<p>A relative will be attending Wash U next fall - looking for suggestions for a high school graduation gift that would relate to the university. I was thinking of a gift card from the college bookstore, but is there something else that current students know would be appreciated by a freshman? Other than cold hard cash, of course, which is always appreciated. Thanks!</p>
<p>North face jacket? it can get pretty cold in early spring/winter.</p>
<p>A clock, pretty much anything that is useful because dorm space is limited.</p>
<p>I’d second the North Face jacket…everyone, and I do mean everyone has one (especially the black fleece jacket).</p>
<p>Campus bookstore is ridiculously overpriced (as is every college bookstore), although I guess it’s one of few places to go for wash u clothing.</p>
<p>Not everyone has a north face…
In my core group of friends only one girl does actually.
Although they are predominant on campus (and any campus really).</p>
<p>Bookstore money is always good. Even if you don’t buy books from the bookstore (I literally save hundreds of dollars each semester by buying elsewhere), it’s good to get things like a WashU hoodie or whathaveyou.</p>
<p>johnson, could you message me where you buy your books? i would also like to save some money… im an upcoming freshman</p>
<p>If you are looking for a school-specific gift, a Wash U sweatshirt or hoodie is the way to go.</p>
<p>Otherwise, a gift certificate for BB&B, or the book store.</p>
<p>The bookstore does sell used books, which is more reasonably priced. However, you can generally get a new book from Amazon at the same price as a used book from the bookstore. </p>
<p>Amazon is usually the way to go.</p>
<p>When he graduated from HS, a close family friend gave my son got a gift card to Blueberry Hill, a restaurant in the Loop. I thought it was a very thoughtful gift. Took some work on her part to find the restaurant and to obtain the gift card. Once DS started school, he enjoyed being able to use the gift card to take new friends to eat off campus.</p>
<p>Here’s the website to WashU’s bookstore:
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<p>I agree. Not only is this different than the standard hoodie, it’s a great way for your grad to familiarize him/herself with the Loop, which is the interesting, funky collegetown five minutes outside the campus.</p>
<p>Other suggestions, also in the Loop, might be gift certs to Vintage Vinyl Records, or Subterranean Books. Not in the Loop, but also easy walking distance, is Forest Park, which opened in the late 1800s, and I believe designed by the same gent who did Central Park in NYC. Beautiful place, and it is the site of the famed St. Louis Art Museum, to which a membership might make a good grad gift for an art lover.</p>
<p>Just so it’s known, the art museum is free- you don’t need to be an actual member to get into any of the exhibitions there. Art school students actually go there often for assignments in some of their drawing classes.</p>
<p>^ You have to pay to see some special exhibits, but the permanent collection is free.</p>
<p>A gift card for Panera (also in the loop) is another good choice ( probably easier to obtain for the gift giver…)</p>
<p>Thanks for all the suggestions! Don’t want to say much in case student is on the boards but you gave me a great idea.</p>
<p>There is another store on campus, actually on the South 40, called Bear Necessities. It’s run by the Womens’ Society and proceeds go to a scholarship fund. You may have to call to get a gift card. A hoodie or sweatshirt is always useful, as are Wash U flannel pj pants which you see kids wearing to class. Gift card to St. Louis Bread (Panera everywhere else) Walgreens or Schnucks (local grocery chain); all three are within walking distance. Gift card to any restaurant on the Loop would be good. Useful gift for dorm, although not Wash U related, is one of those multi-light floorlamps sold at BB&B or Target. Also a desk lamp (IKEA has one that is not halogen) because the dorm rooms, while really nice, don’t have great lighting. My S has a lighter North Face (APEX) and a heavier one for really cold weather. It does hit near zero and they get cold winds in December and January.</p>
<p>the bunny! </p>
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