It’s hard enough finding the perfect gift for a friend or that weird aunt who collects owl figurines, but when it comes to finding the perfect gift for your parent? Forget about it.
“It’s hard because my parents have gotten so many gifts,” said Rachel Goldstein ’14. “It’s hard to one-up all those.”
Parent-presents come in three categories: the sentimental, the parent-suggested, and the cheesy.
Parents love the sentimental gifts. You know those gifts, the photo collages or that homemade bowl you made in pottery class. You put a good amount of effort into it, and even if your project ends up coming out ugly, it’s the thought that counts.
The only problem with the sentimental is you can’t leave it to the last minute or it will look too rushed. Beautiful gifts take time, people.
One approach to the sentimental, especially if you’re not artistic, is the family day trip.
“My mom would rather us spend money on something to do as a family than something just on her,” said Elizabeth Knoll ’15.
The second type of gift, the parent-suggested, is always good because no thought or effort is needed, and you know that you’re getting your parent what they want. The bad side to this is, obviously, that you put zero effort into it and your parents know that. They might as well have made the purchase themselves. After all, it is probably your allowance that is paying for the gift.
The last and cheesiest is the “Mom” or “Dad” gift. You know that mug that says “#1 Dad!” That’s the cheesy gift. And I think plenty of Staples students can say they’ve given this type of gift before.
The Mom and Dad gifts are usually the funniest and, for those of you who are strapped for cash, the cheapest. The only real difficulty in purchasing this type of gift is making sure you pull it off right.
You can’t just hand it to your parent hastily taped up in Happy Holidays! wrapping paper with a card written 10 minutes earlier. You have to give it a little pizzazz, maybe put a pretty little bow on top.
If none of these ideas excite you, follow the advice of a Westport parent: a gift card.
“You can’t just get a gift card at Stop and Shop,” said Tom Kerrigan, parent of Staples students. “You need a gift certificate to, like, a restaurant. Not Olive Garden, though.”
Or, if you don’t want to spend any money this holiday season, what about homemade coupons?
“I would like a coupon book,” said Joanne Sosnoski Staples parent . “Like a teenager coupon book. With a combination of outings together, family time, and most importantly- chores.”
