Reader question:
A favorite nephew is leaving for college as a Freshman in Massachusetts, and I plan on visiting him in a few weeks. I would like to get him something for his dorm room, obviously depending on what he already has and what his roommate brings. What are college dorm room essentials today? Or should I give him a gift certificate so he can pick out something for himself?
Gift card - it will be much appreciated.
ReplyDeleteI second the gift card idea.
ReplyDeleteThirds for the visa gift card or just good old cash! I'd include something fun in his school's colors or with his school logo like a travel coffee mug (if he partakes) or a reusable water bottle.
ReplyDeleteThis may not be the most approved recommendation, but a bottle of mid tier vodka goes a long way towards making new acquaintances. The first apartment I would say some framed artwork (marine flags always look good), but for the first dorm room you expect it to be their first foray into internal decorating and they need to get the christmas lights everywhere and posters out of their system. Libations at that age go a long way.
ReplyDeleteOnly if he is of drinking age, of course.
DeleteOur daughter who is still in college prefers 1.75 liter bottles of Kirkland vodka. Bang for the buck….
DeleteGet him something framed. College kids think they're sophisticated when they hang a van Gogh or Edward Hopper poster on the wall with thumbtacks, but something framed really demonstrates an unusual level of sophistication, and will likely impress a few of the women in his dorm that he might want to impress. :-)
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely gift cards. But, if you must purchase something: (1) electric power strips, (2) plastic storage containers, (3) water bottles.
ReplyDeleteSlightly related: https://www.saltwaternewengland.com/2022/09/reader-question-care-packages-for.html
ReplyDeleteWhat a slippery slope here. Cash, booze , artwork , & impressing coeds. Guess you need to be King Kong or Godzilla to pull off that move. Would say the room has to be neat & attractive with a wardrobe to match. Shaved, showered, & barbered up to impress the coeds. Artwork, go retro Toulouse Lautrec. Of course, he will have to watch the movie Moulin Rouge 1952 Version with Jose Ferrer to get the 411. Good luck & have some fun. PS Keep the vodka chilled, Tito's or Dripping Springs.
ReplyDeleteIf not a gift card, any college logo'd items such as a blanket or pennant are nice decor for a dorm room.
ReplyDeleteA hamper of treats/snacks would likely be very welcome!
ReplyDeleteThis is an excellent suggestion!
DeleteI would say some food. He will be a big hit with others to have something to snack on. My mom sent me some cheeses. I really appreciated that. I would go home on the weekends and return with food for the week. My roommate would eat everything. He did not like certain foods so I made sure I brought them back so I had something for the week.
ReplyDeleteA tall stack of Dean Martin CD's and a poster of Angie Dickinson's March 1966 Esquire cover.
ReplyDeleteNow we are talking.
DeleteThis book and if there's a friend or neighbor's upperclass student an invite from your first year to an off-campus lunch or dinner that you'd pay for. Having a contact (at least) who's been through the college's hoops can be comforting and may make your young one some friends. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1492645966/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=sl1&tag=carepackage50greatideas-20&linkId=640e7b51d8d7a62e908c44674b73be05&language=en_US
ReplyDeleteWhat memories this brings. Moved into my freshman dorm room with a few clothes, likely jeans and tennis shirts, a hot air popcorn popper, a black and white 12” TV, and my arms full of racquets. I remember nothing else. Then and now I think cash is king, although my campus was remote and I had no car, so not many places to spend the loot other than the college bookstore and gift shop, and the snack bar. Gift cards also, but a kid might have different views on what stores he/she preferred than an adult would. -JDV
ReplyDeleteI agree with anonymous: this brings back so many memories of filling the station wagon with dorm room necessities and heading off to school. I do remember loving the down comforter I brought for those icy, New England winter days and the indifferent heating in the dorms. If the school does not offer a linen service, bring sheets, good sheets. I used two flat, unfitted sheets, one for the top and one for the bottom(fitted sheets never really fit those odd twin beds. To this day, I rarely purchase a ""bed set""". I like to purchase flat sheets and pillowcases separately ).
ReplyDeleteI think I brought very minimal things and waited until Fall Break to restock on things I found that I needed.
In 1994 we bought our daughter a mini-fridge for her dorm room - it came from a Walmart or similar discount store - in 1998 if followed our second daughter to her dorm room, and in 2002 it followed our son to his dorm room (all small southern colleges). Since 2006 it has resided in our basement where it still hums away and keeps wine and beer cold.
ReplyDeleteThe suggestion of a gift basket of food may sound old fashioned, but I sent a Fortnum and Mason hamper to my nephew in VT. He admitted that he thought it was a little odd at first but enjoyed the sweets and so did his floor mates. It turned into a big hit.
ReplyDeleteI would have really loved this!
DeleteGift cards, and single malt scotch!
ReplyDeleteA bicycle with a really good lock. And some air freshener.
ReplyDeleteGift card, 100%
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your visit. We favor baked goods. Bisousweet Confections is a Massachusetts-based, woman-owned bakery, sold nationwide through Whole Foods and many other places, large and small. [Full disclosure, the woman who owns it is my baby sister. Her baked goods are outstanding regardless].
ReplyDeleteSooooo good! Please tell your baby sister that we are happy customers! We can find her treats at our local market and local gourmet shop.
DeleteThe question puts me in mind of a happy college memory. Since the regulation dorm armchair was so uncomfortable and I spent a lot of time sitting and reading endlessly, my mom and I shopped at a used furniture store for a beat up but comfy armchair and footstool. Then my mom made simple slip covers for both. I had them for years and was so grateful for them. Eventually they were retired and reupholstered and now elegantly grace our guest room. And it all started with a ten dollar chair and a three dollar footstool.
ReplyDeleteOld school felt pennant from Oxford Pennants in Buffalo NY
ReplyDeleteMini fridge! I’ve got two in college and the first thing they both asked for, mind you on our ride home after drop off, was a mini fridge. Now what they decide to store within the fridge confines…I guess time will tell!:)
ReplyDeleteA Handshake, Commonsense, Good Advise. Most of all Love.
ReplyDeleteI go on eBay and get the most vintage college pennant I can afford- then buy a pennant frame- which instantly makes it "cool" and artsy. Something they will have forever as adults in their office or family room. I write on the back with date and a message so 80 years from now when someone is looking at it they will know the connection.
ReplyDeleteTwo pairs of 16-oz. boxing gloves, in case problems arise with the roommate. At least that's the way things used to be handled. :-)
ReplyDelete