10. $5 Starbucks Gift Card – Treat your friend to a Venti drink from Starbucks and still have money to spare. It’s warm, caffeinated, and inexpensive- what’s not to like? 9. Framed Photos – Print copies of pictures of you and your friend. Then brave the long walk downtown and buy an inexpensive, black picture frame with places for multiple photos. If you’re feeling extra creative, buy a silver metallic Sharpie and decorate the frame with doodles or quotes. Maybe even throw in some jokes only the two of you will understand for a personal touch. 8. Candy – Purchase a large bag of mini candy bars and divide the contents into several envelopes, one for each friend. Write a short note for each, and distribute them to your friends’ mailboxes. They’ll get the gifts a little early, of course, but the candy will surely be a much-needed pick-me-up during a dreaded exam week. 7. Music Mix – In the digital music era, store-bought CDs are inconvenient for many people. Create a more personal gift by hand-picking songs and burning the playlist onto a disk. Include some classic holiday music plus some of the recipient’s favorite tunes. 6. Baked Goods – Take a break from studying this weekend to do some old-fashioned baking. Ask for permission to use a house counselor’s oven and buy some baking supplies from Market Basket. After all, who doesn’t love fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies or peppermint-swirl brownies? Just be sure not to burn anything and set off the fire alarm! 5. Scrapbook – Preserve memories with a colorful scrapbook that will make your friend smile, even many years from now. Buy a blank book from CVS and fill it with printed photographs and colorful doodles and notes. (In general, this gift idea might work better for girls.) 4. Good Deed – Instead of giving your friends wrapped presents, do something nice for them. Surprise your best friends by cleaning their messy dorm rooms, or give them “vouchers” promising to do their dorm duty. Don’t agree to this unless you’ll actually follow through, though! 3. Re-gift – Remember that necklace you didn’t really like? Or those books that you got as a birthday present but never cracked open? As long as these gifts are in good condition, consider re-gifting them with a friendly note. Just because these gifts didn’t work for you doesn’t mean your friend won’t absolutely love them and put them to good use. 2. Write a Letter – Thank the adults in your life for being there for you. A sincere note of appreciation is the perfect gift for a teacher or a house counselor. Use a nice pen and stationary, both available from CVS. 1. Give a Hug- Friendly and free, it’s the simplest way to wish your friends a happy holiday season.