Gift for College Student in Dorm

my sister just went to Xavier and my mom bought her a small fireproof safe for all her valuables! one of the big news stations did a report on it. you don't really know your roommate or who ther friends are. so to keep her money, ID bankcard and other things that need to be put without fear of someone finding. good luck

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Hot cocoa mixes, a good mug for it, snacks. Thes best gift I ever got was good towels and wash wrags. Also, I had a shower caddy that I could carry in and out so that I did not have to worry about anyone using my stuff. My mom got me that and filled it for me. It was a great gift that I used for years, even in an apartment! Have fun, there is so much you can do!

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My suggestions:

Find out what her favorite:

books
magazines
cookies/treats

write her a nice card of encouragement and love

Gift card to fav restaurant or store if you want to.

Hope this helps~

M

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There was nothing better than getting a package in college! Find out what products she uses and send bathroom stuff-- toothpaste, shampoo, razors, etc... It can cause such problems when room mates use eachother's stuff so it's best if she has a good supply of her own-- may sound silly, but it's something I remember from a zillion years ago when I lived in a dorm. 2 of us fended for ourselves and relied on our own money and the occasional trip home to stock up and the one room mate whose parents lived locally and gave her stuff the second she ran out would sometimes use our stuff and it would drive us batty!.... Otherwise, anything edible is great.... a warm blanket is great... whatever you put in the carepackage, don't forget some cash for pizza money or a gift certificate to a store like Target if there is one nearby

****OOOO! I thought of something else! A magazine subscription! Find out which one she'd want and doesn't already have access to-- it's the gift that keeps on giving because she can look forward to it arriving monthly!

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Actually most colleges now have special "Campus cards" to use for washers and dryers.. so the quarters are great idea if she lived in an apt. but probably she has a campus card..

Our daughter lives on campus and she cannot live without her electric tea pot.
Also the suggestion of snacks is great. Instant hot chocolate packets, ground coffee, Teas, 100 calorie packs of snacks, gum, mints, Almonds, trail mix.

A wonderful rug for next to her bed. Gift cards to Starbucks, Amazon, Target, iTunes.

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Quarters (for laundray). Snacks. Gift cards to local convienince stores/grocery stores. And something cuddly to say you love her.

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When I was in college YEARS ago....spare change for laundry was fantastic along with some homemade goodies and non perishables we kept in the dorm room.

Nowadays, gift cards are appreciated but sneak something sentimental in there so they know you care. Maybe a favorite brand of cookie, etc.

My room mates mom always sent big tins of variety popcorn. We all loved that.

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I agree w/ Anna M. and would add to her list a really nice big fluffy bath towel or bath sheet & treats that are "local favorites" for when she is homesick.

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my grandma would send me awesome care packages, like, at Halloween I would get peeps and silly toys, the same for valentine's day and easter. She would even stick some candy in there for my roommate. It really made my day. :-)

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I found that while my daughter was away at college all she really needed and wanted were the bare necessities. They have limited living space, share bedrooms, too much clothes, and never clean. My daughter made a lot of good use of her single George Forman.

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Food! Everybody in college wants food! haha

Homemade, store bought, restaurant gift cards, etc. Anything better than mac & cheese & ramen!! lol :)

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Believe it or not, one of my favorite presents was a teddy bear.

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My grandmother always sent homemade cookies. I knew when I had a package from her because people would be waiting around for me to pick the package up. The mail clerk (a friend of mine) knew my grandmother's writing and waited for one of the cookies that I always shared. At graduation, many people thanked my grandmother for her cookies. She loved it. She also always included a toothbrush, toothpaste or dental floss. That became a kind of family joke that persisted for years. Lots of happy memories were made by those care packages.

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Homemade cookies, brownies, or other treats are great. Then, go online and find out what restaurants or coffee shops are in her neighborhood and get her a few gift cards. A gas station gift card (if she has a car) would be great too!

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When I was in college, the girl in my dorm with the popcorn popper was the most popular kid on the floor. An air popper and a bag of popcorn would be a great gift.

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Snack items you know she likes, gift cards for the college or local activities (movie, bowling, etc) or local stores/restaurants for her to eat somewhere other than on campus.

My son just started his second year at college and loves this kind of stuff.

She does not need anything now. Wait until March when her money starts to run out and final exams are around the corner.

A comfy throw blanket is always a good gift and they will think about you everytime they, or one of their friends uses it. Little gift cards are good too ie. $10 Starbucks/ $10 Jamba Juice, $15 Pizza, $10 Gas etc. those are things that they will not always have the luxury to purchase. Or a gift certificate to her book store is good. You always want to buy a hat or sweatshirt or paper etc.

One of the best treats to send them is a Starbucks card (or other coffee card). They use it either because they're up late studying or because this generation drinks alot of frappuccinnos! It can also be used for a quick breakfast if they buy a muffin.

J. F.

P.S. One of my kids is in college - the other graduated college a little over a year ago.

Hi! How nice of you! I think that necessities (tampons or pads), toiletries (deodorant, toothpaste, extra toothbrush), kleenex, snacks, a little cash if you can. Do you know if she can wash in her dorm or apartment? I would say quarters or laundry soap, too! Any snack that you know she likes would be good. Maybe you can get some ideas from her parents about what she likes or needs. I hope this helps! Have a nice day!

Necessities and gift cards are always nice, but here are some other ideas: a 3 mo NetFlix subscription (movies she creates a want list of that come to her in the mail, she can keep them as long as she likes, then return them in the mail and another arrives), one of those Popcorn Company bins of flavored popcorns (they usually have online coupons too and come in "holiday" bins), or a gift card/certificate to the local pizza restaurant (most sell them online and you can check to see what's close to the school and will deliver to her dorm). All of these ideas are not only for her, but help her to "make friends" and share her wealth of goodies. I think THAT's really cool for someone who's newly away at college...anything that helps you make friends!

Finally, what about a "care package" with a note from you, some pics for her and a little disposable camera or website info for her to share some pics with you on SnapFish or Picasa? Most cell phones have cameras now a days, and they take much better pics than those disposable ones. But tell her to write you via email or Facebook or post pics to share.

There's NOTHING better than keeping in touch with college students on line. Do something to open those lines of communication! She'll think you're "cool" for being online.

Sorry, but stationary and stamps are so old school.

I make each freshman a first aid box so they have bandaids, hydrogen peroxide, tylenol, benadryl, and the like. Usually includes alcohol, 2x2's and a pair of gloves. They come in handy.

The best gift I got when I went off to college was quarters from my uncle. I think it was 25 or 30 dollars worth, but it was great for when I had to wash clothes or needed something out of the vending machine.

The safe is a FANTASTIC idea!! I would have never thought of that, but it is GENIUS!

What I was thinking was anything that can be used up since dorm rooms can be cramped. Scented candles, body wash, toothpaste, tooth brush, shampoo & conditioner, razors, lotion, nail files, hand sanitizer, gum, candy, and a distinctive USB flash drive are some ideas.

If she doesn't already have one, maybe a lightweight blanket or quilt - one that would be good in all seasons - and/or a nice pillow (down?). I always like a good, sturdy (canvas) tote bag. Notepads or nice stationary, a nice pen, some stamps if she sends any letters or bills. Shower shoes, a back scrubber or back scratcher, or a gift card to favorite clothing store, grocery or gas station nearby.

I can't think of anything else. I may update if I do. I am curious to see what everyone else will suggest! :)