Help for Christmas on a budget for university student

[Jessica3456]

I need some help with thinking of things for first year uni student. Money is tight so need to be sensible. For various reasons I can’t do clothes or shoes and she doesn’t like perfume or make up. Any ideas ? I have got her a coffee machine a while ago with the great nespresso deal which was a godsend. Need to just get a few more things to balance out with her siblings .

What about nice bits for her accommodation? Cosy bedding etc

Depends what you mean by on a budget...maybe a hot chocolate maker like the velvetiser? I think there's an ASDA dupe that's supposed to be just as good (some would say better) for quite a bit less. You don't have to use chocolate shavings for it, so you could get her a good quality hot chocolate powder and some marshmallows to go with it.

I think by the time they're at uni most people are capable of appreciating one bigger more expensive present rather than a load of little ones to make a pile that matches younger siblings' gifts.

Special foody bits she can take back with her , nice treats or even ingredients and recipe for favourite meals

Yes practical things are good but we bought cosy bedding and cushions when she moved as no spare bedding here to send with her. Her flat is a bit run down so we got some cosy cushions to make it more homely when she started. Her room is v small so no more space for bedding. Things for accommodation would be useful but sturgggling as not much room in her room.

Nice soft PJ's , lounge wear , lovely shower gel

Air fryer? Toastie maker?
Hamper of nice food and drink treats to take back to uni? Plus essentials like loo roll and washing powder! Dd has asked for that again this year!
A nice cosy throw.
Cushions
Just eat/Greggs/costa/starbucks/cinema vouchers
Games for flat - uno, cards against humanity etc
Nice bag which fits books, laptop etc in. Dd got a Longchamp tote for her birthday. Apparently very popular!

Thanks for suggestions. I mentioned in my post thst can’t do clothing for reasons I won’t go into. Could get some shower gel though-thanks

Spicery kits? You'll get a referral code on the referral thread!

The best present I got at uni was an online shop delivered of essential groceries and alcohol. Could you do a hamper with some nicer food bits in it.

Heated throw?

Fairy lights? Stationery? One of those mahoosive travel cups with the straws that seem all the rage with my students?

Nice bubble bath etc is always nice.

This shop has some fun bits flyingtiger.com/en-gb

Does your dd have an electric heated blanket to put over her while she's working? That's been a major hit with my dd. Some nice uniqlo thermal layers? We gave dd4 a coffee maker last year - was a vv big hit!

Can you recommend a heated blanket? Are they a fire risk at all? She would probably love one and electricity is included at uni so no additional cost to run which would be good

Some lighting? https://www.instagram.com/official_percypig/p/C7MlIgPs9Oe/
Musical theatre charades

Soup/ smoothie maker? Our DD loved hers when she was at uni.

She has a small blender for smoothies as lives off them.assume a smoothie maker is the same?

I have a heated blanket from Lakeland for working from home - it’s fab

@Jessica3456 for a heated blanket we bought this one last year and it's great quality and really good price compared to others. No fire risk as once it heats to a certain limit it eventually turns itself off.

It sold out quickly last year so would suggest looking for it

www.lidl.co.uk/p/silentnight-luxury-heated-throw/p10020334

I have a heat pad. I use it daily and love it. https://amzn.eu/d/iF0gp3t

Thanks I will go and have a look in Lidl tomorrow. That’s the sort of price range I need as looked at Lakeland and too expensive

@Jessica3456 the thing she had was a soup maker that also does smoothies.

She found it useful as you just chuck the veg and water in and it cooks it and blends it... Think the soup was ready in 20 minutes. So it was a good way to get a cheap healthy warming meal.

Think I fancy one of those

Lidl do some really nice toiletries 👍🏻

I got a lemon verbena soap that's pretty good dupe for l'occitane last week.

Could you get a Tesco Gift Card, so that she can choose what she needs most?

You could get something fun like some bath bombs/chocolates and wrap them up with the gift card.

What is your budget? ('Money is tight' means different things to different people)

Already mentioned but I was going to suggest a sandwich toaster. George at Asda has one for £7 currently (I wouldn't normally buy one that cheap but my experience of students is that things often don't make it home so tended not to pay as much as if I was buying for myself)

PP said they appreciate one big thing more . I'd agree if there was very definitely something more expensive that they wanted. But if not, I think a few things to save them money on regular things is ok.

Eg My nephew had a car and I'd make him up kits for eg Chinese, Indian, Italian meals etc. My DC used to travel back by bus/train so that didn't work for them.

Nicer toiletries than they might buy themselves.