A local gift or care package will go a long way in making your loved one heading off to CU Boulder feel welcome and at home. These gift ideas will excite your freshman for everything that lies ahead and encourage them to explore their new home.
Epic or Ikon Ski Pass
Both of these ski passes offer incredible access to top-notch mountains throughout the Centennial State. As a bonus, each pass includes numerous mountains in neighboring states, should your new college student get bitten by the travel bug. The Epic Pass gets skiers access to Vail Resort mountains, just a short drive from Boulder. The Ikon Pass notably includes 11 countries and allows skiers to play at lesser-visited ski hills like Deer Valley, Jackson Hole, and Taos Ski Valley.
Canoe Club, MAX, & Weekends Gift Cards
Any college freshman seeking a wardrobe update will benefit from a gift card to Canoe Club. This boutique clothing store curates interesting finds each season with eye-catching pieces from internationally renowned designers. Snag a gift card or surprise your CU student with a statement piece from Canoe Club.
For students planning to rush a sorority or fraternity, consider getting them a gift card to MAX or Weekends. MAX, a boutique clothing store near Pearl Street, sells off-the-rack dresses and accessories that could be worn to a sorority semi-formal or rush event. Weekends is known around town for having high-quality suits and other business casual apparel that will come in handy when your student least expects it.
ListenUp
For young music lovers and audiophiles starting their next chapter at CU Boulder, a gift certificate to ListenUp is just the ticket. ListenUp’s Boulder location was founded in 1983 and quickly became the premier high-quality audio equipment supplier. Now, some forty years later, it still has the best sound equipment for home stereos and theaters.
HAVEN
This women-owned business showcases home decor and products from indie designers and makers. The CU student in your life can find all sorts of one-of-a-kind interior decorations for their dorm, apartment, or house. They can also treat themselves to personal care products, gorgeous clothing, eye-catching accessories, and more with a gift card to HAVEN.
Transportation
Encourage your incoming freshman to park the car and save on gas when the weather’s nice by gifting them an electric bike or scooter. Pedego Electric Bikes in Boulder has a plethora of options that are efficient and fun. Want to increase the horsepower a bit? Check out Sportique’s selection of new and used scooters.
Boulder Care Package
This family-run company keeps CU students stocked with all the essentials in the form of personalized care packages. Parents, grandparents, and friends of far-away collegiates can treat their loved one to a care package full of Boulder-centric finds. Each one comes with various items like gift cards to local restaurants, snacks, personal care products, school supplies, stickers, etc. Send a birthday basket, a get-well-soon gift, and more with Boulder Care Packages.
Liberty Puzzles
These puzzles aren’t merely just brain exercises – they are beautiful works of art. Locally-owned Liberty Puzzles started in 2005 with the desire to bring back the wooden puzzle, which initially gained popularity in the post-depression era as they were a low-cost form of entertainment. They remain an amusing way to connect with friends, relax after a long day in the classroom, and stay entertained during snowy winter nights. Check out the plethora of options here.
LUSH Personal Products Set
Regardless of your recent CU Student’s skin care needs, LUSH has them covered. Fresh and natural products are a great reminder for incoming college students that self-care is an important habit to cultivate early. From bath bombs to moisturizers to facemasks (and more), give a gift card or create your own basket bursting with personal care goodies.
House Plants
Having some living greenery makes any space feel more homey. Terracotta, a Boulder plant store, boasts many plant options – all available for purchase online. From low-maintenance succulents to rare foliage finds, this shop can become your CU student’s go-to resource for indoor plants.
Boulder Book Store Gift Card
This Pearl Street staple has everything an incoming freshman could want or need. Nonfiction books, textbooks, and bestsellers line the shelves of this multi-story bookshop. Weekly events like book signings, workshops and political panels invite Boulder newcomers to get plugged into something that sparks their curiosities. A gift card to this store can go pretty far in the hands of a new CU Boulder student.
Colorado Parks Pass
Make sure your new CU student enjoys all that our beautiful state has to offer by giving them a National Park pass. Not only does this pass get them into Rocky Mountain National Park whenever their heart desires, but it also grants them access to every other national park in the U.S. Colorado is home to quite a few, but also close to many other gorgeous places. Inspire wanderlust and encourage them to enjoy mother nature during their time in school.
Yoga Studio Membership
It’s great to use the CU gym, but it can be nice to have some reprieve from campus life. Give the CU student in your life a month membership to a local yoga studio, or invest in their overall mental and physical health and well-being with a year of unlimited yoga. This gift goes a long way in keeping your loved one happy, healthy, and connected to a positive community while being away from home for the first time.
There are so many ways to support your new college freshman. Give a Boulder-centric gift while also fostering health habits, self-care, and an investment in meaningful things – like nature and friendship. College is such an exciting time that can lead to a whole host of unexpected opportunities. Let the CU student in your life know you’re there for them every step of the way.