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The Perfect Gifts for Your Parents

The+Perfect+Gifts+for+Your+Parents
Olivia Crosby

It’s hard enough finding the perfect gift for a friend or that weird aunt who collects owl figurines, but when it comes to finding the perfect gift for your parent? Forget about it.

“It’s hard because my parents have gotten so many gifts,” said Rachel Goldstein ’14. “It’s hard to one-up all those.”

Parent-presents come in three categories: the sentimental, the parent-suggested, and the cheesy.

Parents love the sentimental gifts. You know those gifts, the photo collages or that homemade bowl you made in pottery class. You put a good amount of effort into it, and even if your project ends up coming out ugly, it’s the thought that counts.

The only problem with the sentimental is you can’t leave it to the last minute or it will look too rushed. Beautiful gifts take time, people.

One approach to the sentimental, especially if you’re not artistic, is the family day trip.

“My mom would rather us spend money on something to do as a family than something just on her,” said Elizabeth Knoll ’15.

The second type of gift, the parent-suggested, is always good because no thought or effort is needed, and you know that you’re getting your parent what they want. The bad side to this is, obviously, that you put zero effort into it and your parents know that. They might as well have made the purchase themselves. After all, it is probably your allowance that is paying for the gift.

The last and cheesiest is the “Mom” or “Dad” gift. You know that mug that says “#1 Dad!” That’s the cheesy gift. And I think plenty of Staples students can say they’ve given this type of gift before.

The Mom and Dad gifts are usually the funniest and, for those of you who are strapped for cash, the cheapest. The only real difficulty in purchasing this type of gift is making sure you pull it off right.

You can’t just hand it to your parent hastily taped up in Happy Holidays! wrapping paper with a card written 10 minutes earlier. You have to give it a little pizzazz, maybe put a pretty little bow on top.

If none of these ideas excite you, follow the advice of a Westport parent: a gift card.

“You can’t just get a gift card at Stop and Shop,” said Tom Kerrigan, parent of Staples students. “You need a gift certificate to, like, a restaurant. Not Olive Garden, though.”

Or, if you don’t want to spend any money this holiday season, what about homemade coupons?

“I would like a coupon book,” said Joanne Sosnoski Staples parent . “Like a teenager coupon book. With a combination of outings together, family time, and most importantly- chores.”

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About the Contributors
Olivia Kalb, A&E Editor

When Olivia Kalb ‘14 finds a spare moment, she cannot help but spend the time reading an enjoyable book. Although Kalb’s schedule has been booked tight lately college essays and the beginning of senior year, she still makes reading a priority in her life.

“I don’t really have a favorite [book] since I’m always finding new ones I adore, but my favorite genre is romance,” Kalb said. “I love falling into a story as I’m reading.”

However, in addition to adoring books, Kalb also enjoys writing short stories and creative nonfiction. She is very is cognizant of her surroundings, causing her to always be creating dialogues, characters, and stories in her head as she walks through the halls of Staples.

Kalb’s passion for writing was the reason she joined Inklings her junior year. However once part of the newspaper staff, she realized she was able to combine her love of reading and writing. Specifically, last May, after Kalb finished reading a novel, she in return wrote a review on it for Inklings.

Kalb will continue to read and write as she feels it is putting her on the path to success in life. “I have my whole life planned out,” Kalb said. “I want to be an editor for a New York Publisher.” While this may seem like a big dream, Kalb knows that Inklings is teaching her all the right skills for that lifestyle.

Olivia Crosby, Creative Director
When Olivia Crosby ’15 was a freshman, she signed up to make graphics for Inklings, but was never asked to help out. She came in three separate times that year, but still was never asked to join the staff. But, later in the year her talents became noticed. “I took intro to journalism, and during the copyright unit we had to find a legal graphic for a story; I was way too lazy to find something that was legal, so I just made my own. After that Inklings asked me to join,” Crosby said. Crosby’s persistence and drive has allowed her to evolve from staff artist during her freshman and sophomore years, to creative director junior year, to her current position as graphics editor. While Crosby primarily draws for Inklings, she prefers making pottery, which she says helps relieve stress. When Crosby can’t be found in the art or Inklings rooms, she is often found doing flips and twists into the Staples pool. After years of gymnastics and multiple injuries, as a freshman, Crosby transferred her skills from the gym to the pool and joined the Staples diving team. “I love being on the team,” Crosby said. “It’s exciting and so thrilling knowing how hard you'll push yourself even if you don't think you can do it.”

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