Perfect Gifts for the College Student

By: Susan M. Keenan

The perfect gift is difficult to buy for a college student, unless, of course, you can imagine yourself in his or her world and begin to think appropriately.  In fact, some students are more difficult to buy for than others.

The first step to selecting the perfect gift is to forget all about practicality.  Very few college students will appreciate a gift that has practicality stamped all over it.  Unless of course, the item is something that they have actually been wishing for and you have somehow managed to zero in on the exact model, style, size, color, brand name, and anything else that goes along with it. 

The second step is to forget all about what you like in anything and everything.  The gift cannot look like something that you would use if you want your student to appreciate it.  Unless, of course, the gift is money or some form of financial tender, and you are actually presenting it in a sizeable amount. 

The third step is to focus on the student and his or her new environment.  Specifically speaking, this does not mean to focus on his or her academic surroundings.  Instead, focus on the available venues for entertainment that surround the academic location.

Many colleges have organizations that offer gift baskets or packages for the college student around the holidays, mid terms, and finals.  Before sending off your check and request for one or more of these packages for your student, take the time to actually think about what is included in the package.  It’s a nice idea and a thoughtful gift, but only if your student will actually use what’s in it.

Stick with the tried and true.  Cash, prepaid credit cards, and gift cards or certificates are always a terrific choice.  Many people tend to veer away from giving gifts of this nature because they think of them as impersonal and thoughtless.  Actually, for a student in their late teens or early twenties, this is the perfect type of gift. 

College students tend to socialize quite a bit and having sufficient funds to join in on the fun is essential to fitting in and bonding with other students.  A weekend trip for some skiing, a day at the shopping outlets, Friday night at the best Chinese restaurant in town, a group venture to the newest movie release, and a late night pizza to provide motivation for late night studying are all forms of socializing that require a ready supply of money.

Now, for those of you who still want to give something different than cold, hard cash, plenty of unique options exist.  Starting with something simple and relatively easy involves food.  Check out the neighborhood- either in person, online, or through acquaintances that are familiar with the area. 

Purchase a variety of gift certificates for the eateries that your student enjoys.  If your student loves pizza, but his or her favorite pizza chain isn’t in the area, forego that choice and focus on a different one.  Check out the bakeries, fast food places, candy shops, delis, and more.  If this idea isn’t working for you, then send a gift package that includes a variety of the student’s favorite snacks.

Next, check out the local movie theaters, bowling alleys, skating rinks, laser tag arcades, live theater, and more.  Once you know what’s available, try and remember if your student mentioned going to any of them.  Purchase gift certificates or no expiration date tickets for the establishments that the student has visited or is most likely to visit.  If your student is more of a thinker and a reader, consider gift certificates to local bookstores.

If any shopping outlets or malls are within visiting distance for your student, consider gift cards that are good mall wide or for specific stores that your student likes.  Better yet, get some help from close friends of your student at the college, and ask them if they know of anything that would make a good gift choice.

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