Students can celebrate holidays in ways other than gift giving

Byline photo of Grace Brill
Byline photo of Jasmine Bhogaita
Grace Brill and Jasmine Bhogaita • December 9, 2023
Americans spend $875 on average on gifts, decorations, food and other seasonal items. However, there are alternatives to excessive consumerism during the holidays.
Consumerism in the U.S. is big around the holidays

The holiday giving season is filled with people searching for  the perfect gift to give to their loved ones. While this is a popular form of giving to some, others prefer making the holiday season a time to give back to their communities. This is often done through homemade gifts, charity donations and volunteering activities. Though these do not reflect the only ways to spend the holiday season, they can offer other ways to celebrate. The spirit of the holidays can serve as a reminder that there are other ways to celebrate the holidays that do not revolve on a consumer driven market.

Americans spend $875 on average on gifts, decorations, food and other seasonal items. However, there are alternatives to excessive consumerism during the holidays. (Rayne Welser)
Students can participate in charitable activities to give back during holiday season

Cheers for Charity
Donating Food and Clothing

During the holidays many people donate their time and money to organizations and charities to help out people who are less fortunate. Some may donate food or clothing to drives as well as gifts to specific charities for others to receive.

Adopt a Family

Adopt a Family is a charitable event run by different foundations where one can support a family in need. Participants, or adopters, provide assistance by fulfilling the family’s wishlist, which can include buying toys, groceries or basic hygiene products.

Toys for Tots

Toys for Tots is a charity program run by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve that collects and distributes unopened toys for less fortunate children. To get involved, donate toys at a local collection drive or give money on the Toys for Tots website.

Holiday Cards

Many people make holiday cards for their teachers, friends and people in hospitals or retirement homes. The gift provides a simple way to show appreciation for whoever they are giving it to.

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I volunteer at soup kitchens and donate warm clothes to people in need. I do it because I like helping poeple and it makes me feel good to know I can help contribute.

— freshman Elana Kurman

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Through my church, we do annual Christmas toy drives for children in need. It’s always one of the highlights of the holiday season to know that I am helping kids that are less fortunate than me.

— sophomore Isabella John

Students can create their own festive DIY gifts
Step by Step
  • Students can make their own snow globes during the holiday season. By making it themselves, people are not purchasing mass-produced items.
    Students can make their own snow globes during the holiday season. By making it themselves, people are not purchasing mass-produced items. (Grace Brill)
    Homemade Snowglobe

    1. Find a small mason jar and fill it almost all the way with water.

    2. Add glitter or small confetti pieces to the water as the “snow.”

    3. Hot glue a mini figurine, such as a snowman,  to the inside of the lid.

    4. Secure the lid tightly to the mason jar and hot glue for extra protection.

  • Homemade hot chocolate bombs offer a delicious way to celebrate the holiday season. When placed in warm milk, the bombs melt to create hot chocolate.
    Homemade hot chocolate bombs offer a delicious way to celebrate the holiday season. When placed in warm milk, the bombs melt to create hot chocolate. (Grace Brill)
    Hot Chocolate Bombs

    1. Get two semi-sphere molds, hot cocoa mix and chocolate and add-ins of your choosing.

    2. Coat molds with a layer of melted chocolate and place molds in the freezer for 10 minutes to set.

    3. Take molds out of the freezer and carefully pop the chocolate.

    4. Fill one semi-sphere three-fourths of the way with hot cocoa mix and add-ins.

    5. Attach the empty half to the full one to form a sphere by heating the edge of one of the halves.

    6. Decorate the outside as you wish.

    To enjoy: place bombs in warm milk.

  • Homemade ornaments are a personal way to decorate a tree during the holidays, as they can be individualized. For more ideas for snow globes, websites like Pinterest can offer more inspiration.
    Homemade ornaments are a personal way to decorate a tree during the holidays, as they can be individualized. For more ideas for snow globes, websites like Pinterest can offer more inspiration.
    Homemade Ornaments

    1. Buy clear ornaments at your local store.

    2. Take the metal top off and fill with materials of your choice. (ex. confetti, glitter, charms (optional)).

    3. Get markers or paint pens and draw the design you wish to make.

    Search online for other creative ornament ideas!

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This story was originally published in the December 2023 Eagle Eye print edition.

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About the Contributors
Grace Brill
Grace Brill, Design Editor
Grace Brill is a sophomore at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School and the Design Editor for Eagle Eye News. She likes art and watching movies in her spare time.
Jasmine Bhogaita
Jasmine Bhogaita, News Editor
Jasmine Bhogaita is a sophomore at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School and she is a News Editor for Eagle Eye News. She is involved in the ISA and Book Club at MSD. Outside of school, she enjoys reading, playing the piano and spending time with family and friends.
Rayne Welser
Rayne Welser, Executive Editor-in-Chief
Rayne Welser is a senior at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School and the Executive Editor-in-Chief for Eagle Eye News. She loves music, reading, and photography. She is also involved in Girl Scouts and School of Rock. She is excited to work with the staff this year to produce content for Eagle Eye News online and print.
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