topic Re: Off topic,but need help!!! in Kitchen

Off topic,but need help!!!

nascar fan — Wed, 30 Jul 2014 18:05:48 GMT

Granddaughter leaves for college this coming Sunday. Her 18th birthday I the 7th. Canany of y'all think of anything I can send along besides gift cards that will make her room 'fun' and or homey?? I got no help on the mom forum. I should have come here first,as I got no help from them,just said rooms are small, well I know that!!! Y'all actually TRY to help!!! Thanks!!!

Re: Off topic,but need help!!!

ceekay — Wed, 30 Jul 2014 18:13:51 GMT

College is so different now than when I went long ago. I went 1600 miles from home and my mom shipped a footlocker with my stuff and it did not arrive until several weeks after I did. I had to go buy a bed pillow. Felt weird to be carrying a pillow on the city bus... Many people had marker boards on their doors for people to leave messages. Maybe a flameless candle or reed diffuser? A couple of little boxes for the odds and ends that collect on a dresser/desk? A cute lanyard or ID holder (maybe Vera or something along those lines)?

Re: Off topic,but need help!!!

Ptaz — Wed, 30 Jul 2014 18:20:32 GMT

Maybe some super cushy bedding pieces. Nothing helps get through lonely days away from home like something to snuggle up with. Dorms are notoriously bad with lighting so if that is appropriate, how about some lighting? Some storage types of cubes might be in order because there's never enough storage in a dorm. Also, something she can lock if there's no lockable storage some organizers or lockable storage might be in order.

Re: Off topic,but need help!!!

fthunt — Wed, 30 Jul 2014 18:20:40 GMT

Living and renting to college students I'm familiar with this age group - is she traveling to college via car or air. (if by air - you can ship a box to her after she arrives)

Ideas to make a dorm room more friendly - a small fluffy rug for next to her bed. A teddy bear - a bright colored bed comforter - new blanket - decoration for her desk (family picture/silk flower arrangement - bright color sheets - decorative pillows for her bed - a board game to play with a friend/roommate on a rainy weekend = checkers, etc.

I hope this helps to get your creative juices working!

Have fun with it

Re: Off topic,but need help!!!

Poodlepet2 — Wed, 30 Jul 2014 18:23:36 GMT

It's a tough question if you don't know what the dorm rules are(example, some do not allow pop corn poppers or hot plates in the room). That being said, consider sending a care package with her favorite snacks that will be waiting for her when she arrives. Some random ideas are: one of those pillows that serves as a backrest when you are reading or studying in bed...a folding tv tray would be great for holding snacks or books....a soft comfy throw that matches her bed spread....a pretty bucket stocked with nice soaps and moisturizer and a pair of flip flops for the shower....a soft bath robe....a clip on book light...that's all I can think of.

Poodlepet

Re: Off topic,but need help!!!

Krimpette — Wed, 30 Jul 2014 18:27:07 GMT

And maybe include bunches of those 3M wall hooks so she can personalize the walls and not leave any damage when it comes time to remove the hooks.

Re: Off topic,but need help!!!

nunya — Wed, 30 Jul 2014 18:28:00 GMT

I try to send things my daughter will need and use. Those tiny rooms fill up quickly with clutter.

A robe, flip flops for the shower. Cute stationery or blank note cards and stamps. A small sewing kit for lost buttons.

Snacks in small packages, they cost a fortune on campus.

Re: Off topic,but need help!!!

oceantown — Wed, 30 Jul 2014 18:40:03 GMT

I would send along a perfect bowl that can be used for cereal or even heating in the microwave for soup (it would hold a can of soup). My choice is a fiesta ware gusto bowl. Many colors to choose, and it is heavy duty and comfortable to hold if sitting on the bed or a chair eating. It is big, but not too big. Good for popcorn which is a college staple! If there will be a coffee maker in the room, a coffee mug is also needed. You can choose her favorite color/colors or choose the school colors.

Gusto bowl:

Java Mug:

Or, maybe the Jumbo Cup

(Which can also be used as a bowl. This is larger than the java mug, but it is smaller than the gusto bowl)

Re: Off topic,but need help!!!

murf2 — Wed, 30 Jul 2014 18:56:20 GMT

How about a Vera Bradley throw? I never realized they made them until I received one as a gift from my last year's class (I'm a teacher). She may not be the type, but the prints vary greatly and they are incredibly soft- and for a freshman especially- very comforting. They also are oversized for a throw, and wash beautifully (although I'd tell her to do that at home- you don't want to over dry them).The Q offered some that sold out quickly- try the VB site or Zappos.com for quick delivery. Pricey- $49.00, but unless she's a real tomboy, I think she'll love it!

Good luck! What a wonderful Grandma you are!

Re: Off topic,but need help!!!

Sooner — Wed, 30 Jul 2014 19:10:52 GMT

MONEY! GIFT Cards! Cash! Those rooms are so tiny, and kids are excited and running every which way! They aren't much concerned with stuff--but they always need CASH! Books, pizza, laundry, snacks with the other kids, movies, all that costs money!My aunt always sent me money and every time she "treated" me I thought of her! A gas card if she has a car would be great.

Re: Off topic,but need help!!!

Poodlepet2 — Wed, 30 Jul 2014 19:14:29 GMT

Oh I have been strolling down memory lane. One of the rudist things I had to get used to were the mattresses. I doubt things have changed much: no doubt the mattresses are still rock hard and covered in plastic that wrinkles every time you roll over. If mom and dad didn't buy one for her already, what about a really nice mattress topper? I would suggest one with synthetic down because they are easier to clean, not to mention they cut down on allergens. I would have killed to have had something like that.

Poodlepet

Re: Off topic,but need help!!!

nascar fan — Wed, 30 Jul 2014 19:18:20 GMT

Thanks!! This is what I was hoping for!! I have already done quite a bit of this!! One of her older cousins did something neat. Most of the others only went 2 hrs. From home. She took 24 pocket shoe bag and stuffed it full of individual snacks, bars, chips,etc. they had a going away party for her this past weekend. I found something on Pinterest. I took 2 of those folding lidded hassocks and stapled fabric in pockets inside. So it can be used for those flats like Bobs she loves. There is a microwave/fridge in the room. She can take her keurick that I gave her for Christmas. I found some nice microwave lidded mugs& bowls at bb&b so she is set there.I think I have thought of all these hints in some form,been doing this since Jan.! LolShe is only gd and youngest grand. She will turn 18 less than a week after she leaves and this will be first birthday that I will miss. She is an awesome child, won great scholarship and we are really proud of her. Thanks for helping me know I was on the right track with the stuff I bought!! My kids went to local schools as did other grands ,so this is our first experience having one so far away!!

Re: Off topic,but need help!!!

nascar fan — Wed, 30 Jul 2014 19:18:20 GMT

Re: Off topic,but need help!!!

nascar fan — Wed, 30 Jul 2014 19:18:21 GMT

Re: Off topic,but need help!!!

nascar fan — Wed, 30 Jul 2014 19:20:56 GMT

Opps!!! On IPad!!! Sorry!! As for the mattress topper,I found an awesome one at Dormco!!!

Re: Off topic,but need help!!!

Firefly3 — Wed, 30 Jul 2014 19:20:57 GMT

Large bean bag.....THEY GET THROW EVERYWHERE!

Re: Off topic,but need help!!!

nascar fan — Wed, 30 Jul 2014 19:27:48 GMT

Firefly!!she has one!!Shaped like a soccer ball!! I think she is gonna 'loft' her bed so she will have a cozy spot underneath! Don't know if she is gonna take it. They are driving 2 cars. The pickup will stay with her. But she hates to drive so it will probally have same gas in May! Lol

Re: Off topic,but need help!!!

RespectLife — Wed, 30 Jul 2014 19:40:01 GMT

On 7/30/2014 nascar fan said: Opps!!! On IPad!!! Sorry!! As for the mattress topper,I found an awesome one at Dormco!!!

Yes, definitely need one of these.

Those beds are like rocks. Dorm beds are usually twin XL (xtra long)

Re: Off topic,but need help!!!

Poodlepet2 — Wed, 30 Jul 2014 20:49:31 GMT

NASCAR,it sounds as if you are doing alot--she is a lucky girl! This is an idea for future gift giving, but since she has a microwave, consider getting her a Rangemate. I love mine- you can make burgers, steak-even half of a chicken....and of course pizza. You can make all sorts of things-but of course, if getting to a grocery store is difficult, this may not be the best idea after all. Dorm fridges are rather small, but I have memories of being dead tired and not feeling like trekking to the cafeteria-and let's face it, that's not like home either. The absolute worst is when you are not feeling well and the weather is nasty, but you don't feel bad enough to skip a meal. I would have loved to have had one of these too!

Poodlepet

Re: Off topic,but need help!!!

lolakimono — Wed, 30 Jul 2014 21:08:54 GMT

You could always call a local florist and have flowers or balloons sent to her dorm. That would make her feel extra special.

I personally would not add more stuff for the room, but think of her "needs" that she won't want to spend money on:

You said that she is sporty. Does she have a FitBit or another gadget like that?

You could get her a set of her favorite bath/shower gels and lotion.

If she has a truck, she will be popular! She will need to fill up the tank as she will be giving rides to the grocery store and around town. You could look up a gas station in the area and get her a card to that.

If she is 7 hours away, most likely she won't be coming home except on breaks. She will want to get her hair cut at some point, so maybe a salon card that she can use for that or a mani/pedi.

If there is a day spa, perhaps she and her roommate (or her first friend on campus) can go for a treat like a mani/pedi or a massage for her. She will no doubt be exhausted after driving and unpacking.

You could also get her some of the wash balls and dryer balls so that she doesn't have to spend money on detergent and fabric softener.

Something that doesn't take up space would be a magazine subscription to her favorite read(s). You could print off a picture from the internet and let her know in a card when she can expect her first issue.

Depending on what you want to spend, you could also commit to doing something nice for her each month (like a care package or sending the same amount of cash) so that she knows to expect something from Grandma.