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Original poster

University gift

35 replies

Vali2 · 13/08/2020 21:10

I apologise to anyone if this is an insensitive thread with everything going on at the moment but I'm after some advice.

I currently work with an amazing teenager who is off to university this year and has just got in, and the whole group of staff would like to chip in and get her some gifts, because while there's a difference between her age and everyone else's, she has become a close friend to many of us and a delight to work with.

We were thinking of creating her a mini uni survival kit, so a little box with some pens, a door stop, paracetamol, cold and flu tablets, sticky notes etc as well as a bottle of something nice.

Non of us have ever been to uni and all have young kids at the moment so are not too sure if this is a good idea or not?

OP posts:
Flamingolingo · 13/08/2020 21:12

A survival pack sounds like a lovely idea. Either to take with her, or post to her, because getting post as a student is super fun.

Make sure you include chocolate/something that can be shared if needed. It’s a good ice breaker.

Snog · 13/08/2020 21:13

It's a lovely idea!
Beer pong kit would be good for making friends and Mob Kitchen is a great cook book for students.

DonLewis · 13/08/2020 21:17

Tea spoons are a must! There are never enough when you're a student!

Other ideas?
Tea towel,
A couple of glasses
An academic year diary
Gloves
A Costa voucher for a fiver
A reading light to clip onto a book
Posh showergel

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Higher education
AdoraBell · 13/08/2020 21:21

Practical things, toiletries, pasta/rice/treats like biscuits. Sorry, can’t think of much else as I’m stressed to feck about one of my DDs being completely shafted by the stystem.

Congratulations to your DC 🍾 hope they settle well and enjoy their Uni days.

katmarie · 13/08/2020 21:46

I think that sounds lovely and really thoughtful. Only things I would add to the suggestions above are fancy highlighters, a room fragrancer of some sort, and maybe a nice picture frame.

vagshapedbox · 13/08/2020 21:57

I'd have loved this!
Your ideas in the op are good also the other suggestions like
Chocolate
Highlighters
Fairy lights
Beer pong set is a great idea
I don't know the budget but maybe a nice cosy blanket.

BackforGood · 13/08/2020 22:24

This is such a lovely idea.
So many of the ideas above are great.
Again, will depend on budget, but a nice snuggly (fleece) blanket is great, also a couple of cushions. Generally students don't have access to any armchairs or settees so end up sitting on their beds so a nice v pillow or 3 or 4 cusions is lovely.

But, in truth, it really is the thought. When my older dd went a few years ago, the girls from her sports team put together a box with things in like paracetamol and cold remedy and a couple of bars of chocolate and a 1/4 bottle of alcohol. It really wouldn't have cost them much between them, but she was really, really touched by it.

MyNameHasBeenTaken · 13/08/2020 22:49

Lovely idea.
Nice notebook
Group photo
Fluffy socks for winter
Nice mug or water bottle

Original poster
Vali2 · 14/08/2020 09:27

Thank you all so much for the suggestions it's much appreciated, and sorry about your DD @AdoraBell .

She's just a great work colleague and friend to us all, so wanted to make sure something like this would be appreciated and not be seen as something a bit lame.

So far then we've got, paracetamol, cold and flu stuff, pens, highlighters, post it note, a little note from us all as a pick me up, a little shot glass set, doorstop, chocolate bar, a tea towel (we've an inside joke with these so it's perfect) and then a gift card.

I'll try fit this in a little easy to store box as I've heard uni rooms aren't massive and then we'll give her a bottle of alcohol too, as I'm pretty sure that's what most of them want.

OP posts:
thehumblediamond · 14/08/2020 09:27

This is a great idea. Include a bottle opener/corkscrew !

monkeyonthetable · 14/08/2020 09:33

This is a great idea.

For my DC I'm doing similar: A box of 4 mugs, 4 glasses, tea towel, tea, coffee, hot chocolate, tin of biscuits, TCP, paracetamol, tissues, plasters, a nice shower gel etc - just a few basics to get started.

They'll use these all a lot, and when they do, they'll remember who gave them and how much you must care for them and want them to do well. It will be a lovely reminder.

I second Mob Kitchen cookbook. DS got it for his birthday in preparation for uni and he's already cooked some things from it - cheap, easy and delicious.

hellswelshy · 14/08/2020 09:51

Following as I am considering similar for dsd. I remember getting similar boxes when I started university (over 20 years ago!) and they were so fondly and gratefully received Smile

minnieok · 14/08/2020 10:19

Lovely idea! Tea towel, mug, ear plugs, and don't forget a card from you all, a photo of you all even better. Bluetack and drawing pins also good

sitckmansladylove · 14/08/2020 10:24

This is so kind. She sounds lovely.
Fairy lights for her room.
Nice mug.
Scarf for chilly days.
Faux plant.
Costa coffee voucher.

Original poster
Vali2 · 14/08/2020 12:31

Thank you for the other suggestions, if anyone else is thinking of doing one, keep the questions and inspiration coming too.

She's one of the nicest people we've ever met and worked with, like I said we're all 28 plus most of us mid 30s now but she has slotted right in, covered for us when we needed help etc, so she deserves an amazing gift

OP posts:
Original poster
Vali2 · 17/08/2020 11:16

Just a quick one, what could we put all these gifts in? Obviously going to uni she won't have loads of space in her room and these gifts don't take up too much space

OP posts:
MyNameHasBeenTaken · 17/08/2020 11:39

Little plastic RUB really useful box?
Or even a shoe box....
RUB can still be used as a storage box

SpringFan · 17/08/2020 11:48

My DSs had a small tool kit- screw driver handle with various sized blades, and sockets for tightening nuts, allen keys, tape measure etc. Theirs came in zip up case about A5 size . I can't tell you how many times they loaned them to others. Aso tiny screw driver for tightening glasses if she wears them,

RedRec · 17/08/2020 12:15

What a lovely idea. I have no brilliant suggestions as to what to put in (previous posters' ideas are ace) but imagine she will be super thrilled at this thoughtful, friendly gesture. You sound like a great bunch of work colleagues and she will always remember this.

Gymntonic · 17/08/2020 12:21

Lovely idea. Get a plastic box with a lid to put present in as they're useful to store kitchen stuff, bathroom stuff or stationery under bed etc.
Lovely fairy lights and power surge proof extension leads are good. An over the door coat hanger/ clothes dryer.
How about a lovely moonpig card of photos of you all to remind her she's a star if and when she has a wobble.

Gymntonic · 17/08/2020 12:24

If she's sharing a bathroom, especially in a mixed sex flat, a new fluffy dressing gown and sliders from primark might work too

julesover40 · 17/08/2020 12:37

What a lovely idea. really good suggestions already.
When my DD was at uni, her most used possessions were her fluffy throw/ fluffy socks and her travel mug, for walks to lectures.
If any money left maybe some supermarket or restaurant/ pub gift vouchers.

Villanemme · 17/08/2020 12:38

Lovely idea. Going by my dds I would add door stop (to prop door open), shot glasses and a photo of you all to put on her pin board