Ah, December; that great time of year when snow crunches underfoot, a crackling fire beckons you to sit and bide the time, your sweaters emerge from the cedar chest ready to hug you warm all day long, and a steaming latte of your choice fits well in your palm to warm you from the inside out. It's also a time of hustle and bustle, hurry and scurry as we frantically realize our gift buying time is quickly vanishing.
Fear not, weary shopper - help is here! I have for you the oasis to your Sahara; the manna to your famine: Last-minute gift ideas for your college-bound high school senior - or - things we should have purchased last year so we'd have more money to spend on gifts this year.
The High School senior year is a real wallet buster. Big fees to start the school year are followed quickly by senior pictures (
How much? And I still have to get it framed on top of that?), invitations, class rings, letter jackets, and the big topper - the graduation party. After a summer lull in checkbook and charge account bloodletting, we were swaddled in a false comfort of no major expenses for two months. Then college came.
College supplies took over our grocery lists: microwave, beer -
I mean soda - refrigerator, dorm room television, towel, extra long sheets - it was easy to slip back into the catatonic pose of holding the credit card out in a hand-it-to-the-cashier position.
Since we're lucky enough to have two boys bleed us financially dry two years in a row, we now know what to expect. As we've been out holiday gift shopping, we've noticed there are some really good deals out there in mid-December, when no one is thinking in terms of shipping them off to college. To our high school senior, Tyler: no,this is not what you're getting for Christmas. We need to wait for Catherine's turn (star date 2019) before we can actually beat one of you kids to the punch.
In no particular order, then, I give you, The List:
1) A dorm TV, microwave or mini fridge. Check around - there are really, really good deals, and we could have saved about $100 if we'd bought in advance.
2) College sweatshirts or other logo apparel from your student's prospective school. Campus bookstores usually have huge sales this time of year as they are tying to clear out their stock, (yes, even online) and you'll benefit an institution of higher education in the process. What could be better? Get something for you and your spouse, too.
3) A Netflix subscription. Students love the convenience of having a movie delivered while they are away from home. It's mail, for one thing, and what could be better than a movie in the mail? This is great for the college student, and I recommend implementing the responsibility of mailing the movie back now, while your student is still living at home with you. Theoretically, you've got a few months left to train them, and in a perfect world, they might actually listen. Better now than learning they only rented one movie in 6 months. Hope they enjoyed that $60 rental.
4) Care packages. You don't have to give one to your student now, but it's worth stocking up on things like microwave popcorn, instant cocoa, maybe a special mug to go along with it. Also, log on to your student's college website and locate the academic calendar. You'll have at your fingertips a key to deciphering your child's mood online, on demand, whenever you need it. You'll also know when to mail her the cookies.
5) Start collecting a cadre of gift cards for your student. Young adults can never seem to get enough downloaded tunes, electronics, coffee, food or spa treatments.
6) An excellent backpack. If you were worried about their little spines in junior high as they first carried a third of their weight in textbooks, wait until you see what college students have to lug around. The texts are bigger, and students always have their laptops with them. Check the stores that sell the laptops for the best selection. Of note - some colleges offer very inexpensive locker rentals by the semester. Theyjust may nothave to carry it all with them.
7) A laptop! Contact the college your student will be attending to determine what capacity they need in order to be compatible with their wi-fi system. Also, be aware that some colleges will lease quality laptops to students at a mere fraction of the cost to purchase one. It will always be maintained, up to date with the latest software, and repaired without cost. Call the admissions office of your student's college and ask to speak to someone in new student services. For an extra touch, those little 'memory sticks,' as I call them, or portable memory devices, come in very handy. They're inexpensive and fit right in to any computer lab USB port in a storm.
8) An mp3 player capable of receiving podcasts, if your student doesn't already have one. Many lectures are given in this format today, and your student will be more successful if they can access the material needed in class.
9) Twin Extra-Long bed sheets. These are easy to find; tall children everywhere have slept on extra long twin beds through generations. Get two sets. Even if your student never washes his bedding, at least you'll believe in your heart he could if he wanted to. Spring for the pillow protector, too. Trust me on this. If you don't use them at home, explain to your child that it, too, can be washed.
10) Finally, you'll need a computer hub. Most dorm rooms are wired for ethernet, and the hub letsthe kiddieshook up multiple computers to the same internet connection. This way your child and her roommate(s) can all study, or at least you will know they have the capacity to do so should they choose wisely.
With one semester of college under Mike's belt, he'd like to add a bit of advice for his successors: manage your time wisely and find a good place to study.
Well said, son.
High School seniors - congratulations! Have the best time of your life; you're supposed to right now. My heart goes out to all parents who are getting ready to bid their progeny farewell next fall. Go ahead and cry; you're supposed to right now. Best of all? They do come home; wiser, stronger, bigger, and very proud to tell you how bleach can get that funky smell out of their bath towel.
"Did you know that, Mom? That's so cool!"
Happy shopping!