Present ideas for students

[MilkChocolateCookie]

DS is in year 13 and planning to go to uni next year. If you have DC at uni, can you think of anything I could give him this Christmas which would come in handy at the start of his first term? Thanks!

Vodka!

Seriously DS has used his sandwich toaster quite a lot - they are good.

Definitely don’t bother with student cookbooks as they just use TikTok etc for recipes.

Ha - student cookbook was the thing on my list - ok I'll take it off!

An extension lead. Never enough sockets and in the wrong place
A heavy blanket, student accommodation is never warm
A box with toiletries, amazing how many don't realise that shampoo, shower gel etc don't magically appear
A good backpack for going in and out of college
A George foreman grill
An airfryer

Possibly nearer when he starts, but stationary he's going to need, both the 'school' stuff like new highlighters and notebooks and whatever but also stuff like sellotape, parcel tape, scissors, stapler, paper clips, rubber bands, magnets (if he's got a magnetic whiteboard in his room/on his door), etc. Often those sorts of things are in shared household drawer, so he may well not have his own, and when you suddenly have to buy it all from scratch, it really adds up.

Another thought is a small repair kit. Duct tape, small bottle of gorilla glue, basic sewing kit, a couple of basic tools, things like that. Changing batteries or tightening a loose handle can need a screwdriver, even the most basic of adjustments on a bicycle can need a hex key.

These are great - thanks all.

Ours appreciated:

Heated throw (student accommodation can be cold!)

Soup/ smoothie maker (easy meals)

Food flask

Sandwich toaster bags - easy to pack and can be used in any toaster

A doorstop to prop their door open in the first week and help socialising

a big laundry bag, maybe with a cool pattern.

agree v much with extension lead - also maybe a multi adaptor

My son said..please don't buy me pans for Christmas! He was 17 and I can see his point. I also think 'buying things for Uni' is just added pressure. Useful for parents to spread the cost - absolutely no fun for the recipient- 'wow Mum thanks for the iron' that will be great once I have applied, revised, achieved my grades, got a place, found accommodation (checked the accommodation list), moved in.

DS has a light projector [[https://www.amazon.co.uk/Projector-Galaxy-Control-Function-Bedroom/dp/B0CH8DZB1R/ref=sr_1_53?crid=27LUQJPQB5PEH&keywords=light+projector+for+bedroom+adults&qid=1701449997&sprefix=light+projector%2Caps%2C222&sr=8-53 guaranteed to transform and add some atmosphere to the dingiest student room. He's just gone to Berlin for his year abroad and it was one of the first things he packed (forgetting the remote control so we then had to post it!!)

My dd is 22 now but she still talks about the big box of ‘essentials’ I sent her off to college with. Toiletries, snacks, plasters, paracetamol, hot water bottle etc. I can’t remember what else was in it. She was delighted with it.
Also recommend the sandwich toaster and a heated throw.
I recently bought ds’s girlfriend (18) one of those big Stanley cups, she was thrilled with it.

Sorry link fail - and in actual fact I don't think that's the actual one he has, but you get the idea.

Just to add…my newly-in-halls student isn’t allowed toasty makers/grills etc. (toaster and microwave/grill provided) so might be worth checking before you buy things.

That’ll be Y1 only - can still use for Y2/3

Agree with this. They're not off to Uni until next September whatever way it all pans out.
Why would their Christmas presents be household bits and bobs?!

A box if things they might need for uni in 10 months time is a rubbish Chritmsynas present! Just imagine if they change their minds, or don't get the grades.... pressure? much?

I’ve bought both mine one of those baked bean can safes. They were a couple of quid. DD isn’t going to uni til next year but I’m sure she will cope with the massive pressure a £2 baked bean safe can might instil 😂

I bought coffee machines for my DDs. Then grill/waffle grill. A box of non perishable food and toiletries. That is as 3 years ago and I buy coffee pods for stocking fillers.

I’m a lecturer and my students are all wandering around with Stanley cups at the moment. I had a chat with a few people at the end of a class today and they were all commenting on how cold their accommodation is and that they are loving having Oodies/heated throws to save putting heating up high (but not living in halls so maybe not useful for a first year).

Our 19 year old is at uni now, she's asked for a spare laptop charger and laptop bag.

I too thought this was an excellent plan but I'm having second thoughts. I mainly bought silly stocking filler items, a plug cleaner as DD constantly blocks up the shower at home, measuring spoons etc. I also bought her own nail gel lamp as she's always borrowing mine. BUT, she's already having a wobble and I don't want her to feel under pressure. So, thinking of just putting them aside and making her a big box of stuff to take, if she wants to go. Shame as it's making new gift finding a nightmare!.