|
Here's a good tip for christmas: if you want your kids to hate you, get them college-related christmas gifts. Sounds like fun! I figure parenting must be kind of tough, but not so tough that you look at SAT prep books and college admissions guides and think "wow, my kid would love that!"
Hint: SAT prep books and college admissions guides are punishments. i.e. anything you get that doesn't make you feel good, or, especially, makes you feel stress, anxious, tense, etc. is NOT a good present. Getting college-related stuff is something you want to do either some weeks before or after the holidays so your kids don't honestly think you are trying to pass them off as presents. When I got my stuff with my parents, we went through the store, me groaning as my mom picked the best candidate for SAT prep book for "most likely to kill someone if dropped off a building" and said "this will probably be a good start."
So I repeat: if you want your kids to hate you, get them stuff that is directly college related.
However, there are stuff that can assist in college but can also be used for a lot of fun stuff. For example, I got an ipod touch for myself a while back which, other than games/music/etc., I get to organize my schedule and homework and keep track of college apps on it. It's been really helpful in organization. Depending on how organized your kid is or would like to be, this could be good (then again, most kids won't put a to do list on it).
Internet access is obvious. We are in the 21st century people. No one uses dial-up anymore. This would definitely help the college admissions process not to mention be something great.
Other than that or some other creative options, I can't say any present that directly aids in the college admissions process is a good one. The best you can do is give your kid real presents (or none. My parents aren't giving me any but we stopped that a while back.), but not too many that would take up too much of their time (i.e. take away from the college admissions).
I'm just kind or ranting. But no matter what you do, don't give SAT prep books or college guides. Remember, a present shouldn't make you want to kill yourself nor hate the gift-giver. If it does, I would not recommend it.
|