Gift Ideas for Students

Dear WJPS Family,

Teens & Tweens know what they want, but it isn't necessarily what we feel they "need."  It is almost a blessing to justify a gift as (gasp) educational.  A recent poll of WJPS teachers and staff resulted in some helpful suggestions of gifts for students.  If you purchase one of these items for your child, please consider buying a second one to donate to the school.

Technology

The new Flip-Video camcorder is easy to use and would be very helpful in completing and initiating school projects across all subject areas.  If you are planning college campus trips this summer, it is helpful to record the campus tour.  Other technology gifts:  digital camera, thumb drives, blank cd's, and software and books about digital photography and making and editing videos.

Board Games

Whether for family game night, ice-breakers for groups of kids or even as hostess gifts, here are some highly rated relatively new board games:  Apples-to-Apples, Blokus, any version of Cranium, Hey! That's my Fish!, Ingenious, No Thanks!, Qwirkle, and Ticket to Ride.

Magazines

Magazines are great gifts for readers of all ages.  You can buy the current issue and wrap it as a gift, then go to the web site to order a subscription (or two).  Here are some links:

Digital Photograher

Popular Photographing & Imaging

Bicycling

SLAM (basketball)

Fitness Magazine

PC Magazine

Mac Life (Apple computers)

ESPN

Game Pro

Nintendo Power

PC Gamer

Seventeen

Twist (tween girls)

Scientific American

Discover

Yes! Magazine (local and world events)

Time

National Geographic

Newsweek

TeenInk

Columbia Journalism Review

Miscellaneous

Regents Review Books, SAT/PSAT Review Books, any books from the New York Times Bestseller List, luggage, gift cards to Barnes & Noble or Staples.  A thoughtful gift for any 11-12 year old is the ability to choose their own grooming products, either with a gift card to a drug store or a bucketful of sample sizes of different shampoo, conditioner, soap, deodorant and mouthwash.

I hope you have a relaxing and fun winter recess!  Please accept my best wishes for a Happy New Year!

Regards,

Helen