Lemongirl Posted August 25, 2017 Share Posted August 25, 2017 Well, dd is off to Sixth Form boarding after a long hard decision making progress. I'd like some ideas for a present for a 16 year old dancer who is boarding for the first time. I thought maybe one of those foot spa things and a huge cuddly toy for her room. Any ideas please? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottishDancerMum Posted August 25, 2017 Share Posted August 25, 2017 I wouldn't go for anything huge... I doubt accommodation is all that big! I like the idea of a foot spa, plus maybe a picture (or a little album) of a favourite places from home? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluebird22 Posted August 25, 2017 Share Posted August 25, 2017 I've just made 5 boxes for my students leaving in September. The box is covered in photos of their time dancing and inside there is: - super noodles - chewing gum - hairspray and bun pins for the girls - lynx and shower gel for the boys - first aid kit - mini sewing kit - mini dry shampoo - make up remover - hot chocolate sachets - little cork bottle with sparkles in and origami stars I know they are also receiving a jar filled with little notes to cheer them up if they get a little homesick 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 25, 2017 Share Posted August 25, 2017 Agree with caveat about space available. Also depends how you are transporting your stuff, especially if it involves either a plane or public transport. We found some very pretty pop up storage bins in colourful designs (fold flat and weigh little) in a well known high street discounter and from the same place a towel that wraps round with shoulder straps and doubles as a bath robe. Also a (very) small rug in case the floor is cold, a hot water bottle, lots of fluffy socks and a decent travel mirror in case there isn't one in the room. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canary Posted August 25, 2017 Share Posted August 25, 2017 Battery run fairy lights If you know she is getting a wardrobe then maybe a hanging shelf that velcros on to the hanging rail, then it's one shelf for leotards, one for tights, one for dance underwear, one for warmups and then in the morning it's just grab and go needlebox - with all she needs in a clip box white tac Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Picturesinthefirelight Posted August 25, 2017 Share Posted August 25, 2017 2 hours ago, Bluebird22 said: I've just made 5 boxes for my students leaving in September. The box is covered in photos of their time dancing and inside there is: - super noodles - chewing gum - hairspray and bun pins for the girls - lynx and shower gel for the boys - first aid kit - mini sewing kit - mini dry shampoo - make up remover - hot chocolate sachets - little cork bottle with sparkles in and origami stars I know they are also receiving a jar filled with little notes to cheer them up if they get a little homesick Have you checked that whichever schools/colleges they are going to allows Hairspray. Dd's strictly doesn't & following a 2am false fire alarm due to spray deodorant at Tring Summer School I know they don't either? lovely idea though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Picturesinthefirelight Posted August 25, 2017 Share Posted August 25, 2017 Personally I wouldn't go for a foot spa, Dd says they soften your feet too much & she likes them to be tough. One luxury item she loves is loccitane almond Body Oil & Lighter Legs. She had some as a gift in a limited edition royal ballet themed set but they sell it separately. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluebird22 Posted August 25, 2017 Share Posted August 25, 2017 Yes I did check that as I know loads of places don't. But its mainly private landlords or shared flats, so pretty safe. I love the almond range from loccitane, I had a shower gel in my monthly beauty box - also a fab idea as it's something to look forward to every month Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moneypenny Posted August 25, 2017 Share Posted August 25, 2017 Bluebird ... what a lovely, considerate, thing to do for your students. Some things I bought for dd in upper school, though not going away presents ... warm up booties, foot roller, foam roller, and one of the favourite things was a nutri-bullet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
balletbean Posted August 25, 2017 Share Posted August 25, 2017 (edited) I bought my DD a mutli picture frame filled with family pics to hang on the wall, along with a fluffy throw for her bed. It's amazing the amount of times the throw was dragged down to the tv lounge to curl up in a chair/sofa, or just curled up on the bed whilst reading. Especially in the winter months, oh and a wheat germ bag like a teddy bear or similar that could be heated up in the microwave for those colder nights and achy muscles. Edited August 25, 2017 by balletbean 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lifeafterballet Posted August 25, 2017 Share Posted August 25, 2017 A memory foam topper. Boarding school mattresses are awful 😁 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 25, 2017 Share Posted August 25, 2017 5 hours ago, cotes du rhone ! said: A memory foam topper. Boarding school mattresses are awful 😁 and take your own pillow. school ones usually made out of concrete. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lemongirl Posted August 26, 2017 Author Share Posted August 26, 2017 Thank you all, some really great ideas. I hadn't thought about the foot spa softening the feet, maybe I'll give that a miss. Photo frame with family pics is a lovely idea, now will I be able to organise that with a week to go?? Fluffy throw is a good idea too. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoglett Posted August 26, 2017 Share Posted August 26, 2017 DD loves the peppermint foot products from Body Shop x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarahw Posted August 26, 2017 Share Posted August 26, 2017 They usually have very little space so practical gifts as mentioned above are great. Photo frames are lovely and personal but check they can hammer in walls or have adequate space to use stands. I would get her less rather than more and use the money to send goodie parcels over the term instead once you've seen the space she has. 2 non sexy practical gifts are a clip on lamp for bunk or cabin beds and a divided cleaning trug which the girls use to transport toiletries. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarahw Posted August 26, 2017 Share Posted August 26, 2017 Good luck to your dd xx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taxi4ballet Posted August 27, 2017 Share Posted August 27, 2017 My dd was given a towelling hair turban thingy to use after a hair wash and she's used it ever so much. Other ideas - battery-operated tea lights, coasters, and for self-catering students some jars of herbs and spices. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kcoom75 Posted August 27, 2017 Share Posted August 27, 2017 While my DD was away her favourite presents were ugg style slippers, a fleecy blanket and hot chocolate sachets with marshmallows. 😃 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lemongirl Posted September 1, 2017 Author Share Posted September 1, 2017 I've been looking for a multi photo frame but they're all so big! Any suggestions for a nice frame that holds quite a few photos but isn't huge? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flowerpot Posted September 1, 2017 Share Posted September 1, 2017 TK Max or Homesense had some. I bought one for my Son going to Uni, £9.99 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lifeafterballet Posted September 1, 2017 Share Posted September 1, 2017 20 minutes ago, Lemongirl said: I've been looking for a multi photo frame but they're all so big! Any suggestions for a nice frame that holds quite a few photos but isn't huge? We go on Photobox and make a poster of different photos from the past year and put it in a plastic clip frame. Light and easy to put on the wall and renew x 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mumofaboy Posted September 1, 2017 Share Posted September 1, 2017 We made up a photo cushion, lots of happy family pictures to give a hug when you need one! 12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jan McNulty Posted September 1, 2017 Share Posted September 1, 2017 2 hours ago, Mumofaboy said: We made up a photo cushion, lots of happy family pictures to give a hug when you need one! Oh, I love the idea of a photo cushion to hug! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lemongirl Posted September 2, 2017 Author Share Posted September 2, 2017 Thanks all. In the end I went to Snappy Snaps and had a photo collage made up and got a nice frame for it. I did see the cushions too, might do that next time! Also bought dd a fluffy throw for her bed and a cuddly unicorn! 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lemongirl Posted September 2, 2017 Author Share Posted September 2, 2017 Getting a bit nervous now! We are driving dd up tomorrow morning. Any tips for helping her with the initial few weeks and what to do if she's homesick?? This is all so new to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarahw Posted September 2, 2017 Share Posted September 2, 2017 One valuable piece of advice we had from school was not to phone too much initially and not to take them home for the (non exeat) weekends early on. Another was if you're having an upsetting /negative phone call was to try and end it fairly quickly and then phone the staff 30 mins later because you'll probably find they're having fun with friends by then. I think it's harder on the patents than the kids. Good luck!! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoglett Posted September 2, 2017 Share Posted September 2, 2017 7 hours ago, Lemongirl said: Getting a bit nervous now! We are driving dd up tomorrow morning. Any tips for helping her with the initial few weeks and what to do if she's homesick?? This is all so new to me. Head of boarding responds quickly to emails :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluebird22 Posted September 2, 2017 Share Posted September 2, 2017 In case anyone is after a present for their teacher, I've just opened a gift from one of my boys- a pair of his ballet shoes that were incredibly important to our student/teacher bond. Very emotional evening! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TBG Posted September 2, 2017 Share Posted September 2, 2017 DD has a piece of string on her bedroom wall that was for hanging Xmas cards and has silver metallic mini pegs on it that she uses to clip photos/favourite scrunchies etc to it. She will be taking this to pin around her pinboard by her bed. Also her younger sister has put together a going away box containing a mirror, academic diary, battery operated fairy lights, pens, sweets, photos, Bluetooth speaker for listening to music with friends. Some books, ballet bookmark. She currently has her eye on my peppermint foot soak/spray - I think I might lose them !! We don't leave until Tues, dd first time awa at boarding school but think she will be ok , she is very excited. I think I will be the one with the hanky!! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarahw Posted September 3, 2017 Share Posted September 3, 2017 TBG that is a very lovely younger sister. Good luck! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mumofballetmaddaughter Posted September 3, 2017 Share Posted September 3, 2017 I made an emergency box when my daughter went away (many years ago). It consisted of a toilet roll, shower gel, shampoo/conditioner, deodorant, small amount of cash, sainsburys gift card and some treats. She also took a screw driver for tightening/loosening the taps on her tap shoes. Not very exciting but all came in handy at some point during her time away. I wish everyone going away the very best of luck for the future. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
balletbean Posted September 3, 2017 Share Posted September 3, 2017 8 hours ago, Mumofballetmaddaughter said: I made an emergency box when my daughter went away (many years ago). It consisted of a toilet roll, shower gel, shampoo/conditioner, deodorant, small amount of cash, sainsburys gift card and some treats. She also took a screw driver for tightening/loosening the taps on her tap shoes. Not very exciting but all came in handy at some point during her time away. I wish everyone going away the very best of luck for the future. Good idea, I also incl some stamps (not that teenagers know what to do with them! lol) envelopes etc and a small first aid box. incl girlie medication for those rather more challenging times......... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aklf Posted September 3, 2017 Share Posted September 3, 2017 Hi Lemongirl, just read your post. I make little boxes of lucky charms for dancers and also ones I made especially for children going away to boarding schools. All the best to you and your daughter X Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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