With the holiday season approaching and gift demands growing, many students search for budget-friendly presents that make as big an impact as expensive gifts. 

     “Gift-giving means making people happy and really bringing out the heart and soul. For example, people really think [Christmas]  is just about getting presents, but it is really about the thought of the gift and comfort of your family,” junior Tyson Bethea said.

     Nowadays, giving and receiving breathtaking gifts seems to be the only thing people care about during the holidays. This sentiment tends to make people forget that meaningful gifts do not need to cost much. This is an important concept to remember, especially for those on a tight budget.

     “I think the best gifts require you to recognize little things about whoever you are giving the gift to,” English teacher Morgan King said. “It is not necessarily this big, extravagant thing about them or this big thing they love, but something very minuscule, like something they reference that they need. It is even more special if you are able to add your own spin on it, like making the gift.”

     Thoughtful gift-giving comes from the heart and shows how you notice the little things about the recipient. Instead of looking for the most expensive item to show your appreciation, students with a tight budget can make homemade gifts meaningful. This could be done by finding many cheap gifts and combining them to make an equally affordable and impactful present.