The holidays are thought to be the most wonderful time of the year, but they can also be the most stressful. Gifting on a college budget can be nerve-racking. However, many solutions are not only cost-effective but can also be more meaningful and eco-friendly than buying an expensive gift. Here are some creative and budget-friendly ideas:
Homemade Baked Goods: Have you ever seen a sad person eating a cookie? Not me! Baked goods are a great way to spread cheer. Cookies, brownies, or fudge are things you can consider making. Purchase a bundle of about 20 clear treat bags for about $1.00 to elevate the aesthetic of your gift and make it more festive.
Mixtape/Playlist: Curate a special playlist of songs that have meaning to your relationship.
Share it as a Spotify playlist or create a physical mix CD. It will be the gift that continues to
give!
Personalized Coupon Book: Create a coupon book with offers for things like a homemade
dinner, a movie night, hugs, etc. I will take one for a massage, please!
Framed Art: Create your artwork, whether a painting, a drawing, or digital art. Frame it nicely
and give it as a gift. The Dollar Tree has various frames for only $1.25.
Indoor Plants: A small potted plant or succulent can make a lovely, low-cost gift. Add a
decorative pot or planter for a personal touch. Small succulents can be purchased for $3.00-$4.00 at Walmart and are guaranteed to make someone smile.
Scrapbook: Compile your favorite memories together in a scrapbook. You can use photos, ticket stubs, and mementos to create a unique keepsake. Scrapbooks are a very sentimental gift; be prepared for the waterworks. 
Write a Letter: Write a heartfelt letter expressing your feelings and appreciation. This personal
touch can be significant. If you’re the creative type, you can write a poem.
DIY Bath and Body Products: Create bath salts, sugar scrubs, or homemade soap. You can find easy recipes online. However, you can always buy a large bag of Epsom salt, thrift small jars, and pour the Epsom salt in the jars, making it appear homemade. I will never be above working smarter, not harder. After all, we are college kids; we have papers due.
Book or Journal: Find a book you think the recipient would enjoy or a blank journal for them to use as a diary or to jot down thoughts and ideas. You can find many at 5Below. 
Handwritten Recipe Book: Collect your favorite or family recipes and create a small recipe book. Include personal notes and stories about each dish. 

Remember, the thought and effort you put into a handmade gift often means more than its
monetary value. Personalizing the gift to the recipient’s interests and preferences can make it
extra special.

_{“The Rocky Horror Picture Show” is a cult classic film that has left a memorable mark on cinema and pop culture. Directed by Jim Sharman and based on the stage musical of the same name, this 1975 musical-comedy-horror raree-show is a spectacle that must be experienced. On October 27th, 2023, at 8:00 p.m., Texarkana’s local theatre, The Perot Theatre, hosted the interactive movie.} 

_{The foundation of the film revolves around a newly engaged couple, Brad and Janet, who find themselves stranded one night amid a rainstorm. They seek refuge at the castle of scientist Dr. Frank-N-Furter and his rogue band of misfits. As the night unfolds, the couple is introduced to a world of gender-bending, sexuality, and musical numbers, which ultimately leads to a freakish and unpredictable series of events.}

_{A Perot Theatre employee, Andrea Loredo, said, “This is the second year that the Perot has put on The Rocky Horror Film Show, and we are hoping maybe it will become a tradition.” According to the event page on Facebook, 137 people went, and 859 people were interested in attending.} 

_{Those in attendance could choose a general admission ticket for $17 or the “Virgin Package,” which included the ticket and prop kit for $27. In addition, the theatre encouraged people to dress in their “Transylvanian best!”}

_{“A lot of people did dress on theme. Some show up dressed as characters from the movie, and others came dressed with the vibe of it,” said Andrea. The guest was encouraged to get up and dance, and those with the Virgin Kits threw rose petals during the movie’s wedding scene, creating an immersive cinematic event.} 

_{“Because of how long ago the movie came out, there are some people who have never experienced it on the big screen, so it’s just a way to see it on a big screen as well as with the audience interaction.” Said, Andrea. Although the movie has been out for almost 50 years, it still excites its audience.} 

_{The film is packed with grabby songs that have become iconic, such as “Time Warp” and “Sweet Transvestite” and embraces an outlandish and burlesque style, which adds to its charm. The film creates a unique, even a bit bizarre, atmosphere that’s unconventional, entertaining, and visually striking, making the Perot Theatre’s event an enjoyable social phenomenon to add to your Halloween traditions.}

Vaccines have become essential to modern medicine, offering our society herd immunity and completely eradicating certain diseases. Assistant Professor of Biology Workineh Torben, Ph.D., has made valuable contributions to the development of vaccines, in addition to teaching and advising many students who share an interest in public health.

Dr. Torben began his academic journey with a deep interest in microbiology and immunology. Although he is new to our campus, he is already making a significant impact at the school and is currently working on a grant for TAMUT that will award funds to students who do not have the financial means to attend school.

Throughout his career, he has dedicated his time and expertise to several groundbreaking vaccine-related projects, including an HIV vaccine and a vaccine for Schistosomiasis, a disease caused by parasitic worms that harms people worldwide and is second (in terms of impact) only to malaria. (cdc.gov). Dr. Torben has published as an author/co-author of over 34 international high-impact Scientific articles and is waiting for his new manuscript to be published.

He is also preparing to publish data he has collected regarding the COVID-19 vaccine and is “Very interested to see how COVID-19 injury is affecting people.”

“When you repeat the vaccine in a short period of time, it may not be advisable to do that because when our cells are exposed to the same [COVID-19] antigen again and again, they will make a bad antibody that can affect the cellular immune response which will be very important to control the virus,” says Dr. Workineh Torben. He explains that, like most diseases, continuous exposure causes an increase in antibodies. However, the Covid-19 antibody “IG4” inhibits the cellular immune response.

As the world continues to face new infectious disease challenges, the work of Assistant Professor of Biology Workineh Torben, PhD, remains more crucial than ever. His commitment to Biology contributes to the growth and success of life-saving vaccines and inspires and educates the next generation of scientists.

Works cited:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2018, April 11). CDC – Schistosomiasis. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/schistosomiasis/index.html#:~:text=Schistosomiasis%2C%20also%20known%20as%20bilharzia,the%20most%20devastating%20parasitic%20disease.

Mrs. Jasmine Kelley is a full-time remote student at TAMUT. In addition, she is taking classes at Collin College (in person) in Frisco, TX. She is goal-oriented and has mastered the art of juggling life’s obstacles.

Mrs. Kelley was born in San Diego, California, and moved to Texas when she was young. She spent two years on the Texarkana campus before moving to Frisco due to unforeseen financial issues. “I always knew I would go to college,” Kelley said. She dreams of receiving a bachelor’s in mass communications and pursuing a career in broadcasting. Kelley is currently on a waiting list to intern with WFAA 8. Recently, she completed an esthetician course and will continue gaining knowledge in that trade to earn an additional source of income while she finishes school.

Being a child of a sailor, her father raised her with love and structure. Many of the things he learned from the Navy bled over into his parenting. Jasmine thinks her father’s military training helped him to equip her with many skills. Mrs. Kelley’s mother continually expands her knowledge in many different areas of life. She describes her mother as eager to try new things, encouraging Jasmine to keep growing her skill set.

Jasmine is a health enthusiast, lover of skincare, and fashionista. “We are just very gym oriented, feel good oriented, we are big on health,” Jasmine said. She finds peace in gardening, an activity she has taken up with her mother. Recently, she has experienced significant loss and is learning how to adjust to life after a traumatic miscarriage. “Once you get pregnant, your whole world changes; you start thinking like a mom.” And she says that it was a “weird” adjustment, having to suddenly go back to how life was before.

However, Jasmine has turned the deeply unfortunate into something genuine. Jasmine Kelley allowed this unexpected paradigm shift to encourage and fuel her drive to focus on school and career.