<p>I second bajamm, plus get a good sturdy carrying case for the laptop.</p>
<p>Great discussion and comments - thank you! Good point about a sturdy case and accessories for the laptop. How do girls carry and store their laptops on campus? Do they use backpacks or totes? I suppose everyone has a preference - but what does it seem like many of the girls do?<br>
We were going to save laptops as a graduation gift. Ours, too, have to use the ‘family computer.’ A few of the school’s we’ve visited have told us if we buy laptops through their program, they get free service or loaners, etc. if anything happens to theirs. So I wanted to wait on that purchase til we know what school they are attending. I forgot about all those nice computer accessories…</p>
<p>My daughter loves her hotpot. She usually just heats water for tea, but it can also be used for soups etc. Put some favorite teas, cocoa mix, mugs etc in a basket with it and it would make a fun, useful gift!</p>
<p>As other has said I would be careful about buying too much before your student knows where they are headed to school. Regulations of what you can have in the dorms (like hotpots, types of lamps, etc.) can be very different. What they will need can be very different even at the same college depending on what dorm they are assigned to.</p>
<p>I will say that at my son’s east coast school, and all the others we visited (east coast and south) riding boots w/ jeans are very popular with young women. If it’s raining, colorful rain boots are also very popular. It’s hard to find these in the summer/early fall when you’re buying things so they may be better purchased now when the stores are full of them. For my son we ended up with gore-tex (i.e. waterproof) hiking boots. These have been worn through rain, slush, light snow, etc. They’ve gotten far more more mileage then he ever thought (gee, mom was right…so much better then wet sperry’s). Someone mentioned a raincoat earlier. This is an excellent idea. Think about a good quality gore-tex lightweight jacket that is waterproof but can be worn as a light jacket as well. Anything that can serve double duty saves space in a dorm room. REI has a great selection of these in a range of prices. Again, my son has gotten a TON of use from his (Patagonia). In the late fall and spring he layers a fleece jacket underneath when it isn’t cold enough for a winter coat, but is cold and raining. As it is small and lightweight it is easy to roll up and stick in a backpack or tote.</p>
<p>Girls carry totes for books, supplies, and their computers (putting them in a protective sleeve). Many seem to favor the Longchamp totes. They’re lightweight, come in great colors that can be customized, and durable (one drawback is lack of interior pockets to organize). Guys either carry a messenger bag or backpack. Northface makes a great one (surge) that has a laptop compartment that wears like iron. This is what my son prefers.</p>
<p>note: whoops, just saw that the Longchamp tote was mentioned upthread, GMTA. :)</p>
<p>Quick note about this quirky power strip: some schools do not allow regular power strips, only surge protectors. My school is like this and you will get it taken away if seen by an RA. So check for rules like that before buying one of these. Good rule of thumb for a lot of things you may buy for your/your S/D’s room.</p>
<p>Here all the girls use tote bags to carry their laptops. I alternate between a tote and a backpack myself - the backpack is easier on my shoulders, but a tote is more stylish and easier on my back. Longchamp totes are VERY popular around here. So are the Vera Bradley totes. I own at least one of both, and personally I prefer the Vera Bradley - fun bright prints, lots of organizational pockets, and the shoulder straps have more support.</p>
<p>If I were going off to college the first time a cute tote bag would be the first thing I want (here at my Northeastern university, they also tend to be a status symbol - most girls carry some branded bag, from expensive brands). I also like the suggestion of a great set of headphones, as an audiophile. I’ve noticed college students spend sooooo much time attached to their headphones. One with a built-in mic/remote is a good idea since a lot of students are listening to music on their iPhones.</p>
<p>My son found his rolling duffel to be really useful. I got him one with a shoulder strap. He used it to haul his laundry to and from the machines, sometimes a fairly long haul, as not all of his dorms had a laundry room. We did wait until he picked his college (May 1) to get most things. How about some flip-flops?</p>
<p>juillet–what kind of Longchamp totes do most girls carry? This might be a good idea for our DD. I’m a fashion misfit so I ask those that know. :D.</p>
<p>My D is a sophomore- she has the pivot power plug, a laptop tote bag in school colors, and she packs in her laundry basket-huge from WM and soemone had her initials put on it… I have given this to the girls and they love them
[Amazon.com:</a> Apollo Precision Tools DT9706P 39-Piece Pink General Tool Set: Home Improvement](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/Apollo-Precision-DT9706P-39-Piece-General/dp/B001GXPZEQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1352071881&sr=8-1&keywords=apollo+39+pc+tool+kit]Amazon.com:”>http://www.amazon.com/Apollo-Precision-DT9706P-39-Piece-General/dp/B001GXPZEQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1352071881&sr=8-1&keywords=apollo+39+pc+tool+kit)</p>
<p>I am probably doing the same for my son’s friend who are seniors this year- very practical and they sell them at Target for $15- boys are in red…</p>
<p>hlsess - you just reminded me, we gave our son a very nice Leatherman for his birthday which was close to graduation, but it would also work as a holiday gift. He uses it a lot. He has a nicely stocked tool kit we built him ourselves as well, but the Leatherman is always handy.</p>
<p>Leatherman is a great idea.</p>
<p>how much is the leatherman? is it a kit also?</p>
<p>If she doesn’t have a smartphone, that might make a good Christmas present too. So many profs use texting and emails to notify kids of assignments, etc. these days that it’s almost a necessity on a college campus.</p>
<p>The noise canceling headphones are a fantastic gift. My son has said his are a must-have for dorm life!
I have also done a the market tote by Reisenthel (great for grocery shopping) filled with coffee/tea goodies. A must-have for this is the Bodum Bistro electric kettle, which comes in several cool colors and 2 sizes:
[Amazon.com:</a> bodum bistro kettle: Home & Kitchen](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Dgarden&field-keywords=bodum+bistro+kettle]Amazon.com:”>http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Dgarden&field-keywords=bodum+bistro+kettle)
I then add a travel mug (Timolino vacuum sealed insulated mugs don’t leak and keep my coffee hot all day even out skiing in New England!) and tea or coffee accessories. I have done this a few times and it was a big hit.</p>
<p>hsless, a Leatherman ranges in price depending on the bells and whistles: [Leatherman</a> Multi-Tools](<a href=“http://www.leatherman.com/category/multi-tools]Leatherman”>http://www.leatherman.com/category/multi-tools)</p>
<p>My SIL loves hers, so it’s not just a “boy” gift. She dropped hers in a catfish pond on land they own, and months later ds1 found it, rust-free. She was thrilled.</p>
<p>I love bodum products! They are so colorful and cheery. 
This is something I would wait on until you know the specific rules where they will be dorming. Many don’t allow electric kettles.</p>
<p>We gave D a Garmin so she can always find her way home…</p>
<p>But she also loved getting an iron and table top ironing board.</p>
<p>For her friends we gave them monogramed towels or jewelry hangers that go in the closet (with a visa gift card)</p>
<p>Electronic frames </p>
<p>Hanging shower totes are great too.</p>
<p>I found Sony noise-canceling headphones at Sam’s today for $60 and bought a pair for D1 who is a college freshman, and another pair for D2 who is a high school senior.</p>
<p>I just bought my D a copy of the book “The Naked Roommate: And 107 Other Issues You Might Run Into in College” by Harlan Cohen. I also picked up “The Naked Roommate: For Parents Only” for my husband and me. (Both rated 4 1/2 out of 5 stars on Amazon.)</p>
<p>If D gets accepted ED, she will get this book then!</p>
<p>I skimmed The Naked Roommate and the one special kernel of info I passed on to my son was to say to his roomie, “I really want us to get along this year, so if I’m doing anything that bothers you, I hope you’ll tell me.” He accepted this input graciously. Who knows if he said this to his roomie, but they had a good year together and are still friends.</p>