Things my college freshman boy likes (who’s also not very materialistic thankfully):

Beach towel if it is available, for the school. One or two t shirts and one or two hoodies or sweatshirts.

Books about adulting, personal finance, etc. oops about his favorite athletes

Phone accessories, gift cards to fast food like chick fil a, dunkin, and chipotle

Candy he likes

Running and workout gear

Men’s hair care (Harry’s, etc)

Tickets to a sporting event or concert

Spotify premium, Netflix or hbo account or gift

Luggage or duffel bag, dob kit

Is ED college in a different climate? Will he need thicker jacket/snow boots?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For boys the dorm stuff is very minimal and you can just do a sweep at Target when it's all on sale next summer.

Those safes are for kids who have ADHD medicines to lock up from a roommate. Not a fun present imo.

My college bound son likes clothes, money, interesting food.

Ah thanks. I didn’t think of that and see them recommended quite a bit. The only thing I could think of putting in it was a passport, but I’m not sure I even want him bringing that. No need to get tempted with a spontaneous trip.

We got our son a safe big enough to put his laptop in. I don't think he actually used it though.

Anonymous wrote:For boys the dorm stuff is very minimal and you can just do a sweep at Target when it's all on sale next summer.

Those safes are for kids who have ADHD medicines to lock up from a roommate. Not a fun present imo.

My college bound son likes clothes, money, interesting food.

Ah thanks. I didn’t think of that and see them recommended quite a bit. The only thing I could think of putting in it was a passport, but I’m not sure I even want him bringing that. No need to get tempted with a spontaneous trip.

$$$

Give him one gift to open, like a college sweatshirt, stuff his stocking with little stuff, then give him cash/check. He might want to use it on dates (prom’s coming up), on something for his dorm room, spend it on video games or the latest cool jacket, use it on a trip somewhere, or even stick it in savings to apply your future apartment rent or car payments. He’s nearing the adult age. As an adult, yourself, would you rather your own parents give you a check or nice socks?

Anonymous wrote:For boys the dorm stuff is very minimal and you can just do a sweep at Target when it's all on sale next summer.

Those safes are for kids who have ADHD medicines to lock up from a roommate. Not a fun present imo.

My college bound son likes clothes, money, interesting food.

This. My DS could not care less about dorm stuff and definitely doesn’t want that for Christmas.

+1 to a hoodie from school, new laptop, and GCs for food.

He can never have enough sweatshirts and t shirts from his college. (gift for DH and sibs too)

I think dorm stuff is good. I updated things right before college so a new laptop was my go to gift when my kids were going to college. If the school is in a different climate, clothes and footwear are good options. If he doesn’t have a hoodie from that school I’d definitely do that.

Congratulations.

Flannel pj pants from his new school, if there is anything different abt living there something related to that? (Parka for cold weather school, sunglasses for university of Miami, etc)

Yeah no to the dorm decorations as Xmas presents. Yes to some school swag although a little goes a long way. One of the things kids use at my son's school is one of those mini-projectors that let you stream movies/shows from your laptop on the wall or a screen. My son's roommate had one and they used it regularly to watch big games etc.

I wish I had more ideas - mine is graduating college this year and it's even harder to shop for him now!

For boys the dorm stuff is very minimal and you can just do a sweep at Target when it's all on sale next summer.

Those safes are for kids who have ADHD medicines to lock up from a roommate. Not a fun present imo.

My college bound son likes clothes, money, interesting food.

My boys liked big charger stations for the dorms - usually there are not enough sockets so that is usually positive.

My son would not care about stuff for his dorm. And I’m at a loss for that. Sheets and towels? He doesn’t want to open those on Christmas. What are you buying for the dorms for Christmas?

I got him some accessories for his car that he picked out and wanted. I don’t exactly know what they are but he’s been wanting them.

We also bought him a new computer because his old one was really old. He will take it with him.

What do all of you think about a small safe? I saw that recommended somewhere. Do they actually use them?

Not too early. Anything for dorm room is fun.

Or even a hoodie from said school or something else from the school bookstore.

Or something for college like boots if cold climate or stickers for laptop.....

Be more creative than socks those are fun too!

He doesn’t know what he wants for Christmas and likely doesn’t know what he needs either. He was just accepted into his ED school and really is just happy with that. Too early for dorm stuff? He bedroom is kind of spartan and doesn’t care for much fluff around him.
In the absence of other ideas, I might end up just buying him nice socks.