Your college student probably won’t know WHAT she needs until she cracks open the dorm room for the first time.

Only then will she discover that the space is half the size of her room at home, with a fraction of the closet space, and cinder block walls that won’t hold the pictures she brought.

I remember it well–each “my half of the room” creating it’s own set of challenges year after year. Invariably the organizers I bought the year before didn’t quite work in the new space. And off I’d go to shop for replacements. I didn’t mind setting up the new pad, but I did mind spending my precious few dollars on stuff I might not need the next year.

Gift Idea for College-bound Kids

If you have a college-bound kid in your life, send him packing with a gift card to Target, Walmart, or The Container Store and deliver it with a roll of quarters and a jug of laundry soap (if he’s driving off to school) or a box of dryer sheets (if he’s flying). Funny how gifts change when you’re on your own for the first time.

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• Walmart Gift Card
  Buy Now at
  Walmart.com
• Laundry Hamper
  Buy Now at
  Walmart.com
• Laundry Detergent
  Buy Now at
  Walmart.com

More College Savings

Save 30-80% on College Storage Gear at Target.com
Smart Savings on College Essentials at Walmart.com!
College Must Haves at The Container Store

Target Gift Card makes the Perfect Cupcake Topper!

Ally was so excited to taste the cupcakes that she didn’t even notice the Target gift card on top!

Hands Off!

When Ally helped my friend Kelly sell cupcakes at a fundraiser, she came home with a box of cupcakes as payment. She was thrilled, bragging to her brothers that she’d earned the tasty treats, telling all of us to keep our hands off them. She got even more excited (and a little bossier) when Kelly dropped off a second set of cupcakes for her to taste test. Only after she’d stuck a fork in nearly each one did Ally notice that the “Thank You” note on top was actually a gift card to Target.

Target Does it Right

Target does a great job of offering gift cards in a variety of styles, with a wide range of expressions–making it easy to turn their gift cards into fun vignettes of affection.

For Joy!

Ally honestly would have been thrilled with just the cupcakes or just the gift card. But the combo made her squeal with delight–and I’m pretty sure that’s what Kelly was going for. Thanks Kelly!

Kids make bookmarks to go with bookstore gift card.

We just finished a family gift exchange and my kids are THRILLED with the Target gift cards they received. They also got iTunes gift cards from our dear friends and have already downloaded enough songs to keep them singing right through the winter break. My step-daughters gave Paul and I a gift card to the movies and dinner–along with free babysitting. (Priceless!)

Don’t Panic:

If you still have some shopping to do – grab a gift card. Then grab a little something extra so the recipient has something to open and enjoy right away.

We received:

1. Gift card to Fandangowith theater snacks and a coupon for free abysitting.
2. Gift card to Target along with a giant, click-able pen.
3. Gift card to iTunes along with some yummy caramel corn, each with a different flavor hint that we’ve been testing.

We love the gift cards and look forward to using them. And the carefully selected accessories made the gifts fun to open.

Go Electronic if You Have to:

And don’t forget the electronic gift card options if it’s too late to ship. You can try sites like Tango card or Gift Card Mall found on our Links page. You have about 24 hours to finish that shopping list, so take my ideas and get to work!

Read the back of the gift card to learn about possible fees and expiration.

In 2009, laws went into effect that prohibit gift cards from expiring before five years from the date of purchase. Some states enacted stronger laws and those take precedence over federal. (You can check your state laws here.)

In my opinion, the most important change is that terms of expiration must now be clearly and conspicuously stated on each gift card. So I always flip over gift cards to check for gotchas before purchase. As companies come into compliance, finding this information has gotten easier. For example, at Target, gift cards clearly state, “No fees. No expiration. No kidding.” That makes it easy.

Be aware, however, that rebate gift cards are different. For example, if a store offers you a free $10 gift card with the purchase of a $25 gift card, the $10 bonus card (or rebate) may only be valid during a specified time period. Certainly, this information should also be marked. Though you can keep the rebate gift card for yourself, it’s also fine to give it to the recipient along with the other card–making sure to point out the difference.

Admittedly, I’ve tripped over this one myself. My husband and I received a gift card plus rebate card to Benihana. But we didn’t notice the rebate gift card could only be used during a certain time frame until after we’d polished off our Splash ‘n Meadow combos. Oops.

Though fewer gotchas exist, it’s still a good idea to look for terms on any gift card you purchase. If you can’t find that information clearly marked, pick another card. Doing so will be just another way to ensure the recipient gets the most out of your gift card gift.

Read all of my gift card rules:

• Gift Card Rule #1: It’s Not About You

• Gift Card Rule #2: Location, Location, Location!

• Gift Card Rule #3: Buying Power

• Gift Card Rule #4: Avoid the Gotchas

• Gift Card Rule #5: Something for Now and Later

Be sure the recipient can buy something without spending her own money.

My sister-in-law recently gave each of my children a $10 gift card to Target. Though ten dollars isn’t extravagant, it can be used to buy a variety of things at that particular store. Matthew bought a book. Ally bought a shirt. Michael is saving up for a new Wii game so he put the card away in his wallet. (Good boy!)

The dollar amount you put on a gift card should give the recipient enough buying power to make a purchase without spending additional cash. Otherwise, your well intentions could turn into more of a burden than a gift–requiring the recipient contribute towards his own present or possibly not use the gift card at all.

That doesn’t mean you need to spend more than you can afford on a gift card. Stay within your budget, but choose a gift card accordingly. If your limit is $20, for example, then a gift card to Kohl’s or Jamba Juice, where low-price items are available, would be more fitting than a gift card to Anthropologie or Outback Steakhouse, both of which are more expensive.

Picking the right dollar amount is another way to show you put some thought into selecting a gift card.

Read all of my gift card rules:

• Gift Card Rule #1: It’s Not About You

• Gift Card Rule #2: Location, Location, Location!

• Gift Card Rule #3: Buying Power

• Gift Card Rule #4: Avoid the Gotchas

• Gift Card Rule #5: Something for Now and Later

Pick a gift card the recipient would want, not one you think he should have.

A couple of years ago, a parent at our school collected money to buy the teacher a gift card. Then she asked other school staff where the teacher liked to shop. Unanimously, they responded, “Target! She loves to go to Target!” To which the room mom said in disgust, “I’m NOT buying her a gift card to Target. I’ll get her something nice instead.” Then she took the collected monies and bought a gift card to a swanky restaurant in town. It’s always bothered me that the room mom bought a gift card she would want rather than buy a gift card the teacher would want.

In selecting a gift card, pick a place at which the recipient likes to shop, dine, visit, or hang out. Only veer from this list if you’re positively certain your choice is a stretch the recipient wants to make—not a stretch YOU want the recipient to make.

Read all of my gift card rules:

• Gift Card Rule #1: It’s Not About You

• Gift Card Rule #2: Location, Location, Location!

• Gift Card Rule #3: Buying Power

• Gift Card Rule #4: Avoid the Gotchas

• Gift Card Rule #5: Something for Now and Later