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^Now I'm tempted to tell the D's that they're getting vaccines for Chanukah.
Some of the stuff mentioned here has value beyond college apps, e.g. high-speed internet access, a scanner, a video camera. Things like college guides and SAT study books fall into the same category for me as AP study guides and 3-hole paper. They're all needed school supplies. I know there are families that have a tough time paying even for the basics, and in those cases a teenager might be honestly grateful to get something that would normally be outside the family budget. For everyone else, just buy them the books they need when they need them.
Another possible present: an mp3 player. For listening to/watching sample lectures, or listening to books on tape or the NYT or some NPR programming as a way of boosting daily reading. One of my siblings mentioned a few years back that there are more and more college lecture materials available in mp3 format, and that something like an iPod can really be a useful study tool.
And one more: a gift certificate good for mom or dad's help typing a paper at the last minute or running out to the one post office open until 8 or 9 PM or paying for express shipping or getting out of regular chores for one day.
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