I need a really great gift for an 18 year old female grad.

[soiree]

A senior has been driving my freshman dd to school every single morning this year; probably saves me at least 45 min each morning. I'm sure she has senioritis and would love to roll in as the bell rings but she doesn't and I'm so appreciative. She talks to my dd, and is a great role model. We thought we came up with a great gift- a Dyson hair dryer but I texted the mom and she already has one. We really want to give her something she'd be really excited to receive but probably wouldn't buy herself. 
I'm willing to spend maybe $300-400, more for the perfect gift, but probably not more than $500. That might be weird??  The mom suggested something by Jon Hart (that's big around here) jewelry- I'm not opposed to that but not sure what? Or something for her dorm. She's attending Notre Dame this fall. 
fwiw, the parents won't let me give her gas money, but I do give her gift cards each month, mostly to Starbucks but sometimes Nordstrom and Sephora. 
Any brilliant ideas? 

ETA- ah crap wrong board. But I'll leave it here, I bet you all will shine! 

[angelashly]

Cash

Or if you know of something specific for her dorm or even target gift card for dorm things she may need. Put it in a basket with a nice blanket or something she can take.

I like the jewelry idea because it’s a special day too but if you want her to use it more I would go with the above

[soiree]

This is the jewelry I am thinking; in silver. I have the silver & gold bracelet. My grandma bought it for me for my college graduation and I do wear it every single day.

www.davidyurman.com/womens/bracelets/oval-link-chain-bracelet-in-sterling-silver-10mm-BC0133+SS.html

[Eagles]

Money.

[loony]

My favorite graduation present was a shower basket and towels with a target gift card. Super helpful for setting up a space away from home for the first time.

[Sweetjane]

$$ and a heartfelt note about how much you appreciate her.

[pbjam]

I recently saw where someone took a little photo album and made each page something like "when your hungry" and had a food gift card, "when you have a headache" with a cvs, etc. , etc. They even looked into the food places on campus. The last page was something like "when you really just need cash" with a $20 stuffed in.

It looked like it took some time, but it also looked like something that would be great to have those first few months away.

I apologise if it was something I saw posted here and forgot. Lol.

[soiree]

I'm not opposed to cash or gift cards.
What about something for the really cold weather? We live in the south and never see snow so winter in South Bend is going to be completely different than winter at home. Are there some awesome gloves (Ugg or Canada Goose) or something else (gloves and hat, ear warmer?) that would be nice to have in the brutal winters? I could do that and a check?

[downwarddog]

Apr 24, 2024 6:53:58 GMT -6 soiree said:

I'm not opposed to cash or gift cards.
What about something for the really cold weather? We live in the south and never see snow so winter in South Bend is going to be completely different than winter at home. Are there some awesome gloves (Ugg or Canada Goose) or something else (gloves and hat, ear warmer?) that would be nice to have in the brutal winters? I could do that and a check?

I have Raynaud's Disease, which means my fingers and toes turn white and get painful when it's cold. I LOVE my thick alpaca socks and wool mittens. I don't have a specific brand to recommend because I usually get them from a local alpaca farm, but they're not hard to find on Etsy and stuff. 

If she's pretty girly, maybe also a gift card for a nice pedicure place? A gift card to a restaurant near campus?

What a kind girl to do that, and you are also wonderful for wanting to thank her so generously. 

[addymac]

Apr 24, 2024 6:53:58 GMT -6 soiree said:

I'm not opposed to cash or gift cards.
What about something for the really cold weather? We live in the south and never see snow so winter in South Bend is going to be completely different than winter at home. Are there some awesome gloves (Ugg or Canada Goose) or something else (gloves and hat, ear warmer?) that would be nice to have in the brutal winters? I could do that and a check?

Good gloves and a hat are clutch. A jacket too, but I assume that’s way past the price point budgeted.

Maybe one piece of the gift could be a heated blanket for when she gets back to her dorm, since presumably she’s not used to the cold either.

I grew up in NY so I was no stranger to snow but living in Chicago I truly realized the winter isn’t so bad if you have proper warm gear. Like, there’s a reason those jackets are $$$ and worth it. And why outdoor dining in the north during Covid wasn’t as bad as it seemed 😅

[addymac]

Apr 24, 2024 6:32:54 GMT -6 pbjam said:

I recently saw where someone took a little photo album and made each page something like "when your hungry" and had a food gift card, "when you have a headache" with a cvs, etc. , etc. They even looked into the food places on campus. The last page was something like "when you really just need cash" with a $20 stuffed in.

It looked like it took some time, but it also looked like something that would be great to have those first few months away.

I apologise if it was something I saw posted here and forgot. Lol.

Oh I love this idea. I wish I had thought of it for my nephew. Storing it in to use for future college kids

[gingy]

Apr 24, 2024 6:32:54 GMT -6 pbjam said:

I recently saw where someone took a little photo album and made each page something like "when your hungry" and had a food gift card, "when you have a headache" with a cvs, etc. , etc. They even looked into the food places on campus. The last page was something like "when you really just need cash" with a $20 stuffed in.

It looked like it took some time, but it also looked like something that would be great to have those first few months away.

I apologise if it was something I saw posted here and forgot. Lol.

I saw this on IG I think and plan to give one to SD when we move her in to her dorm. Such a fun and useful idea. 

[mrsbliz]

You could get a really nice vacuum if she's not living on campus. My daughter is a sophmore in college and her first year she lived in the dorms and it wouldn't have been as handy, but living in an apartment it is. Otherwise her favorite items were a bundle type gift like listed before. A shower caddy with all the fixings like towels, soap, etc. And my SIL got her a college "toolbox" with much needed items that you wouldn't think to get them: scredriver, batteries, and she put it in a cute box.

Otherwise money is and always will be her #1 requested gift because she is always broke and needs to buy groceries and gas.

[DGM]

Apr 24, 2024 6:32:54 GMT -6 pbjam said:

I recently saw where someone took a little photo album and made each page something like "when your hungry" and had a food gift card, "when you have a headache" with a cvs, etc. , etc. They even looked into the food places on campus. The last page was something like "when you really just need cash" with a $20 stuffed in.

It looked like it took some time, but it also looked like something that would be great to have those first few months away.

I apologise if it was something I saw posted here and forgot. Lol.

I just saw this on IG and was coming to post about it LOL. It wasn't only cute but a good way to not accidentally lose a bunch of loose cards. ETA: I should've kept reading 😆

[AmyG]

Apr 24, 2024 7:56:30 GMT -6 addymac said:

Apr 24, 2024 6:53:58 GMT -6 soiree said:

I'm not opposed to cash or gift cards.
What about something for the really cold weather? We live in the south and never see snow so winter in South Bend is going to be completely different than winter at home. Are there some awesome gloves (Ugg or Canada Goose) or something else (gloves and hat, ear warmer?) that would be nice to have in the brutal winters? I could do that and a check?

Good gloves and a hat are clutch. A jacket too, but I assume that’s way past the price point budgeted.

Maybe one piece of the gift could be a heated blanket for when she gets back to her dorm, since presumably she’s not used to the cold either.

I grew up in NY so I was no stranger to snow but living in Chicago I truly realized the winter isn’t so bad if you have proper warm gear. Like, there’s a reason those jackets are $$$ and worth it. And why outdoor dining in the north during Covid wasn’t as bad as it seemed 😅

Have to double check the dorm rules on heating blankets. Son has had dorms that said no heating blankets and no toasters or microwaves and some that were free for all. Probably depends on if the dorms have upgraded electrical. which you think they all would since in our cordless world we live in, everyone has sooo many different electronics that need to be plugged in

[AmyG]

Hits around here in addition to cash
gifts with the university logo/name like a shirt or coffee cup--but that's been when they are going to somewhere unique like the Savannah university of Art.
Or a good reference book for their degree--like Merks Vetrinary Manual for someone going to vet school.
There's been some misses with gift cards when the fast food joints are too far off campus and delivery is spotty due to overwhelming student demand. But some univ have on campus fast food now so check that out.
If they have to fly or drive very far to get to the university, then giving big things is more problematic.
Of course if is there's a target nearby give a large target gift card cause they are gonna pick up most things at target when they get there. Target always seems to have to best college dorm room things.

[leahcar]

My DD is all about anything with her new school on it. And cash or cash equivalents because like most HS seniors, she's broke.

Maybe do that gift card book that's so popular right now and include something Notre Dame with it (a tumbler, a key chain- get something on Etsy so it will be unique)?

[angelashly]

Apr 24, 2024 13:56:16 GMT -6 AmyG said:

Hits around here in addition to cash
gifts with the university logo/name like a shirt or coffee cup--but that's been when they are going to somewhere unique like the Savannah university of Art.
Or a good reference book for their degree--like Merks Vetrinary Manual for someone going to vet school.
There's been some misses with gift cards when the fast food joints are too far off campus and delivery is spotty due to overwhelming student demand. But some univ have on campus fast food now so check that out.
If they have to fly or drive very far to get to the university, then giving big things is more problematic.
Of course if is there's a target nearby give a large target gift card cause they are gonna pick up most things at target when they get there. Target always seems to have to best college dorm room things.

Also check that the fast food places on campus take gift cards from the retailers. The university I worked for had subway, chick fil a, Pizza Hut and Starbucks and the only one who would take gift cards was Starbucks

[mathrun]

Cash with a framed pic of her and your DD and a heartfelt note.

Someone got my nephew a pennant and blanket with his HS logo that he took to college and loved. I think mostly because he went pretty far from home and it was nice to have a little something familiar.

A nice rain jacket for walking to class when it’s yucky out.

DS has been bugging us for an Apple Pencil and a keyboard case for his iPad to use at college next year.

Wool socks, some of those foot treatment things, foot lotion, and a warm pair of boots.

A basket with all the things you always wish you had but never think to buy as a college student. (Rubber bands, magic eraser, safety pins, first aid stuff, ice pack, heating pad, packing and duck tape, scissors, a flash drive, measuring tape, screw driver, ear plugs, etc.)

[trueblue]

Edited since it was already suggested but I think the gift card photo albums are super fun.

[AmyG]

Apr 24, 2024 15:23:25 GMT -6 angelashly said:

Apr 24, 2024 13:56:16 GMT -6 AmyG said:

Hits around here in addition to cash
gifts with the university logo/name like a shirt or coffee cup--but that's been when they are going to somewhere unique like the Savannah university of Art.
Or a good reference book for their degree--like Merks Vetrinary Manual for someone going to vet school.
There's been some misses with gift cards when the fast food joints are too far off campus and delivery is spotty due to overwhelming student demand. But some univ have on campus fast food now so check that out.
If they have to fly or drive very far to get to the university, then giving big things is more problematic.
Of course if is there's a target nearby give a large target gift card cause they are gonna pick up most things at target when they get there. Target always seems to have to best college dorm room things.

Also check that the fast food places on campus take gift cards from the retailers. The university I worked for had subway, chick fil a, Pizza Hut and Starbucks and the only one who would take gift cards was Starbucks

Yes I forgot about that. On campus fast food didn't take most of gift cards which sucks.