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

Anonymous wrote:If you can find out the food place near campus the kids go to. My DD went to W&M and one of the best gifts she got was a Wawa gift card.

Yes. My W&M alum friends are still obsessed with Wawa. UVA friends reminisce about restaurants on the corner. Does she have any dietary restrictions? A safer alternative might be a gift card to her bookstore. Ours sold sweatshirts, wall art, books, cosmetics, etc. Check with current students at her university to see if their bookstore has fun extras, or just books.

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.

???

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.

If you can find out the food place near campus the kids go to. My DD went to W&M and one of the best gifts she got was a Wawa gift card.

Cash is #1, but after cash I would do the following

- t-shirt or sweatshirt for her school
- hydro flask water bottle
- something cute for her room if you know her colors or style
- a book about her new city
- a care package approximately 2 weeks after she leaves with homemade cookies, a few snacks, a $10 cash
- gift card for Starbucks or chipotle or subway or amazon

OP here, I don't give cash - I just don't.

Thanks all for the many great ideas! (Perhaps will steer clear of condoms and beer though...)

Anonymous wrote:That pretty much says it. Our babysitter (and daughter of a neighbor) is heading off for her freshman year and we'd like to get her something. But I have no idea what college kids want/need these days (other than just cash, which I'd rather not do.)

Ideas?

Thanks!!

But gift giving isn't about YOU, or what would make YOU feel good. It's about giving the recipient a gift that would be most useful and appreciated by HER. And honestly, for most college kids, that is cash.

I'm guessing she'll be leaving pretty soon?
Is she going out of state? Could help with gift determination?

A keurig machine ?

Cookie delivery weekly for a month or two if they have that service in her college town?

Those heavy duty extension cords with multiple plugs with attached long cord. They are expensive required in dorms and much needed.

Anonymous wrote:We did a gift card to JCrew for our beloved babysitter when she went off to college. Every college girl can always use more clothes!

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But many college girls would not be caught dead shopping at JCrew, so only do this if you know for a fact it is a store she likes (this goes for any gift card).

Amazon card

The college sweatshirt is a good idea. Good ones are $40-$50 so folks do skip them with everything else to buy, but obviously if going to a southern school then not such a great idea.

A gift card for a restaurant/coffee shop that is on campus or just a short walk that students frequent is also a nice idea.