WINE
With the price of college these days, your parents are probably drinking wine that costs the same price per gallon as milk.
Rescue them from college student-quality wine; splurge and get them a bottle of the finest Pinot Noir your budget will allow.
The friendly staff at the Vintage Cellar, 1340 S. Main Street, can even help you choose a delicious, high-quality wine.
WEEKEND GETAWAY
Though you probably can't afford to give them a second honeymoon in the Bahamas, a weekend trip to the scenery-rich Smith Mountain Lake or the Inn at Riverbend can provide mom and dad with a chance to get out of the house and spend some time together.
If you're a little worried about the steep investment, consider collaborating with grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc., to give your parents the gift of relaxation after the hectic holiday season.
See smithmountainlakerentals.com or innatriverbend.com for pricing and availability.
PORTRAITS
Second grade isn't the only time parents like photos of you with your siblings to put on the mantle. Worried about the cost of a professional photographer? Wal-Mart has a portrait studio for those on more of a budget.
OFFICE GOODS
Some parents may appreciate an Earth-friendly gift this Christmas; it may sound strange, but in today's consumer culture it's necessary for some activism.
Homebody, which specializes in "retail activism," stocks only sweatshop-free, environmentally sound products.
Pick up a handmade notebook or purse for the environmentally conscious parent.
GIFT CARDS IN PAIRS
If all else fails, gift cards can save you from stressing over what to get and still be a creative and thoughtful gift.
If you know your parents like going out for dinner and a movie, get them a pair of gift cards to their favorite restaurant and a nearby theater so that your parents can enjoy a night out at your expense.
Many restaurants allow you to order a gift certificate online, so check out a restaurant's Web site for more information.
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Leave a comment 9 Comments Write a letter to the editor
All letters to the editor must include a name, e-mail, daytime phone number and affiliation to Virginia Tech. Affiliation includes: year and major for students; position and department for faculty and staff; current city for alumni and parents.
So are these presents only good if you celebrate Christmas? If you're planning on writing an article in a paper that is intended to represent the university you might want to take into consideration that this is a non-denominational university. Unless, of course, the Collegiate Times is "an independent student-run Christian newspaper serving the Virginia Tech community."
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Oh, please.
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that PC stuff makes me sick
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It makes me happy that the support of local businesses is being promoted here. I also really appreciate that a wide price range was covered. Particularly the suggestions for those of us in the budget range. so thank you! P.S. I think someone needs to buy Mr. Grinch a present.
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it makes you sick that a newspaper should be pc? strange.
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Actually to put it bluntly... Christmas gift ideas are usually good for people who celebrate Christmas. But instead of complaining, you should write a Letter to the Editor about gift ideas that your religion celebrates. For example... for those who celebrate Eid al Adha, the may like a present of sheep, goat, camel, or cow to sacrifice and divide the meat between their family, neighbors and the poor. If you celebrate Kwanzaa, things are recommended to be affordable and educational or artistic. I don't celebrate this, but I would assume you would want something that promotes one of the seven guiding principles. If you celebrate Chanukkah, I don't think gift giving is common outside of those heavily influenced by the Christian's Christmas holiday. Some do give gelt to their young kids though. I may be wrong since I don't practice those other holidays...only heard from friends while here. I can tell complaining about someone slighting you is easier than helping them correct the problem...but do try. If they forgot your group, help them out and educate them. That is part of being in school. To learn about the world around us... not just answers for our tests.
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So basically PC guy is complaining that the article didn't laundry list all the holidays. The article was about gifts.. not which holidays VT celebrates. Besides, not all articles in a newspaper are going to be applicable to everyone. For instance, not everyone cares what basketball stuff is going on if you're not a sports fan, and not everyone cares about christmas stuff if you don't celebrate christmas. Moron.
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I don't really have an opinion either way, but the last comment doesn't really make sense. If you're not a basketball fan, right, you wouldn't read the basketball article. However, if you're a football, or volleyball, or soccer fan the CT gives you articles to read regarding those. The argument is that there's only an article about Christmas presents, there's no other articles for the author to read about any other holiday.
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** TickleMe Plant - It Moves ** A great green low cost gift that will make every parent smile is to grow a TickleMe Plant and watch it MOVE when Tickled! The leaves quickly fold and even the branches droop when tickled. I found this to be a great stress reliever in my office and what a conversation piece!. You may have seen the TickleMe Plant in the botanical gardens.. Now it can be grown indoors year round. No green thumb needed. I found it on line at http://www.ticklemeplant.com
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