Gift ideas for girl heading off to college

[Anonymous]

Amazon gift card. Congrats on W&M

[Anonymous]

Hitachi Magic Wand (silent edition)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A keurig machine ?

This is my DD's #1 college dorm want. And she's only 12!

I don't think you can go wrong with Amazon gift cards. But for something different, what about an Uber Eats or Grub Hub gift card? I assume they deliver to college campuses?

Gas gift card, if she's taking her car with her. You can look up and see what stations are near campus.

Restaurant gift cards are good if she can easily get to and from (possibly no car). I'd say with my kids some place like Panera/Chik Fil A/Chipotle would be more appreciated than a "real" restaurant. Easier and more bang for their buck.

My rising college freshman DD refuses to use a Keurig because of the environmental impact. A dorm room is so small and personal, I just don't think it's good to pick out something like that for someone else unless you know for sure they want it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hitachi Magic Wand (silent edition)

Ha!

Is there a "silent edition"?!?! Must get on the research for that...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A keurig machine ?

This is my DD's #1 college dorm want. And she's only 12!

I don't think you can go wrong with Amazon gift cards. But for something different, what about an Uber Eats or Grub Hub gift card? I assume they deliver to college campuses?

Gas gift card, if she's taking her car with her. You can look up and see what stations are near campus.

Restaurant gift cards are good if she can easily get to and from (possibly no car). I'd say with my kids some place like Panera/Chik Fil A/Chipotle would be more appreciated than a "real" restaurant. Easier and more bang for their buck.

My rising college freshman DD refuses to use a Keurig because of the environmental impact. A dorm room is so small and personal, I just don't think it's good to pick out something like that for someone else unless you know for sure they want it.

This. My daughter had an unlimited meal plan (required of freshman) and a dining hall attached to her dorm, so she ended up just filling up her travel mug in the dining hall - which had coffee - every morning before heading out for the day. She figured no sense in buying her own coffee when she could get it for free downstairs, and space was limited so didn't want to take up space with something she didn't "need."

And yes, there are many circles where Keurigs are looked down upon due to the single use K-cups.

[Anonymous]

OP, sounds like you have a great idea with the WaWa gift card. I also echo the gift box; for my nephew I gave my kids college shirts for his college, and included pics of the kids in their shirts, snack foods, general office supplies, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP again. She's going to W&M. I am all over the WaWa thing - thank you!

NP here -- I'd send the WaWa gift card as part of a care package with some inexpensive, but fun stuff -- maybe cute socks or nice hand cream or gel pens -- and a card from your kids. My DD is a rising sophomore and she was thrilled when one family she babysat for did this. The card was her favorite part -- when I helped her move out of the dorm, she carefully folded it up and put it away so she'll have it again in her new room this fall. (BTW, WaWa is also a Princeton thing. The parents in this family went there and knew that she'd get a kick out of the gift card.)

[Anonymous]

I second Uber Eats gift cards. We asked nephew who will be a sophomore and he mentioned Uber eats along w chocolate

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hitachi Magic Wand (silent edition)

Ha!

Is there a "silent edition"?!?! Must get on the research for that...

If she's like me or most of my friends in college, she's going to want (need) a vibrator very soon.

[Anonymous]

Cash is convenient and flexible, it's such a great gift for a college-bound kid. Not sure what people have against it. There are no hidden fees, expiration dates, or limitations.

And really, is a gift card any different? It's basically like giving cash except it's less flexible.

[Anonymous]

Let it go w/ the cash fixation already. If OP doesn't like to give cash that's fine.

I was raised to believe that giving cash was a sign of not knowing the person and not caring enough to make an effort to pick out something specifically for them. Also, I was taught that it was tacky.

Times have certainly changed but some people really enjoy personalizing a gift. Leave OP alone.

[Anonymous]

Cash is always a great gift for this age. They don’t know exactly what they will need when they get there and parents tapped out. Cash is most definitely an appreciated gift.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Let it go w/ the cash fixation already. If OP doesn't like to give cash that's fine.

I was raised to believe that giving cash was a sign of not knowing the person and not caring enough to make an effort to pick out something specifically for them. Also, I was taught that it was tacky.

Times have certainly changed but some people really enjoy personalizing a gift. Leave OP alone.

Times have changed. This age is particularly hard. You think oh so sweet! They think thanks granny. Now where am I going to put this?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP again. She's going to W&M. I am all over the WaWa thing - thank you!

NP here -- I'd send the WaWa gift card as part of a care package with some inexpensive, but fun stuff -- maybe cute socks or nice hand cream or gel pens -- and a card from your kids. My DD is a rising sophomore and she was thrilled when one family she babysat for did this. The card was her favorite part -- when I helped her move out of the dorm, she carefully folded it up and put it away so she'll have it again in her new room this fall. (BTW, WaWa is also a Princeton thing. The parents in this family went there and knew that she'd get a kick out of the gift card.)

We have a whole bag of cute socks heading to recycle.

[Anonymous]

Gift card to Bed Bath & Beyond or Target, if there's one near campus. She can get dorm stuff, toiletries, whatever she finds she needs once she gets into her new space. Every year, you need new extension cords, storage boxes, stuff to hang pictures, etc., and you can't plan ahead for a lot of it.