As children grow, from toddlers expecting toys to the high schoolers of today, Christmas becomes not just a season of getting, but a season of giving. Older teens start to be expected to purchase their own gifts to give to family, ending the one way street of gift giving. However, some people have already begun to expand their Christmas shopping list by including their friends as well.
For the people that do give gifts, students tend to keep it thoughtful, without going overboard with expensive or extravagant items. Alex Lupo ’26 in particular tries to keep it simple, yet helpful and worthwhile.
“My best friends get me gifts on Christmas, and when we do secret santa with my friend group, we do gifts,” Lupo said. “The gifts are usually pretty nice, from brands that are pretty known, mainly clothes, or bathing suits, or makeup bags, things like that.”
Lupo isn’t alone in spreading holiday cheer to her peers. Other students like Liam Willson ’27 shop for their friends and try to show their appreciation. For Willson, he considers gift giving to be a sign of strong friendship.
“I would have to really like you if I’m going to give you a gift,” Willson said. “I think it can be really fun to buy gifts and go shopping for your friends.”
For some, gift giving is not a priority outside of loved ones and immediate family. Counselor Troy Glasser, who occasionally branches out for the white elephant exchange in the main office, keeps his gifts mostly within his family.
“I did it [office white elephant] once… it’s kind of not my deal,” Glasser said. “My favorite holiday is Thanksgiving, because I’m thankful for all the things we have. Christmas, to me, sometimes adds a little bit of pressure.”
Still, the counselors and other faculty at South don’t go without spreading cheer for the whole season. Instead of giving each other gifts, they try to give those less fortunate a better holiday season.
“We decided we’re all fortunate, we don’t really need anything. When you go out and buy gifts, it just adds one more thing to do,” Glasser said. “We’ll pick a charity, we put together a fund, then make a donation.”
Some students believe that giving gifts to their friends is a sign of close friendship. Lupo routinely purchases Christmas gifts for her close friends, and is happy to do it.
“I think it shows that you care about them and that you want to show your love for them on Christmastime,” Lupo said.
