Christmas for College
- McKayla Walker
- Nov 29, 2016
- 5 min read
Now that Thanksgiving is over, it is legally allowed to jam to Christmas music every second of every day and focus on the most wonderful time of the year. Black Friday and Cyber Monday came and snatched away most of our money (hopefully buying Christmas presents), so I understand that it can be a daunting task to know what to do with a small budget for decorating and celebrating. Never fear, we're here to help: here are some deals and tricks to make Christmas for College Students a cheaper and still magical time.
Decorations
Wall Tree
Buying an actual tree, and decorating it, and fitting it into your tiny apartment, is a whole lot of work and a whole lot of money. Go to the store and spend under $10 on some beautiful lights (here's a link to some pretty ones from Walmart for you) and hang them up on your wall for a unique and CHEAP holiday decorations. Or you can be ther stereotypical person and hang them around your windows, or for the tall people (or short people with chairs) dripping from your ceiling.
Snowing Ornaments
Super easy, and you can purchase ornaments for as low as $5 at a Walmart near you, and all you need are some beautiful strings and a green garland to twist them on. (You don't want to use tape, because that will peel off the paint and leave your walls post-Christmas looking absolutely horrible. Learn from my mistakes.)
Easy Origami
When you go on cruises and have those towels folded into swans, bears, and elephants, you are in complete awe. Imagine your friends coming to your house to see christmas trees folded everywhere? I promise the awe will be there.
The Ornamental Bathroom
Your Fortress of Solitude deserves just the same amount of decorations as the rest of your home, so spruce it up with some ornaments on your shower curtain. Fast, easy, unique, and 10 points to Gryffindor for the originality if you want to do this.
The Door that Shames all other Doors
No fireplace in that small apartment or dorm room? Have no fear- your door can reflect all the coziness and pure awesome that is the rest of your space by decorating it like this. The ultimate Christmas holiday win.
Free Activities
Netflix and Chill (with Hot Coco)
I write this with the assumption that every person in the world has hot chocolate already in their house. If not, I weep for you. If so, snuggle up with your pillows, friends, or favorite Netflix & Chill partner because TONS of movies are coming to Netflix for the Christmas season!
And fun fact, Captain America: Civil War is coming to Netflix December 25. Happy Christmas.
Snowball Fights
There is a reason we did this so much when we were younger- because it is the funnest activity you can possibly do. I'm not talking about grabbing your buddy and whitewashing them- I'm talking full on Snowball WAR with snow forts and so many snowballs flying that you look like Buddy the Elf.
Do You Want to Build a Snowman?
The answer should be 189 times yes. What better activity to get you into the holiday spirit than building Olaf or a super spectacular snow sculpture?
Just a Little Bit of $$$ Activities
Ugly Sweater Party
Is it really Christmas without at least one ugly sweater event/day/month? No, no it's not. If you already own heaps of ugly clothing, this won't cost you much more than having to pay for refreshments. Otherwise, count on about $30 for foods and ugly clothing.
Ice Skating
One of the funnest things you can do, and outdoor ice skating rinks are only open this time of year! It's a little pricey depending on the venue, but if all else fails, try out a lake and have phone nearby just in case you fall through the ice.
Hot Coco Study Party
Think of it- you cram for finals in a room filled with your best friends, but entry fee to the party is a box/jar/whatever-they-come-in of hot chocolate. Make a bar of whipping creme, candy canes, and other flavorings (try Pistachio Ice Cream inside. You won't regret it) and while everyone hangs out to the Justin Bieber Christmas Album, they can lovingly sip their coco and slip away the stress of this semester.
(or if you don't want to leave your cacoon of blankets, you can just watch this video for free)
Impressive Lightshows
There are lightshows virtually everywhere, and to miss them is to deny yourself the most magical holiday experience. Neighborhood lightshows are free, so shoutout to that, but many zoo's charge a fee to go out and see their fantastic lights.
Gifts for $20 or less
Simply click on the names of the products below to be taken to the site.
YOU ARE LOSING MONEY NOT GETTING THIS AWESOME GIFT! Who wouldn't want Star Wars shaped waffles? Through the website thinkgeek.com (the best website I have found for aWHILE. Much cheaper than amazon or ebay) you can get ton's of Star Wars items as Christmas gifts for your dad or brothers for 60% off right now, as well as free shipping with the code CYBER16US.
FREE (or Buy 2 Get 1 Free, but that's honestly not as good of a deal). There's gift's for all your sisters, mom, gramma, neighbor, and friends. It's not quite under $20, but if you're buying the regular lotion's at $12.50 each, that's about $6.25 per lotion/perfume bottle. For 6 separate people. You're welcome for the math. For "a limited time only", the signature collection at Bath and Body Works is on sale for BUY 3 GET 3
Walmart does an awesome thing, where you can get DVD's for as low as $3.74, and pay no more than $12.96 for others. Obviously, newer movies tend to cost more, but some of the best at each price are:
$3.74- Mrs. Doubtfire, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, The Iron Giant, Three Amigos, Limitless, Troy.
$5- Jack Frost, P.S. I Love You, Kate and Leopold, The Judge, Interstellar, Stick It, Taken 3, Pride and Predjudice, Book of Eli and I Am Legend (movie set), Focus.
$7.50- 10 Things I Hate About You, Independence Day, Home Alone, Polar Express, Jaws, My Fair Lady.
$9.96- Fox and the Hound, The Sound of Music, Creed, The Book Theif, Tarzan, Ghostbuster's 1 & 2, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1, Titanic, Flash: The Complete First Season
$12.96- Now You See Me 2, American Sniper, The Age of Adeline, The Borne Trilogy (you read that right. 3 movies for under $20- a STEAL), Jurassic World, The Hateful Eight, Modern Family: Season 5, It's A Wonderful Life.
One of the cheapest stores with the most on trend styles, you can't go wrong getting something from Forever 21. From the Tie-Front Surplice Top at $17.90 to makeup at $7.90, mix and match multiple items for a still under $20 deal.
Two words: sale section. Find anything from hair accessories to work out tops to nice dresses, pants, shoes, and shirts for either gender! If shopping online, it's free shipping with $40 or over, otherwise shipping cost varies based on location.
Hopefully you're feeling inspired and less nervous about all the holiday season brings. Get some coco, snuggle up, and enjoy this season.
Remember, it's only 26 DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS!!!
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