The holidays are right around the corner! Do you know what gifts you are getting for your loved ones? Here are some ideas if you don’t have any yet:

Mom

Moms love creative gifts from their children. They also like clothes and accessories. Want to be creative? Check out Joann’s. They have ceramic and wooden picture frames that you can decorate. They also have other wooden trinkets like ornaments and jewelry boxes that you can paint and bedazzle. If you do not feel like being creative, there are great stores in downtown Kent that you can go to and find the perfect gift. I recommend Figleaf and The Fashion School Store.

Dad

Are you Daddy’s little girl? Even though Dads are supposed to be tough, they melt at any heart-felt gift. Any dad would also appreciate a picture frame he can keep on his desk. Most Dads also love to golf, so consider getting him some clubs or a gift card to the nearest golf range. Take a look on Groupon to see if there are any good offerings right now for his favorite restaurant or activity.

Brother or Sister

Be it you get along or disagree on everything with your sibling, a simple gift will remind them that you still love them. Try getting them a CD that they have wanted or a movie that they love. CDs are very cheap on Amazon. Amazon also offers magazine subscriptions at great prices. Your brother may appreciate a sports jersey while your sister could use some new nail polish colors.

Friends

Doing Secret Santa or exchanging gifts with friends? I think the perfect gift to give is a handmade, glitzy friendship bracelet. Check out the blog, Honestly WTF, to learn how to make these stylish bracelets.

Boyfriend

I think boyfriends are the hardest to shop for. Concert or sport tickets are great gifts. You can also consider buying him a watch. I find Fossil to be affordable and a good brand for watches. You can also make a scrapbook or a collage for him.

I hope this helps to make your gift hunting a little bit easier! Good luck!

—Alexa

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I used cheering the Golden Flashes to victory against the Miami RedHawks as an excuse to make the four-hour trek to visit one of my best friends from high school in Oxford a few weeks ago.

I have visited Miami before, and it never ceases to amaze me how different the dynamic of the student body is from Kent. Walking through uptown midafternoon, I noticed herds of girls, a dozen at a time, looking like they all walked out of the same J. Crew ad, clad in matching riding boots, skinny jeans and lightweight sweaters.

“Rebecca, look at those girls,” I pointed out. “Every single one of them has riding boots on.” Rebecca, a business major, obviously missed the fashion epiphany I was having when she responded with, “yeah, and your point is…?”

I brought this story up when I was talking with Rebecca’s roommate later that night. She made an interesting suggestion when she said, “well, even though they all look the same, at least they have good style.” But is that really style?

Lately I’ve been noticing more and more that style cannot be necessarily associated with monetary value. I counted six bubble necklaces from J. Crew in one hour that Saturday night. Is that style or the ability to recreate a look that you saw on a mannequin with a swipe of a credit card?

As Christmas is right around the corner, I encourage you all to really consider what you ask for this year. Are you asking for a Michael Kors watch and the new Poppy bowler bag from Coach because you really want them, or do you just think you want it because they are “in” right now?

Style has no price tag. What is the most expensive isn’t always the best, and what is the “best” is not always you. So I leave you with this, what is your style?

—Amanda

Photo by Dan Rosenstrauch |  MCT
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Winter break is right around the corner, which requires attire for family holiday parties and New Year’s Eve bashes. Every occasion calls for a different outfit, and I am here to make sure you pick the right one!

I don’t know about you, but my grandma practically has a heart attack if she sees me in a dress that hits above my knees. For family parties, one should strive to sport a more conservative, sophisticated ensemble. Dress pants will definitely keep your grandparents pleased, but if you find yourself wanting to wear a dress or skirt, at least wear tights. Opt for a shift dress rather than body cons. Keep the spirit of the holidays by wearing either green or red for a Christmas party or blue or white if you celebrate Hanukkah. A peacoat is the perfect way to stay warm and still look elegant in the cold. Do not forget accessories! Pearls add a classic touch to any outfit.

Hopefully during break, you will have a chance to catch up with some old friends. If you plan on ringing in the New Year with your peers, do not be afraid to shine. Glitz and sparkles are always the way to go on New Year’s Eve. Also, feel free to show more leg than you did when grandma was around. Want to change up your coat – I save my purple, faux fur bomber jacket for nights like these.

—Alexa

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