What can I give my granddaughter who’s off to uni

I sent or DSs off with a box of home made cookies, ideal for breaking the ice in the hall of residence.
Other than that some nice new bedding, soft pillow, new duvet might be practical.

So many things.

Pots and pans
Rice cooker
Pin board
money
Student or other, cookbooks
Something to brighten up and otherwise possible dreary student room
Headphones

Depends on your budget really.

I sent DD off to university with enough Jim's Breakfast Cookies (a staple in my house) to last her for the first term to make sure she had something to eat before lectures. I was going to a meeting very close by the following day and as she realised she had left something vital behind I said I would call in and have a cup of tea with her. I suggested I might have a cookie and would give her more if I was nearby. Oh no they had all gone but she had made good friends.😂

Over the preceding summer I gave my godson lessons in how to batch cook vegetable curry from basic ingredients and gave him a big wok and curry spices as a starter kit. I suggested he could throw a small party is his section of halls to break the ice - so similar to J52’s suggestion - which he did.

Voucher from a Supermarket, so she can top up with goodies.

I would ask her so you don’t duplicate.

I’d get her a Nando voucher or supermarket voucher, always welcome (or both)

I' m giving my DGD1 money - she's off to Bath a week today.

My GS has turned down various bits and bobs I offered him, and has already ordered new bedding and various kitchen items. Cookies or a cake are good ideas, or transfers some cash to their account, maybe a couple of weeks after they arrive when they are broke after lots of initial expenses.

My GD asked me for a bath sheet in blue. I gave her some money too.

A token for any convenient supermarket. I know M&S have tokens and you can use them for food.

A cookery books for students, some pans, not expensive ones as they'll get borrowed, wrecked. We bought some in IKEA.
The supermarket vouchers are a good idea.
A cosy dressing gown with a hood.

But check first as you won't want to duplicate.

When each of my 5 GCs went to Uni I packed a bag of little thoughtful bits and pieces after consulting with their mothers, cook books, kitchen gadgets and even a loo brush! I had read that a door stop was useful to prop open their room door to welcome the other occupants when wanted. I also paid for bedding and a rail card and included a tin of home baked goodies to share with their flatmates.

Stansgran, I looked up Jim's Breakfast Cookies as they sound interesting, but nothing came up. Are they your own home-made recipe?

Good suggestions, I think an earlier post re supermarket vouchers or vouchers to eat out would be a good idea.
But best liaise with parents and the GD in case so wove has pipped you at the post so you have to think again . Also they will have more ideas.

*someone not so wove 🧐

Medicine First Aid box
Plasters cold remedy’s cough syrup paracetamol. etc
I added a nice warm throw to wrap up in while in their room studying to save on heating bills

I gave GS a Morrisons gift card (his nearest supermarket) and a gift card for a Toby carvery so he could cheer himself up with a couple of decent Sunday lunches! Both were welcomed.
Oh, and a box of my home made Anzac biscuits, which he’s very partial to😁.

Some great ideas here, especially the cooking/eating ideas (students are always hungry!). Also, give her your phone number with the comment, "Call me any time at all - I'll be here." I'd give her a little trinket she can put on a shelf, too, to remind her of gran.

Ask her what she wants/needs.

A gift card for a supermarket shop?

Nice bedding/blankets?

Kitchen gadgets (if self catering) - airfryer, blender, slow cooker, kettle, toaster etc etc

Nice cookware of stuff like a quiche dish

Nice set of fluffy towels

I offered my grandson a set of nearly new towels but they were too soft and fluffy!

I just paid for first weeks groceries

I wouldn’t think that the majority of students would want a cookbook, as far as I know they will download recipes, if in fact they ever use one. My DDs and DS practically lived on pasta with pesto or pasta sauce and tinned tuna or cooked chicken etc., on top, with a salad bag as a ‘side’.

We give a cheque and say it is for food shopping. Of course we can’t guarantee that but we get lots of pictures of what they are cooking over the term.