The Good Gift Guide
University Gifts
At this time of year, lots of young people are leaving home for the first time to go off to college or university, and parents are wondering what to give them.
Traditionally, a guardian angel (toy, model or picture) would be given to watch over the person leaving. A thoughtful and touching gift.
To a new student, there are several things that may be appreciated. Food parcels are always a guaranteed winner, and often the basics are much appreciated - tea, coffee, sugar, pasta, tinned stuff. Beware of sending too much fresh stuff, or they'll end up living in a compost heap!
One of the best things I was given when I left home was a book called 'How to Boil an Egg', which did exactly that and which I found invaluable. Assuming no prior knowledge at all, it contains a superb collection of recipes for 1 which are easily scaled for more people. We even still use some of them - the book's severely faded and dog-eared, stained with goodness knows what, and the pages are all just about falling out, but it still takes pride of place amongst our cookbooks. I doubt you'll find a better value cookbook for a student!
If they're going to un-equipped accommodation (or even if they're not), a couple of good quality pans and kitchen utensils are a good idea, too.
Mugs are a good one - if you can come up with a mug that obviously belongs to the person, it won't get used by mistake by everyone else in the flat / digs / whatever-they're-called-these-days. You might get some ideas here: personalised mugs.
Well, I seem to have focused on food, but I suppose getting the fundamentals right is the first priority - the person leaving will sort the rest out for themselves! Perhaps I'll have a look at some 'thinking of you' type gifts soon.
Traditionally, a guardian angel (toy, model or picture) would be given to watch over the person leaving. A thoughtful and touching gift.
To a new student, there are several things that may be appreciated. Food parcels are always a guaranteed winner, and often the basics are much appreciated - tea, coffee, sugar, pasta, tinned stuff. Beware of sending too much fresh stuff, or they'll end up living in a compost heap!
One of the best things I was given when I left home was a book called 'How to Boil an Egg', which did exactly that and which I found invaluable. Assuming no prior knowledge at all, it contains a superb collection of recipes for 1 which are easily scaled for more people. We even still use some of them - the book's severely faded and dog-eared, stained with goodness knows what, and the pages are all just about falling out, but it still takes pride of place amongst our cookbooks. I doubt you'll find a better value cookbook for a student!
If they're going to un-equipped accommodation (or even if they're not), a couple of good quality pans and kitchen utensils are a good idea, too.
Mugs are a good one - if you can come up with a mug that obviously belongs to the person, it won't get used by mistake by everyone else in the flat / digs / whatever-they're-called-these-days. You might get some ideas here: personalised mugs.
Well, I seem to have focused on food, but I suppose getting the fundamentals right is the first priority - the person leaving will sort the rest out for themselves! Perhaps I'll have a look at some 'thinking of you' type gifts soon.
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