Pajamas, iPods some of the season’s hot gifts
Stores are preparing for people’s wish lists this holiday season with winter-inspired gifts and enough back stock of merchandise to keep customers happy.
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The 29th Street Mall vendors are pushing feature items like two-for-one’s and more luxurious, out-of-the-ordinary gifts like the pre-loaded MP3 players available at Bath & Body Works. Every store has merchandise available with the gift-searcher in mind as their display windows burst with cardboard shaped candy canes and garland-lined window panes.
Victoria’s Secret is selling pre-folded thermal pajama sets tied up in a satin bow as one of their feature items for the holidays.
“The PINK line is a great stocking stuffer, but bras are always our number one seller,” said Janice Scott , an employee at the 29th Street Mall Victoria’s Secret. “Our new Very Sexy bra comes in all the Christmas colors and our PJ sets are pretty popular too.”
Some companies, like Bath & Body Works, are extending their brand into the apparel section of merchandising by offering boxed robes and slippers this winter.
“We have our robe, which is $39.50 right now with any $25 purchase, which is normally $80,” said Kelly Armour, a 29th Street Bath & Body Works employee. “Our lotion gift sets come pre-wrapped in handbags which are really cute, too.”
Apple is gearing up for the holidays by launching its new $79 iPod shuffle that is about the size of a quarter and having plenty of back stock so as not to leave any shoppers empty handed.
“Obviously, the iPods will be popular this Christmas. The Nanos and Shuffles are pretty popular,” said Alex Connelly, a 29th Street Apple store employee. “We have tons of stuff here in the store so you don’t have to be on a waiting list for merchandise that we’re out of or anything.”
Despite the new products and promotions available, many students are just asking for money this holiday season.
“I’ll be going abroad next semester to what I’ll really be asking for is money,” said Sydney Haas, a junior integrative physiology and psychology major. “I’ll need spending money when I’m in Australia next semester. I really like clothes from Express, and I wouldn’t mind a North Face jacket either, though.”
Some students are asking for gift cards and certificates so they can choose the gifts themselves and not have to worry about returning anything they might not like.
“Well I asked my dad for a ski pass and my mom for a shopping spree,” said Carly Chesen-Murphy, a sophomore communication and Spanish major. “I also asked for Target and iTunes gift cards from relatives and family friends.”
A few students haven’t even thought about the holiday season yet because they’re too focused on upcoming finals to worry about presents.
“There’s really nothing specific I want,” said Jen Wills, a junior elementary education major. “I really haven’t even thought about it actually.”
