It’s the time of the year to pull out that mile-long gift list and weave through long shopping mall lines in search of the perfect present. And with the current ailing economy, many college students and retail junkies might have the ultimate “Blue Christmas.” But don’t throw away that wrapping paper and tinsel just yet – here’s the Spinnaker’s list of inexpensive gift ideas that might make shopping trips a little merrier and a loved one’s holidays a little brighter.

Let’s face it, holiday songs tend to be as cliché and cheesy as families wearing matching Christmas sweaters. Listening to Bing Crosby’s rendition of “White Christmas” 785 times in a month can be as nauseating as a three-day eggnog bender. But you don’t have to settle for the same 20-30 songs you’re likely to hear while doing your holiday shopping. When you’ve had enough, here’s a list of five songs with a holiday theme that won’t push you to the brink of insanity.

A little bit of sophistication, a dash of music and a whole lot of clowning around: those are the three main components of an unforgettable night at the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra. The latest Pop Series performance by the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, Cirque de la Symphonie, proved to be a treat for both the ears and the eyes of all who attended Nov. 14-15, as the orchestra teamed up with an award-winning circus ensemble to bring its music to life. “We’ve played this piece many times before and never received that kind of reception,” Music Director and Principal Conductor Fabio Mechetti said after the audience erupted in applause. The difference was the combination of the senses, allowing viewers to experience the music in a visual way with bodies contorting to the beat, flying through the air or balancing on another person’s head.

Anna Renfroe’s day begins at 6:30 a.m. Living with three girls with disabilities, everyday she helps them wake up for school, fix breakfast and walk them to the bus stop. Afterward, Renfroe has a full load of classes and helps the girls plan dinner when the day is done. On other days, she takes the girls grocery shopping, bowling and out to dinner. This is Renfroe’s life as an On Campus Transition Program mentor and housing assistant. “I figured [working with the On Campus Transition program] would be a good opportunity to really learn about people with disabilities and get hands-on experience,” said Renfroe, a senior elementary education major. In August 2007, The Arc Jacksonville and UNF partnered to begin the On Campus Transition program at UNF. It is run by volunteers of UNF peers.

A combination of partying, the lack of home cooking and the ever-rising prices of textbooks might account for the phrase “broke college student.” And now more than ever, it might be a struggle for college students to keep money in the bank. However, there are ways for college students to combat these worrisome financial times and still have a little fun. One of the most important steps students can take to save money is to know what they are spending money on and how much they are spending, said Bettie Adams, assistant professor of accounting and board member of Community First Credit Union. Adams suggested students keep track of their expenses for a week, including small things like trips to the vending machine.

Approximately 190 dancers showed up for the Children’s Miracle Network-sponsored Dance Marathon which took place at the UNF Arena Nov. 21 and 22. The event benefited patients at the Wolfson’s Children’s Hospital and Shands. After 18 hours of learning dances from various local instructors, playing games and hearing benefiting families speak, the total amount raised: $19,096.35, was revealed to participants. The money came from different outlets such as events on and off campus prior to the marathon, donations from the public and the added amount of what each individual dancer raised, which totaled approximately $15,000.

NCAA athletics is a multi-million dollar industry, and the majority of the “student athletes” who participate in these sports are not students at all, just athletes. Many major college football and basketball programs are using the four-year learning period as a minor league of sorts, and that’s exactly how the players, coaches and trainers look at it. The athletes play four years, win some games, turn some heads and then get called up via the draft, signing a multi-million dollar contract for their potential.