Best Gift Cards for College Students for Christmas 2009

Gift cards are the best gift for a college student.  If you’ve ever had a child in college, you know the kinds of things that nickel and dime you to death:  toiletries, books, electronics, dorm room furnishings or spending money for “hot dates.” Here are five places from which a gift card would be ideal for a college student.

Gift Cards to a Chain drug store:  Rite-Aid, CVS, Eckert or any local-based chain drug store would be a perfect place from which to purchase a gift card for a college student.  They always need things like shampoo, toothpaste, deodorant, shower soap, makeup and greeting cards, and a gift card will save you aggravation and postage if you regularly mail your college student things like this.

Gift Cards to a College Bookstore:  I was aghast when I checked my college student daughter’s college credit card bill and discovered she charged a four-dollar item at the college bookstore.  Her excuse:  she was out of money that day and really needed that notebook!  A gift card to the college bookstore will come in handy, especially right after Christmas when they start new classes and are assigned new books and new accessory requirements.  

Gift Cards to Electronics or office supply store:  While most college students arrive at college with a computer, things like CDs for computer record backups, paper, the occasional need to replace a mouse or any part of their computer can dig into any scholarship, allowance money or income they may earn.  A gift card to a local electronics or office supply store will give them that extra cushion they need when these needs arise.  

Gift Cards to Walmart:  Walmarts are everywhere, undoubtedly have the lowest prices and the super centers also serve as supermarkets where you can buy everything from food to toilet paper.  And dorm rooms are mini-apartments after all, and need at least some semblance of civility.   Curtains, chairs, even a microwave if permitted in the rooms can be acquired with a gift card from Walmart.  College students go through towels and sheets at a rate that baffles most parents.  They use towels for everything from drying off after a shower to cleaning up after that dorm room party, to sopping up the puddles created when they left the windows open despite warnings of a thunderstorm.  Sheets are often seen hanging out of windows with “Go Team” spray-painted on them.  A gift card to Walmart will give your college student the means to replace the causalities of college life.  

Gift Cards to a Chain restaurant or local hangout:  Places like Charlie Brown’s, TGI Fridays and The Olive Garden or Red Lobster provide college students with a reasonably priced place to take a date or spend an evening out with the girls/guys to celebrate things like birthdays or end of semester exams.  Each college town always has a few local places where the kids like to congregate, as well.  A gift card to one or more of these places will be accepted with glee.  Of course, warnings to “use it responsibly,” go with it!

Gas Cards:  If your college student has a vehicle, a prepaid gas card will be greatly appreciated.

Merry Christmas gift card shopping for your college student!