First, college students love to laugh and enjoy good reasons to smile. Look for surprises to send along that either poke fun at fond memories, kid them in ways you know bring smiles, or are just funny in themselves. If they have favorite celebrities, sport heroes, tv shows or movies, memorabilia related to these interests can be a great gift, too. Second, care packages with favorite things to eat never go out of fashion. Cookies, candies and other sweets or snacks are often more than welcome. If there’s a family tradition around a holiday or birthday, send along that treat – or just send a theme goodie box for Halloween or Easter. Gift cards to local restaurants are a great idea. Third, a new seasonal clothing item to replace something old and ratty, or forgotten and left home, is a great gift. New hats, mittens or scarves are great as the snow begins to fly. Sweaters, sweatshirts and other choices need to be the right sizes, colors and fashions, but you know your student best and will do fine if you remember their taste. Fourth, think about their interests and go for something you know they like. Send the fisherman some tackle, the golfer some new balls, the reader the latest hot novel. Many students depend on their electronics, so if you know what they have and what they need, get accessories for their phone, GPS, or lap top. And if this student has a car, a gas card or special auto accessory will be a winner.

If you have put off your holiday shopping until the last minute and haven’t found a gift for your college student, please don’t just get on-line and order the first thing advertized as, the perfect gift for your student. You know your student best. You know their likes and dislikes. Don’t try too hard to impress them by buying fancy cheeses and those boutique crackers that will merit a sampling and will then be stuck in the cupboard and not brought out again until your next visit. The most appreciated gift that your student will receive will be one that they are familiar with. The easiest way to make sure they get all the things they like is to make your own gift basket. Start out by making a shopping list of their favorite foods and snacks, ones that you would buy if they were coming home for a couple of weeks. You may need to buy smaller packages, if you are used to cooking for a whole family. Of course you should avoid the perishables. Aim for enough simple meals to make it through two weeks. Don’t try to set them up for the whole year. Always leave yourself the option of sending a few more things later or give yourself a reason to visit. Don’t get hung up on buying a fancy basket and then trying to fit the invariably square gifts in a round basket and then a round basket in a square trunk. Just put everything in a box. When you present it, or in the note that goes along with it, call it a gift basket at least two times. Next time you see them they will be thanking you for the wonderful gift basket that contained all their familiar and favorite foods.

Who are the students, what are their needs and interests, and what is their new-home situation? With answers to these questions in hand, it is easier to narrow down the many possibilities for a good hose warming gift. Here are some great ideas for some of the answers.  If these students are newly-weds or setting up a semi-permanent home, they needs basic household goods. These things include towels and linens, small appliances, tableware, and small furnishings or wall décor. Many in this situation might especially appreciate something with the college insignia, so take a look at the school’s store for a rocking or captain’s chair, a lamp, mirror, glassware or other gift. Otherwise, choose something nice but basic, such as a set of matching towels, placemats and table décor, toaster, blender or mixer. If they are likely to celebrate holidays, a collection of nice Christmas ornaments and stockings, or other holiday decorations can be a unique and special gift. On the other hand, if these are students moving into a dormitory, or from dorm living to an off-campus apartment, they need more portable, useful, and possibly expendable gifts. Possibilities include a plastic shower basket filled with toiletries, a set of durable plastic dishes and cups, a collage picture frame or digital frame, a large bucket filled with cleaning supplies, or a basket filled with coffee, tea, cocoa and snacks.  It is also always helpful to have basic hand tools, and these can be purchased as a set or put together in a tool bag or box. Make sure to include picture hanging hooks and some basic fasteners. Look into whether small appliances, such as toasters, microwaves, and refrigerators are permissible – if they are, every student is grateful to have them.