Kian is off to start his university adventure tomorrow and I have been busy collecting all the practical things he is going to need when he gets there. I’ve also been considering the less practical, like a private plate. Perhaps it’s only for those who like to be noticed.
My head has been so full of all the boring stuff, that I have forgotten the little things. Reminders of family, home comforts, little treats and things to help him bond with new friends.
5 Gift ideas for freshers
George Foreman Compact Grill
OK, so it still errs on the practical side, but we use our grill 3 or 4 times a week as it is such a versatile gadget to have.
It’s easy to use, grills a whole host of food, including panini’s, toasted sandwiches as well as bacon or steaks and can help you to cook up a healthier, tastier meal or snack in no time.
Amazon Echo Dot
One of my main worries about Kian heading off to university is him getting out of bed in time for lectures.
The Amazon Echo Dot is a hands-free, voice-controlled device that uses Alexa to play music, control smart home devices, provide information, read the news, set alarms and more.
Trunk of Drunk
One thing university students are famous for, is their love of drink. In fact I was quite shocked by all the bottles / tins on display in accommodation windows when we did our uni tours.
Trunk of Drunk (£14.99) is a great ice breaker game kit to help Kian bond with his new friends as it is full of adult party games.
In the box you will find 20 red solo cups, 4 ping-pong balls, 52 custom cards, and a booklet of game rules. These let you play the following classic drinking games:
- Beer Pong: I have to admit to being quite skilled at this game – not sure whether that is down to skill or luck though. You must sink the balls into a pint glass to make your opponents drink!
- Have I Ever: The custom cards are full of ‘I have never…’ suggestions.
- Ring of Fire (AKA King’s Cup): Players take turns picking cards. Each card requires an action
- Most Likely: Get your claws out for this naughty nomination game
- 21’s: It’s easy to count to 21 right?… wrong
- Arrogance: It’s heads or tails, but with a high stakes twist. This game will show who has balls of steel
- Screw the Dealer: Guess the value of the cards the dealer is holding and hope that you’re not the dealer when the game is ending!
- Flip Cup: Flip your cup so it lands squarely and help your team win – not as easy as it looks.
Not only do you get 8 classic party games for the price of 1, but you also get a rule booklet which rates each game by ‘Hilarity’, ‘Simplicity’ and ‘Drunkenness’, and provides simple step-by-step instructions so that you’ll never have to argue over the rules again.
Fun Stationery
Living in a small room, I don’t want to send Kian up with too much stuff that he will never use.
These funky coloured pens from Stabilo are perfect for his studies, allowing him to take notes and highlight things he needs to remember in text books. I love the lightbulb gift set as he can pop a picture inside and use it as an ornament when he takes the pens out.
Bluetooth Earphones
These Bluetooth Earphones have a built-in mic to enable you hands free talking and they have magnets which attach to each other like a necklace around your neck, to hold the earphones when not in use.
Perfect for discrete listening, these wireless earphones have a Micro USB charging cable and extra sets of ear tips for different sized ear holes.
What gift was your most treasured when you first moved away from home?
Apart from the grill and game, I think he will definitely be using all of these items almost daily.
Oh wow, hope he settles in quickly, what an exciting time for him. George Forman grill is a fab gift!
Fab gift ideas! It terrifies me to think of my babies leaving for uni, I can’t cope! Hope he settles well!
I like the sound of the Amazon Echo Dot. That would be so handy.