Holiday Gifts for Roommates
Great Christmas & Hanukkah Presents for Your College Roommate
Should you buy a holiday gift for your college roommate? While a Christmas or Hanukkah gift is not a mandatory part of the rules of roommate etiquette, it's probably a good idea to get a little something. There's no need to spend a fortune, but since you're sharing a dorm room or apartment together, a cheap but meaningful gift will go a long way to keep your relationship friendly. And if you two aren't getting along so well, a thoughtful gift might ease the tension.
So what should give your roommate? If you think about it, this probably isn't a difficult question. Because you share a room or an apartment with this person, you're bound to have at least some notion about what he or she likes and needs. To help you out, here are some cheap gift ideas for college students, and here are some specific suggestions.
- Clothing. You probably know more about your roommate's wardrobe and taste in clothing than anyone! Use your inside knowledge to purchase something your roommate needs or something that coordinates with other items. Go ahead and take a peek into his or her closet to find out what size to purchase (but just a quick peek, as nobody likes a snoop).
- Books. You also probably have inside knowledge about what your roommate studies, and what books related to this topic he or she already owns. Is your roommate studying German? Buy him a German dictionary that's nicer than the one that's falling apart on his desk. Is she studying contemporary poetry? Buy her a poetry anthology.
- A food gift basket for finals. When you're in college, it's not just the holiday season-- it's finals week. Put together a basket full of his or her favorite study munchies. Here are some ideas for putting together a custom food gift basket.
- Linens. You know what your roommate needs, right? If her towels are mismatched and falling apart, buy her a decent set in her favorite color. If his sheets are too small for his bed and currently are attached with safety pins, buy him some bigger sheets.
- Throw pillows. Since you know the exact color of his or her comforter, buy some throw pillows or similar bed accessories that match.
- Greek paraphernalia. If he or she belongs to a fraternity or sorority, you can easily find a T-shirt, mug, and other Greek items at the campus bookstore. This is an especially nice gesture if your roommate is new to the Greek system.
- A night out on campus. If your roommate has a significant other, buy a gift certificate to a local restaurant and passes to a local movie theater.
If you need more holiday suggestions, here are some gift ideas for parents of college students and gift ideas for professors.
