CeeScraps
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~~occupied entertaining my brain~~
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Post by CeeScraps on Aug 31, 2014 22:50:59 GMT
My dh and I are talking about what to get our dd for Christmas. I'm thinking things for college in addition to a few things for her now. She will be going away a year from now and I'm trying to spread out the purchases. For college I was thinking a Keurig or something like that. The other thought I had was to get her gift cards and have her look at those stores to come up with a list of things. So, is it too early? Any suggestions? Anything to absolutely not get? We will be getting her a laptop but not until probably July of next year. TIA  |
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Post by 950nancy on Aug 31, 2014 23:21:39 GMT
This could be her last holiday before all of the expensive "need" stuff happens. I got a bunch of college stuff for my birthday and it was very practical, but I remember wishing I had received a few me gifts. In hindsight, I should have been thankful, but at the time, I didn't see it quite that way.
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Post by 950nancy on Aug 31, 2014 23:41:18 GMT
I, too, have high school senior. We have a great engineering college up the road about 20 minutes away. I keep telling him he would love the dorms, but he has already asked to stay home. He is outgoing so I don't think he is nervous. He just says he thinks he would do better if he had a quiet place to study without interruptions. Gaw! I think he wants my cooking. His brother hated dorm food. If he doesn't move out, I am not sure what he will need. He has a nice Mac that is only a year old.
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scorpeao
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Jun 25, 2014 21:04:54 GMT
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Post by scorpeao on Sept 1, 2014 0:13:10 GMT
I got luggage my senior year for Christmas. I'm not sure what my parent's motivation was. What 17 year old wants luggage for a gift? Anyway, I say stay away from practical. Have the grand parents and siblings do the practical.
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CeeScraps
Pearl Clutcher
~~occupied entertaining my brain~~
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Post by CeeScraps on Sept 1, 2014 0:16:28 GMT
Ya, I wish we had grandparents and siblings....she doesn't and cousins don't/won't exchange gifts. The only gifts she gets are from us. So, I get what everyone is saying.
Luggage she has. Hmmm, now to think this out.......
Thanks all!
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Post by Crack-a-lackin on Sept 1, 2014 0:28:40 GMT
My first thought is it might be a bit early for college items because you don't know what items her roommate will have or what her dorm will have/allow, but I guess there's no harm in having 2 of something. My dd wasn't at all interested in planning ahead or dorm shopping at all, and any time I talked about it or bought her stuff she accused me of being anxious to get rid of her (argh..can't win with teenagers).
Gift cards are a good idea though. She will have tons of expenses before college - prom, parties, senior trip (?), so the cards will come in handy I'm sure.
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AmeliaBloomer
Drama Llama
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Location: USA
Jun 26, 2014 5:01:45 GMT
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Post by AmeliaBloomer on Sept 1, 2014 0:49:29 GMT
Is there anything she could use in her room now and then take away next year? A clip-to-the-bed lamp and a BookLite? A study pillow? Her own towels? Hair dryer? An under-bed box? Jewelry box or stand? Power plugs and extension cord? (I know - boring.) A tool kit? An external hard drive? A mini iPad or Kindle?
I think it's a great idea to start early.
(Some schools forbid coffee makers, toasters, etc.)
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TankTop
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Jun 28, 2014 1:52:46 GMT
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Post by TankTop on Sept 1, 2014 0:51:31 GMT
I agree. Make her last kid Christmas fun!
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Post by Debbie on Sept 1, 2014 0:56:18 GMT
Just moved my daughter into her freshman dorm today. I'd say be careful with the keurig - her dorm doesn't allow them. Nor did my older two daughters' dorms, all different schools. How about a TV?
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Post by Zee on Sept 1, 2014 1:11:38 GMT
I personally would leave the practical gifts for graduation gifts.
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CeeScraps
Pearl Clutcher
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Post by CeeScraps on Sept 1, 2014 12:07:16 GMT
Thanks ladies.......after reading all the responses will figure out "kid" stuff.
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luvnlifelady
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Post by luvnlifelady on Sept 1, 2014 12:21:44 GMT
I Have a senior also. We had her a Pandora style bracelet this summer (we had been through a rough year last year and this was to signify a new start). Anyway, maybe you could get her something like that and add charms for graduation and other significant milestones. I would also lean toward not doing the Keurig for college. The pods can be expensive for her (unless you plan to supply them) and the system takes up quite a bit of counter space that may be limited.
I tried to pitch the idea of a trip to my two teens for actual Christmas Day but it didn't go over that well. They have most of what they need/want and I really don't want to buy stuff just for the heck of it. 14 yo DS wants a Mac (has an old one) but unless he comes up with at least 1/2, that won't be happening.
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Post by smalltowngirlie on Sept 1, 2014 12:44:29 GMT
How about a fun vacation or event. Part of our Christmas gift will be a concert for the family. We have been trying to do special events more rather than things. I feel the memories of the time together will mean so much more later in life than almost any gift.
I would stay away from practical for Christmas. Make it fun.
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katybee
Drama Llama
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Post by katybee on Sept 1, 2014 12:54:19 GMT
How about a good wireless speaker? Great for now and dorm later...
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Post by mamanay on Sept 1, 2014 13:31:03 GMT
I bought my hs senior daughter an iphone 5c and an otter box for it. She had been using an old basic qwerty phone, but previously we had refused to pay for data. So while she could text, etc. She had none of the fun stuff.
She is head over heels in love. We did make her wait until her phone contract expired and then switched carriers for her to straight talk. I liked that it has unlimited data, etc for $45 a month. I was paying almost that much for her basic phone on my family plan. Granted I did have to lay out the cash for the phone, but I like not being locked into a contract and that I don't have to stress about her going over on data.
So it was a fun and yet practical present.
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Post by auntkelly on Sept 1, 2014 13:38:44 GMT
I use Christmas as an excuse to give my daughter a few fashion splurges that college girls like-designer purses and wristlets, nice workout clothes, Hunter rain boots, etc. If your daughter is into fashion, you could get her a few items she will enjoy now and when she goes to college.
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gloryjoy
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Post by gloryjoy on Sept 1, 2014 13:47:48 GMT
I got luggage my senior year for Christmas. I'm not sure what my parent's motivation was. What 17 year old wants luggage for a gift? Anyway, I say stay away from practical. Have the grand parents and siblings do the practical. HA HA HA, so did my husband and he never really figured that one out!
I agree with the "it's her last year to get the fun stuff" comment. I wouldn't have wanted a Keurig when I was that age.
I don't have daughters, I have son's but I buy for their girlfriends for Christmas and I buy them things like makeup kits, purse, perfume, jewellry and last year a camera (since she was pregnant and asked for one). |
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CeeScraps
Pearl Clutcher
~~occupied entertaining my brain~~
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Post by CeeScraps on Sept 1, 2014 17:21:07 GMT
Funny you guys bring up a trip! I tried to plan one about 2 months ago. I couldn't get the travel agent to respond to my questions. She gave me a quote, but it included too many people and I think the dates were off. I sent an email and she never responded.
Yes, I know I could plan this myself, however, we haven't traveled anywhere so I figured I would work with someone to plan it.
So--a trip over Christmas would be good!
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Post by mari on Sept 1, 2014 17:38:24 GMT
I don't have kids, but when my little sisters were seniors in HS, I gave them a combination of fun and practical gifts. Fun: Uggs, wristlets, cute clothes, their university t-shirts, etc; Practical: Bedding for college, towels, and a mini fridge (they were roommates in the dorm).
Most of the other practical items needed for college were given as graduation gifts. I also didn't stop giving them 'fun' things just because they went to college. I do get some practical gifts, but I still get them fun things since they are still teens. My older brother is still given 'fun' items, as well.
For their freshman year Christmas, I gave them a "box of practical things" that they were instructed to open first and they've asked for it every year since. I filled the box with things that they'd definitely need so it'd allow them to spend their money on other items throughout the year.
I gave them a Keurig the Christmas before they moved into an apartment since it wasn't allowed in their dorm.
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