How to Find Gifts for Everyone
on Your List Without Leaving Campus

By Jaimie Bell I December 13, 2004

This year, instead of trekking to the mall during the weekends, get all of your shopping done during your lunch break -- without leaving UCSD. The university has lots of great shopping resources, sans the long lines and fighting for a parking spot (for the most part). Here are some suggestions for everyone on your list.

A great place to start for some festive and freshly baked items is the UCSD Farmer's Market held at the Price Center from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Tuesdays. Jelly-filled pastries from Jeanine's Austrian Bakery or fresh carrot bread from Grammy's Granola make wonderful gifts to bring to a holiday party. The market is also a great place to buy ingredients for the ever-so-popular fruit cake!

Looking for a special gift for a special someone? Surprise them with tickets to a show! Whether you envision a romantic night at the ballet or head thrashing at a rock concert, the UCSD Box Office has a wide variety of options for upcoming shows. For performance ideas, also check out UCSD ArtPower which premieres performance groups from around the world.

For the kiddies in your family, a trip to the Birch Aquarium bookstore beats the stress of a trip to Toys R Us any day. (And the view is so much nicer too!) For preschoolers, there is the "Sing Along & Play in the Splash Zone" book and CD ($17.99) that includes lyrics and more than 60 activities that introduce children to rocky shore and coral reef animals and habitats. For grade schoolers, the "Sea Life Adventure Kit" ($99.50), which contains an assortment of games, sea creatures and a fact-filled activity guide, is a fun way to learn more about sea creatures. And for computer savvy pre-teens there is the "The Oceans 3 CD-ROM Deluxe Nature Encyclopedia" ($14.99), which consists of a complete multimedia reference library of the undersea world.

A trip down to the Grove is all that's needed when looking for a present for a student. For a great deal on Reef sandals ($5 - $30), check out the General Store which also has the latest bags by Dickey's ($14.99+). Or for the athletes in your family, a bike from the UCSD Bike Shop is probably at the top of their list. (Prices vary)

For a secret Santa gift to a co-worker, get them a gift certificate to their favorite lunch restaurant in the Price Center or a coffee and doughnut from the Espresso Roma Café.

And last, but not least, check out the UCSD Bookstore in the Price Center. Although one can never have too much UCSD printed clothing, the bookstore has lots of other options for everyone in your family. How about the Gourmet Cookbook ($40.00) or a pair of Boma earrings ($15+) for mom, and a desk calendar ($8.00+) or Pod Collector's Pen ($19.99) for dad? For the more sophisticated, there are colorful glass vases and martini glasses ($5.50+), and, of course, don't forget the wide assortment of electronics gifts. including computers, MP3 players and computer programs. Other great gift items include slippers, frames, candles and art supplies.

During this time of the year, the bookstore also has an assortment of holiday decorations, ornaments, wrapping paper, and stocking stuffers such as card games and small toys.

Happy Shopping!