Going away to college is a special time in a young person’s life. They are learning new things, exploring new territory,molding their future and making traditions. The years I was away at college were some of the most memorable years of my life. My mom started a Christmas tradition with me (that she borrowed from my aunt), which made college even more special for me as a college student during the holiday season.
Many college students come home for Thanksgiving each year. This is a good time to refresh so they can return to college for the last couple weeks of the semester. The time between Thanksgiving and Christmas is a very stressful time for college students. The pressures of finals are upon college students. The excitement of Christmas is looming and college students may find themselves becoming homesick for the traditions of family and home. This wonderful tradition can help your college student enjoy that month and stay focused on their goals knowing that they’ll soon be home to enjoy family and the joy of Christmas.
Is your interest piqued? Are you ready to make a special tradition that will impact your college student's life forever?
It’s a Countdown to Christmas! It’s the same concept as the Advent calendar. The tradition works like this: each day your college student will have a gift to open in anticipation of Christmas and coming home for the holidays. This is so much fun for them to look forward to their daily gifts from home as they go through those last couple of weeks of the semester.
This is what you, as the parent needs to do in preparation of this new tradition.
1. Go out and buy a variety of small gifts for your college student. You’ll need about 25 gifts depending on when you want your college student to start opening. Some years my mom would give enough gifts to start the Monday right after Thanksgiving and other years my mom would have me start December 1st. The tradition was in the gifts not the start date.
2. Be sure to wrap the gifts (important for this tradition). It’s up to you if you want to number the gifts or just let your college student pick each day. My mom did both ways for me when I was a college student and they both were fun!
3. Put the gifts in a large box or basket so they are all together and ready. You could get a special basket to use each year, which would make it part of the tradition.
4. Get them to your college student in time. Either send the gifts back with your college student if they come home for Thanksgiving or plan to mail them in time for them to start after Thanksgiving (some college students don’t come home for Thanksgiving so this works as well).
Gift Ideas for the Countdown to Christmas tradition!
The gifts can be inexpensive (think Dollar Stores). If you’re on a tight budget be creative and spend $25 total on this tradition (this can be done with all of the Dollar Stores out there). The gifts can be a bit more expensive as well. Remember, it’s the thought and tradition that are most important. My mom always had an array of gifts varying in price. Here are some gift ideas to get you rolling if your creative juices aren’t flowing.
1. Christmas décor – Something to hang on their door. Christmas lights. Candles (though candles may not be allowed in dorms). Little knick-knack decorations are always fun and can be of Dollar Store quality, it’s the point of having some Christmas décor to bring on the Christmas cheer.
2.Gift Card - You know that college students are often short on money. A surprise gift card to a fast food restaurant or the local grocery store would be a welcome surprise!
3. Candy or Food – College Students are always grazing for something to nibble on. They will be so happy to find a gift of their favorite candy or Christmas cookies or whatever food you think will be appreciated! Be sure to include enough for them to share with their roommate or friends!
4. A new toothbrush or other necessities - College students are always running out of the bare essentials so surprise them with a new toothbrush. Better yet wrap up their favorite hair care product or a special soap.
5. New Socks or Underwear – Your college student will get a chuckle out of opening up a gift of socks or underwear. You can go really wild and buy some Christmas theme socks or panties or boxers! This is a fun gift and will be totally unexpected.
6. Nostalgic Gift – Think about when your college student was a little kid and buy something for them to remind them of years past. Matchbox cars or a Barbie doll would be cute ideas. Peruse the toy department and find a children’s gift that will make your college student smile! Play Doh or a Mini-Magna Doodle you’ll surely find something that will be fun for your child!
7. Book or Magazine – We know that college students are immersed in books and reading. Get them a fun book. Include their favorite magazine. A sentimental book will be treasured for years to come. Buy them a children’s Christmas book (if you think they’ll appreciate it).
This list should get your shopping juices flowing to make this Christmas tradition special for you and your college student! I used to call my mom each and every day (tradition in itself) to thank her and tell her what that day’s gift was. We have always been close but this is a treasured memory for us!
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