Rising costs and tight student budgets are reshaping how CSI students shop for and give gifts during the holidays.
By G. Biondolillo
With the holidays just around the corner and finals approaching, CSI students are feeling the pressure of gift-giving. Rising costs and tight budgets are forcing students to get creative about what they ask for and give this season.
For many, the struggle is learning how to manage money while still giving a meaningful gift. Emily Mohlenhoff, a senior at CSI, says she is working on developing better spending habits.
“I’ve definitely had a better sense of saving money,” Mohlenhoff said. “But I also tend to have a bad habit of spending it.”
Financial responsibilities also weigh heavily on students. In-state tuition at CSI is roughly around $3,500 per semester without any financial aid being given, which adds another layer of financial responsibility for students already managing day-to-day expenses. This decreases the money they have to invest in gifts for loved ones.
When it comes to shopping on a holiday budget, college students typically look for the best sales and deals to stay in the means of their budgets while still getting meaningful gifts for friends and family. Most purchases are made around Black Friday or Cyber Monday, when bigger sales are being held in stores and online.
Budgeting strategies among students are more than just timing purchases. Many save small amounts of money throughout the year and cut back on nonessential spending like Doordash or Starbucks in order to save up.
Students like Gianna Saitta have had similar struggles in affording gifts for her loved ones and has made steps in order to budget for the upcoming holidays.
“I like to start saving money earlier prior the holiday season, ordering less Doordash and UberEats, and budget planning,” Saitta said.
Different group gifting activities such as Secret Santa, have become more popular over the years because they are cost-friendly and make holiday giving much more manageable. These activities allow friends, roommates, or clubs to set a spending limit and exchange gifts with one person rather than buying for everyone individually, helping cut down costs.
Apps such as Elfster are used to organize a Secret Santa and help participants find items that are under the budget limit given.
Students also found different ways to manage their finances throughout the holiday season, such as budget planners or spending-tracker apps. These tips and tricks help students prioritize gift-giving while avoiding overspending on presents. Budget planning tutorials and DIY-friendly gifts are posted on multiple social media platforms.
Many students focus on small, thoughtful, and budget-friendly gifts. CSI student, Steven Souffrin, shared a cost-friendly gift idea.
“I really like to give candles,” Souffrin said. “I think they’re a really easy gift to give, and they’re budget-friendly.”
More affordable gifts such as blankets, mugs, snacks, or self-care products, and digital gift cards to Starbucks or Target are also common presents among college students. When wanting to give something meaningful and affordable, some students also make handmade crafts or DIY gifts.
Holiday spending for college students is influenced by working part-time and other budget constraints. Many students have little money for gifts because they have to manage their part-time jobs, commutes to school, and studies which take a toll on their income.
While tight budgets create challenges, CSI students are proving that it’s possible to celebrate the holiday season fully, finding ways to give and receive gifts that are thoughtful, practical, and manageable within limited budgets. With a little preparation and budgeting throughout the year, students are discovering that Christmas doesn’t always have to come with a high price tag.
“I’ve felt that it’s definitely been harder to budget gifts for everyone, including my friends and family,” Saitta said. “But I always find a way to give meaningful gifts.”
