December
Features
6
Unique gifts that give back
A lison F ieldrquse
With the holidays coming up, it can often be hard to think
of that perfect gift. This year think about giving not only to
loved ones, but also to those who are less fortunate. Here are
a few ideas for gifts that are ecofriendly or charitable. Many
of the gifts will benefit people in thirdworld countries and
those who struggle to make ends meet. Also, the ecofriendly
choices are made with materials that are friendly to the earth.
Everyone will be sure to enjoy the holidays and these gifts
with a clear conscience.
Sales from biggest shopping day
of year extends through holidays
L exi W elp
Commonly known as
the biggest shopping day
of the holiday season, Black
Friday features name brand
stores breaking out massive
sales in hopes of making a
profit. Originally created as
a day for technology sales,
Black Friday has expanded
to encompass bargain prices
on just about everything
from running shoes to that
perfect book to read by the
fire.
Held the day after
Thanksgiving, Black
Friday takes strategy to
navigate. It was expected
to be much bigger than last
year due to the economic
downturn, with shoppers
often preparing the night
available for the first few
customers at a discount of
25 percent. Black Friday is
on a strict first come, first
serve basis, and once a store
is out of stock the sale for
that item ended.
"I waited outside Target
at 3 a.m. for about an hour
and a half. After Target we
hopped over to the mall and
went to Macy's," Lenora
Ramsey, sophomore, said.
"There were lots of sales at
Macy's and the mall was
jam packed. It was only 6
a.m. too."
Black Friday kicks off the
holiday shopping season
with massive sales. Even
though it is a one day event,
however, can shoppers can
still find great deals .
"I plan on taking
b e io r e , m a k in g su re th ey
k n E w e x a c tly w h a t th e y
a d v a n ta g e o f all th e h o lid a y
sa le s th is y ea r," K e ls e y
want to shop for. Sales
started as early as 12 a.m.
on Thursday at Toys"R"Us
and Radio Shack.
With sales starting
early, lines started forming
hours before any store
opened, with many people
deciding to camp out the
night before. Best Buy, for
instance, held massive
sales with many electronics
marked at half price and
Play Station 3 systems
Lissman, senior said. Even
though Lissman was on
vacation during Black
Friday, she is not worried.
"I am sure that the sales will
not end after just one day.
It's in department stores
best interest to continue
having their sales so they
can keep attracting their
customers," Lissman said.
Always look for the
sale and comparing prices
before making the perfect
purchase at the best price.
While many stores offered
sales of 50 percent or more
off selected items on Black
Friday, most continue
to offer similar sales
throughout December.
There are other ways
around giving expensive
holiday gifts though. It is
possible to make presents
and then gift them to
friends without opening
your wallet or spending
countless hours waiting in a
line to get a deal.
"I personally like to
make gifts for my family
and friends. Not only does
it save me money, it allows
me to put my own personal
touch on everything I gift,"
Emily Weisenberger, senior,
said. "Besides that, everyone
knows its really the thought
that counts, right?"
Holiday sales for 2009 are
expected to be significantly
less than past years due to
the economy. Because of
this, many stores plan to
extending their massive
Black Friday sales into
December. So, don't fret
if you missed waking up
early and waiting out in the
freezing cold to buy that
sweater at 50 percent off.
Sales are still out there they
just need to be found.
For Him:
* ■ ■
•Product Red Converse
lb ($45$100 w\jfw.joinred.
com)
f Oxfam Can of Worms
i
($18 Oxfam)
•Kidrobot mini |
MUNNY ($9.94 www.
kidrobot.com)
• Recycled Necktie
Wallet ($28 www.
uncommongoods.com)
For Her:
.
•Brazilets ($5 www.
brazilets.com)
•Lush C harity Pot H and arid
Body Lotion ($20.45 lushusa.
|
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com)
•Tree of Life Wall Hanging ($28.95
Hunger Site)
•Wind of Peace Organic TShirt ($26.95 the f
rainforestsite.com)
• Kiss My Face's Lip Action balms ($3.49 Alliance
for Climate Protection) \
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'
"
|g -A':
For Pets:
jgfc :
•Frontgate Ecosport Collar ($18 www.
frontgate.com
•Cat Face Treat Jar ($17.99 aspca.org)
Percy Chicken Dog Toy ($16 Organic cotton
www.uncommongoods.com)
•Kitty hose? Cat Nip Cat toys ($6.99 www. |
bigpawdesigns.com)
•Nature Cluster toy ($22.99 www.
drsfostersmith.com)
m
For Parents:,
I
1
•Adopt a Gorilla ($50-$300 gorillafund.org)
•Sweet Home Gingerbread House Kit ($22.95
35% of proceeds goes to homeless families)
•Silk Tie ($22 Made by Survivors)
•Recycled Can Musical Instrument ($13 Swahili
Imports)
•On/Off Coffee Mug ($25 www.alphaman.
com)
Photo by Mark Poppert
Customers line up at 3:30 a.m. for the 5:30 a.m. opening of Fry's on Black Friday. Customers crowded the
entrance as early as Thanksgiving morning.