Take the 'rents shopping - It's Parents Weekend and you need to make the most of the treat

Ready or not, here they come: Before you know it, your family will be at the door. There will be the U-Haul parents, arriving with extra bookshelves, jumbo packs of granola bars and the winter sweaters you left behind. There will be the parents who want to meet all your friends, scope out your roommates and make sure you're eating right and getting enough sleep. There will be the siblings who want to see where you go to class and where you eat and where you hang out in Baltimore.

So, it's Family Weekend. How are you going to entertain your parents this time, you ask? The secret this year is: Let them entertain you!

Yes, with a little forethought and careful consideration of tactics, you can turn this Family Weekend from a bummer into a blast for both you and the clan. Whether you've been missing home or loving your independence, the thing to remember is this: It's up to you whether you part on Sunday with smiles or scowls.

The theory behind all this is that your family is coming to see you. It may seem obvious, but it's the key to a great weekend. They come wanting to spoil you, and you are waiting to be spoiled. It couldn't be a better recipe for success. With a couple tactics, you show them a great time and you'll both come out on top. Once Sunday evening roles around, you'll be left with a fatter wallet, a full belly and a larger wardrobe.

Sight-seeing is the way to start. Even if you're not a freshman and your parents have been to Baltimore before, there's plenty of stuff to do. Remember, even though you live here everyday, they don't. What's same-old for you is exciting for them. Your family just wants to see where you live and what you do. Easy enough.

So, show them your campus. Show them your city. Not only will your family get to see what you already know, but then you'll get to check out things that you don't usually get around to doing on, let's say, a student's budget - that is, no money, no car. This parent thing may turn out to be even more of a blast than you thought, because, with a little sightseeing here and then a deft turning of the tables to gear up for what you want to do, this Family Weekend can be a blast.

Here on campus, Hopkins is even helping you out. There will be lots going on that caters to the parent interest this weekend.

For a little music in your ears, Saturday afternoon is the annual Performing Arts Council (PAC) concert at 4 p.m. in Shriver. All the a cappella groups will be there. It's the stuff that parents love, and it's free. You can even take your parents on a little tour of campus. The weather should be beautiful. Show them where you classes are. Show off your awesome school newspaper.

Family Weekend is also a great time to eat good food, and it establishes another win-win situation. Your parents get to be with you, and you get to eat good food.

Profit from as many meals you can get. For an amazing brunch, check out the Polo Grill at the Colonnade on W. University Pkwy. For $30 per person, you couldn't get a better deal - it's not everyday you get champagne for breakfast! Polo Grill is the perfect recipe for hours of family bonding time (10 a.m. to 3 p.m., reservations suggested), all-you-can-eat delicacies and unlimited champagne.

Dinner out at night is another opportunity to sample crab cakes and tortellini instead of Terrace. No matter where you go, it gets you away from Wolman and away from Beast.

The Inner Harbor offers a million places to eat, including Phillips for seafood, Little Italy for Italian, the Charleston for upscale dining, and the Cheesecake Factory for all-around good food. With your belly this full, you won't even notice if your little sister's chatter is driving you insane.

Family Weekend is also a great time to go shopping. You'll find that it's strategically placed mid-semester, to get you over the halfway financial slump and gear you over till Thanksgiving.

Whereas the student's budget must decide between beer and Banana Republic, your parents can fill in the gaps. Finally, you can stock up on clothes, groceries, appliances, more textbooks. Catch them while they're here. Tell them you need extra sweaters for when it's cold out and you need to walk to class. Get that CD you've been dying to have - the one that helps you study better if you listen to it .. Take them to buy shampoo and stamps and coffee filters and everything else you've been holding off on since you spent your last dollars at Caf Q and the Schnapp Shop.

For other great experiences, get your family to take you to the Farmer's Market downtown under the Jones Falls Expressway. It starts early . but, hey, you know your parent's are going to wake you at the crack of dawn anyway, so you might as well make the most of it. It starts at 8 a.m. and brings all the local produce, fresh flowers and baked goods from the area together to create a great market. Make sure to arrive before 10 a.m. for the best selection.

So remember, Family Weekend will be great if you make it great. In exchange for lots of hugs and a whirlwind tour of Baltimore, your family will leave you with a full wallet and belly. You can study for that test of yours later.

Your family is only here for three short days, and so the time that you have to get off campus, get some free meals and be with the ones you love (and who pay for this lovely school) is limited. Make the most of it!