My son has been asking for money for his books. So, I've been telling everyone that. His college is in a small town and gift cards won't help him at all. Not very many retail places around. We are giving him money (he doesn't know that yet) and also getting him other things. It's really easy buying things for him. He always needs art supplies and I am having him email me his list of classes for next semester. I can go online at the college and see what he needs for the class and then pick it up here. If it's something that is only at his college bookstore I can have my ex husband pick it up before my son gets out of his last class and comes home for break. I have my sister getting him a gift card to Barnes & Noble so he can go there with his brother and hang out and read. They've been doing that on Christmas break for 5 years now. They go together and do brother things and then call when they want to come home. We are getting him some new clothes and some other things he collects. He still looks for his box of crayons and certain candies in his stocking. I kind of have it really easy with my boys, all three are easy to shop for. My daughter, now she's my challenge:)

Gift cards are a wonderful idea. Mine likes having gift cards to the school bookstore, Target, and pizza places.

Those are all good ideas!