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Gift Ideas For College Students

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College Student Gift Ideas

 

Looking for great Christmas or birthday gift ideas for a college student? We know that kids in college are usually very difficult to buy for, so we've put together some of our favorite college student picks. This year, stop giving them the stand-by DVD's, CD's or clothes and try any of these great gift ideas that they'll love receiving.

Practical College Student Gift Ideas 

When trying to think of gift ideas for your college student, consider a practical gift that will make their life at school a bit easier or fun. As we all know, most students don't have a lot of pocket cash so they might may need some practical items that they just haven't been able to afford. Consider some of the following gifts that your college student is sure to appreciate.

iHome IH9 Alarm Clock for iPod (Black)

Amazon Price: $71.38 (as of 08/21/2008)

Ensign Peak Deluxe Insulated Lunch Cooler

Amazon Price: (as of 08/21/2008)

Shower Bucket & Totes

Amazon Price: (as of 08/21/2008)

Cool Laptop Bags 

These days a lap top is essentially required for most college students so a bag that can accomodate both the computer and books is a must have. College kids have their life on that little lap top - their class notes, papers, social networking account info, social calendar, phone numbers, etc. Therefore, their laptop bag must adequately protect the computer as well as house the carrying cases, flash drives, extra batteries and other computer essentials. Fortunately, Amazon has many choices and reviews from customers to help you choose the best one for your college student.

Skooba® / RoadWired Skooba Skreener

Amazon Price: (as of 08/21/2008)

Samsonite L35 Notebook Case

Amazon Price: $25.99 (as of 08/21/2008)

Leather Briefcase with Removable Laptop Sleeve - Red

Amazon Price: $149.99 (as of 08/21/2008)

SYNERGY from SwissGear by Wenger Computer Backpack

Amazon Price: $56.99 (as of 08/21/2008)

Case Logic 15.4" Rolling Lightweight Laptop Case

Amazon Price: (as of 08/21/2008)

College Care Package Ideas 

When you are missing your son or daughter, here are some great care package ideas that will help cheer them up, enable them to celebrate a holiday, and even ease the transition from home to college for all those new freshman. College care packages will be appreciated by the student and Mom will feel like she is still able to help her child even if she lives miles away. Care packages can be put together by Mom & Dad themselves or they can purchase them online and have them delivered to the college. In either case, be sure to check with the campus mailroom about how the package should be addressed. UPS and FedEx normally have to deliver packages to a central campus location so without the proper information on the package, it could get delayed in the mailroom resulting in a delivery delay to the student.

1. Holiday Care Packages With many students living miles from home, you sometimes won't get to share family holidays like Easter and Halloween together like you did when your child lived at home. To help make the holiday festive, you can send them a fresh-baked cookie gift basket, an Easter goodie basket or even a Halloween care package. They'll love the treats and won't miss home so much.

2. Final Exam or Mid-Term Care Packages Students are usually stressed out and run down during mid-term and final exam week so what better time to send them a healthy gift basket or care package full of their favorite snacks. You can put it together yourself or order it online at one of the many gift basket companies. Some snacks and drinks are sure to energize them during their studies. There are a wide range of care packages available for purchase online today with themes for the coffee lover who needs caffeine, to all-natural nutritious snack baskets that include fruit and energy bars.

3. Birthday Gift Ideas Even though your child is in college, that doesn't mean that they won't be celebrating with their friends like they used to celebrate at home with their family. You can still join in the fun by sending a birthday cake or party in a box that includes candles, party blowers and party hats for several people. Other options would be a birthday candy bouquet with balloons or a big basket of birthday design cookies. Be sure to send enough treats so that your son or daughter can share with their college friends.

4. Study Break Gifts Every once in a while, you should encourage your student to put the books down and have some good, clean fun with their friends. Perhaps send the game Cranium or Taboo or one of the other party games that we've suggested below. Both are great games for a group and outrageously fun. Put the game and a few of their favorite snacks in a gift box and ship it to them at school. They'll be thrilled that you thought of them plus you'll score brownie points with all their friends who'll get to enjoy the games too. Other ideas might be to send movies along with movie size boxes of candy and microwave popcorn so that they can have a fun movie night.

5. All Their Favorites Gift Box No one knows your son or daughters likes and dislikes better than you so why not put together a little gift box filled with all their favorites. It doesn't have to be just food either, you can throw in other things like hi-liters, notepads, pencils, etc. Just buy a fun container at Walmart or Target and fill it up. Good snack ideas are energy bars, granola bars, pretzels, cracker jack, chips, chex mix, buttered microwave popcorn, candy bars, jelly beans, rice krispie bars, cookies, crackers, coffee, cocoa, tea and fruit juice. Basically, fill it with whatever your son or daughter enjoys. The possibilities are endless and they'll love getting a little piece of home.

Fun Group Party Games 

College students (especially those in dorms) spend a lot of time hanging out with friends so why not give them a fun game that can be played with a large group of people. They can pop up some popcorn and spend the evening laughing at one another when they are playing any of the following games.

Taboo

Amazon Price: $18.99 (as of 08/21/2008)

Cranium

Amazon Price: $18.74 (as of 08/21/2008)

Hasbro Electronic Catch Phrase Game - Second Edition

Amazon Price: $24.99 (as of 08/21/2008)

Scattergories - Milton Bradley Board Games

Amazon Price: $22.99 (as of 08/21/2008)

Fun Dorm Decor Gifts 

Most college students have dorm rooms and appartments full of mismatched furniture, crappy old towels and cracked dishes so any gift that will replace old hand-me-downs and odds and ends from Dad & Mom will be greatly appreciated. Help them add a stylish modern feel to their dorm or apartment with these fun dorm housewarming gifts.

Beach Guy Table Lamp - Sandy Sea Creatures

Amazon Price: $27.95 (as of 08/21/2008)

FC-1200MIC Glas Door Refrigerator - Michigan Wolverines

Amazon Price: $382.00 (as of 08/21/2008)

Fake Artificial Aquarium Fish Tank

Amazon Price: $69.95 (as of 08/21/2008)

Cool Gadgets For College Students 

No one loves their gadgets and technology more than college students. Gifts like digital cameras are great because students can save on the cost of photo developing while having the ability to e-mail, alter and share their photos to the web with the click of a mouse. Other hot gifts for college students are gaming systems like the Nintendo Wii, Apple Ipods, and USB flash drives. You can't go wrong with an electronic gift, but be prepared to drop some serious cash for many of these high end gadgets.

Apple iPod nano 8 GB Black (3rd Generation)

Amazon Price: $179.98 (as of 08/21/2008)

Kindle: Amazon's New Wireless Reading Device

Amazon Price: $359.00 (as of 08/21/2008)

Wii

Amazon Price: (as of 08/21/2008)

College T-Shirt Gifts 

A T-shirt and jeans is the sole attire of many college students and if your gift recipient has a sense of humor, one of these funny graduation or college themed t-shirts might be the best gift idea of all. Cafe Press has shirts for just about any profession along with graduation t-shirts and much more.
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Gourmet Gift of the Day 

Some great gourmet gift ideas for your college student!

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janices7

About janices7

A self-proclaimed wedding, event and gift-giving expert. My other passion is traveling so I'll likely share my travel tips and experiences too!

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