Need Christmas Ideas for High School Seniors!!!!

[DVCLiz]

DD17 will be going to college next year - so what kinds of things will she need that I could get her for Christmas? I don't know where she's going, so I'm not sure about rules for things like microwaves, etc. I'm also going to wait and get her a laptop based on the specifications of her school, when we know what it is!!!! Any ideas for thigns your new college students really liked or needed? Or, for that matter, any other ideas for the teen who has most of the "things" like Ipods, cell phones, etc.???

 

[Kim&Chris]

Two words: Gift Cards. Places like Target are probably your best bet, as they carry everything!

 

[mickeyfan2]

Twin-XL sheets, comforter, blankets, towels, sandwich maker, phone cards (if no cell phone), desk light, reading light to clip on bed, small rug for by the bed, bath robe, shower shoes, toiletry caddy, rolls of coins for laundry, fleece blanket to wrap up in and a cross pen/pencil set.

 

[malibuconlee]

Big ticket items? TV, stereo,mini fridge. Most dorms allow mini fridges even if they don't allow microwaves in the room. DH's dorm had one for the floor to use, but weren't allowed in individual rooms. Of course she'll need to call whomever she is assigned for a roommate and see what she's bringing. No need or room for two tv's or stereos in a dorm room.

I agree about gift cards. DH's cousin got a lot of those for Christmas when she was in college to help pay for gas for trips home. Also agree about rolls of quarters.

 

[korzmom]

a cell phone with pre paid hours........

 

[monarchsfan16]

Not all dorms require twin XL sheets. Mine has regular sized twin beds. Also not all laundry machines require quarters. The ones in my dorm only take the school debit system.
Gift cards are your best bet. Unless she really wants an I pod, or doesn't have a cell phone yet, I'd save most of the stuff until graduation when she knows where she's going. A digital camera might be good though.

 

[DVCLiz]

Yes, I do have a digital camera and printer for her. Long story, but it was going to be a gift for soemone else, and that person purchased something else instead, so now DD will get it. I think she'll enjoy having her own digital camera at college, and she can print copies of goofy pictures for her friends without having to go to Target or someplace.


Thanks for the ideas - anyone else????

 

[KarenC]

While I too wanted to get a jumpstart on outfitting my daughter for college the Christmas before her graduation, she wasn't there yet. Careful that you don't send a message that sounds like "Merry Christmas, can't wait til you're outta here" to your daughter. If you get her something she needs for college, make sure it's something she can use now.

 

[korzmom]

"Merry Christmas, can't wait til you're outta here"

another idea might be an easy cook book, restraunt cert., and gas card..

 

[mommytotwo]

A fan, if we didn't have one when I was dorming, we would have been sweating all the time. So the gift card to Walmart or such would work for this.

 

[golfgal]

Another thing-she will probably get a lot of this kind of stuff for graduation presents.

 

[EthansMom]

Honestly, I would probably wait on most of the college stuff until graduation or until she's going off to college. A dorm-sized fridge, XL twin sheets, new backpack, toiletry caddy, etc. are really great gifts, but I'd stick to things DD can use now rather than stuff she can use in 9 months. Gift cards for some of DD's favorite places (clothing stores, hair stylist, gas card, Itunes card, etc.) or some cash would probably top her list. My Mom used to get me new clothes for Christmas at that age...and they were appreciated.

 

[Crazoo]

You can get a laptop now, I don't see how a college will specify certain specs for you to get. If you get a new laptop now, it will probably be good enough to last the complete 4 years...

 

[Stephanie218]

You can get a laptop now, I don't see how a college will specify certain specs for you to get. If you get a new laptop now, it will probably be good enough to last the complete 4 years...

My boyfriend went to Quinnipiac for a year and they had to buy the laptop through the school...This was a while ago though, so it may have changed. But some places do have requirements for programs, etc.

 

[monarchsfan16]

You can get a laptop now, I don't see how a college will specify certain specs for you to get. If you get a new laptop now, it will probably be good enough to last the complete 4 years...

A lot of schools do have very specific specs. Also, some schools have discounts on laptops if you buy through the computer store once you're a student (or incoming student there). Then there are the schools that include the laptop in your tuition. So it is best to wait on the laptop until graduation.

 

[tar heel]

I wouldn't give her college stuff for Christmas. When I was a senior in high school, my parents gave me luggage for Christmas in anticipation of my going away to college. I wasn't exactly overjoyed to see it. I wouldn't dream of getting such a gift for my high school senior.

It also is difficult to buy the right thing. A lot of girls plan their rooms and buy the same bedspreads, rugs to match, etc. My son is a student who lives in a dorm at a major university and his beds are not extra long and every room comes with a microfridge already in it. A number of colleges are specifying the kind of computer or even having students to pay for them as part of their tuition. Our first son got a lot of $ for graduation, so we let him pay for half of his computer; I anticipate doing the same for our second child next year.

I wouldn't go any further than getting her a sweatshirt from a college she's been accepted at/hopes to be accepted at.

 

[clarabelle]

Car wash gift certs if she has a car
Movie gift certs

 

[keenercam]

I overheard DD say she really wants a digital camera, so at least I have an idea of what she'd LOVE to have. I also think gas cards are wonderful gifts for HS seniors who are paying their own car expenses. I really don't want to buy her anything yet for college, since she'll have graduation gifts and she'll want to coordinate with a roommate on who is bringing what for their dorm room.

 

[Breezy_Carol]

When my DD was a senior 2 years ago, I started picking up all the things she borrowed from me on a regular basis....nail scissors, tweezers, nail files, little things like that. Then I got her an underbed box, not a gift, to start collecting school things in. We got her a lava lamp to use as a night light in the dorm. Maybe something like anice travel jewerly box.

 

[DVCLiz]

I wouldn't give her college stuff for Christmas. When I was a senior in high school, my parents gave me luggage for Christmas in anticipation of my going away to college. I wasn't exactly overjoyed to see it. I wouldn't dream of getting such a gift for my high school senior.

DD17 just showed me a catalog and said, "Mom, this is so cool - this is what I want for Christmas!" It was a set of luggage!!!! Of course, it was a special breast cancer-related design, so it was pink. So that's one big gift off the list - but how funny she would ask for that right after your thread - I had been debating luggage but, like you, thought how blah it would be to get as your Christmas gift.

Carol - What a great idea. My special tweezers are currently shared by all three of us. I did decide to get younger DD a hair dryer and makeup mirror of her own for Christmas this year, since she uses her sister's and they'll go with her to school next year!!!!

Thanks, everybody - these are all great ideas!!!!