Shop for your student
It’s hard to know what to buy for the picky college student in your life. Fear not, the University Press staff is here to help. From high-priced vinyl to dollar-store tissues, here are suggestions to fit any budget.
If the boy you are shopping for is into music, nothing says I love music more than a vinyl copy of their favorite artist’s album. Sadly, if Lana Del Rey happens to be their favorite, you will need to spend $1,400 on the limited edition, “Lust for Life” heart-shaped record. Then again, you could be cheap and get them the CD version for $13 instead. It really depends how much you care about them…. LF
What better gift to give your average college student this holiday season than a nice shiny parking pass. No more avoiding LUPD or parking behind the tennis courts even though you have class in the nursing building. With a nice black pass hanging from their rear-view mirror, students will be able to park with confidence, knowing that when class is over, they won’t have a parking ticket the size of a CVS receipt. KG
As the weather gets colder and summer feels like a distant memory, a cozy blanket is the perfect holiday gift. It may seem like an underrated choice at first, but no one thinks they’re silly when they’re freezing and the blanket is keeping them warm. After surviving the brutal stress of finals, nothing feels better than relaxing with a soft blanket draped over you, whether you’re catching up on sleep or scrolling through your phone. There a variety to choose from, whether it’s classic LU red one, a striped blue design, or a festive Grinch, the options are endless. CV
The country is at odds with each other. Everyone is divided by race, age, gender and political affiliation, but there is one thing that can bring us together. It is LEGO’s recent release of the “Batman: Animated Series Gotham City” set. Retailing for $299.99 it contains 4,210 pieces. It comes with four minifigures — Batman, Joker, Catwoman and Harley Quinn. The set can be hung on the wall, making it the perfect wall décor for anyone who is properly cultured. Throughout the masterpiece of the LEGO, you can see the important landmarks of Gotham City — Wayne Manor, Ace Chemicals and the Arkham Botanical Gardens. A true fan knows how important these locations are. This set is the perfect Christmas gift for the crimefighter that lives inside all of us. “I’m LEGO.” AS
Stand out from the boring masses the next time you at the airport. Beis Luggage is the perfect gift for the person who wants to travel in style. Worried about too much weight? No matter. Beis Luggage’s built-in weight detector lets you know when your suitcase is about to burst like a Christmas turkey. Let us face it, holiday travelers pack more just-in-case items than Santa’s sleigh. The convenience does not stop there. The adjustable strap ensures that travelers can comfortably carry their luggage no matter their height or preference. Meanwhile, the padded handle provides extra comfort, making those long treks through the airport a breeze. These features allow for effortless navigation, ensuring a stress-free travel experience. If that were not enough, the creator of this luggage brand is “Pretty Little Liars” star Shay Mitchell. The creator’s fame brings a unique touch of celebrity allure, making Beis Luggage not just a functional choice but also a trendy statement. Fans of “Pretty Little Liars” are drawn to the luggage as it reflects the stylish and savvy persona of its creator creating an feeling of exclusivity and desirability. Sure, it’s not cheap, but then you’re worth it. PP
Many college students tend to eat ramen noodles and McDonald’s because they are far from home, so what better gift than a home-cooked meal for the holidays. It is perfect for every student no matter gender or race. Being far from home can be overwhelming and even the strongest among us gets a little homesick around the holidays. From homemade mac-n-cheese to a beef stew, a home cooked meal could be just what a student needs. Just remember, food is the universal love language. BQ
Tired of being too weak to lift your books? The answer is a multifunctional home gym. This machine offers all of the benefits of the gym without the unnecessary hassle of having to drive five miles there and back. And you can use it any time you please. And there is no need to worry about sneaky subscription payments. Sure it’s a hefty one-time payment of $599, but fitness and convenience has its price. CC
The end of the semester is fast approaching with students stressing over finals. Classes for the spring are also filling up — “but I really need to get that Psych class to graduate!” It’s hard to keep emotions at bay, so a pack of paper tissues is just the gift for your emotional academic. Whether they’re exhausted from pulling all-nighters, failing a class, or elated to be done early for the holidays, a good cry session has never been easier. MS
It isn’t uncommon to see college students with an energy drink or coffee in their hands in the morning — and also in the afternoon — and probably at night, too. With an abundance of assignments and not enough hours in the day, help your student stay awake and productive with caffeine. If you can’t give them extra time to put on the clock, think about getting them a Red Bull, a Monster, maybe an Alani, or better yet, all of the above. A Starbucks gift card wouldn’t hurt either, to be honest. RC
“This boy doesn’t even know the difference between there, their, and they’re,” Sabrina Carpenter sings in “Slim Pickins.” The boy is not the only one to not know the difference. Or your and you’re. Or two, to, and too. The list goes on. Sure its college, but a dictionary will come in handy for students who just need a reminder of which version of these words is which. MR
This Christmas, skip the ugly sweaters and the overly sentimental mugs that will inevitably collect dust in a dorm 
closet. Give the gift that every college student truly wants — extra dining dollars. The unsung heroes of campus life, dining dollars are the fuel that keeps Cardinals flying through late-night study sessions and awkward group projects. Let’s be honest, gift cards to campus spots like Panda Express or Starbucks sound great in theory, but they’re about as useful as a syllabus at the beginning of a semester. Why? Because the restaurants on campus don’t take their own gift cards. Dining dollars, on the other hand, are the golden eggs in a Cardinal’s nest. With these, students can sip their overpriced caramel macchiatos in peace or devour waffle fries without a single thought of their non-existent budget. JS
Tired of not being able to carry enough stuff? With WOLFpak you can carry anything you want. These tactical backpacks allow you to stuff so much in the different pockets. Customize your bag however you want with hundreds of patches to choose from. There’s a bag for everyone with backpacks ranging from 9L to 45L, and 19 different collections. With WOLFpak you are never average, always a wolf. And, you can match your dog with the wolfpup collection of collars, leashes and patches. (Dog not included.) BW
Brutal wars, hostile election campaigns, and chaos around the globe — this year, more than ever, it’s easy to get the notion that people are simply awful creatures. But author Rutger Bregman, in “Humankind: A Hopeful History.” would say otherwise. Humans are inherently good, he argues. Challenging the cynical narratives we often hear in history, politics and media, Bregman states that humanity’s natural tendency is not toward cruelty but toward kindness, cooperation and solidarity. Think of the small moments: a fellow student lending a hand, a professor understanding a late submission, or the overwhelming solidarity after disasters like Hurricanes Helene and Milton. These snapshots, Bregman argues, reveal our true nature. So, why do so many terrible things happen in the world? Bregman posits that power corrupts, not people. Systems and hierarchies, rather than individual nature, often bring out negative behaviors. Bregman delves into the evolution of our species with clear and engaging writing, proposing that it was driven by the principle of “survival of the friendliest.” A must read in dark times — and the perfect gift for misanthropic friends. LL
Compiled by UP staffers Maddie Sims, Luis Lemmen, Jill Stokes, Maria Rodriguez, Brian Quijada, Luis Figueroa, Charles Campbell, Aaron Saenz, Kami Greene and Rayna Christy.