All I Want for Christmas Is ... [Admissions-Friendly Holiday Gift Ideas]

Sally_Rubenstone · 12-02-2008, 04:39 PM

Recently a mother of a high school junior asked me what she might get her daughter for Christmas that would help facilitate the college admission process ahead. In this case the answer was a no-brainer ... high-speed Internet service. (Both parents in this family have access to super-fast Internet at work, so they've never wanted to spring for anything but dial-up at home.) Even though one can survive the admissions process without a fast Internet connection (or even a home computer), each year it gets harder, as more colleges expect applications to be submitted online, and admissions-info Web sites proliferate.

But what other "investments"--technological or not--would make welcome gifts for those about to wade into the college admissions quagmire? Obviously, the ever-popular "money" is always a good answer; ditto gift cards from bookstores that can be used to buy college guides (and test-prep books and software.

) Cameras that take video can be a good way to record campus-visit highlights and share them with friends who can't get to campus. Colorful accordion files aren't the most sexy gift in the world, but they can be useful when it comes to organizing propaganda that shows up in the mail and other admissions-related brochures and documents.

Yet surely there are many items I'm overlooking--preferably inexpensive ones--that might make the college search and selection process more fun or at least a bit smoother and saner. Any thoughts?

HImom · 12-02-2008, 04:52 PM

Scanner & fax machines are handy if there is none in the household for getting docs into applications, especially if there's a glitch at the last minute. There are many rather inexpensive all-in-one machines that serve many purposes.

Gift certificate for airline ticket to visit a U of particular interest to student?

Sally_Rubenstone · 12-02-2008, 04:56 PM

Yes, a scanner ... great idea!

HImom · 12-02-2008, 05:11 PM

Costco (one of my favorite stores because of their no Qs asked return policies) has a nice one made by NeatReceipts that is about the size of a 3-hole punch & can be stored in a stand vertically to take up less space. It also can help organize receipts & business cards & make the scanned doc into a pdf file. It is under $200. I use it for my home business & scan the receipts & invoices to our accountant.

Sally_Rubenstone · 12-02-2008, 05:26 PM

And you even hit on yet ANOTHER gift idea (not a home run but at least a stocking stuffer): the 3-hole punch. It took me until I was well into my 50's before I got my very own, and now I use it all the time. If your child is the organized type who likes to keep documents in loose-leaf notebooks, the three-hole punch is a must.

Another idea also from the stationery store is a giant calendar ... one with really big spaces for each day, where deadlines, interview dates, etc. can be recorded. Yes, many students today rely on electronic calendars in phones, PDA's, etc., but, when it comes to college admissions, I still think there's nothing like a big ol' calendar where all concerned can see where the deadlines fall.

CountingDown · 12-02-2008, 05:29 PM

I just bought a printer/scanner/memory card reader for under $115 at Costco. Made no sense for a separate scanner unless one needs very high quality.

Duffel/small wheeled bag for overnight trips (one that will fit on a plane) and toiletries bag (useful for visits and college). Prepaid credit card (USAA offers them for teens) so students can pay for apps without parental involvement AND can use the cards when on the road for meals, sweatshirts or unexpected expenses.

Unsexy gifts: Big 12-month wipe-off calendar got lots of use at our house and is under $20. Used it just for college stuff. Big plastic storage boxes for those accordion files and other senior year detritus. 9x12 envelopes. Stamps.

fendrock · 12-02-2008, 05:42 PM

In my experience, college admissions = anxiety inducing topic which teen prefers to avoid, whereas holiday gift = something fun the teen really wants.

So I would not mix the two unless it was to buy a pair of designer jeans to wear on a college tour (but don't mention the college tour part).

Sally_Rubenstone · 12-02-2008, 05:51 PM

For parents who feel that admissions and holiday joy don't mix, there are lots of ways to give practical, timely gifts that don't scream "college." For instance, the student I mentioned in my original post has been begging her parents for high-speed Internet for years. To her, this will say "YouTube," not "Yale." Most teenagers will get lots of use from a wheeled overnight bag or a scanner whenever it arrives. But you make a good point, fendrock .. in households where college means stress, hold off on those accordion files and 9 x12 envelopes for the time being.

casey75 · 12-02-2008, 05:54 PM

I agree with fendrock. My kids are not very materialistic...we have trouble getting them to tell us things they may want. But some of the more mundane things listed above (not printers or big ticket items) probably would not be a big thriller - perhaps as a stucking stuffer or something. Collegiatechoice.com sells videos of walking tours for most well-known schools for about $15 a pop. We've purchased about a dozen of those over the last couple of years. They are handy for taking a look at a school before actually going there to see if looks interesting, or to review and remember things after the trip. Maybe one or two of those could be a stocking stuffer or whatever.

Pizzagirl · 12-02-2008, 06:12 PM

Luggage seems like a nice idea. Not relevant to college per se, but we are surprising our two sophomores with a cruise over the holiday break. We are giving them rollerboard suitcases for the first night of Hanukah (dd has been wanting the Vera Bradley and I got ds a nice Victorinox/ Swiss Army one) and then giving them a list of things to bring and telling them that they'd better pack their new suitcases, as we'll leave the next morning destination unknown.

Pizzagirl · 12-02-2008, 06:13 PM

More for seniors than juniors, but a typical gift in our extended family to a senior was monogrammed / personalized towels that they could then take off to college.

spazzity · 12-02-2008, 06:20 PM

Please, whatever you do, do NOT give SAT prep books, "How to Get Into HYPMS" books, or anything else very obviously for college prep to a junior. The only time a gift card to Border's is acceptable is if it is for a kid who loves to read, and the gift card is only for buying books to read for fun (NOT "Secrets to Getting into HYPMS"). Likewise for accordion folders and calendars, unless you have another legitimate reason for those, please, please, please don't. It would kind of ruin Christmas, or at least it ruined Christmas for one of my friends who got a stack of SAT and AP prep books for Christmas one year. Luggage and high-speed internet are ok though, as long as the parent isn't like "here, have some luggage/high-speed internet to help with college admissions process!"

lookbeyond · 12-02-2008, 06:25 PM

Probably the best gift you could give any junior is a day where they don't need to think about college.
(Works for seniors too, actually.)

colly · 12-02-2008, 06:41 PM

My parents gave me a laptop for my birthday during my junior year, with the expectation that I would use it through senior year and college, assuming it lasts through college. It's for homework and my personal enjoyment, but I've also found it incredibly helpful when it comes to college stuff. I have a MacBook and it is a wonderful computer.

simpson98 · 12-02-2008, 07:08 PM

How about an acceptance letter? *Hint* If my parents are reading.

Realistically: Whoever brought up the idea of a scanner is exactly right! I can't think of how many times having one would've been useful, but I'd get one separately, and not give it as a holiday gift.