We college kids are absolute masters when it comes to stretching the dollar—we share textbooks, swap party outfits, take rolls of toilet paper from public bathrooms and chug as much beer as we can when playing pong at other people’s apartments. So when we give gifts this holiday season, we’re definitely making sure we’re getting as much bang as we can for every single one of our bucks.

Which is why I figure that this year, we should give gifts that also give back to others around the world. If you’re gonna buy something for someone, why not buy the something that also helps someone else? It’s basically multitasking—you’re crossing people off your Christmas list and making a positive difference. And if you shop online, you can do it all without even getting out of bed.

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What are some other gift ideas that also give back?

Ashley is a UC San Diego grad who is holding on way too tightly to a potential career in magazines and goes to Vegas all too often. She’s fascinated with celebrities and strawberry beer and doubles as a pathological texter/emailer/blogger. Feed the addiction with tweets @cashleelee. Thanks in advance.

Being a broke college student, I don’t have the money to buy everyone on my list a nice gift. Enter re-gifiting.

Re-gifting, for those of you who don’t know, is when you take a terrible gift someone has given you, and then you give it someone else. Obviously this can work in your favor or be a total disaster. To make sure you don’t get caught in your re-gifting scheme, we have some dos and don’ts for you.

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Wrong!

It turns out, retailers have got your back and are actually going to reward you for being such a slacker….er….good student. Today, Free Shipping Day, over 1,000 online retailers are going to let you shop from the comforts of your futon and ship it to you for free (yeah, that’s not just a creative holiday name, people) with guaranteed delivery by Christmas Eve!

OK, so this might not be the best timing for those of you who were blessed with the last freaking final exam of the week at 3pm today and are huddled up in the library as we speak with zero time to shop, but for the rest of us, this is the sort of deal that makes us believe in Santa again. (Plus, you can always decompress after that killer exam than with some online retail therapy, am I right??) And it’s even awesome for those of us who don’t celebrate Christmas, as we can do a crapload of online shopping for ourselves and use all that money we would have spent on shipping for something extra fabulous.

Eeek! I’m more excited than when I found out NKOTB and BSB were going on tour together!

Check out all the participating stores at FreeShippingDay.com, then bust out that credit card and do your thang. Happy shopping, CollegeCandies!

It might just be time to buy some new winter weather accessories to punch up your wardrobe.

Whether you pick up one for yourself as you race around the mall to do your Christmas shopping, or include them in your wish list to Santa, there are a lot of cute and cozy options to choose from. And with options like these, there’s no need to look like a giant marshmallow all winter long. In fact, these are so cute, you might even come to kinda, sorta miss them come spring.

[Click on the images for all the shopping info!]

The holiday seasons are all about eating too many dips, spending way too much money on frenemy gifts, and watching Elf on repeat. This year we’re prepared to take the stress and the frustration out of holiday gift giving by giving you the ultimate gift guides to buying the perfect presents for your favorite people (and we’re splitting into 3 different price ranges so you can choose the gift based on how much you actually like the person!). So set this series as your favorite because all week we’re bringing you the best.

‘Tis better to give than receive, right?  Well, technically speaking.  Except when it comes time to figure out what the hell you’re getting the man in your life this Christmas.  And they say we’re hard to shop for!?  Psh, please. Give me a couple Twizzlers and a three-karat diamond and I’m just peachy.  (Sarcasm?)

To ease the process of avoiding iTunes gift certificate and the ever classic “here’s a card and a blow job,” here are a few alternative ideas…

[Click on any image to start the gallery.]

Need more ideas? Come back all week for ideas to give everyone on your list (the BFFs, the parental units, the party girls in your life…) this year!

The holiday seasons are all about eating too many dips, spending way too much money on frenemy gifts, and watching Elf on repeat. This year we’re prepared to take the stress and the frustration out of holiday gift giving by giving you the ultimate gift guides to buying the perfect presents for your favorite people (and we’re splitting into 3 different price ranges so you can choose the gift based on how much you actually like the person!).

So set this series as your favorite because all week we’re bringing you the best.

Not sure what to get for your BFF, your fave gal pal, the girl who holds your hair back in the bar bathroom after you did that unnecessary tequila shot? Well look no further because we’ve found the most fun, the most cool, and the most unique gifts out there. Because your best friend, the girl who didn’t say anything when you made her stay all night listing reasons your ex sucked, deserves nothing but the greatest gifts.

Click any image to start the slideshow!

Need more ideas? Come back all week for ideas to give everyone on your list (the boyfriend, the parental units, the party girls in your life…) this year!

Around the holidays there are a lot of reasons to dress up, and I’m not talking about putting on anything but sweats (which in college might feel like dressing up). I’m talking up getting all dolled up for a special occasion. Whether you have a sorority formal, a fancy party to go to with the family, or need something special for New Years Eve, now is a good time to start scoping out looks. Though people are starting to get their Christmas shopping in, it’s not quite the rush yet, meaning there will be a slightly shorter line for the changing room than a few weeks from now.

Any girl who’s been to the mall in the past 2 years knows that there are a ton of dresses to choose from out there. That means it’s easy to find one appropriate for every occasion possible, but also hard to choose the very best one. (I’ve never been good with options.) Just remember these 3 key things:

1. Choose what works best for your body, not whatever cut is trendiest. We can’t all wear sparkly shift dress, you know.
2. What you’re wearing to impress your high school crush on New Years Eve may not be the same thing you want to wear to a Christmas party with your parents’ friends. Choose a slightly longer length (you should be able to sit down comfortably in it, without covering your lap with a napkin) and more chest coverage for events you’re going to for work or with your family.
3. Go all out. Ruffles, sparkles, cut-outs – all’s fair in love, war and party dresses.

I’ve spent weeks and weeks bemoaning the fact that Christmas commercials were airing in November. Macy’s has had their holiday decorations up for months. The Starbucks baristas have been wearing Santa hats since the day after Halloween. “It’s not even Thanksgiving yet,” I kept saying. “Why are people already doing their holiday shopping, why are the decorations already up? The holiday season starts after Thanksgiving. That’s the way it goes!!” The early start seriously upset me. And I refused to take part in it. But now, it seems, I have nothing to complain about.

Thanksgiving is over.

We’ve watched the parade. We’ve carved the turkey. We stuffed ourselves with stuffing and cranberry sauce and ate pumpkin pie until we wanted to puke. And then, when the feeling passed, we ate more. The holiday season is upon us. So I better just get in the spirit. Here’s how.

10. Watch a Christmas movie. Everyone has a favorite holiday movie. So what better way to get into the holiday spirit than by watching Tim Allen in The Santa Clause or the Olsen twins in To Grandmother’s House We Go? There’s always the recently made into a musical, Elf, or the kind of creepy but still enjoyable The Polar Express. Everyone has a favorite. Just find yours on YouTube and enjoy.

9. Order a peppermint mocha or a caramel latte. These have been available since the first of November and although I drank my coffee from Starbuck’s Christmas cups I refused to indulge in a peppermint mocha until the day after Thanksgiving. So after I did some cyber shopping, I went out and got one. It was worth the wait.

8. Decorate your dorm room. Don’t wait until you’re back home to decorate for the holidays. Get into the spirit now. Studying for finals and finishing out a semester that should have ended the day before Thanksgiving is depressing enough without prolonging your holiday cheer. So don’t. Hang twinkle lights. Make paper snowflakes. Throw tinsel everywhere. And while you’re decorating…

7. Blast that holiday music. There has to be at least one station in your range that plays annoying, nonstop Christmas music from Thanksgiving until New Years day. Embrace it! Or if you want something a little more specialized, download your favorite artists singing holiday tunes. I’m not going to lie; I’m listening to Kurt and Blaine sing “Baby its Cold Outside” as I type. Glee’s Christmas album is totally worth the $9.99 on iTunes.

6. Drink hot chocolate. Nothing says winter quite like a cup of hot cocoa on a cold, snowy night. Curl up on the couch in your favorite sweats, with a warm blanket and your hot chocolate, topped with whip cream and marshmallows. Mmm. Sounds fabulous.

5. Make a wish list. I know. I know. This is the season for giving, not for getting. But once upon a time your wish list was the most important part of your holiday season. And who’s to say that Santa still can’t use a little help finding you the perfect present. If you hadn’t told him, he never would have known you wanted that Cabbage Patch doll back then, and he won’t know you want those patent leather pumps now. Write a list. Mom and Dad will get it to Santa. They always do.

4. Plan the perfect holiday party. After your brief reunion with your high school BFFs on Thanksgiving Eve you remembered just how much fun you use to have with them. What better way to start off a month of hanging out at home than with the perfect party? Peppermint flavored cocktails and an excuse to eat all the candy canes you want. Do you need another reason? How about an excuse to…

3. Find the perfect party outfit. Every store I step into, every magazine I open, all I see is sparkles. Bright speckled dresses, and black satin, and red silk. My InStyle is constantly reminding me of my need to find the perfect party dress. And frankly, I can no longer resist. I want a pretty dress. And I want one now.

2. Make some break and bake cookies. Around the holidays, baking can sometimes become a mix between an art form and a competitive sport. But if you just want something sugary sweet to indulge in during your movie marathon, try some break and bake cookies. Pillsbusry and Tollhouse make it easy for use college girls, simply break apart the brick of cookie dough decorated with Christmas trees, candy canes, and reindeer, place them on a tray, and put them in the oven. Of if you really can’t wait just break and eat, salmonella be damned.

1. Start shopping. Right now. Right this second. In fact, you should have started shopping already, because everyone else has, and you’re never going to be able to catch up. You have gifts to give. Lots of them. Mom. Dad. Brother. Aunt. Boyfriend. Cousin’s boyfriend. Boyfriend’s cousin. These gifts are not going to buy themselves. And no, you can’t get away with homemade cards and free hug coupons like you use to be able to.

You’ve got to love the holidays, huh?

[Check out Jenn's other musings-in-the-form-of-a-list here.]

You may have to drop some elbows, but there's still time for some really good last minute gifts.

So it’s Christmas Eve, you just got home from school, and sometime between the TV marathons and the Facebook-stalking your BFFs on their tropical vacations, you realized you hadn’t done much Christmas shopping. And now it’s Christmas Eve and you still haven’t gotten those important people their gifts yet.

Uh oh.

Well, not to worry; It’s On has done your shopping  for you. I’ll tell you where you can still go today to get all of the holiday essentials. And don’t worry -I’m not sending you to CVS to pick up a box of chocolates and whatever other weird stuff they’re trying to sell by the checkout counter. There are some really legit stores staying open today for the lazy people of the world those busy last-minute shopppers.

Stick with me (and get ready to battle for some parking spots) and in the next few hours you’ll be home wrapping those special gifts for those special people.

In an effort to make things easier on everyone I’ve tried to identify 5 basic gifts – perfume, sweaters, hat/gloves/scarf set, bags, and entertainment – that people usually covet this time of year. And instead of my normal head to head match-ups, I’ve given you two stores per item that WILL BE OPEN today.

Oh and don’t forget to check out CouponCabin.com before you go; you may even still be able to snag some good deals today!

I know, I just saved your life.

Entertainment:
This includes iPods, iPhone/iPod Accessories, CDs, Blu-Rays and other things that you can find for the movie/TV/music lover. If all else fails – and you find yourself staring at a wall of DVDs and have no clue which they’d want – a 3-month membership to Netflix is never a bad idea. And you don’t even need to leave the house to get it.

Best Buy
(Not always the cheapest store, but they do have plenty of good coupons on everything from digital cameras to DVDs right now!)
9:00am-10:00pm

Game Stop
(You can grab a bunch of used games for cheap, new games, and some awesome gaming accessories. Like a new guitar for Guitar Hero. You know, so maybe your bro will let you play sometimes.)
10:00am-8:00pm

Perfume:
People LOVE perfume. And the best thing about buying perfume this time of year is that they all come in some pretty sweet gift sets. You can break these up into lots of smaller gifts for people you don’t want to spend a lot on (!!), or give the whole shebang to those super important people in your life. If you want a good deal (without having to buy some nasty grandma scent from 6 years ago), Macy’s and Kohl’s are your best bet.

Macy’s
7:00am-6:00pm

Kohls
6:00am-6:00pm

Bags
Most of the good stuff was picked over weeks ago, so you may not have much luck finding something cute with only a few hours until Santa hits the friendly skies. (The good news is, what’s left tends to be marked down a lot!) But if you wanna try, I recommend hitting up Target and Macy’s. If nothing else, at least you’ll have a large selection of other stuff to look through if they don’t have what you came for.

Target
7:00am-7:00pm

Macy’s
7:00am-6:00pm

Hat/Gloves/Scarf Set
This is essential, cheap and comes in a bunch of varieties to fit every style.

Target
7:00am-7:00pm

Macy’s
7:00am-6:00pm

Sweaters
The ULTIMATE multipurpose gift, sweaters can be found virtually everywhere, but, again, if you need quick, decently priced and before Christmas, there are two stores that will definitely have the best stock.

H&M
They have special hours in certain locations. I’d advise you calling your H&M of choice to find out specific hours.

American Eagle Outfitters
Again, call your store of choice to find when they close

The only other advice I can give you is to get moving early this morning. And wear comfortable shoes. Oh, and wear your seat belt. There is nothing more dangerous than a mall parking lot the day before Christmas. Nothing.

Until next year, Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!

Now before you start calling me perverted, let me show you what I mean.

Your Boyfriend
Um, duh. This one is obvious, but you can’t expect a plain romp in the hay to get you off the hook this
Christmas; you’ll have to spice it up a bit. Normally, I’d recommend getting yourself to a sex shop to pick up a new toy or some sexy lingerie, but it might be a little to late for that (are sex stores even open on Christmas Eve?). Instead of buying something special, you’ll have to do something special this year. Need some ideas? Try one (or all) of these sexy sex tips on for size. Even better, why not get the gift that keeps on giving, like Cosmo’s latest iPhone app? It gives you a new hot sex position every day, making it the best $1.99 you ever spent. And if that’s not your thing, maybe just put on your sexiest lingerie (or left-over Halloween costume… same thing, usually) and give him a strip tease that he’ll never forget.

Your Coupled Friends
Let’s be honest, what your coupled college friends need is alone time. And if that friend also happens to be a roommate, that is the cheapest gift you can give! Print out a few coupons for some “alone time” and let her redeem them whenever she wants. All you have to do is find somewhere else to sleep. Boom! Best gift ever.

Or, if you’re lookin’ to spend a little more and you’ve got some time between baking with mom and wrapping with the siblings, hop on over to Barnes and Noble where they have tons of great stuff for couples. A few of my faves: “365 Sex Positions: A New Way Everyday for a Steamy, Erotic Year” and “Cosmo’s Steamy Sex Games.” Hot, hot, hot. Don’t be surprised if the BFF’s BF calls to thank you.

Your Single Friends
A subscription to EHarmony or Match.com could be a great way to help them shake up their dating routine and meet some new people.  Although, it could also be really insulting. If your single friends are just lookin’ for some instant gratification, perhaps something a little more “personal” would be nice. Whether it’s a giftcard to Babeland or a comprehensive list of good places to find some porn (note: ask your guy friends for help with this one), they’ll love it. And you.

Your Mom
Moms love romance novels, plain and simple. Buy her a few on Amazon.com, print out a picture of the cover and the descriptions, and handwrite a note that says “Sorry, these should be coming in soon. I ordered them a week ago but Amazon keeps messing up the order!!” She probably won’t buy it, but she’s your mom; she has to love you anyway. Especially after she gets to escape in those sexy stories.

Your Little Sister
Remember when you first started thinking about sex, but had no one to answer your millions of questions or drive you to CVS to pick up some condoms? Well, your little sis won’t have this problem because she has you. This Christmas, be there for her and let her know she can come to you for anything (especially if you go to college far away and are only home a few times a year). Disclaimer: NOT a good present for your five-year-old sister.

What are some of the best sex-inspired gifts you’ve ever given?