As the holiday season approaches, students are putting together their wishlists. Revealing a mix of trending items, personal favorites, and unexpected requests. From typical gifts like clothes and jewelry to concert tickets and new technology. This year’s wishlist shows how much trends have an impact on what students are interested in buying. Apps like TikTok and Instagram especially impact what clothes and must-have items students are adding to their list. 

Sophomore, Iyla Dell’Aquila explained how social media shaped her gift choices this year. 

“TikTok definitely influenced what clothing I added to my wishlist this year, it shows me things that I may be interested in buying and probably wouldn’t have thought of on my own,” Dell’Aquila said.

Junior, Joslyn Hughes, agrees that TikTok influences her clothing interests.

“I will look on TikTok for inspiration as to what to put on my wishlist since I love the different style options. It has many different ideas related to clothing styles and jewelry. I sometimes also look up wish list ideas on Tiktok [sic] and it shows me plenty of options from other people,” Hughes said. 

When planning out your wishlist TikTok can be a good source to go to if you’re interested in the latest trends, it shows popular items celebrities are influencing others to buy.

Junior, Talia Zirin shared a top item on her list this year.

“The top item on my wishlist this year is a coach purse because I have been wanting it for a while, and I know it is something I could wear for many years,” Zirin said.  

While Hughes has a completely different idea for a big gift on her list.  

“The item I have been really wanting this year is a larger DJ board. I want this gift because this board has more features than my old one,” Hughes said.

Dell’Aquila explained that her wishlist has become more practical compared to past years.

“Now that I’m older, I’m asking for different clothes and makeup items I wouldn’t have wanted two years ago, TikTok especially influences me with my style and items to buy,” Dell’Aquila said.

A good question to think about is: would you like to receive a gift card over an actual gift? 

“Sometimes I would prefer gift cards over actual gifts so I can personally pick it out myself, but I most likely would love to be surprised by the gift I’m receiving,” Zirin said. 

Hughes also mentions how she definitely prefers getting an actual gift instead of a gift card for one simple reason.

“I prefer gifts because they are more personalized,” Hughes said.

On the other hand Dell’Aquila feels that when getting the option to receive a gift card over a gift she would choose the gift card. 

“Usually when my grandparents are asking what gift I would like, I would rather receive, I choose a gift card so they don’t have to go searching for something I would like, and I can just use the card to pick out whatever I want later on,” Dell’Aquila said.

In addition to sharing their own wishlist, Hughes shares her opinions on some basics she thinks other students are hoping for. 

“The most popular gift I think other students are asking for is clothes from Edikted or Brandy for gifts, or the new trending Parke hoodie, another one is Uggs, specifically the ultra mini boots and slides seem to be the most popular,” Hughes said.

Dell’Aquila shares items she believes are trending this year.

“Popular gifts I have been seeing everywhere are, Alo sets, Aritzia fleece, and jewelry,” Dell’Aquila said.

When asking Zirin for her take on what students are hoping to get for the holidays she mentioned some of her ideas.

“I have been wanting new Airpods for a while and I think a lot of students could be hoping for that too, maybe even the new phone,” Zirin said.