Decorative Gifts to Remind Your New College Student of Home
Many new college students, often on their own and away from home for a significant length of time for the first time in their lives, become homesick. Sending your new college student a decorative gift can not only let them know their parents are thinking of them, but give them something that reminds them of home. These gifts of encouragement will help inspire your student to work hard and brighten their days.
Figurative Sculptures
A figurative sculpture on a desk in a dorm room can instantly remind your student that their parents are thinking about them every time they sit down to study. Figures representing study, such as a reading figure, can remind them of their quest to explore, and keep them motivated to learn. A figurative sculpture releasing a dove can represent your student embarking on their journey through life and learning, leaving the nest on a new path and a new beginning.
Keepsake Boxes
Sending a keepsake box with a few cherished items that remind them of home can instantly transport them back through memories. A hand-painted box with bas-relief carvings on top is perfect for placing next to figurative sculptures of the same style to create a cohesive desk area dedicated to home. Looking at these items and recalling good memories can help them relax when stressed, giving them a break from college life for a few moments. A box with a carved mother and daughter hugging can represent the bond you hold dear between the two of you and let them know you love them even from afar.
Wall Art
A great way to customize a dorm room is with wall art. This could be homemade, such as a framed photograph of a special memory, or it could be art that reminds them of home. It could be a small piece of art, or it could be poster-sized, depending on how much room your student has on their walls. To continue creating a cohesive look in the dorm, consider a carved bas-relief plaque, such as one with a girl or boy holding a dog, to represent the canine companion your college student left at home with you.
Homemade Ribbon Photo Board
One specific piece of wall art that is highly customizable is the homemade ribbon photo board. Sending your student something you made for them will lift their spirits and a photo board allows them to customize their wall space. Include photos, messages, and mementos to get them started. From memories with family and friends to a takeout menu of their favorite hometown restaurant, you can customize the photo board before it’s sent to ensure a smile on your student’s face when they open the package.
About Willow Tree®
Willow Tree® figures are an intimate line of artwork meant to comfort and inspire. They represent the relationships we share with friends, family, pets, and ourselves. The pieces are hand-painted, and each is cast from artist Susan Lordi’s original handcrafted carvings from her Kansas City, Missouri studio. With a signature absence of facial features and simplicity of form, Willow Tree® figures use gestures such as placement of the hands, a turn of the body, or a tilt of the head to reveal emotion. This leaves the interpretation open to both the giver and receiver. Lordi’s signature work is instantly recognizable and makes memorable gifts for any occasion, including birthdays, bereavement gifts, wedding and anniversary gifts, and more.
Browse the Willow Tree® collection at Willowtree.com