Honestly I'd not use Christmas as a time to give college themed gifts, unless she's gotten in to her first choice ED/EA. Senior year is already stressful enough with applications. Let her have a break from non stop college apps. She will likely be grilled by family members about her plans as it is. And if she applied ED/EA and didn't get in it's like rubbing salt in the wound.

Anonymous wrote:Mini Christmas lights for her dorm.

Decorative tape to put pictures on the wall.

Command strips to hang things without putting a hole in the wall. We used these to hang the Christmas lights. https://www.command.com/3M/en_US/command/products/~/Command-Clear-Decorating-Clips/?N=5924736+3294529207+3294737335&preselect=8719408+3293786499&rt=rud

tapestry for the wall or MD flag

DSs school does not allow Christmas lights in the dorms...but we gave him a state flag and a poster of one of his favorite spots his senior Christmas. Both are is use.

Please don't use Christmas as an excuse to get her stuff for next year. It's her last Christmas as a "kid". Get her things that she'd like.

A real alarm clock. The phone just doesn't do the job on some mornings.
A nice 4 wheel carry on bag. Most kids take advantage of college sponsored trips plus trips with friends may start this upcoming summer. (Speaking of that, check to see if her passport needs to be renewed and sign up for TSP or Global Assist while she's still at home with you this year.)

Bluetooth speaker for her to listen to streamed music.

Two of my DD’s favorite college fun gifts have been a portable (vinyl) record player and recreational ice skates + bag. But, obviously, depends on campus location and kid’s taste.

Many dorm rooms do not allow:

flat-screen TVs
tapestries for the walls (fire hazard)

Many do not have room for bean bag chairs.

Wait on all of these things until you know where she's going.

Strings are lights ARE very popular in dorms (for girls anyway)

Alternative view: a TV can tempt them away from school work and sleep.

For big broadcast events that are be fun with a group: there is always a big screen TV in the lounge. They can watch movies on their laptop OR in the rooms of kids who bring TV's. My 2 cents.

Mini Christmas lights for her dorm.

Decorative tape to put pictures on the wall.

Command strips to hang things without putting a hole in the wall. We used these to hang the Christmas lights. https://www.command.com/3M/en_US/command/products/~/Command-Clear-Decorating-Clips/?N=5924736+3294529207+3294737335&preselect=8719408+3293786499&rt=rud

tapestry for the wall or MD flag

two years ago we gave out kid a portable stereo that also lights up. She said she brings it to parties all over campus.
I also got her a little ottoman from World Market that she took with her for extra seating.
She has recently asked for a bean bag chair which would also be a great gift for a dorm.

Does she have a TV she'll be able to take? If hers is very large, maybe think about a smaller one and a FireStick or the like so she can watch Netflix on it.

Anonymous wrote:A gift certificate to this site might make a good stocking stuffer:

https://www.redbubble.com/shop/stickers

All of the kids at my daughter's college put stickers on their laptops, to sort of personalize it (plus, I think they might make good conversation starters). Not sure how widespread this trend is...but the stickers are cheap enough.

Same at mine. Stickers on laptops, external hard drives that most have, and their water bottles they all carry everywhere.

Anonymous wrote:

Too early. She'll get a list from college and may be coordinating with a new roommate. Plus so much can be purchased here and then picked up where she ends up. All the college move in stuff is it's own excitement as is graduation and what you'll gift for that. IMO do what you would for any regular Christmas.

Agree with this. However, if she needs a new laptop, this might be a good time to get that.

Don't do that. Every college sends a spec sheet for what the laptop must have. Some even require you to buy a specific brand.

My kid's college requires MacBook Pro and iPad Pro w/ Pencil for every student. And guess what? You can't use yours if you already have one. You have to purchase through the school.

A gift certificate to this site might make a good stocking stuffer:

https://www.redbubble.com/shop/stickers

All of the kids at my daughter's college put stickers on their laptops, to sort of personalize it (plus, I think they might make good conversation starters). Not sure how widespread this trend is...but the stickers are cheap enough.