Filler gifts for a college aged boy?

[sherry7]

Can you DISers suggest some budget friendly "filler" gifts for my DS? He's a college freshman, but still lives here at home. He just gave me his Christmas wish list last night, and it consisted solely of PS3 and Xbox 360 games. With a few mouse clicks and $357 later, that shopping is finished.

Problem is, he knows absolutely everything he is getting. I would like to buy him a couple of surprise gifts that he doesn't know about, without further killing my budget.

Ideas please? He hates receiving clothes as a gift, so that's out. Itunes gift cards hold absolutely no interest to him. He has his own car, but isn't "in" to it like some boys his age are. I'm completely stumped on what to get him as a surprise. In the past, I would get him a couple of $50 gift cards to Best Buy or Game Stop as a surprise, but that really isn't in the budget this year.

Suggestions appreciated!

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Well I have 3 ds too and they told me this year "we dont want you shoping for our clothes"., ok. I am just getting them alot of basic grooming stuff for the stockings since they use stuff constantly, and then car stuff like freshners, money for gas, etc. mints and gum and breath stuff, that is big too. gaming magazine maybe? I just give money usually. Candy? Mine like reeses and twix. Gift cards for like subway? etc. How about a cr wash gift certificate?

 

[hmcfall711]

I don't know if this will apply since he is living at home, unless he is responsible for purchasing these things with his own money.

A friend of mine received a big basket of personal items her first Christmas back home our freshman year of college. These were things like her perfered deodorant, soap, scrubs, perfume, toothpaste, femine items etc. Her mom also gave her small amount gift cards (I think $10 each) for things like McDonald's, Wendy's, a gas card, a movie theater, and Krogers.

These seem like everyday things but when you are just starting to pay for EVERYTHING on your own, working, and going to school it makes a big differnece.

I know that now as a adult, I would love it if some one gave me a gift card for gas, groceries, or volunteered to pay one of my utility bills instead of another Bath and Body Works gift basket, mug, or candle. I guess I am more practical than sentimental.

I hope this helps.

 

[powellrj]

My DS is the same age and he asked for a watch this year. I found him a really nice one on overstock.

 

[Kitzka]

I assume that he commutes between school and home a lot.Maybe gift cards to places that he can grab some food on the way, such as chipotle, wendys, etc? you can get $10 gift cards there and they go a long way. DH doesn't like to spend money on himself so i tend to get him gift cards to these places so he can eat lunch out when he feels like he needs something.

Or a gas card?

Lara

 

[gasman61]

I have 2 sons the same age. Here are some "fillers"... batteries; favorite candy bars; school supplies like pencils, pens, highlighters, notebooks for next semester; flannel pants; snow scraper; random tools; gift cards, lottery tickets; ear warmers, gloves.

 

[RetroMom]

I have two sons in college now and agree with all of the answers so far. My mom buys each of the boys (including my younger ones) a big pack of AA batteries and a few smaller packs of other sizes every year and they love them. Gas cards and gift cards for fast food places around the campus are always a hit too. We always joke about socks for Christmas, but it turns out, they appreciate a pack of those. The movie theater gift cards are great too.

 

[Joan S.]

Hi, I buy my 2 DS's the Bath and Bodyworks Hair and Bodywash (they have different scents). They also have a few other items for men and I ALWAYS have coupons. Burts Bees also has a few nice products for men. Joan

 

[dfchelbay]

Can you DISers suggest some budget friendly "filler" gifts for my DS? He's a college freshman, but still lives here at home. He just gave me his Christmas wish list last night, and it consisted solely of PS3 and Xbox 360 games. With a few mouse clicks and $357 later, that shopping is finished.

Problem is, he knows absolutely everything he is getting. I would like to buy him a couple of surprise gifts that he doesn't know about, without further killing my budget.

Ideas please? He hates receiving clothes as a gift, so that's out. Itunes gift cards hold absolutely no interest to him. He has his own car, but isn't "in" to it like some boys his age are. I'm completely stumped on what to get him as a surprise. In the past, I would get him a couple of $50 gift cards to Best Buy or Game Stop as a surprise, but that really isn't in the budget this year.

Suggestions appreciated!

We fill stockings with a few gift cards for favorite coffee shops, McDonalds, gas card, book stores, Itunes, Amazon, etc. Places our DS frequents. Young adults always appreciate that, because they don't have to pay for it out of their own limited funds.

 

[sherry7]

Awesome ideas everyone...keep them coming!

I especially like the idea of the gas gift card, that's definitely on the list.

 

[disneyfan007]

I picked up some gifts for my son who is also a freshman in college that I know he will like. I also bought a new wallet for him and in that are going gift cards to Subway, Chipolte, Taco Bell, the places he likes to frequent. He is also a runner so a I got him a gift card to one the running website he likes to order from. Other than his shoes, I am lost when it comes to picking out stuff like that! I won't even try.

 

[swilshire]

For my two college kids that don't live at home, I use a lot of the ideas shown above. Basic purchases that I get on sale or with coupons (neither of them bother) for a small cost will save them a lot of money on toiletries, cosmetics, contact lens solution, and the like. This week Walgreens had the contact lens cleaner free after register rewards back.

Grocery gift cards are always a big hit. I also bought lots of blank DVDs on sale during black Friday and will give 100 of them. One of the kids also gets a new portable hard drive since she broke her old one.

Sheila

 

[Illuminations_Rocks]

This is just a guess and will be funny, but how about a few cases of mountain dew? Seems most guys like it... and would drink that in a few days. Plus, it's a large thing to put under the tree!

 

[DisneyRunner2009]

You can find some inexpensive DVDs.

 

[Cdn Gal]

Alcohol He's in college- nuff said- wouldn't that be a surprise??

 

[Grumpy's Gal]

my niece is in college and know what she asked for last year? a box of dryer sheets. I am not kidding.

She also asked for deodorant, nail polish remover, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrush, feminine items, cotton balls, new shoe laces, postage stamps, hairspray, nail polish, paper plates, plastic silverware, paper towels and laundry soap.

She lives on campus and she says those things are SO expensive to buy them in the campus store. And they all add up to more than she has to spend each month.

So , I was thrilled to buy her those things on her list and throw in a few rolls of quarters for laundry.

So if you know kids in college, I think some of the basic things are always good.

And yes, in case you are wondering, I am buying her more of the same this year. I buy the biggest box of dryer sheets I can find and she keeps them in her closet and she says they make everything smell good.

 

[Grumpy's Gal]

One time I did an "if you are having a bad day" package.

It said not to open until you are having a bad day. and inside was a gift card to pizza hut (there is a pizza hut close to campus). I put a note inside that said to grab a friend and go to eat. The card was enough money for her to take a friend.

And months later, she emailed and said she had used it. It had just been one of those days .................

 

[Grumpy's Gal]

new gym socks

slippers

fun pj pants

snow scrapers for car, car deodorizer, car wash tokens. Coupon for an oil change.

cologne

bed bath & beyond has a marshmallow shooter gun. They seem to like those.

movie tickets

card games

food!

gp to his school and buy school clothes -- a tshirt or a sweatshirt

 

[I Believe In Magic]

My ds is in college and he will not tell me anything he wants this year. But he did come home yesterday and told me he had to pay 4.00 for a really small tube of toothpaste on campus. I nearly had a stroke!! He also asked for socks. lol
So I am getting him the BBW CO Bigelow hair and body wash, he has used that for a couple years now and loves it, lotion for men, I think Nivea makes it? (LOL he just walked up and asked where my hand lotion is!!) But keep in mind they are men, so try to get them mens products. They might use your stuff at home, but he really appreciates the stuff that is geared just for him. (He also loves the Look Ma New Hands from BBW, I need to get some of that too.) So anything you can think of that they need to use on a daily basis is much appreciated. Oh I got him a big bottle of car wash too, I am digging for 'bigger' filler items to put under the tree. (He is getting a new bowling ball and bag and who knows what else, I have barely shopped!!)

Good thread!

 

[StitchFan73]

*Gamefly subscription?
*Or basic things every guy likes: basic tee shirts or thermal shirts, Sleep/lounge pants etc.
* Ticketmaster or Live Nation gift card (or if you know a band he likes buy him a pair of tickets)
*AAA membership.
*Season pass to am amusement park or other entertainment venue near you
*Movie tickets/Gift card