your friend his or her own supply.

"I think it's a great idea, actually," said recent USF graduate Ronald Andrews. "I mean, it shows that you care about someone and think about someone other than yourself."

The prices and designs of portfolios, card boxes and gift cards vary. They can be found at grocery stores, drugstores, card stores and dollar stores and online.

For an extra laugh, pre-address a stamped thank you card to yourself for giving such a thoughtful gift.

Thanks For The Memories

A picture can be worth a thousand words; for someone with a thousand pictures, a scrapbook can make a great — and inexpensive — gift.

"Scrapbooking is creative and makes a good family gift," says USF sophomore Katie Balling, who has been scrapbooking for eight years.

A small scrapbook can cost as little as $6.

To make a scrapbook for a gift, you just need a book to put pictures in, colored paper and pens, scissors, glue, and some keepsakes and photos. Just make sure to buy supplies marked with the words "acid free," so everything is preserved inside the book.

Challenge Your Cheap Side

The next time you head to the nearest dollar store for household items, party goods or seasonal décor, consider picking up a basket to fill with presents and give as a gift.

You'll find everything you need at the store, from items to fill the basket to a ribbon to decorate it.

For a girls-night-in-themed gift, you could fill the basket with a nail polish and file kit, holiday socks, lotion and a holiday coffee mug for some hot cocoa. And don't forget to include a picture frame to hold a memorable photo from the night!

Shraddha Belsare, Chelsea Kelly and Dan Willis contributed to this report.

ABOUT THIS REPORT

This report is part of a multimedia project produced by a University of South Florida journalism class in cooperation with The Tampa Tribune, TBO.com and News Channel 8.

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