I admit, I visit the bookstore every time I am on my kids’ campuses, and usually pick up a new t-shirt. D1 graduated a few years ago, and I am down to one from her school that is not worn out. 
key chain and small banner waiting for from grad school D2. already have my order. in with her. did not go to orientation for grad school.
I got a cling decal and a t-shirt from S1’s school. T-shirts for him & the siblings, too. When I was on a trip overseas, someone asked why I am living vicariously through my child; why not my own Alma Mater if I am wearing a t-shirt? It had some logic.
Now I have a cling from my D1 & D2 boarding school (same school), and one from my Alma Mater on my car. I’m kind of over it I guess. I will get some swag as gifts, I’m sure, and will wear it proudly. I have a couple of items (t-shirt, sweatpants) from the boarding school.
Ohhh… grad school swag! I had not thought of that! 
Well, I didn’t get enough from UG. Not a mug, just a t shirt which is now too small. I did buy mugs from son’s internship, and a sweatshirt from grad school. Being cheap doesn’t help in the long run.
Son won’t buy himself anything. He does have Ts from internship, but they were free.
Both kids did buy a few logo items from the campus bookstore that they like. They’re happy they each bought license plate holders for their vehicles and ours as well. D makes it a point to wear her college t-shirt when she flies and feels she is treated better when they think “she’s just a student.” It works for her and she still looks like a student, even though she graduated a while back.
If they wait long enough (at least at smaller schools) your child will amass a collection of free t-shirts of their school and specific events/clubs. My D2 moved in a week ago to her new school and already has collected 2 free t-shirts.
First parents weekend I bought a hoodie and H bought a hat. Never bought anything else. S wasn’t into buying college swag either but he had lots of stuff with school name on his stuff for his sport. He also brought home two travel mugs which he didn’t buy as they were available in the dining hall (campus got rid of all paper cups before he went there and switched to the mugs) and he bought us each a coffee cup for Hanukkah/Christmas one year. Cling came with his acceptance, iirc.
On graduation weekend at parent/student cocktail party we were all given stemless wine glass with school crest on it. Lovely touch, imo.
I bought son a sweatshirt for every school he was accepted to. On orientation day, I bought a proud mom t-shirt for the school he picked. I’m going down for a visit in October and I’m gonna buy more.
What do we do with all the stuff we bought at other schools when we toured them last year? Wait to see where S2 goes?
My kids were still fine with wearing tshirts of other schools. Just because they chose one doesn’t mean they have to hate the others!
@LakeWashington – nothing wrong with a little “retail therapy”
My rule was that I didn’t let the kids buy anything when we were touring schools – they had to wait until they got acceptances and decided where they were going. But we didn’t wait until freshman drop off to shop! In the end my S went to a college fairly close by so once we sent in a deposit we drove down to the campus and shopped away. A few years later when my D (who went to school hours away) sent in her deposit she declared hat she was ready for her shopping visit – I had not planned on making that trip but fortunately my S was home for his break and had not seen her school so he graciously drove her to campus to let her shop. By the time freshman drop off came, we were all outfitted!
Happy1, we’re on the same team with LasMa :-bd We all need therapy!
I forgot that I also bought stuff from Lake Jr.'s summer internship college. Oh, the humanity!
My husband bought the college dad t-shirt to change into toward the end of move-in day because it was incredibly hot and humid with no A/C in the dorm. He could not tolerate his own sweaty shirt for one more second.
For her undergraduate DD23 bought half the bookstore before stepping on campus (spiritwear galore in a very sports happy campus). Lots more free shirts and stuff in their orientation week every year. Now she’s off to a different school for grad work on a full scholarship and had to drag herself to the bookstore to get one shirt ‘as not to appear ungrateful’ :).
I bought 2 tee shirts, a key fob and a window cling for myself. I picked up a baseball cap for DH. I could have loaded up more than I did but held back a bit. The retail therapy did me good. I went straight there after I gave him the final hug.
Now I’m wishing I bought a set of pint glasses. I guess I can order then online.
Retail therapy is a huge big deal at USMA (West Point). There are several gift shops to choose from and each has different items (only some over lap).
I bought Yale T-Shirts online for a family photo after my son’s high school graduation.
For the record, our sheepdog is a men’s ‘medium’ !
I have finally decided to stop buying more gear. DS is a senior and I have every cup, mug, shot glass, champagne flute, patch, sweatshirt, scarf and bracelet that I could ever need. Still, it has been such a great three years I need to stay out of the bookstore the rest of the year or I will find something to buy.