Don't break the bank this Christmas

This year's Black Friday, the infamous shopping day after Thanksgiving, was blacker than most. Across the country, the rush of frantic consumers erupted in violence-a Wal-Mart employee trampled, two Toys R' Us patrons shot. But if you survived Black Friday (or avoided it altogether) you still have plenty of time to figure out your holiday shopping for this year.

"Thank the lord, no! I did not participate in Black Friday," said University of Memphis junior, Clark Schafani. "You don't want to get between a crazed grandma and her gifts for the grandchildren."

However, he said his mom was still willing to "fight it out" for gifts for his younger sister.

After all, some Wal-Marts are open 24 hours, even during the final hours before the gift-giving begins.

"I can get all of my shopping done there in one stop," said Simone Thomas, a biology major at the U of M. "You can go there like Dec. 23 and knock everything out. They've got it all."

Her friend, music industry major Crystal Woods, also listed the retail giant as her primary shopping destination. She's already figured out most of her shopping list: CDs for her brothers, jewelry for her sister-in-laws, and toys for the nieces and nephews. With Wal-Mart stocking everything from throw pillows to rifles, finding everything on her list should be fairly easy to find.

Similarly, Schifani cited Target as his preferred holiday battleground. "I'm a last-minute shopper," he said. "Kind of like with exams, I work better under pressure."

Asked if the weak economy has changed her holiday agenda, Thomas replied, "Not really, the economy was already screwed up long before December."

Since he had already proclaimed himself "worst gift-giver in the world," Schifani said that the economy could not have much of an impact on his giving. However, he was a bit concerned that the stifled economy might affect what he receives. He said he hopes to get a new iPod from his parents, and he looks forward to the annual $100 his grandmother gives to all of her grandkids.

Still, some students have come up with ways to save money this year. "I don't do a lot of holiday shopping," said John Gentuso, a freshman at The University of Memphis. "I do more holiday finding. I'll look for random things in my house to give to people."

He also said he makes gifts for people and scavenges thrift stores. Gentuso claimed, "I like to give things to people that are more personal."

Gentuso said he hopes to make it through this holiday season spending about $60 on gifts, though he already coughed up $20 for a zippo lighter to give his brother.

"He has expensive taste," he said.

"Re-gifting things you didn't want can always be a good move too," Schifani said.

No matter where students shop, there remain certain gifts to avoid at all costs and others to strive toward.

"The worst present I have ever gotten was a pair of monogrammed socks from my aunt," Schifani said. "The year before, the same aunt gave me monogrammed towels. I try to steer clear of all things monogrammed if possible."

Thomas said the only thing she wants this year is a Nintendo Wii. Woods had her eye on a $200 Hollister jacket. The two friends jokingly compromised that they would buy each other's dream gifts.

Fulfilling someone's holiday wishlist does not have to break your budget. Schifani said that the complete anthology of the 90s Nickelodeon classic, Salute Your Shorts, would make his Christmas, assuming it exists. However, he declared his all-time favorite present was a complete set of 1996 Orlando Magic Basketball Cards, including an Anfernee Hardaway rookie card.

Woods said her boyfriend is completely out of luck this year. "He doesn't celebrate Christmas, so he's not getting anything."

A tough break, but at least he does not have to worry about trying to return monogrammed socks.