Holidays bring business to bookstore

You're running out of time. Looming deadlines, finals, papers -- everything is piling up. On top of schoolwork, you also need to somehow find the time to get presents for family and friends.

Conveniently, the Hopkins Bookstore is right on campus, in the basement of Gilman, and it's an option for last-minute holiday shopping.

"There's always a big spike in sales around this time, starting from right before Thanksgiving," said David Lynch, the manager of the Hopkins Bookstore. "Some people are going home for the first time since the beginning of the year, and they get stuff for their brothers, sisters, mothers and fathers."

Lynch said that the most popular items are "anything that says Hopkins."

"People come here for Hopkins stuff because you can't get that anywhere else," he said. "We don't sell electronics, which is the hottest category this season. We have a very focused type of merchandise -- we're a niche market."

Most students buy items for family members, Lynch said.

"Right now, we have a lot of gift books and bargain books," he said. "An aunt might appreciate something like an Italian cookbook. Some things, like golf balls, students wouldn't buy for themselves, but they're a great gift."

The bookstore is also convenient because students can use J-Cash, Lynch said.

"Sometimes that means Mom or Dad are paying for their own presents," he said.

"Also, what happens is that when finals hit, students sell their books back to us, and we hopefully put some cash in their hands," Lynch said. "And it's really handy to say, hey, I'm at the bookstore, I'll buy something for my sister."

Wandering around the bookstore, you will probably discover plenty of potential gifts for your family and friends.

A pair of fuzzy royal blue slippers with Johns Hopkins on the sole is good for a teenage sister. Or perhaps she would like lavender Hopkins pajama pants.

Maybe your mother would like a gift-wrapped box of milk chocolate in Hopkins wrappers.

And for a golf-addicted Dad, there is that three-pack of Hopkins golf balls.

Senior Sarah Hunt said she bought her brother a Hopkins sweatshirt from the bookstore.

"I think high school kids like wearing things with college logos on them, so it's a good present for younger siblings," she said.

The quintessential holiday present for any relative is a hand-painted Johns Hopkins ornament.

Headbands, hats, scarves or gloves, all emblazoned with the Hopkins name, are useful presents for winter.

For a baby niece or cousin, there's a Snoopy Hopkins t-shirt or a soft chenille bear. For something more original, there's a green frog or a moose with Velcro arms, with the words "Hangin' out at Hopkins" on its shirt.

If you want to try something besides Hopkins gear, a Far Side desk calendar can greet a friend with humor every morning.

There are also colorful cactus candles, a belly dancing kit, or bookmarks with inspirational quotes.

One especially useful thing for students here is a Greater Baltimore Atlas. Your friends with cars can venture outside campus without fear of getting lost.

Artistic types might appreciate the magnetic poetry kit, especially its college-themed editions.

The bookstore offers a variety of gifts for anyone on your list. And your effort will probably be appreciated.

Freshman June Tibaleka said her friends really liked the presents she sent them.

"I'm an international student, so my friends and family look at it in a different way," she said. "Friends liked it because it's Hopkins, so it's something that they haven't really seen much of. And I'm also planning to get something for my mom. She knows that is was such a dream for me to come here."