A gift for a school leaver and the new flat

Short answer: For a student moving away from home, the practical gifts are the ones that get used. Towels, bedding and socks are the three things most often missing in the first flat.

What is missing

In the first flat, towels and bedding are typically missing, because nobody thinks about them until they need them. Furniture and kitchen items are often gathered from family, but few people want to take over used textiles. That makes them a good place to start when you are looking for a gift.

Towels

Two towels per person in rotation is enough for most people. One can dry while the other is in use, so there is no need to wash every other day. Choose a colour that does not show marks straight away, and perhaps a couple of small hand towels. See bamboo towels.

Bedding

Two sets of bedding mean you can change and wash without waiting for the first set to dry. It sounds like a small thing, but in a flat without a tumble dryer it makes a real difference. Check the duvet and pillow sizes before you buy. See bamboo bedding.

Socks and underwear

Enough socks and underwear for a week between washes makes everyday life cheaper on a shared washing machine, where every load costs money. Fewer washes save both time and coins. A pack of matching socks also makes pairing them easier. For him, see bamboo underwear for men.

For her

The same applies when the gift is for a young woman leaving home. A few extra sets of underwear in a neutral colour will be worn, and it is rarely something people prioritise when money is tight. Choose basic styles over special pieces. See the selection in bamboo underwear for women.

Quality over quantity

A few good things last longer than many cheap ones, and that shows most when everything is washed often. A towel that is still soft after a year is worth more than three that turn stiff after a few months. Read more about priorities in students on a budget.

A shared gift rather than separate ones

If several people want to give something, one shared gift goes further than three small ones. A couple of bedding sets and a set of towels cover what is actually missing, and they are used from day one. Agree in advance who buys what. See home and homewear in bamboo.

Think about space

Most first flats are small, and there is rarely much storage. Textiles take up little room when folded and can sit in a box under the bed. So avoid large items that need a fixed place, and stick to things that are used every day and are easy to put away.

Wash before first use

New towels and new bedding should be washed once before they are used. It makes the fabric softer and removes any residue from production. Add a small note about washing at 40 degrees and air drying, so the gift keeps its shape longer. It is useful advice for someone who has just started doing their own laundry.