Your State College Holiday Shopping Guide

The holiday season is upon us which also means that it’s the time to start shopping for gifts. No matter what holiday you celebrate (besides Festivus) you probably have to exchange presents with friends and family members. Have you started your shopping yet? You better get on it! These local stores and businesses have just what you need to check your list off.

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Urban Outfitters has some awesome gifts this year that are perfect for everyone on your list. Do you have a techie friend who never puts their phone down? These texting gloves are the perfect accessory. They come in a bunch of colors to fit everyone’s tastes. Shutterbug friend? Print out some of their best Instagram snaps and wrap them up with these awesome firefly clip string lights. They can display their talented photos in their room for all to see.

Have your parents been bugging you for a nice Penn State sweatshirt? The Nittany Outlet has exactly what you need. We love this long sleeve spirit shirt for its loose fit. This embroidered quarter-zip pullover sweatshirt is great for just about anyone in this cold weather. You know your mom’s going to ask you for a mug so why not get her the best one? This Penn State Mom mug is just what you need to make her smile. Find these and plenty more on the Nittany Outlet site and in the store.

Everybody loves candy and chocolates. Sweet Tooth Bakery & Cafe has the right stuff to bring home to the family. With their state of the art technology you can give your relatives a very personalized gift with a printed image on chocolate. So break out those embarrassing school photos of your siblings to print out on chocolate. You can also bring home a number of Penn State themed creations for your family to snack on. When all else fails, cookies are always good. Check out their website for a full menu.


There are plenty of places around State College with the perfect things to get your holiday shopping done. Your family and friends will be pleased to unwrap any of these gifts. Have you gotten your holiday shopping yet or haven’t you started yet?

Friendsgiving

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Not every college student has the opportunity to go home to their families for the Thanksgiving holiday. Some live too far away and don’t have enough time and money to make it back home. Others just choose to stay in their college town. Maybe they have a job and want to make the big bucks working Black Friday. We can’t blame you! Instead of struggling to get home with your family, why not gather a group of friends together for a Friendsgiving dinner? Much more laid back than a family Thanksgiving and with fewer people asking what you want to do with your life and when you’re going to get married. Enjoy a much less stressful evening with your friends!

If you’re going to have it at your apartment, plan ahead. Nothing is worse than scrambling last minute to the grocery store to find something that you need for the dinner. Make a list the week before and go to the grocery store to get everything you need early. If you get everything down on paper, it not only makes it easier to make sure you get everything but it makes your trip less frantic. Make sure you stop at McLanahan’s Market to get all your supplies.

To alleviate a little of the pressure off of the host, have a potluck. Everyone cooks their own dish and brings it together for a big feast. Make it even more interesting by having everyone creating their favorite dish rather than a traditional Thanksgiving dish. You get to enjoy favorites from all of your closest friends while spending time together.

You don’t have to cram 20 friends in your apartment. It can be much easier to get a small group together and go out to dinner instead. It takes the pressure off of the host and those cooking the meal. Put the burden on someone else! The Penn Stater Conference Hotel is opening its doors for a fabulous Thanksgiving dinner. From 11:30 until 2:30 you can enjoy an amazing spread of Penn State roast turkey, bread stuffing with dried cranberries, smoked salmon, pumpkin and sausage risotto and so much more. You and your friends won’t regret heading out to dinner for a fabulous Friendsgiving with a meal like this. For the full menu check out their website.

Going home to spend Thanksgiving with your family is great but it’s more fun to enjoy a dinner with all of your friends that you made with your own hands (or ordered from a restaurant). Do you and your friends have a Friendsgiving tradition?

The Best Halloween Events at Penn State

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October is one of the best months to find something fun to do at Penn State. There’s plenty of fun Halloween events to choose from. In fact, there’s so many it might it be hard to pick. Check out these events from the Daily Collegian and get the whole list here.


The Arboretum at Penn State Pumpkin Festival

The Arboretum at Penn State, located next to the Lewis Katz Law Building on Park Avenue, will host its 5th annual Pumpkin Festival on Oct. 16 and 17, with main activities occurring from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday evening, and family events occurring on Saturday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Festival attractions include a pumpkin-carving contest and lighted jack-o-lantern display, as well as live music, food vendors and scenic autumn foliage. Pumpkins for the carving contest can be picked up free of charge at the Arboretum on Oct. 11 at 1 p.m. until all pumpkins are given away.

Arboretum Events and Marketing Coordinator Kate Reeder said food vendors will be serving seasonal items such as kettle corn, and State College-based band Biscuit Jam will play at the festival Saturday evening.

“In addition to the incredible jack-o-lantern display, delicious food and excellent live music, the festival is an opportunity for visitor to explore the wonderful fall foliage at the Arboretum,” Reeder said.

Reeder said this year there is a category in the pumpkin-carving contest exclusively for Penn State students to compete against one another, due to the high number of student submissions received in previous years.

20th Annual “Dark in the Park: Stories Around the Campfire”

From 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Oct. 14, area storytellers will perform seasonal stories and campfire-type fairy tales at Sunset Park, 850 McKee St. Attendees are encouraged to “bundle up with friends” and bring “blankets, snacks, and of course hot cocoa,” according to the Centre Region Parks and Recreation website.

Downtown State College Fall Festival and Community Resources Fair
The 16th annual Fall Festival will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Oct. 17 at the 200 block of South Allen Street.

Downtown State College Improvement District Executive Director George Arnold said the festival will include a number of family-oriented activities such as a pumpkin patch, bounce house, pony rides, alpacas and more. Arnold said other festivities include the Happy Valley Dessert Contest and live music by Bluegrass Redemption, a State College-based band that plays traditional bluegrass and folk music.

“We’ve got activities that will appeal to community members and students alike,” Arnold said.

Arnold said students are encouraged to enter the dessert contest, and the winner will receive a $50 Downtown State College gift card. Festival attendees can sample the desserts for $1 per serving.

3 Ways to Put Energy Back into Your Apartment

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When we move into a new place, we relish in the fun of decorating and organizing our new home. After time goes on, our spot loses some of its energy and originality. Thankfully, injecting some of that spunk back into your space doesn’t need to be difficult. Follow these 3 easy ways from Apartment Therapy to get energy back into your apartment! Then, check out Apartment Therapy for the complete list of tips.

1. Use scents. Even if you're used to adding aromas to your home, you may not think about the kinds of effects that your preferred scents have on you. Seek out some energizing scents. Citrus scents are particularly energizing (we say "zesty" for a reason), as are rosemary, peppermint, and eucalyptus. If you're feeling sluggish, think about stepping away from the vanilla, lavender, and jasmine for a few hours. These are extremely calming scents that might put you at ease, but they won't add a whole lot of pep to your step.

2. Use color. Unexpected bursts of color are great for stimulating the eyes, and, therefore, the mind. Vibrant colors have the power of being unexpected and rare, and for that reason, they draw our attention and make us more alert. Throw a hot pink tablecloth over the table, toss an orange pillow on the sofa, or just take a gander at a vibrant green plant for a while. Enjoy the rich colors and momentarily embrace the non-neutral.

3. Rethink your piles and accessories. If your goods are too copious, they can clog the flow of a space and make it feel heavy. Lightening up the view will significantly revitalize your home. Think about rotating art out seasonally, or keeping a shelf in a cabinet with extra accessories that you can "shop" when you feel the need to change things up. Just because you love it, and just because you own it, doesn't mean that it has to be on display at all times.

Even if you're good about keeping your piles and accessories to a healthy number, think about moving them around periodically. This will help you see them with fresh eyes, and it will give your space a new feel, even if all the stuff is the same.

National Cookie Month

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We love cookies almost as much as cookie monster. This is why October is one of our favorite times of year. This month you can enjoy Halloween, fall and National Cookie Month. We have found a great cookie recipe from The Kitchn to help celebrate one of our favorite times of the year. Comment on our Facebook page with your favorite cookie recipe!

Chunky Monkey Cookies

Makes about 36 cookies

3/4 cup walnuts

3/4 cup granulated sugar

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon banana extract, optional for stronger banana flavor

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chunks (or 1 6.5-ounce chocolate bar, roughly chopped)

3/4 cup banana chips, roughly chopped (see Recipe Note)

Heat the oven to 375°F. Scatter the walnuts over a baking sheet and toast in the warming oven until fragrant, 10 to 15 minutes. Roughly chop the walnuts while they're still warm and set aside.

Combine the granulated sugar and brown sugar in a large mixing bowl. Mix with a spoon or spatula until thoroughly combined and no lumps of brown sugar remain. Add the softened butter to the bowl and work it into the sugar until you form a gritty, sugary paste. Mix in the eggs, one at a time, until no more egg whites remain. Stir in the vanilla extract.

Whisk together the salt, baking soda, and flour in a small bowl. Add this to the wet ingredients in the mixing bowl, and stir gently until you've formed a thick dough and you see no more dry flour. Add the chocolate chunks, banana chips, and chopped walnuts, and use a folding motion to incorporate them into the dough. It's OK if some of the chunky pieces fall out.

Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon measure to portion ping pong ball-sized gobs of dough (roughly 2 tablespoons) onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, spaced an inch or so apart. If any chunky pieces fell out while you were making the dough, press them gently into the tops of the cookies (or just use some extra leftover pieces if you'd like a chunkier appearance!). Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until the cookies look puffed and the edges are turning a darker shade of toasty brown.

Let the cookies cool for about 5 minutes on the baking sheet, then transfer them to a cooling rack to cool completely. As they cool, the cookies will collapse into craggy, cracked, chunky cookies. Continue baking the cookies in batches until all the dough has been used.

These cookies are best the day they are made, but will keep in an airtight container for about a week.

Recipe Notes

Finding banana chips: Look for banana chips in the bulk bin section of grocery stores, or along with the dried fruits. (I found the banana chips for this recipe at Trader Joe's.)

Freezing cookie dough: To freeze unbaked cookie dough, portion the cookies out onto a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer container. Freeze for up to 3 months. See here for more details: How To Freeze Cookie Dough.

College Care Package

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Whether you are sending a care package to a family friend or a college student, they are always appreciated. Food was always a good choice when choosing what to put in a care package. Apartment Therapy has some great recipes for you to remember when planning you next shipment.



It's been a while since I was in college, but when it comes to care packages, I'm quite sure things haven't changed very much.

A few favorite store-bought things are always nice, but the very best things will always be freshly made snacks and treats. They're a nice reminder of home and help fuel late-night study sessions and tough exams.

1. Smoked Almond Snack Bars

This recipe for nutty, KIND-inspired snack bars is for those of you who prefer savory over sweet when the afternoon doldrums have you yawning.

2. Muesli Snacking Cookies

These baked gems are a play on classic oatmeal cookies. A few fun ingredient swaps make them healthier and even more delicious.

3. Birthday Cake Popcorn

You don't need a birthday to celebrate with this festive treat! It's sweet, salty, and covered with sprinkles — you can't go wrong!

4. Sweet and Savory Roasted Cashews

Take your pick: sweet or salty. Neither recipe takes more than a few minutes to bring together, and they're both perfect study snacks.

5. Peanut Butter & Chocolate Energy Bars

These bars slip into that magical niche of snacks that seem — and taste — like candy but are still, at least ostensibly, healthy. They are made without refined sugar, require zero cooking, and can last in a backpack all day.

6. Banana Bread

Whether your favorite college student eats this as breakfast or an afternoon snack, one thing is certain: it's gonna go fast.

7. Cherry Pistachio Granola Clusters

This right here is "snacking granola." We're talking about big, chunky clusters of lightly sweet granola studded with pistachios and dried cherries.

8. Chocolate Chip Cookies from Scratch

Classic chocolate chip cookies are timeless — and they just might be the very best thing you could find when you open a care package.

9. Hazelnut & Cherry Whole-Grain Crackers

These homemade hazelnut and cherry crackers are such a great on-the-go snack. Plus, they're easy to make and stay fresh for weeks.

10. Pumpkin-Spiced Caramel Corn

If you just can't resist the pumpkin spice craze, this lightly spiced caramel corn will be right up your alley.

15 Cleaning Tips for the Lazy College Student

Living at school and going to classes is time consuming, especially if you have a job on top of all of that. It can be hard to muster the motivation to clean your apartment. So when you're feeling lazy and you need to get some cleaning done, try these life hacks from Buzzfeed to make it easy on yourself. Head to Buzzfeed to check out more tips.

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1. Spray a no-wipe cleaner on your shower walls every time you bathe.

You don’t even have to touch those grimy tiles!!! This blogger swears by this stuff.

2. Or, keep a handled sponge filled with half Dawn dishwashing liquid and half white vinegar and do a little scrubbing while you’re waiting for the conditioner to set in your hair.

3. Use body wash or liquid shower gel, not soap. You’ll get much less soap scum buildup in your tub.

4. Pee sitting down.

While you may consider this emasculating, your toilet will be MUCH cleaner.

5. Make a conscious effort to put something away every time you get up to go to a different part of your home.

On your way to the kitchen to reheat some leftover pizza? Grab that pair of scissors that actually belongs in the junk drawer that you never bothered to put back.

6. Buy anti-microbial doormats.

Or better yet, enforce a no-shoes policy. Tell your guests you have an Asian grandmother.

7. If you have carpet, keep Stomp ‘N Go pads for emergency stain removal.

They supposedly get out wine spills, coffee, pet messes, food, blood, and more. No scrubbing required.

8. Multitask during idle time.

While you’re cooking, do some dishes. Wipe down the sink every time you wash your hands. While you’re waiting for the hot water before a shower, tidy up the bathroom.

9. Avoid dusting by walking around your house in “Swiffer Socks.”

AKA those weird chenille socks that you always seem to get like three pairs of every Christmas. You just dusted a narrow pathway in your apartment just by schlepping to the kitchen to make nachos.

10. Use Press ‘N Seal wrap to line the surfaces in your fridge.

Cleaning the fridge is one of those things you just never get around to doing. Just replace the liners and your fridge will feel good as new again.

11. Cleaning your microwave is (almost) as simple as turning it on.

Pour 2 cups of water and 1/2 a cup of white vinegar into a microwave-safe bowl. Pop it in for about 3 minutes on full power. Let it sit for a few minutes. Remove the bowl carefully and wipe clean.

12. While you’re cooking, keep a plastic grocery bag on the counter.

You can quickly throw away any peels or packaging, saving you a few trips to the trash can.

13. Line your George Foreman grill with foil before cooking anything in it.

Those things are the hugest pains to clean.

14. Eat food out of a tortilla to avoid having to wash your bowls.

Works fairly well as long as you’re not an aggressive fork-stabber.

15. Eat Chinese take-out without dirtying up a dish.

Remove the metal handle and unfold the box into a plate you can eat out of.