Christmas presents as a student
Christmas presents as a student
It is almost that time of the year again. Mulled wine, Christmas tree, Christmas calendar, and finally, Christmas presents. And with Christmas presents we need wish lists. Making wish lists as a kid was a simple matter. The list often included everything from trampolines and scooters to cell phones and more pricey clothes. As one got older, it became increasingly difficult to make wish lists. What could you wish for that wasn’t too expensive or simply took up too much space?
Journalist: Helene Sylvarnes
Illustrator: Anna Bjørke
Translator: Natalie Nazareno
Web-distributor: Martha Evensen
Where is the threshold for what one can wish for? Can you wish for toilet paper? It is an ongoing expense that needs to be paid. The disadvantage of wishing for toilet paper is that it is often something you share in your collective. It would probably not be popular if you brought the toilet paper back and forth from your room every time you had to use the toilet, nor would it be very practical if you one day forgot to bring the toilet roll. If you are willing to share your Christmas gift, toilet paper is an excellent choice!
As you get older, you also become more reasonable. You should wish for something that is useful, but doesn’t imply any unhealthy habits, however, it should also convey that you think about your future. The best wish to cover all these requirements must be course books. To sit down on Christmas Eve and be reminded of life’s struggles may not be the best, but it really is an expensive gift, and it is also large and heavy! It cannot get any better than that on Christmas Eve, can it?
Something that is always safe to wish for are things you will need when you start your real adult life. What can be better than starting to collect cutlery? Or a nice set of plates? You can then get one plate at a time, but it is not a big deal because you will, after all, be collecting for many years. Until the plates go out of production. Then you must hurry and buy 20 plates on the final sale. And then, when you finally move into your own home, perhaps with someone else, you must discuss which plate looks best in the cupboards. That is when you realise you probably should have wished for white cheese for Christmas, the one you would have been satisfied with anyway, but that you would also finish and get rid of within a reasonable amount of time.
Through a highly super serious and completely professional survey, I have received many thoughts about wish lists. A common response is that when you get asked what you wish for, you suddenly feel that you do not need anything. Here, a good tip is to keep a note on your phone that you can update as you think of things you wish for or need. You can also write a list of what you do not wish for, so you won’t be gifted any of these things.
The wish list after turned 20 years can be a complete mess. Everything from a shopping bag full of groceries (so you do not have to eat noodles every night), to practical equipment you need in everyday life and in the future. I have tried to make it easier for you! Here is a top 10 wish list from the students in Ås:
On top of the students’ wish list:
1. . Money
2. A bottle of something fancy, like rum
3.Bedding/sheets
4. Steamer
5. Socks, type wool
6. Wellness products type soap, skin care, creams
7. Glasses type wine or shot
8. Tickets type concerts, cinema, stand-up
9. Slippers
10. Hobby things type yarn, painting canvas, bead
Worth mentioning:
Peace – this is difficult to wrap up, but one can wish for support to organizations that work in war-torn areas. For example, Norwegian People’s Aid, Red Cross, Norwegian Refugee Council, SOS Children’s Villages, Save the Children, or Plan International.
Boyfriend/girlfriend – hard to put in a gift box, also difficult to order within 1 month due to long delivery time, but maybe possible for the coming year with a little bit of effort.
Time – this can just as well be a gift for yourself. Take time for yourself and things you like to do. Watch a move that makes you laugh or cry. Invite someone over for a cup of tea. Make time for the things you enjoy.
Money – it can often seem impersonal, but when you wish for money for something specific, for example a concert, something you collect, something that takes a long time to save up for, it becomes more personal.
Dinner together – a nice Christmas present for each other, you agree on having dinner together one evening. Then you do not have to stress about finding gifts and you get to spend time together.
Parts of this article contain claims. To substantiate the article, the writer has carried out a survey. The results are shown in the figures below.
Could you wish for course books for Christmas?
70 replies
Which toppings would you rather get for Christmas?
70 replies
Have you ever wished for a trampoline for Christmas?
70 replies
*Most students could not wish for course books for Christmas, but this does not mean that it is not a good idea. Consider it ;)
*Most students want white cheese. Some also call this yellow cheese. This number could have been higher if it also said yellow cheese in the survey
*A minority was interested in jumping, while the majority already had a trampoline. It is possible that people did not wish for it as they could borrow their neighbour’s trampoline, this will be investigated further after Christmas.
