That time of year has rolled around again. The leaves are falling and curling up on campus floors. The morning mist is creeping in and the nights are drawing in. Which can only mean one thing- it’s the start of a new term at uni! This time of year can gifts a fresh start for many students, moving away from home for a new chapter of freedom. Either way, moving back to uni after a summer at home can feel isolating for some. What better way to remind them of home than gifting them something that reminds them of you? Or maybe, something more practical? I’ve got you covered.
1. Gifts that represent your home town
Hear me out here. A form of memorabilia from home can serve as a reminder of comfort in the interiors of gloomy student accommodation. Maybe something as small as a fridge magnet to go on the radiator. University accommodation always needs a facelift or bringing up. A postcard to pin on the cork board can mean the world to a student moving a long way from home. This gift will be there for your student in times of crisis as a reminder of home. Or— on the contrary, a reason to stick it out because they don’t want to go back. Either way, I’m sure they will be appreciated.
2. An easy-to-follow cookbook
Students are known for their unhealthy diets consisting of takeaways, monsters and alcohol. Why not gift the special student in your life to a cookbook? I’m aware that you can access recipes online, but that takes thought. Sometimes when the swamped season of the uni semester takes hold the last thing they want to be thinking about is what to cook. Just having it on the shelf just in case can take the pressure out of cooking. At least you know they’ve got it should they need it right?
You could even personalise this more by making your own recipe book full of home comforts? As a home from home whilst at uni? Or simply just tabbing their favourites in the book? It’s the little things.
3. Booze, alcohol and shot glasses
It sort of goes without saying. Just buy them a bottle. There’s a cost of living crisis and students can no longer afford to excessively drink several times a week like they did in ‘your day’. Why not treat them to the latest spirits offered at your local supermarket as they pack their bags to fly the nest? It also opens up socialisation opportunities for them at university. Don’t be a square, buy them a bottle. Either way, whether it’s what they like or not, someone will drink it.
4. Drinking card games
Drinking games are popular amongst students in uni halls or houses. They are a great way to break the ice during freshers week and the first few weeks of university. They can be on the expensive side, I’m sure the student in your life would appreciate a deck of cards or two.
5. Course-themed gifts
Now I am not talking about textbooks and equipment, because unless they’ve specified what they need – you’ll probably be wasting your money. Do you know someone starting med school? Why not buy them a practitioner’s pocket watch? A trainee teacher? They can never have enough stationery with inspiration quotes in them! These small gestures show that you support them in their career and have an interest in their studies.
However, this shouldn’t just go for respected courses like nursing, education and engineering. If you know a drama student, I’m sure they would love a drama-related gift. They also love an inspirational quote. It often feels like there is an overwhelming celebration for courses that are ‘respectable’, as opposed to those more creative. An art student will never have enough watercolour paper. A music student will never have enough guitar picks. A dance student can never have enough hair spray. You know your student, and you know what they study. Buy them initiative gifts that also have a practical use too.
6. Household items
Students will never turn down household items, despite how boring they might seem. No one wants to have to buy a new bottle of bleach on a Sunday morning to clean the now-tarnished bathroom from the night before. They will never turn away cleaning supplies. There are far better things students would prefer to spend their limited money on. Maybe a hamper of cleaning supplies? It will benefit the whole house. Or offering use of your appliances if you live nearby? Whether they will use these products is a whole other kettle of fish. But if it makes you feel better that it is there, that’s the main thing.
7. Food hampers
On the topic of hampers, money is tight. For everyone, not just students. The best way to a students heart is to feed them. I’m talking about non-perishable foods like soups, pot noodles, beans, etc. Just to keep them going between student loan payments. It seems an ever-growing amount of students are not eating sufficient meals due to strict budgeting. Why not ease this burden? Buy them some food.
Hopefully, we’ve inspired you to pick the perfect gift for your beloved student. If not, take a look at these things you’re bound to find in most student homes for more inspiration! Warning – they’re not all pretty!
I’m Leah Corbett, a 21 year old student from Leicester. I study English Literature with Creative Writing and am going into my final year. I enjoy writing creatively and have worked on various types of student-led publications.
