Cozy Up, Gaels: Gift Ideas & Holiday Recipes for Students!
The Gaels’ Holiday Gift Guide
Hey Gaels, with the holiday season coming up, here are some gift ideas that you could give to loved ones, or subtly hint that you want them yourself!
Digi Cams—Say Cheese!
Digital cameras are making a huge comeback, and they’re such a fun gift for capturing memories with that nostalgic, film aesthetic. If your parents have an old one lying around, ask if you can bring it back to life (respectfully… and with the charger). If you’re buying new, you can definitely find options that won’t break a student budget. Amazon has tons, but don’t forget about Camera Kingston Foto Source on Princess Street—they’ve got everything from higher-end picks to super affordable choices. You might even catch a holiday deal!
Jewelry: The Timeless Gift
A classic for a reason. Jewelry is personal, meaningful, and lets people accessorize in their own style. It’s also something that can be worn every day and will never go out of style. Cataraqui Centre has tons of options that fit a student price range—from Pandora and Michael Hill to Claire’s for younger siblings. Just make sure you know the person’s preferred metal and style before you buy. If it’s too flashy or not their style…yeah, it’s probably getting returned.
Clothes, Never Enough
There are never enough clothes, am I right? You can never have too many outfits (especially here). Clothes make a great gift, but only if you’re confident about the other person’s style. Otherwise, it’s an automatic regift situation. My safe-bet? A matching sweatsuit. Cozy, practical, and perfect for everything from winter study sessions to walking to class—truly a can’t-miss gift. Find great deals at the mall here, Cataraqui Centre or even Costco, the quality never disappoints! A charitable option is also donating clothes at a local clothing drive or even at your nearest Value Village. The holiday season is always a great time to give back!
DIY—We’re Goin’ Homemade!
Homemade is always a great idea when you’re looking for a gift that’s both budget friendly and has your own personal touch.
Baked goods are the perfect gift for those who love to bake, and those who love to enjoy the end product (everyone), bringing the warmth from your kitchen into the heart (and stomach) of your loved ones. You can go with one of the classics that never miss, like cookies, brownies, or cinnamon rolls, or you could go with a Christmas favourite, like gingerbread, sugar cookies, peppermint bark brownies, or go the extra mile and do a platter with a selection of treats!
Crafts are a great choice when it comes to homemade, as there are endless options and creative flexibility that you can bend to fit your interests and skills! Some crafts you might consider are ornaments, a knitted project (blanket, hat, mittens…endless!), a personalized tote bag, soap or scrubs, or painting pottery (Crock-A-Doodle on Bath Rd. has a wide selection of pottery you can paint for decent prices)!
Brrr Basket—A Little Bit Of Everything!
A brr basket is a great gift for keeping cozy during this cold season, and can be perfectly assembled to fit the interests of your loved one. In the brr basket, you could include blankets, cozy socks, slippers, books, a treat, gift card, hot chocolate mix, mug cake kit…find a lovely basket and fill it to your desire! You can’t go wrong!
Thrifted Goodies—Let’s Support Sustainability!
Thrifting is a great way to keep gift-giving budget friendly, and be environmentally friendly! Thrift stores offer a wide selection of clothing, jewelry, knick knacks, fun finds! Go on the hunt for a striking piece for your fashionable loved one, and you’re set! Check out some of these locations for your thrifted gifts…
- Collective Closet, rm 315 of the JDUC
- Mission Thrift, located on 2455 Princess St.
- Value Village, located on 1300 Bath Rd.
- YGK Thrift, located on 165 Princess St.
- The Goodway Thrift Store, located on 844 Division St.
Queen’s Merch—Yay For School Spirit!
Queen’s merch is something that most students have a collection of (guilty), why not let your loved ones get in on it too? Give a gift that lets them show off how proud they are of your achievements! From personal experience, my mom LOVES to show off her “Queen’s Mom” sweater, especially when she comes to visit me here on campus. The Campus Bookstore, Phase 2, The ARC, and student-run Society58 are some great options for buying your Queen’s Merch. There’s a wide selection offered, like sweaters, shirts, sweatpants, mugs, teddy bears, stationary…so many options for you to choose from!
The struggle of finding the perfect gift can be overwhelming and a big stressor, especially during exam season when your mind is flip-flopping between priorities. We hope that this gift guide helped relieve that pressure during such a busy and stressful time of year! Remember, no matter the money you spend or complexity of the gift, it’s the thought that counts. Happy holidays Gaels!
Holiday Recipes for Every Mood
Ahh, the holiday season, the ultimate time for warm, cozy treats. If you’re not sure what to make, we’ve got you covered! Here are some sweet and savoury recipes you can whip up with ingredients you probably already have lying around. And if not, Metro or Food Basics is only a quick walk away.
Sweet, Warm and Cozy Pumpkin Cheesecake Muffins
Craving something warm, cozy, and sweet? These pumpkin cheesecake muffins make 14 servings and taste like a hug in dessert form:
Cream-cheese filling:
- 3/4 cups of cream cheese
- 1/4 cup of granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon of milk
Muffins:
- 2 cups of all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon of baking powder
- 1 teaspoon of baking soda
- 3/4 teaspoon of salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 ½ teaspoons of pumpkin pie spice* (optional; can just use cinnamon and nutmeg at equal parts)
- 1/2 vegetable oil (any oil works)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar (any)
- 2 large eggs (at room temperature)
- 1 ½ teaspoons of vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup of milk
- 1 cup of pumpkin puree
Instructions are provided on this website and happy baking!
Comfort Food: PASTA
When in doubt, pasta solves everything. Here’s an easy, budget-friendly pasta alla vodka that tastes way more expensive than it actually is:
- Boil whatever type and however much pasta you think is right (rigatoni)
Sauce:
- 1 small red onion or half of a large red onion finely chopped
- 1/2 tablespoon of minced garlic
- 3 tablespoons of olive oil
- 1 small can of tomato paste or 3/4 cup of tomato paste (~125 mL)
- 1 tablespoon of vodka (any)
- 1/2 cup of cream
- 1/4 cup of pasta water (and extra depending on how saucy you want it)
- 1 teaspoon of red chilli flakes
- 1 teaspoon of salt (can be changed to how salty you want it)
- Sprinkle of black pepper
- A LOT of cheese (mozzarella preferably)
- Choice of protein if you would like (cook first)
Sauté the onion and garlic in olive oil until translucent. Add the tomato paste and cook until it darkens. Pour in the vodka, pasta water, and cream, stirring until smooth. Season with salt, chili flakes, and pepper. Add mozzarella until melty, toss with pasta, and finish with parmesan if you’re feeling fancy.
Want to level it up? Turn it into a pasta bake—transfer to a dish, cover with mozzarella, and broil until golden and bubbly (just don’t set the fire alarm off). Perfect for meal prepping or sharing with housemates (if you don’t eat it all first).
Whether you’re baking pumpkin cheesecake muffins or whipping up a cheesy pasta alla vodka, the holidays are all about sharing good food, and maybe sneaking a bite (or three) before anyone else sees. Try these recipes solo for some self-care, or make them with friends and housemates to spread the cozy vibes. Whatever you choose, enjoy the warmth, flavor, and festive cheer… and don’t forget to share it on Instagram and tag us @queens_ams!
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