Break the Ice with a Gift for Your New Roommate

Posted: September 16, 2020

When many students go off to college, they end up living in a dorm with another student whom they have never met before. Living in close quarters with a stranger is enough to make even the most outgoing student nervous, especially during the first days and weeks. How do your break the ice and get to know your new roommate? One great way is by bringing them a little housewarming gift. Here are a few ideas for gifts for your new roommate.

Dry Erase Board
Every college student knows that a dry erase board is something that will come in handy at one point or another, especially if you have roommates. You can use it to leave notes for one another or to jot down an important phone number when you cannot find a pen. You can use it to create to-do lists or assign weekly chores. Before wrapping it up and presenting it to your roommate, write a sweet welcome message on the board. Also, consider purchasing some extra markers in unique colors to give with the gift.

Book Light
One of the complaints college roommates often have about one another is that one person likes to go to bed early, while the other is burning the midnight oil. In case your roommate likes to study late into the night, try purchasing a little book light for him or her. They attach to your book and only put out a minimal amount of light so, if your roommate is reading or studying, he or she does not have to keep the room lit up and keep you awake. Be sure to include batteries if necessary.

Personalized Mug
If they do not already, most college students learn to love caffeine when they are up late studying for finals or finishing a research paper after weeks of procrastinating. This means it is highly likely that your roommate drinks coffee, tea, or hot chocolate. A mug may seem like a pretty generic gift, but not when you have it personalized with their name. Many college bookstores sell mugs and other items with the college logo and individual names printed on them. If you cannot find one with your roommate's name, visit a local print shop and ask if the staff can personalize it for you.

Noise Canceling Headphones
Another argument roommates often have revolves around noise. Maybe your roommate need help writing a paper while you just want to catch up on the latest episodes of your favorite television show. It is not always convenient for one person to leave the room, so a good pair of noise canceling headphones will come in handy at some point. Just be sure to let your new roommate know that this is not your way of implying that you plan to party all the time. You simply understand that there will be times when you are both doing two very different activities.

Coffee Shop Gift Card
Coffee shops are great places for college students to fuel up on caffeine, grab a quick snack, or just spend some quiet time studying with their laptop. Try giving your roommate a gift certificate to your local Starbucks or a small local coffee shop, if there is one in the area. It does not have to be for a large amount, just enough him or her to get a cup of coffee or two. This is an especially good idea if you do not know anything about your roommate prior to meeting, because almost everyone visits coffee shops. Unlike a restaurant, you do not have to worry about what type of food he or she likes.

Music Gift Card
If you want to stick to something generic, like a gift card, you can also give your roommate a gift card to iTunes or a similar music service. After all, who does not listen to music? Downloading music can also be expensive, especially when you are on the budget of a college student. Your roommate may appreciate the opportunity to grab those new tunes he or she has been dying to hear without having to spend their meal money on them. You may even find that the two of you bond over the types of music you love. Music is always a great way to get a conversation flowing.

Small Kitchen Appliance
Some college dorms allow students to bring small kitchen appliances, so that they can enjoy a meal without having to run to the dining hall or a fast food restaurant every time. Consider purchasing something that is for your roommate or for the two of you to share. For example, a small blender might be a great way to make healthy breakfast smoothies, and you can always heat up leftover pizza in a small toaster oven. If you can talk to them beforehand, find out what types of appliances your roommate has, and surprise them with something they are not going to be able to bring along. Also, make sure whatever you choose is allowed in your dorm.

Some colleges will give you the opportunity to correspond with your roommate before you arrive at your dorm. If they do, take advantage of this so you can get an idea of what your roommate likes, needs, or wants. The more personalized the gift, the more likely it is to lead to conversation and a friendship that will last a lifetime. However, if you go into the dorm without knowing a single thing about your new roommate, you can always purchase a gift card or something that anyone would love.

Author : Doris Hall