Saturday, December 19, 2009

Too Much Or Too Little This Holiday Season?

By Marissa Ortiz

Staff Writer

Note: Due to a production error, this article did not appear, as it should have, in Issue 3 of Horizons.

The question is too much or too little, during the Holiday season? When it comes to gift shopping. it’s all about finding the right balance. Christmas is around the corner and most men and women are caught between what gifts to get their girlfriend or boyfriend, and what is a good spending amount.

Many girlfriends and boyfriends find it hard to buy the right Christmas gift during this time. They scramble about asking friends and family if they have found the right gift. Many worry about the spending amounts. Asking the question about how much they should spend on each other? Couples want to make sure that they get the right gift without splurging on a mass amount of things. It's a special time during the holiday season where they want to show that they care and that the gift comes from the heart, whether it’s simple or just fabulous.

In my own experience I’ve had difficulty finding gifts for my boyfriend because I didn’t know whether to purchase a big gift, or a little gift that had a big meaning. Many frustrations arise at Christmas time with boyfriend/girlfriend gift problems. If a person really wants to make their loved one happy they should get whatever that person wants. But if people are not planning to spend a whole lot there are many ideas and stores that sell things for cheap. Surely your significant other will be just as happy.

Marshall’s and TJ Maxx are always great places to shop when looking for Christmas gifts especially when you or your other half aren’t trying to spend more than $200 per say. Marshall’s and TJ Maxx offer department store brands such as Juicy Couture and Ed Hardy. The clothing and other products at these stores are much cheaper than if you were to go into a department store. HCC student Jessica Forlenzo is an avid TJ Maxx shopper. “I love TJ Maxx. Last year I got a Juicy Couture zip-up that was regular ninety dollars for only forty. I was so excited, I would definitely consider myself a bargain hunter,” says the 21-year-old shopper.

Shopping during sales are always good too because he or she probably wanted something so expensive and usually it goes on sale after a while during the holiday season. When it comes down to it, it’s okay to shop during sales. Many tend to feel like they are being cheap. It’s not about being cheap, but allowing yourself to be on a budget when everything is so expensive now a days. Plus you never know if the one you are shopping for could be the one!

I went to Marshall’s the other day and they were so many great sales. They had name brand clothes but for cheap: for example, Ralph Lauren Polo’s for men and women, American Eagle jeans, colognes and perfumes. All great stuff! If I were at the mall it would be so much more expensive. I know Target has great prices as well. They have those $1 baskets that would make cute, fun gifts. Kohl’s also has great sales. Between markdowns and coupons I was able to get a $200 Vera Wang ring for $22.50!

Lindsay Roman says, “I’m a discount shopper. I love to find things that my boyfriend will love, but if it’s too high for my budget, I’ll keep going back until it goes on sale. It usually always does, especially at the mall.” Macy’s always ends up having good sales too. I know a lot of times things can get pricy. But if you have coupons that always works wonders.

There are so many options when shopping for your significant other during the Christmas season. No need to stress about how much you may possibly be spending. There are so many stores that have great sales plus with coupons and markdowns it will make your Christmas shopping more enjoyable. Like they say, “Tis the season to be jolly!” So, no matter big or small just make sure the gift you give has a big meaning.

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