Child heading to university? These are the 7 gifts they’ll thank you for
Less novelty mugs, more laundry solutions and a gift card for everything.
Much like the first time you see them get behind the wheel of a car, preparing a teenager for university can sometimes feel like it requires a crash course in being an adult. Alongside the excitement of newfound independence, they'll no doubt be facing a long list of firsts - navigating shared bathrooms, making new friends, managing a budget and learning how the washing machine actually works.
While a thoughtful gift won't solve every challenge, it can make those early days feel a little easier. And because teenagers can be notoriously tricky to buy for, we've rounded up a list of practical presents they'll appreciate long after Freshers' Week is over.
Between 9am lectures and late-night socialising, good sleep can be hard to come by. Help them recharge with this Silk Addict Weighted Sleep Mask, which scored an impressive 90/100 in our GHI tests.
Made from cooling mulberry silk (a welcome touch of luxury no doubt) and filled with cooling beads, it blocks out light while helping relieve facial muscles for a more restful night’s sleep. Turn it into a thoughtful sleep kit by adding silicone ear plugs, a cosy throw and a lavender pillow mist.
Not every gift needs deciding in advance. For bigger purchases especially, sometimes it’s best to let them choose - and Apple Gift Card makes that easy. Whether it be Apple AirPods for studying or a subscription to Apple Books for the latest bestsellers, options as to what they spend their gift on are oh, so varied.
It’s a practical way to offer a little financial support while letting them decide how to treat themselves. Better still, it can help you stay connected as a family, whether that’s playing games on Apple Arcade or settling down for a virtual movie night with Apple TV.
Shared kitchens and bathrooms can turn messy fast, so make cleaning one less thing on their to-do list. Cleaning brand Purdy & Figg offers a handy subscription service that delivers fresh refills every 90 days of its plant-powered formulas, meaning they’ll always have supplies to hand without needing to remember to buy them.
We’d start with the Seasonal Summer Starter Kit, which includes three essential oil concentrates, a reusable glass bottle and a microfibre cloth. Sweet Grass & Galbanum is a GH favourite, replacing smells of forgotten gym kit with freshly cut grass.
Doing laundry is one of those life skills every student has to learn eventually - usually the hard way (read: after they've shrunk one too many jumpers). And having the right kit makes it much less of a chore. This spacious John Lewis stripe laundry bag has sturdy carry handles for trips to the laundry room, plus two compartments to keep lights and darks separate.
Add a ziplock bag of detergent pods, fabric conditioner and a stain-remover pen and you’ve got a practical gift they’ll be thankful for every week.
A reusable coffee cup is one of those gifts that pays for itself. Many campus cafés offer discounts when you bring your own, while plenty of universities have phased out single-use cups altogether.
The YETI Rambler is stylish, durable and keeps drinks hot (or cold) for hours. It’s also leakproof for any sudden knocks making it ideal for rushing between lectures.
Ask any university student and they’ll tell you that a portable Bluetooth speaker is non-negotiable. Marshall’s Willen II delivers impressive sound from a compact design, with a 17-hour battery life that will see them through everything from pre-drinks to picnics in the park.
Waterproof and shock-resistant, it’s designed to withstand the knocks of student life, while the accompanying app lets them tailor the sound to dial up bass or vocals, depending on the occasion.
Freshers’ Week is all about meeting new people, and a good board game is an easy way to get conversations flowing. Herd Mentality is quick to learn, encourages plenty of laughs and works with up to 20 players, making it ideal for university halls.
Pair it with popcorn, tortilla chips and a jar of salsa for an instant games-night care package.
For a gift that's guaranteed to be useful, give Apple Gift Card
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