GIFTS
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Edited by Emily Gussin & Samantha Blundell
A Gift For You, ‘Tis the Season to Wear a Christmas A Gift For Me Jumper! Make a day out together the gift for your loved one this year by Oliver Wright Stuck for what to get one of your loved ones for Christmas this year? Well why not be cheeky and organise an outing that you can go on together. This way, you get to be a touch selfish and spend your money on something that you will enjoy too. Of course, you also get to enjoy quality time together and make the most of the Christmas break.
might want to stretch to a pub lunch too! I recommend Bradgate Park; this idilic area is so close to the city but filled with beautiful scenery and rambling deer, with several great pubs dotted around. Ice Skating
Walk and Pub Why not head out for some fresh air? Trust me you’ll need it after spending all that time cooped up with the relatives – too much time around squabbling siblings, moaning grandparents and opinionated aunties can take its toll. Leicester is surrounded by beautiful countryside which makes it a prime spot for a festive hike. But all that walking can be thirsty work which means you really must make a detour to the pub around halfway through. Potentially, the person you pose this as a gift for might expect a little more money spent on them than the cost of a round so you
be a good laugh but I would advise against alcohol consumption beforehand: the bruise count goes up massively. Afternoon Tea Returning to ideas that involve minimal risk to your physical wellbeing, afternoon tea is something special that doesn’t cost the world. Leicestershire’s Stapleford Park Country House Hotel offer Traditional Afternoon Tea for £19.50 or (if you
by Kelsie Morris
It is that time of year again, where fashion takes a festive turn. We all love a Christmas jumper and they’re a brilliant gift idea. I’ll be wearing mine with a pair of skinny black jeans and heeled boots. Here is my pick of what the high street has to offer. Novelty Knits
er(£50), New Look red Ho Ho Ho (£20),New Look Jolly fluffy jumper (£25), Miss Selfridge Dear Santa Christmas jumper (£28). These chic Christmas jumpers are perfect for those wanting to make a simple but cute Christmas statement.
Image by flickr user fsse8info
Take a short train journey from Leicester and you can find your way to Nottingham’s outdoor ice rink. The ice rink is found in Old Market Square which is always done up in fine festive style to get you feeling Christmassy. Don’t be put off if you’re not a great skater, you’d be surprised how much fun falling over can be! Roller Disco Keeping to ideas that might well end up with you falling flat on your face, it might be an idea to try out a roller disco. Every Tuesday and Friday Midlands Roller Arena puts on a roller disco for a reasonable price. In my experience roller discos can
Traditional fairisle jumpers Top (L-R); Primark (£12), New Look (£27.99). Bottom (L-R); Primark (£12), Asos (£38). Image by flickr user rc!
feel like pushing the boat out) Champagne Afternoon Tea for £31.75. So if you fancy a day out which is not weather dependent, and the person you are buying for would appreciate a quaint English tea in the country, then this could be an option for you. So if you’re struggling for gift ideas, don’t forget that little excursions can be just as fun! They can also leave you with some great memories to treasure for years to come.
Some people love getting presents, fewer enjoy buying them. With student Secret Santa, I can guarantee this will completely invert your views. Receiving gifts will become something to dread whereas picking out the best present for full friend humiliation will fill you with elation. £10 is a reasonable limit with our budgets but this is still a small amount – you must be inventive. Depending on your
ruthlessness, you need to decide the percentage of money you will split between the joke and the actual worthwhile gift.
Simple Jumpers Clockwise; Missguided Holly jumper(£17), River Island grey sequin reindeer (£38), Asos Christmas tree (£30), Primark I love Santa (£12), Topshop knitted sequin present jump-
Some combinations: Everyone has that friend who won’t go anywhere without his flip flops. So even though they’re commonly known to extract anger and ridicule from every other housemate, buying him a new pair will be funny to you, but he will actually love it. Couple them with some beers and a book. Result: Moderately
evil present. Getting some nail polishes, gloves and chocolates seem nice but when overshadowed by a wooden framed, beautifully artistic chart of all the guys your mate has slept with, she’s going to want the floor to open and swallow her up. This can be awkward if other housemates do not know of her conquests. Result: Pretty damn humiliating. Giving your secret santa a beautiful set of drawing pencils and a
Remember December 13th is Annual Christmas Jumper Day in honour of Save the Children, so make sure you’re wearing yours around campus.
The novelty knit is a Christmas classic and these attention grabbing beauties will make you the centre of attention on Christmas Day. If you are looking to go all out, this pastel coloured Christmas tree jumper from New Look lights up!
The‘Perfect’ Secret Santa by Sarah Williams
Clockwise; Boohoo Snowflake
This is the best option for those of you looking for a more timeless traditional Christmas jumper that will look good year after year. The print on this grey Oasis jumper is subtly Christmassy so it will look good all winter long.
Image by flickr user SalFalko
sketch book. Result: Missing the point of the game. So, how to pick the perfect gift. The trick is to listen out to what your friend mentions is something they want. You have to listen carefully because they won’t be directly asking you; the best
jumper (£15), Asos reindeer fairisle jumper (£38), Boohoo Alexia reindeer jumper (£20), Oasis via Asos fairisle jumper (£45).
P.S. ASOS, MissGuided, Miss Selfridge and Boohoo all offer a 10% student discount with a valid NUS card number or a Unidays code.
ones are when they didn’t even realize they’d said it out loud yet. It could be a book, a CD, make-up brushes or even just a bottle opener because they’re lost without one.
them the one direction ‘documentary’ because you found out they love them. Or maybe if you are a truly horrible/brilliant friend (depending on your outlook on friendship) you will steal their phone/laptop when undetected and set up a date with someone you know is a bit too in love with them but they cannot stand.
Another tip, place yourself next to them whenever you sit down. Don’t be afraid to stare at their computer screen – subtly of course! This is a great way to see what they shop for when they know they can’t afford it. As for the humiliation present, this is quite easy. Living together, we create a lengthy list of inside jokes and unfortunate experiences. Simply pick one that you can turn in to a physical gift. You could be tame and buy
At the end of it, when all is wrapped and ready to present, as long as you stick to your guns and can handle the reaction of your friend you are in for a great day. Remember: this year’s presents will be the ultimate influence for next years. Make sure you can handle it.