My 18 year old son is dating a very cool, smart young woman whom we have known for years. I would like to get her a small gift for Christmas but am rather stumped. While she is a full-time college student and has a part-time job, her parents are staggeringly wealthy and she has a credit card that her parents cover with which she can and does buy whatever she wants or needs. She isn't obnoxious about her financial position - she really is as humble and down to earth as a young woman who drives a new Mercedes and wears nothing but designer clothes, shoes and accessories can be - but it means that while a typical college student might truly value a Starbucks gift card or restaurant gift certificate or something, she really doesn't need that. She lives at home with her parents (and attends a private college in our town) so she doesn't need anything for a dorm or apartment. She doesn't enjoy reading, so books are out. While I know what shows and movies she likes, those are all on Netflix or other digital platforms. While this should clearly be an "it's the thought that counts" gift, it's 4 days before Christmas so I can't be all that thoughtful. Her only hobby that I know of is swim team but again, she probably has all of the gear that she needs for that already. My son has been of no help with ideas.
Any ideas for something I can pick up? I'm trying to think of something that a college student would like but not necessarily buy for herself and I'm stumped. Thanks for any ideas that you have!
Thanks everyone, such great ideas that I will definitely keep in mind for future gift occasions! After talking more to my son last night, I tossed out the idea of driving gloves because she is really into cars. He totally lit up over that idea and said it would be great - apparently she has a nice pair that matches the interior of a car that she drives at the summer house (LOL don't you wish you had a summer house that has a separate car?) but doesn't have a pair for her regular car, so I got a pair that will match the interior of that car. Hopefully she'll get a kick out of them and use them. Thanks!
Here is what I got my son's college aged girlfriend:
Scarf (decorative, not warm)
Obol (look it up - they are pretty cool and unique)
Pajama set with matching socks
Cookie in a cast iron pan
Also, I looked on her Pintrest account (how I found the Obol) to see what she liked. It helped me pick out what kind of scarf she might like, too.
Happy holidays!
I think you are sweet to remember her. I love the idea of a Christmas ornament or you could do a Christmas themed basket with an ornament, Christmas coffee, chocolate, etc. maybe include a Christmas movie.
You could get a nice container (modern) and fill it with things for relaxation like a nice candle, lavender spray, lotion, calming tea, etc.
I love stationery. You could get her some pretty stationery or note cards with nice pens and stamps. You could include a letter to her that mentions some of the things you appreciate about her.
Good luck.
I bought my future DIL a Yeti mug and had it personalized with her new initials and UK (University of Kentucky). Some makeup, jammies, jacket, Christmas ornament, socks. I think that is it.
They have these blanket scarfs this year. So cute. It won't matter the amount spent, she will be thrilled because you gave her something.
Who doesn't love great chocolate? Get her a box of Godiva chocolate. Even if she can afford it that is not something people typically buy for themselves.
i'm in a similar situation. last year i found out she likes to bake, so put together some cute baking things (cookie cutouts and so forth) as well as some lovely handmade artisan tools.
handmade wooden i-pad stand.
blown glass christmas ornament.
locally sourced coffee or tea basket (local pottery, honey and so forth.)
when it's not a matter of practicality only as it is for most students, go with something cool like all locally made artisan items. they're more expensive so a single chowder bowl or hand-carved hair stick or silk scarf will do.
khairete
S.
Do you have a cute photo or 2 of your son when he was younger? Maybe doing something then that he either does now "for real" or refuses to do - pee wee football, cooking with a toy kitchen set, anything. Get a little frame or a collage-style frame that will take several photos, and stick them in there. I don't care how much money she has, she can't buy that. If she cooks and you have a favorite recipe (of yours or of his), you could give her that in a little magnetic thing that could go on a fridge - but don't do it if she doesn't cook and it would seem sexist. Those are things she can't buy, no matter how much money she has.
Is there a museum nearby that they might enjoy, or a decent live theater, and you could buy a membership or tickets to something? You could give them a "date night" and even get a "twofer" by giving it to her and him together, perhaps with something smaller for just her.
Personalized Christmas tree ornament? Someday she will have her own home and perhaps you could start a tradition of giving her an ornament every year so she will wind up with a collection. Craft shops have some unique things and you'd be supporting a local artisan.
Nice coffee if you have a local coffee roasting place - better than supermarket coffee and they support free trade initiatives in other countries.
Otherwise, go to a local bakery and get some fabulous brownies or pastries, have them wrapped individually (our local brownie emporium will cut their big brownies into quarters and put them in those little cups, so you can mix/match to give everyone a little taste of different flavors), and put them in a coffee mug with her initial on it. Done.
It's the thought that counts and hopefully she gets that.
Get her a gift card to a coffee shop, a patisserie, or a chocolatier.
Gift card to a nice spa. One where she can go for a few hours, have a massage, relax in their lounge. Sure she could buy that, but, receiving the gift will encourage her to actually go and take time for herself.
I personally would avoid the photo ideas (of your son / of the couple), simply because you don't say how long they've been dating and I think that's a more "intimate" gift, more appropriate for a couple on the verge of getting engaged.
My daughter is a huge animal lover and we do whatever we can to support organizations and a few years back I adopted a penguin for her her in New Zealand. She will never meet " Hugh" but loved to contribute to his well being. I was pretty proud of her last week when she couponed and donated $300 in dog and cat food to our shelter. We have enough "stuff" so it's nice to help others, she's still getting gifts from us!
I like Chacha's idea of the gift card for a service at a spa idea.
I think the photo idea would be better coming from your son than you (personally).
How about a picture of her and your son together? That's what I would give her...
Maybe a really neat hat and scarf and mittens set. Maybe you could find some handmade from a local farmers market type person. Maybe the sock boot topper thingies. A cool tote bag with a favorite photo of her and your son. The photo places do those. You could get something to wear from her school. Just head to the campus book store for that. Head to a boutique store and find a one of a kind frame and put a cute couple's photo in it. How about a fun cooking lesson for her and your son to do together.
Maybe an Alex and Ani bracelet? They have some that use proceeds for various causes, I think one is a zoo for example.
If you have a nice photo of the two of them together, you could put it in a nice frame and gift that to her? Most young women who are dating someone (serious enough that the mom is buying her a gift of any sort) would treasure a framed picture of them as a couple. No?
Barring that... if you have a time honored family recipe, you could bake her something homemade (rather than store bought).
A cozy, fuzzy blanket. Also, a reading light so she can clip it onto a book and study in bed. Cozy socks. Gift card to the movie theater. Small framed picture of your son. Magazine. Scarf. Bouquet of flowers. Sweatshirt from the private college. Framed poem. Calendar with the photos of her and your son printed for each month.
Since she doesn't need anything? Why not donate to a local charity in her name?
My sister didn't want presents this year - she asked that we donate to the Wounded Warrior program in her name or donate to the Vests for K9 dogs in her name?
Does she like dogs or cats? Why not go to the local shelter and donate money in her name and let her know what you did.
How about this:
https://www.amazon.com/Fortune-Products-LMB-15W-Light-Bot...
Put it in a decorative bottle and give it to her.
Alex and ani bracelets( I second those)
My daughter's BF hit a home run with his gift to her. It's a camera that she places in her condo, can control it with her phone and check on her cat while we are out of town,
It's so cool I'm buying one for myself to watch my dogs
You can talk to the pets too!!
We had early Christmas with friends and we just got to Disney today!!
Merry Christmas!
A cute bracelet is a nice gift.
1.It won't take up too much space and it is not a symbol (ring) of something more 2. It is not about your son (photo of him) 3. it is not a gift card or certificate 4. The price can vary depending on your budget 4. It is not food
What about donating to an animal shelter in her name? I volunteer at a cat shelter and one bag of cat litter is always appreciated. It's not a very exciting gift but it's a great option for someone that already has everything.
