Dorm Room Necessities
Sending our oldest away to college was going to be difficult enough as she selected a college 4.5 hours away and would be leaving her 10 year old sister behind. To make it more challenging, my job had just been reduced to part time hours so paying for college was an additional concern all of the sudden. In order to provide some basic DORM ROOM necessities, I began collecting items last September to present to her upon graduation from High school.
First I selected a HIGH quality LARGE laundry basket (I wrote her last name on bottom with a black sharpie).
I began by scouring the drawers and closets at home for un-used items, purchasing from the dollar store or outlet malls and began redeeming FREE offers from some of the websites that give free samples and redeemed the FREE with purchase gifts when ordering office supplies. I've included most of the following items:
Kitchen Items:
- coffee mug-both regular (microwave safe) and insulated
- immersion heater
- mini-coffee pot
- food storage containers
- pizza "sleeves"*
- can opener
- spatula
- measuring spoons
- chip clips
- dish towel and pot holder
- salt and pepper grinders
Cleaning Items:
- Dust mit
- dust buster
- wipes
- comet
- toilet brush set
- dish scrubber
- MR clean magic eraser
- free samples of laundry detergent
- stain remover stick
- ice scraper
- paper clips
- magnets
- push pins
- pencils
- pens
- desk blotter
- mouse pad
- portfolio
- wipe off board
- sticky tac
- post it notes
- CD's
- extension cord
- desk lamp
- over the door hangers
- sweater hangers
- shoe rack
- air freshener
- lingerie bags
- monogrammed towel set
- bandaids
- neosporin
- pain reliever
- puzzle book
- book mark
- picture frames
- blank greeting cards/stamps
- umbrella
- sewing kit
- personal hygiene items (tampons, nail clippers, lint brush)
I plan on adding food items such as Easy Mac, ramen noodles, canned soups, etc. I will add a roll of quarters too and probably a certificate to a fast food restaurant in the area. Then I'll wrap with cellophane purchased after Easter and top with a big bow. Purchasing the items a little bit at a time has been FUN (I made a list and only bought when on sale so it was like a scavenger hunt) but spread out the economic impact of the gift.
This gift is practical and can be personalized to each recipient. I have given them in the past and they ahve always been a hit with any teen. You can use any item as your "gift box" if a laundry basket is too expensive or large to fill.
By Diana from Prospect, KY
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