Creativity: a gift in itself
The holidays are upon us, and aside from the stress of finals, students at Aragon have to deal with the stress of gift-giving as well. Some students have a method of giving that they fall back on, others switch it up from year to year.
“I usually buy someone a gift if I know they would like it for sure. If I don’t, then I would draw them a really good picture,” says Sophomore Savanna Fuentes. “One time, I made a drawing of Superman for my brother.”
Junior Dominique Herbert says, “My parents are the hardest to get presents for because you want to get them something that shows appreciation, especially my mom. It is easier for me to get presents for my friends because you can get them gift cards or clothes.”
“For closer friends, where it’s more personal, I get them outfits from Forever 21 because that’s what I do best!” says Herbert. “For me choosing an outfit is a process. I start out with the basics or one piece that I want to focus on. Then I start building, adding accessories and shoes.”
“I mainly choose to shop at forever 21,” continues Herbert, “because their clothing is cheaply priced and there are a lot of unique pieces.
Herbert also shares another type of gift she’s given. “One time, when my friend was leaving for college, I got her a “college kit” which had essential stuff like cup-o-noodles and macaroni and cheese. It also included a chapstick. My friend loved it very much because there were things where she didn’t even think about.”
Sophomore Abby Clemens loves making her own presents. The hardest person to get a gift for Clemens is “my host’s little sister in Japan. I have grown up with an older brother so I wasn’t sure of the gifts I would get her.”
Clemens also once made a hand-drawn picture as a gift, and, even more creatively, she once knitted a scarf for a friend.
Senior Sabrina Elise Bondoc loves making presents too. However, one year, she bought her best friend a purse. Although she bought the present, she “filled the purse with hearts that were made from the Build-a-Bear Workshop.”
Sophomore Andrew Schilling says, “My sister is the hardest to get a gift for because she is into a lot of different things. Sometimes she likes metal, and sometimes she likes country. One time, I got a signed Abbey Road album for her. I made it all by myself including the album and even the signature.”
“My dad is the hardest person to get a gift for because you never know what he wants. He always returns the present if he doesn’t like it,” says Sophomore Linwei Ye.
“My grandma gave me a homemade toy llama from Peru. It was creative because it was made with love,” says Sophomore Micky Alvarez. Alvarez’s grandmother, who lives in Peru, made the toy in the Cabana Mountains of Peru. His grandmother owns a small ranch which has llamas, and she made the toy with real fur from her llamas. Although it is not a traditional gift from Peru, it is still a special present.
From signed albums to stuffed llamas, Aragon students are giving and receiving a multitude of presents this holiday season.
