The Clarion | December 5, 2008
Lifestyles -
Christmas shopping tips for college students
by Radosav Babic
Business Editor
So, what does a college student buy as a
Christmas present? Many people (family,
friends, girlfriends/boyfriends, and some
others) expect presents from you; however
your budget is very tight. Being a college
student is challenging in many ways and
the finances are just one of them.
Christmas presents, Christmas presents...
Are all those presents really necessary?
Can one actually show love and affection
with a small and symbolic gift? Are many
getting excited about Christmas for the
right reason? It is not about celebrating the
birth of Jesus Christ any more. Christmas
seems to be about receiving and not giving
in the past years, and it has become too
commercialized. Americans spend millions
and millions of dollars during the Christmas
season, and some are getting into a huge
financial debt because of it; but, you don’t
have to.
Reverend Billy and The Church of
Stop Shopping* from New York City are
encouraging everyone to slow down with
overspending, beheving that consumerism
is taking over our lives and that big
companies and corporations want us to have
experiences only through their products. He
reahzes that the things got out of control
with overspending/over consuming and
is trying to encourage Americans to slow
down a bit, by randomly preaching with
him team all over US. He believes that one
can “give more by buying less.” And he is
completely right!
Many of the things boughVreceived aren’t
necessary, some of them will never evenbe
open or used and many will be paying their
debts on their credits cards for months, if
not even years, after a purchase.
So, as a college student you really CAN
give more by buying less. Think of the
things others would love to receive from
you that aren’t necessarily on a “to buy
list.” You can even make something
yourself or write a kind note with the
present, as well.
Showing your love through presents is not
the only way to do it. So again, this year
you should really try to “give more, by
buying less! ” Hmmm, doesn’t that go hand
to hand with our school’s theme this year:
“Sustainability: awareness into action?”
*Ifyou are more interested about Reverend
Billy and his church you may visit a web
cite: http://www.revbilly.com/
m
Reverend Billy spreads his message to a crowd In New York City.
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885-7885
or 1-800-395-help