<p>Any great ideas for kids who will be starting college in '09? What are some must-haves for dorms or college life, that would be cool to open? Yes, I start Christmas/Hannukah shopping early. thanks.</p>
<p>Great ideas for kids already in college are also welcome!</p>
<p>For hs seniors - I wouldn't give dorm/college oriented stuff for Christmas. Their senior year goes by way too fast as it is. There's plenty of time for college stuff for graduation presents.</p>
<p>Current college kids love cash and gift cards, including gas cards and restaurants near campus. But be careful - my aunt sent my son gift cards to a restaurant chain that she thought was nationwide... but there isn't one within 20 miles of S's college!</p>
<p>iPod, good headphones, cell phone with unlimited texting plan, usb memory sticks, backpack, small flatscreen TV, and gift cards.</p>
<p>I really like your other suggestions, nysmile, but my kids say that nobody should ever buy headphones for another person because there are huge differences among people in what style feels comfortable.</p>
<p>If your holiday presents for the high school senior will include clothing, make sure that it's machine washable and dryable, or it won't be used next year at college.</p>
<p>A gift that I do NOT recommend: my sister bought my son a safe (thoughtfully big enough to store his laptop). But we live on the east coast and he's in school on the west coast. We ended up returning it (to Wal-Mart, thank goodness) for a gift card that he was then able to use when he arrived at school. Not that the ideal was awful; mostly the execution. And S1 also decided that he just didn't need a safe for his dorm -- and that turned out to be a good choice.</p>
<p>For kids who get admitted ED before the holidays, I think it's fun to buy college mugs/sweatshirts/pens.</p>
<p>I suggested to my dad that my D would really make use of a gift card to the local movie theatre. Tickets are $9 now and she's not working at the moment. I know she'll like that. Also she has really enjoyed gift cards to Jamba Juice, Panera and the like as those are places she likes to go with her friends.</p>
<p>We got our son a laptop for graduation, I suppose you could start early. We gave him the Wii for his spring birthday senior year. He left it behind this year. He spent the spring socializing with his friends much more than usual - movie theater card, restaurant or Starbucks card might well have gotten use.</p>
<p>Luggage-The collapsible type that could fit under a bed, a weekend piece would be nice.</p>
<p>Bed Bath and Beyond gift card, or just a general AmEx gift check</p>
<p>GPS for those with my kid's wonderful sense of direction.</p>
<p>I think it's early. Let them get through senior year! Save the stuff for graduation presents.</p>
<p>A camera!! They can take pics of prom, senior activities, etc. now and then use it at college. My D says it was the "best present she didn't know she needed!"</p>
<p>I bought my daughter a white noise machine ...she is a light sleeper and I knew no matter who her roommate would be, she would have a hard time sleeping</p>
<p>Dorm related stuff is a good idea, there are some lists on cc that can give you ideas. I tend to agree with the don't buy the laptop, you may get a better deal through the school. We saved a bunch on D's that way and it came loaded with free software including and engineering package. Plus they will service it if bought through them.</p>
<p>I was at Target today and noticed that they had all their dorm stuff--comforters, sheets, pillows, etc--on sale...30% off...some might want to do some pre-holiday shopping~</p>
<p>S's favorite gift was a web cam so he can see the friends and family that he is on line with. Also loved the memory foam mattress pad courtesy of Walmart, which was shipped to a store near his school.</p>
<p>I think you're smart to start buying early. Some of the big ticket items we ended up buying were a laptop, a flat-screen t.v., luggage, and a featherbed (down mattress cover).</p>
<p>I agree that if your senior doesn't have an ipod, digital camera, or web cam, any one of these would be a great gift for now and would be something he or she would enjoy in college. You want to give your senior something he or she can enjoy now during senior year of high school, too.</p>
<p>Large soft duffel bags are useful now and later, too. Not the ones with wheels, but the ones that can be folded up to take up very little room under the dorm room bed or up on a high dorm closet shelf. Duffels give you an easy way to get bedding, towels, pillows to and from school.</p>
<p>The featherbed is a GREAT idea! I would NOT buy sheets, towels, comforters, etc. because the kids will have a definite idea on color, style, etc.(even the boys!). The girls will, without a doubt, want to coordinate. Also, some schools require certain laptops depending upon your major(and some private schools actually include a "free" laptop in their tuition). So I second not buying a computer until you know the school requirements.</p>