Question for current collegiates/recent grads...

[AlphaFrog]

My kid's regular sitter is leaving for college in a couple weeks. I want to get her a going-away present. I'm looking to spend around $50. She's going to be living in an apartment with friends that have already been there for a year, so home-furnishing type things would be tricky. I hate giving giftcards, because it seems thoughtless and tacky.

Any suggestions from those getting ready to go back to school? If you had $50 to spend on a back to school "luxury" item (don't NEED it, but it would be nice to have), what would it be?

[agzg]

I'm not a collegian or a recent grad, but what about a crock pot? I didn't have one until grad school but it was awesome to be able to toss something in so I didn't have to cook when I got home.

[shirley1929]

I'm not a collegian or a recent grad either...but maybe a coffee maker?

Sidebar, I have several nieces in this age range & while I also don't like giving gift cards...they would rather I give them. Not because I give crappy gifts (I don't) they just like the flexibility of being able to get exactly what they want. The "stigma" (for lack of a better word) of a gift card is completely lost on that generation.

[happilyanchored]

I agree with the coffeepot, because not only is it something she'll use all the time but also will save her lots of money over the course of the year.

When my younger friends all graduated this year though, I bought/made blankets with their future college on them. You can buy them through most school's stores, and they're often made out of a really nice sweatshirt-y material that is perfect for curling up on a couch or using as an extra layer on your bed if it's cold. All of them have loved it, so that could potentially be another option!

[AlwaysSAI]

Unless you know she drinks coffee that could be tricky. (read: I'm 26. I never started drinking coffee in college and I still don't.)

I think the crock pot is a great idea! I've always wanted a Snuggie. Or maybe a set of pots/pans.

[AlphaFrog]

She's not a coffee drinker, and she doesn't really cook.

I like the snuggie idea, but our church will give her a Quillow on her last Sunday, so it's kinda already taken.

[aesovs]

This is really an unnecessary item, but a portable clothes steamer is wonderful! I'm a current collegian and just got one (my roommate had one last year that I borrowed all the time). It will come in especially handy for clothes that are usually dry clean only - it's a great way to get the wrinkles out in between cleanings. They have them for $30-50 at Bed, Bath, & Beyond.

[agzg]

Originally Posted by aesovs

This is really an unnecessary item, but a portable clothes steamer is wonderful! I'm a current collegian and just got one (my roommate had one last year that I borrowed all the time). It will come in especially handy for clothes that are usually dry clean only - it's a great way to get the wrinkles out in between cleanings. They have them for $30-50 at Bed, Bath, & Beyond.

Oh yes I would have loved that - much easier than ironing.

What about writing her a rec and calling it a day?

Does she babysit for another family? Maybe you could go in together on a year's worth of Netflix?

Originally Posted by AlphaFrog

I like the snuggie idea, but our church will give her a Quillow on her last Sunday, so it's kinda already taken.

What is a Quillow?

[AlphaFrog]

Originally Posted by agzg

Oh yes I would have loved that - much easier than ironing.

What about writing her a rec and calling it a day?

Does she babysit for another family? Maybe you could go in together on a year's worth of Netflix?

No ASA chapter at NC State.

I like the clothes steamer idea!

What is a Quillow?

Quilt + Pillow = Quillow
The pillow pocket is awesome for your feet!

[AlwaysSAI]

Originally Posted by agzg

Does she babysit for another family? Maybe you could go in together on a year's worth of Netflix?

I love the Netflix idea! Or, maybe the complete box set of her favorite tv show? (<---that might be kind of expensive, though)

Do you know if she uses Bath & Body Works products? I always LOVE getting some body wash, lotion, and bubble bath in my favorite BBW scent.

Or maybe go completely cliche and get her one of those "Everything you need to know about surviving freshman year" books.

[agzg]

Originally Posted by AlphaFrog

Quilt + Pillow = Quillow
The pillow pocket is awesome for your feet!

That's cute.

[DeltaBetaBaby]

I don't know that "she doesn't really cook" is a good reason to knock a crock pot off of your list. If she's living alone for the first time, isn't this the time when she's going to have to learn? A crock pot is a very easy place for beginners to start.

Also, rice cooker, bread maker, waffle iron...

[WCsweet<3]

You said she doesn't drink coffee, but does she drink tea? An electric tea kettle is amazing. It takes like 30 seconds to boil water. I'm posting from my phone which for some reason isn't allowing me to look up/check prices.

[ColdInCanada11]

Originally Posted by WCsweet<3

You said she doesn't drink coffee, but does she drink tea? An electric tea kettle is amazing. It takes like 30 seconds to boil water. I'm posting from my phone which for some reason isn't allowing me to look up/check prices.

Huge co-sign on this!! I couldn't live without mine, and I think it was around $40. If you wanted to top it up to $50, you could get her something from David's!

[Sciencewoman]

Originally Posted by aesovs

This is really an unnecessary item, but a portable clothes steamer is wonderful! I'm a current collegian and just got one (my roommate had one last year that I borrowed all the time). It will come in especially handy for clothes that are usually dry clean only - it's a great way to get the wrinkles out in between cleanings. They have them for $30-50 at Bed, Bath, & Beyond.

I like this idea. My daughter just mentioned that this is something she really wants when she heads to college this fall.