Staff Editorial: Holiday gifts should be meaningful rather than unreasonably costly

As we enter the holiday season, it is important to be grateful for what we have and wary of what we gift to one another. Gifts should be considerate, beneficial and/or bring pleasure to the recipient, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they must be expensive and brand new. In lieu of the iPhone 11’s release, many people are putting new phones on their holiday wish lists regardless of whether or not they actually need a new one. 

The thought of having the newest and latest technology causes them to overlook the actual value of the purchase. The iPhone 11 costs $699 while the iPhone 11 Max Pro costs $1099, according to Apple. While Apple does offer monthly payment plans, the cost is still substantial when you consider that simply keeping your current phone costs no additional money. 

Rather than gifting someone a new phone, you can gift them repairs to their current phone. This is much cheaper, yet it still gives the owner that “new phone feel.” After all, when major appliances stop working, people often seek options of repair before they decide to buy a brand new one. 

You could also get a sentimental gift like a photo album or something that comes from the heart.

If buying a new phone is the only option, then one should consider purchasing older models. Older phones such as the iPhone 8 are still up to date and have all the necessary functions and they don’t cost an unreasonable amount of money. This holiday season, gift thoughtfully and efficiently.

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