Now that Thanksgiving is over and the holiday season is just around the corner, it is time to think about gifts. I know that Christmas is not just about getting and receiving gifts, but it would look bad if you didn’t give anyone anything.

Seeing as I have three weeks left of school, my mind is not racing with thoughts of sugarplums, but rather with thoughts of finding a job/apartment once I graduate on December 21st — not to mention final papers, tests, etc. That means that my holiday planning is at a minimum.

On my drive home from Thanksgiving, I pondered how I could even attempt to remain (slightly) sane with everything that is going on. I did do a little Christmas shopping ahead of time, so that helped, but seeing as I am going to graduate four days before Christmas, it leaves little or no time.

Time is one problem, money is another. Since I will be graduating shortly I need to save as much money as possible. I have to put down a deposit on an apartment; I’d like to get a newer car, dress clothes for work, etc.

So I wondered, “Where can I get nice gifts at a nice price?” As fate would have it, I was watching Fox News Channel and there was a man singing Sinatra’s “My Way” with different words. I sat and listened and found out that he was really selling eBay.

That’s it! I can find all of the gifts that I need at reasonable prices on eBay! So I hopped online.

It is really amazing what you can find. The only problem is that you have to wait for shipping, so you run the chance that your gifts might not arrive in time. That and one must be careful when bidding on an item because shipping can run pretty high. I have seen when friends or family would bid on eBay and the seller would charge them 5.00 for shipping, and then slap the item in a brown envelope and put a stamp on it. That would cost 5.00?

Another problem that eyes should be peeled for is where the person is selling the item from. It can be a lot more expensive (not to mention take longer to receive) if the person lives in another country. Be sure to check the seller’s feedback and judge by that before placing a bid on their item. I almost always stay away from those who have negative feedback and make a judgment call.

A lot of times the items that people are selling are either still sealed in the box or new with tags. I tend to gravitate towards these items knowing that (including shipping) I will be saving more and getting the same item I would if I had gone to the mall.

It is really surprising as to what is for sale on eBay. They have almost anything you can think of: An Iowa State University sweatshirt, a new set of dishes from the Pottery Barn and even Elvis’ parents’ wedding certificate (yes — believe it or not, this is for sale — if you have $5,000 to spend on a wedding certificate of strangers).

Even if you have the hardest people to shop for on your list, eBay has them covered.

Shopping on eBay can be rather sobering and time-consuming, though. I saw a Care Bear that I once had on eBay, selling for $200. I remember using that bear to get a ball out of the tree. If I had only known. I’ve spent a lot of time that should have been used to study to see what else I can find on eBay. It can become addictive. Just a warning.

Everything old is new again this year. According to Fox News, Care Bears, Lincoln Logs, Candy Land and Tinker Toys are the hot items this year. It is hard to believe that in the technological world we live in, the toys we adults once played with are hot again. Makes me wish I would have treated my toys a little better.

Which brings me to another concept: making money by selling items on eBay. Why not make a little cash and clean out the closet with the old toys you once had? A lot of the items that I used to play with are worth a lot of money on eBay.

Just be careful when shopping online and make sure that you are not going to be paying for an item that you never receive. Like the old saying goes, “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” It might be helpful to hop online and see what they have to offer for gifts for your family and friends — but do it fast because Christmas is only 21 shopping days away.

Sarah Bolton

is a senior in English

from Glidden.