Gift Guide 101: What To Get The PR Student

It's the most wonderful time of the year! Trees are up and decorated, the fireplace is burning, gingerbread houses are being made and your Christmas list is complete - well, almost. Struggling to find the perfect gift for the PR student in your life? Or are you a PR student looking to get yourself something fabulous and functional for the New Year? Well, look no further!

Here are five essential gifts that would be perfect for almost any public relations student:

1. AP Stylebook: The newest edition of course! Every student looking to land a career in the field of communication needs to stay up to date with AP Style. Costing anywhere from $13 to $20 ($25 for an online subscription), this book is an inexpensive must have for a PR student.

2. iPad or iPad mini: Does this even need an explanation?

3. Annual Subscriptions: PR Week and PR Daily rank among the best PR resources. Surprise the PR student in your life with an online subscription to one of these and they will love you forever.

4. PRSSA Membership: Becoming a member of the Public Relations Student Society of America opens many doors for a student looking to become a PR professional. PRSSA offers a key opportunity in the PR world - the opportunity to network with other PR students as well as professionals. PRSSA offers holuday discounts too!

5. Hector Serrano Digital Downtime Watch: For the social media obsessed PR student (hint, hint we all are), make sure to pick up this stylish and functional watch. This watch helps with time management by divvying up time spent on Facebook, Twitter and Gmail each day. Confused? This video explains how it works: http://www.hectorserrano.com/index.php?id=41&m=lab&grupo=downtimewatch#

Is there anything else on your list? Let us know!

Happy Holidays from PRowl Public Relations!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from all of us at
PRowl Public Relations!

Here are just a few fun facts about everyone's favorite holiday:

• Each year more than 3 billion Christmas cards are sent in the U.S. alone.
• Christmas wasn’t declared an official holiday in the United States until June 26, 1870.
• "Jingle Bells" was first written for Thanksgiving and then became one of the most popular Christmas songs.
• Candy canes started as white sticks used to decorate Christmas trees. It was not until the 20th century that they were given red stripes.
• The earliest known Christmas decorations were apples.
• A total of 364 gifts are given by the lover in the song "The Twelve Days of Christmas"

Do you know any interesting facts about Christmas or have any favorite holiday traditions? Share them with us!

Santa Claus: Bringer of Presents or PR Pro?

The countdown is on, only 6 more days 'til Christmas! Time to brave the mall crowds, wrap endless gifts, and to hope that Santa brings you something shiny. Santa Claus, a figure we've always held on a pedastal since we were kids, that is, until someone in your family decided to crush your dreams (hi Mom!). But Santa is more than just a jolly old man bearing gifts, he's an icon, who has garnered more attention than any other figure in history. But how does he do it? Below are some PR tips courtesy of "6 PR lessons from Santa Claus":

• Make a list, check it twice: Make sure you cover all angles; countless times PR pros have been caught in a situation because of stray press releases or emails being flung around. Check that you are including everyone necessary on your lists, and omitting those who are not, then check again. This can be said for emails and writing in general; always edit your writing, then check it again by having someone look over it for you. Little mistakes can get you in hot water so save yourself the effort and check your work. If Santa and his little elves could make toys for thousands of Christmas lists, you can manage your list too!



• Plan, prepare, and deliver: Plan how you want to approach a crisis, prepare for what you are going to do about it, and deliver your results. Never promise your boss, client, or a report something that you cannot deliver within their set deadline. Santa has to plan months in advance, but in the end he always makes his deadline!



• Ho! Ho! Ho!: The tagline that Santa is famous for. "Got milk?" "I'm lovin' it!" "Just do it." All are famous for the brands they are attached to. Santa is reknown for his, and though it may be corny, people always know the image attached.



• Big rep: He's known across the world as Santa, St. Nick, Father Christmas, etc. But still, he is the most recognizable man on the planet. It has taken time, but so does a solid reputation.

Have you learned anything else from Jolly Old St. Nick? Have anything to add to the "list"? Let us know!