It’s that time of year again: lights are shining, bells are ringing, carolers are singing, and stores are advertising. The last few months of the year are the most profitable for stores across the country, for people are constantly browsing the aisles in malls and spending every last penny they have in their wallets. The question is, what should you buy?

Students at Hammonton High School shared their holiday “do’s and don’ts,” along with other shopping advice for anyone of any age.

“I don’t really buy many presents for my family,” senior Elizabeth Calderone said. Her classmate, Doug Fusco, shared the same opinion.

“My parents will give me a small amount money and I’ll use that to buy some things, but I don’t really buy anyone much.”

For students who don’t work, it’s hard to find the money to purchase gifts for their family members. Brothers and sisters seem to be some of the hardest people to shop for, especially if they’re older. Senior Amber Bizup spoke about buying gifts for her two older brothers.

“They both have a lot of different interests, and they’re not the same as than mine, so I find it hard to buy them anything,” Bizup said. “They’re also a lot older than me, so I can’t relate to anything that they might want.”

“It’s hard because you want to buy them something, but you don’t want to get something that they might not like,” said Fusco. He has a younger sister who he struggles to shop for.

Even if these students might not have the best shopping experiences, they didn’t fail to give some good advice for others who could be heading to the mall.

“I think you have to really put a lot of thought into it,” shared Calderone. “You know that they have to think about what they’re going to buy for you, so it’s only fair that you can do the same.”

Even if you don’t know what exactly to get them, the students shared that you should at least try, even if it’s something small. “It’s the thought that counts,” said Fusco.

“If you could figure out a way to get them to give you an idea as to what they might want, that would work,” said Bizup. “Try and ask them questions that could give you the answers that you would need.”

“Presents aren’t always the most important thing,” Calderone stated. “Sometimes spending time with your family members is enough for them.”

While the holidays have people running back and forth and in and out of stores, the true meaning of Christmas should not be forgotten. Time with your family or your friends will always top anything you can buy in a store.