3 Diy College Gift Baskets For Boys (Free Gift Tags Included!)
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DIY College Gift Baskets
Laundry/Household Basics Basket
Laundry and cleaning are inevitable parts of life, making it even more frustrating when you have to shell out cash for essentials like detergents and supplies. As a college freshman on a limited budget, this can be especially daunting. According to a study by CollegeStats, boys’ dorm rooms tend to harbor more bacteria than girls’, suggesting that they might not prioritize buying basic cleaning supplies as much. Given these circumstances, gifting a basket of household items to a boy heading off to college can be a thoughtful and practical idea. This way, he won’t have to worry about purchasing these essentials for his first month (or longer) on campus, and the basket itself can provide a useful organizational tool. To make this gift even more meaningful, consider including items that will be useful for someone starting from scratch, such as travel-sized versions of products like laundry detergent or dishwashing packs. Just be mindful not to overpack the basket, as it’ll need to be transported to college. I included a range of items in my own gift basket, including Persil Pro Clean Detergent, Air Wick Spray, Downy Deodorizing Spray, and more. Most of these items can be found at dollar stores, making this a budget-friendly option. In total, I spent just $13 on the contents of my basket, with the exception of a free sample of Persil detergent I received in the mail.
Shower Kit College Gift Basket
Showering is an essential part of daily life, making it practical to prepare a shower-themed gift basket. Even with a packing list, college students may still forget some essentials. This idea makes for a thoughtful and useful care package that a broke college student would appreciate. Most of the items included in this kit can be acquired affordably by utilizing coupons and tracking sales. The contents of this gift basket include: shower flip flops, Nivea Men’s Shower Gel, a shower pouf, Edge Shaving Cream, Gillette Fusion Razor, Right Guard Deodorant, trial-sized Pantene Shampoo and Dove Conditioner, Colgate Toothpaste, Colgate Toothbrush, Listerine Mouthwash, and Glide Floss. To elevate the gift, consider using a portable shower caddy instead of a regular plastic basket. A little extra thoughtfulness can go a long way in making this care package truly special.
Car Care Gift Basket
A thoughtful gift basket for the car enthusiast in your life can be a great way to help them keep their vehicle in top shape. While it’s perfect for car aficionados, it also serves as a practical present for any college student who’s about to take the wheel. By the time graduation rolls around, many kids are driving and need the right tools to maintain their ride. This gift basket is more than just a novelty – it’s a thoughtful way to help them avoid a ‘garbage pit’ on wheels. To put together this affordable yet useful gift, I headed to The Dollar Store and picked up everything except for the $50 Jiffy Lube Gift Card. Here’s what I included: $50 Jiffy Lube Gift Card, Armor All Wheel & Tire Shine, 40-count Glass Wipes, two Microfiber Cleaning Towels, one Microfiber Drying Cloth, 20-count Carpet & Upholstery Wipes, a Washing Sponge, three Car Air Fresheners, and Latex Textured Grip Gloves.
Easy DIY Gift Arrangements
Gift Card Bouquet
When it comes to choosing a gift for your graduate, there’s always the uncertainty of what they’ll really appreciate. To alleviate this concern, consider presenting them with a thoughtful gift card. Not only is it practical, but it also won’t take up valuable space in their luggage.
To make it an even more unique and personalized experience, create a ‘gift card bouquet.’ It’s surprisingly easy to do!
Start by gathering a vase and filling the bottom with small rocks or marbles. Next, purchase gift cards from various stores and attach them to BBQ skewers (available at The Dollar Store for just $1). Arrange the gift cards in the vase, adding a touch of confetti or ribbon for extra flair.
The best part is that you can customize it to fit your graduate’s style. You could include a mix of small gift cards from popular restaurants like Burger King, Subway, McDonald’s, DQ, and KFC, providing them with a treat they’ll surely enjoy. Alternatively, consider adding cards for services like Jiffy Lube or oil changes.
Of course, you can also stick to more traditional favorites like Target, Walmart, and Amazon gift cards. The key is to tailor the selection to your graduate’s preferences and interests.
Money Bouquet
As a last resort, a thoughtful yet practical gift can be a financial boost. A creative twist on stuffing it in an envelope is crafting a monetary arrangement that doubles as a unique decoration. The process mirrors the steps for creating a gift card bouquet: start by layering decorative rocks (just $1 at the Dollar Store) in a glass vase, alternating with school colors if desired. Next, roll up the bills and attach them to BBQ skewers. Arrange the money skewers within the vase, finishing off with a ribbon tied around the neck of the vase. This DIY project is an easy yet impressive graduation gift idea suitable for guys. Plus, you can customize it with any amount and denomination of your choice; I opted for 5 $5 bills and 5 $1 bills, totaling $30. A money bouquet not only looks visually appealing but also provides a tangible benefit for the graduate as they begin their collegiate journey.
FREE Printable Gift Tags for Your College Student Basket
For an added touch, I’m providing a special bonus for you: free printable gift tags that you can use on your DIY going away to college gift basket. These tags are designed to match different gift types, but the candy-themed ones are versatile enough to work with any theme. Just a heads up: these gift tags are intentionally cheesy! If you’re looking to add a personal touch to your gifts, simply click here to download the printable gift tags and save them to your device.
Final thoughts on college going away basket ideas
As we wrap up our exploration of unique and thoughtful gift basket ideas for college students, I’m eager to hear from you – did these suggestions resonate with you? Your feedback is invaluable in helping me refine my approach and discover new inspiration. Feel free to share your thoughts or offer additional ideas in the comments section below.
More gift ideas for students:
When it comes to college life, sending a thoughtful care package can mean the world to guys. Whether they’re crushing it in their studies or struggling with the transition, a little surprise from home can go a long way in boosting their spirits and motivation. Here are 19 of the best care package ideas for guys in college that they’ll surely appreciate: from gourmet snacks and personal care items to fun and unique gifts that will show you’re thinking of them. And if you’re looking for more inspiration, we’ve also got a treasure trove of over 100 college care package ideas that students love. So go ahead, get creative, and put together a package that will make your guy feel loved and supported all the way through his college journey.
