Now that Thanksgiving is over, holiday gifts are increasingly on the minds of many ISU students. Thoughts include the struggling economy and how to get the perfect gift.

After the shopping frenzy the day after Thanksgiving, holiday gift buying is in full swing and many students are taking advantage of the holiday season to get what they want.

Encouraging parents to buy more gifts for the holidays may be a good thing this year as the economy comes out of recession, said Barry Falk, associate professor of economics.

“Any holiday season can be counted on to boost the economy,” he said.

Falk said it is hard to determine how much the economy will improve because the amount depends on how much holiday spending is done.

ISU students say they’re doing their part to boost the economy by polishing their holiday gift lists early on.

“I start to ask for Christmas presents in late fall,” said Lacey Felkey, freshman in agriculture.

Felkey said she uses Thanksgiving break to drop hints to her family and friends about what she wants for Christmas.

Psychologists suggest students convince their parents to buy them what they want for the holidays in various ways.

Brian Tilley, graduate in psychology, said if a child discovers begging or demanding results in getting what they want, they will continue to use that tactic.

“We go until the well runs dry,” he said.

College students tend to follow the same methods they used as children to get what they want, but in a more sophisticated way, said Lisa Larson, professor of psychology.

“If a student wants their parents to buy them a computer for Christmas, the student might tell their parents they need it for studying,” she said.

Larson said this tactic appeals to parents as a “real reason” the child needs what he or she asks for.

While receiving gifts may be a priority for college students, buying them for others isn’t.

Students tend to wait much later in December than their parents to buy gifts, Larson said.

Felkey agreed.

“I might ask for my gifts early, but I’m pretty much a late person [when buying gifts for others],” she said.