Gift Giving Guy

After enduring final exams, college students are flocking home. If you were wondering what college students want this holiday season, so did the National Association of College Stores. The NASC played Santa at the mall, surveying 587 college students about what they want this Christmas.

Topping the wish lists were gift cards and money. Nearly one-fifth of responding students want gift plastic or cash, allowing them to choose their own presents. The number two spot goes to clothing, preferred by 15 percent of students.

Electronics ranked third in the survey. The NASC cited the glut of technology that students already own to explain the sluggish showing:

• 70 percent of teens use a cell phone
• 78 percent of students own a computer during their freshman year in college
• 41 percent have a digital camera
• And nearly 40 percent have an MP3 player.

Another cash/gift card option to consider: load dollars on the student’s ID card. Most large universities offer an online card system to deposit funds (via credit card) for food, beverages, laundry, laser printing and photocopying.

If you go the gift card route, college students may appreciate one of these cards.

• Amazon Gift Card: Let them choose from the “Earth’s Biggest Selection.” Free shipping applies whether the card is for $5 or $5,000.
• iTunes Gift Card: Six million songs available for download.
• Starbucks Gift Card: For that venti-sized caffeine fix.
• Target or mall gift card: Underwrite a clothes shopping trip.
• Pizza Hut or Papa Johns Gift Card: Pizza remains one of the major food groups of college life.
• Gas cards: Rising gas prices (about $3 a gallon in December 2007) have made the practical gift of gas possible. If your student commutes, choose a national gas station chain near the campus.

As always, avoid gift cards with expiration dates or non-usage fees.