<p>Target had extra-long Twin sheet sets 250 thread count for $6.24. Included flat, fitted, pillowcase. Matching duvet with sham 250 thread count $7.48. Deep blue, tan, beige and some patterned ones. Bought some extras for the 3 oldest and put some aside for DS#4 for next year. XL Twin down comforters $9.98 in a zippable plastic container. Also had Woolrich twin corduroy duvets for $17.48 and a nice patchwork quilt by Woolrich for $19.98. Everything was 75% of their lowest sale price so I was a happy camper!!</p>
<p>This is such a great thread, if anyone is planning ahead on the JCPenny website there are XL Twin comforters(solid colors) on sale for 12.99. I think it’s in the clearance section. If you plan ahead you can save bundles of money, instead of buying everything this summer.</p>
<p>That’s what I’ve been doing. I bought a comforter and towels already. I figure if I plan ahead, not only can I save money, but I can somewhat break up the cost (insteading of buying EVERYTHING in July.)</p>
<p>For those needing winter gear, cold weather or outdoor stuff REI.com and REI are having their 50% of the clearance price sale starting this morning 2/10/06. Great prices!!</p>
<p>Clearance sale 50% off is also good at REI Outlet.</p>
<p>Just reading through the post…here are some additions for everyone moving ‘up north’ from warmer climates. I live in upstate NY, so don’t think you’ll need all this stuff in say - Philly. For the Buffalo, upstate NY, VT, NH, ME, & parts of Mass. this should be useful.</p>
<p>-Unless you’re going to be outside for a long period of time, long underwear aren’t necessary. 99% of the time, buildings have their heat cranked up around 80 during winter.</p>
<p>-Plan on sending them away with warm clothes. You may not think it will be cold by October/November, but the first snowfall is usually around then. During that time of year the weather fluctuates like crazy, shorts and a t-shirt one day, jeans and a hoodie the next. Plan on doing a LOT of layering.</p>
<p>-One good coat can make all the difference! Those 3-in-1 Columbia jackets are really popular, especially in windy communities. They really do get worn all year round, despite the fact that peacoats are generally cuter.</p>
<p>-Gloves are a must. So is lotion, for all those times when you forget your gloves and your hands get chapped! Scarves are also great.</p>
<p>-Ask students how warm the dorms are in the winter. Some places keep it 65 all the time, others crank the heat there as well as the other buildings. If it’s the former, a down blanket is amazingly warm and can be used for 3 seasons.</p>
<p>Linens and Things is having a storewide clearance. Sheets, quilts, comforters, duvets, drapes, curtains, towels, rugs, bathroom stuff, desk stuff…</p>
<p>Big, fluffy egyptian cotton towels were 4.99 and 5.99 for the oversized bath. 1.99/2.99 washcloths and hand towels. </p>
<p>Picked up a 6 x9 Mohawk Home area rug for son’s dorm room for under $40, reg. 199.99. Combined it with a Linens N Things 20% coupon. They also accept Bed, Bath and Beyond coupons.</p>
<p>I can help you with that. The horse ranch oldest daughter lives on uses that very bedding. As a matter of fact, she used it just last night. It’s foaling season at the ranch and during the night the mares need to be watched, especially if they are about to deliver.</p>
<p>One mare did last night but not until the early hours, so the “helper” (my daughter) assigned to that mare sleeps in the next stall on just such bedding, a pallet stuffed with hay covered in the feed bags(burlap). Asking for ticking is just silly, that’s way too fancy! You can get used pallets at Home Depot for next to nothing.</p>
<p>Mom here whose daughter went from very hot to very cold. If possible, wait until you know what floor s/he is on. Layering is a good concept for beds as well as bods, but since DD’s room was on the top floor of the dorm, it was well into Jan/Feb before she ever truly felt cold in her room - she’s at Dartmouth, to give you perspective. I think they kept the window open a lot in the day time, right through Christmas break!</p>
<p>She never felt cold enough to use the flannel sheets I bought her, although when I lived in Va, I loved when it became flannel sheet weather.</p>
<p>Her feet did get cold in the room, and a few pairs of comfy socks with skids on the bottom are a necessity. In fact socks and gloves turned out to be the things she couldn’t have enough of.</p>
<p>It will be interesting, next year her room is on the first floor close to an outside door, and my suspicion is she will be noticeably colder. She was not planning on taking back all the linens we bought her, but I bet I have to send her something back next fall.</p>
<p>Also, I bought her 2 sets of regular sheets, that I got great bargains on - one with a higher thread count than the other. She found she preferred the “good” sheets, and would just wash them and re-make the bed - I would recommend buying one set of the best sheets you can find a bargain on - you can always send them another later, or just assume they aren’t washing the sheets - I think a lot of guys won’t!</p>
<p>Another issue for girls changing climates, here in AL, we don’t have a lot of scarves and gloves and scarf and glove sets, the few times it gets that cold, we tend to put on whatever we have. She found that scarves are something of a fashion accessory like earrings or necklaces, and one needs a real variety to complement outfits - so anytime I saw her or heard from her it was “send more socks. send different kinds of scarves”.</p>
<p>I can not agree more on the sheet statement – I’m looking for 100% cotton sheets, and they’re surprisingly hard to find. I’ve been spoiled with Egyptian Cotton for the past 8 years or so, and these crappy poly/cotton 250ct sheets are disgusting!</p>
<p>i understand why i should get xl-fitted twin sheets,
but is it advised that i buy xl-down comforters?</p>
<p>i am looking at my mattress dimensions, which is 36’’ x 80’'.</p>
<p>at ikea, i saw regular down comforters with a dimension of 64’’ x 86’'. am i missing the mark somewhat, or are xl-down comforters not required? how come regular twin down comforters are longer than even xl-twin mattresses?</p>
<p>what are the pros/cons of flannel and jersey?</p>
<p>Regular size comforters are fine, esp since the kids usually can’t tuck the comforter in at the foot of the bed. D has double/queen (D likes to sleep under a “pile” of covers–twin would have been fine, really) down comforter with a cover so she can wash it. (I made the cover from two sheets since the cover in that sheet collection was about $150.)
The best sheets we found last year were at Bed, Bath & Beyond. They came in solid colors & were very soft right from the beginning. Just bought a second set for next year to replace a cheap set that never softened. The new ones are green pinstripes with little hot pink flamingos (very Lilly!) from Tommy Hilfigger for about $20 on sale at Macy’s. Neither of my Ds like flannel or jersey. Guess they’re just used to regular sheets. If you do get flannel or jersy, be sure to get good ones, since the less expensive ones will pill in no time. Note: flannel pillowcases really mess up your hair!</p>
<p>Flannel sheets are amazingly warm and snuggly (for lack of a better term) on cold winter nights. However, have your S/D ask around about how warm dorms are kept in the winter, as you will NOT need flannel sheets if it’s toasty, unless you enjoy waking up drenched in sweat. </p>
<p>I have never slept on jersey sheets, however I have heard that they are great for people who aren’t overly picky about their sheets. They feel pretty soft in the stores, but they ARE known for pilling, so invest in some more expensive ones for a better value.</p>
<p>A good backpack should be added to the list. Parents may give S&D’s a comfy bed to sleep soundly in. But will they sleep soundly if they have a back ache because of a poor fitting, sagging backpack of 30lbs. of books? Getting a good backpack speaks to the same logic as getting the eggcrate matress. </p>
<p>Water bottle instead of buying bottled water at vending machines. The polycarbonate hiking bottles are extremely durable.</p>
<p>A watch to help time management.</p>
<p>Check which courses and professors your S/D will take for the first semester/quarter.</p>