Present / survival kit for nephew starting university

[Aridane]

My lovely nephew starts university next month and I would love to get him a box of fun and practical stuff for uni - but have no idea what to get him!!

So far I have thought of a Nando’s gift card, pistachio nuts (which he loves!) and paracetamol.

He is a lovely boy - not sporty, a bit geeky and with a passion for learning. He will be going to Bristol straight from school.

Any ideas gratefully received- I’m very much at sea here.

Multivatamins, nice coffee, condoms, student cookbook.... stationery

Ah, cook book - that’s a good idea!

Didn’t know if stationery was old fashion- but I guess not everything is done via a laptop.

Daren’

Daren’t get condoms - sister would think I was seriously overstepping the mark!

Fair enough, would probably embarrass him. A power bank charger for phone will come in handy

put together a first aid kit. tweezers, steri strips, tensor wrap etc. does the uk publish a first aid hand book? add a comic book to help keep it fun.

Cinema gift card... depending on what he's studying but a subscription to the economist or similar

Starbucks or similar voucher or a good quality reusable cup for tea/coffee.

Rehydration sachets

Hand gel

Biscuits

Cinema voucher

Paracetamol is good. Earplugs. Definitely condoms - sod any embarassment factor, if your sister's not supplying them she's the fool. Tub of quality street or similar to share with the new housemates. Second the cookbook - something at the spag bol/chilli/curry sort of level, there were student-oriented books when I went. Second the power bank as well, that's genius whatnextfred. Tourist map of the town he's going to (foldout sheet, not book). Half a dozen packs of Nissin instant noodles. A netflix login on your account. Or just £xx in beer tokens!

Embarrassed task - but what is a power bank?

Embarrassed to ask that was supposed to say

It's a block of batteries with a USB socket or two, to charge phones on the go when they're running low in the evening (clubbing/pubbing, ah student life!). They range from about the size of 2xAA to a mucking great brick suitable for keeping a tentful of people's phones alive through a four day festival.

Cash. Vodka. Condoms. [

Makes me realise how little I know my nephew- does he drink coffee? does he drink (only had his first alcohol post A levels!)

First the cookbook. He will get that from elsewhere or he won’t wver consult. Trust me.

Brilliant idea of Nando’s front.
Deliveroo voucher would be good

forget

What’s his big local supermarket?
£50 gift voucher there would go down a treat!

Bottle of jager. Shot glasses. Done.

DS1 got throught the first year of Uni without ever touching a Super or Pot Noodle so it's not a given.

I did not send him off with any condoms either.

Maybe some toiletries? And some biscuits. Some nice stationery.

Don't forget some flowers and a box of tissues for his Mum.

If he's living in halls, a screwdriver, really solid scissors, sellotape / gaffer tape, frying pan, bottle opener, extension cable. He probably won't need them but someone will, good way to make friends

Some stamps, amazon card, cold remedies like Beechams hot lemon, shower gel, deoderant, body spray.

Also in in halls a doorstop. Theory is if you prop your door open someone is more likely to pop their head round, say hi and have a chat.

Tea spoons!

I bought my goddaughter this book

Definitely condoms - sod any embarassment factor, if your sister's not supplying them she's the fool.

DS gets his at the GUM clinic, who offer all new students a card so they can get them for free. If anyone other adult had given him condoms he’d have thought they were seriously weird.

Maybe a voucher for a book shop as the text books are very expensive!
Also earplugs. Not fun ideas but practical.

Two screwdrivers, flat and Philips.