by Olha Romaniuk

Created on: December 08, 2007

As you can imagine, there is no such thing as one perfect gift for every college woman, since naturally, everyone has different personalities, preferences and peeves. So the very first thing one needs to do when shopping for a college girl is to consider the likes and dislikes of a recipient of the gift. Is she outgoing or more reserved? Does she like to participate in campus club activities or is she rushing to be in a sorority? Is she more athletic or more artistic?

In general, the more thought is put into a gift, the more meaningful it is. A personalized gift can add that unique twist to an otherwise ordinary purchase. For example, if you are buying an iPod for a music diva, you can personalize it with a free engraved message. An MP3 player is a great addition to every dorm room and is always a hot holiday item. It can be a great source of entertainment, whether the girls are having a little get together in their room or taking a break from studying for the finals.

A girl who goes to an out-of-state college and requires a significant amount of travel time to get home will appreciate personalized luggage with her initials stitched onto it. This small touch will instantly elevate a mundane gift to a whole new level of sentiment. So the next time she decides to visit her family for the holidays, she can arrive in style.

A gossip queen simply can't do without a stylish cell phone to catch up on the latest news with her friends. If she is on a family cell phone plan, surprise her for the holidays with a brand new phone in her favorite color. There are many color choices, and sizes. This season, iPhones are hot, but even if you are not buying an iPhone, simply upgrading her old phone to a new one is always a welcome move.

We all know how much pictures can become treasured reminders of a time passed. College is such a time in one's life to capture as many memories as possible (and post those memories on Facebook, of course!). Buy your college girl a digital camera and, with it, they will be able to capture all the fun experiences with their friends that only college can bring. Most cameras are now able to record videos as well, so the ways of capturing memories are truly endless.

Rather than giving in to the temptation of buying clothes for a fashion-conscious college student, consider buying a gift card to a hot, hip brand name store. Chances are that her sense of fashion is different from yours, so it is extra hard to figure out just what she would or wouldn't wear. By buying a gift card to such stores as Express, Banana Republic, The Limited, or Victoria's Secret, you are giving her an almost unlimited freedom of choice to be as fashion-forward or laid back as she wants.

For a health-conscious or sporty girl, think about buying some clothes relevant to the sport closest to her heart. If she likes skiing, consider buying her a set of new skis; if she's more into yoga and relaxation exercises, buy her a yoga mat, or a pilates DVD and equipment.

Every college woman wants to make her room a home away from home (of course, this can be said for every college student), but not many have the sufficient funds required to buy home furniture, art, or other decorations. A gift certificate to stores like Pier 1, Ikea or Bed Bath and Beyond will allow her to pick up essentials for her room, such as pillows, lamps and artwork that reflect her style and will truly make her dorm feel like a home away from home.

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