Grad Gifts: Freshman Survival Kit

Every freshman heading off to college needs a survival kit and a lot of people agree. Just check Pinterest- the examples are endless.

Well, I decided to take this trend and make it my own. Not only did I craft a few pieces, I also included some ~weird items and added gift tags to them. It's the perfect way to personalize (and tease your graduating friend)!

​See below for a complete list of what I included and the tags I labelled them with!

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What's Inside:

• Initial Monogram  - Perfect to use as room decor (See below for more details)
• Clipboard - For when you need support (literal and figurative... thanks to a cute quote)
• Bandages - For being you (My friend falls... A LOT)
• White Board Markers/Eraser - For doing actual work (STEM majors always need these #orgo)
• Hand Sanitizer - For getting rid of boy germs #cooties 
• Food Containers - ​For stealing food from the dining halls (but you didn't hear that from me...)
• Starbucks Tumblr + Card - For some Starbs (She's gonna need the caffeine)
• Candy/Chocolate - For when you're stressed (or now) (You can never go wrong with including sweets) 
• Mini Nail Spa Set - For procrastinating on work #treatyoself (Sometimes you just need a break)
• Boa - For when you need to dress-up (To encourage her to consider Greek Life... plus, it makes for a great basket filler)

DIY Dorm Decor: Personalized Initial Monogram

​You'll need:

• Unfinished letter in desired font/style
• Pictures/Print
• Exacto knife
• Paint
• Glue
• Modpodge

Take your pictures or scrapbook print and glue it on to the desired area. Using multiple pieces will be a bit challenging. You'll need to lay the pieces out first and glue them on one by one, making sure to cut off excess paper in the process. Then, paint the remaining unfinished parts and put a layer of mod podge over the entire thing. I didn't spray the photos first with hairspray though and so the ink ran... Just don't make the same mistake as I did and that's it!

And here's the final product with the lady of the hour. 

Before gifting it, I made sure to put it all in shrink wrap that I got at The Dollar Store. I love that it pulls everything together!

Anyway, I can't believe that I won't be seeing one of my best friends again until winter break. But I hope that my present is a reminder that I'm always there for her! 

​I highly recommend putting together a gift basket for any one in your life heading to college, graduate school, or simply starting a new chapter of their life. 

It's a great and easy way to say "Hey, you're in my thoughts and I hope all the best for you!" They'll definitely appreciate it- even if it's something small!

Until next time... You won't want to miss it! It will be the last post in the Grad Gifts series!