I got soul but I'm not a soldier...

December 18, 2010 9:52 AM

Christmas/birthday gift for a female sophomore West Point (USMA) cadet that will be appreciated, not boring, and not super expensive - google and mefi search are coming up empty!

I'd like to get my cousin who attends West Point something small for Christmas/her birthday (after Christmas), but don't want to get her in trouble. I will be seeing her when she stays overnight with me before returning for her spring semester. In this situation, I would normally want to send someone back to (regular) college in this situation with some homemade frozen food, a batch of cookies to share, and/or a Wal-Mart giftcard. I'm pretty sure first year cadets are not allowed to have edible items in their rooms, but couldn't find anything on the internets about sophomores & up, and I think personal items are purchased on campus using a student account. I'd rather not get her West Point/Army/USMA memorabilia as I'm sure her parents have that covered. So, hive, what can I get with limited funds (think $25 or less range) that will be college-student AND West Point (AND, bonus: Christian) appropriate?

posted by shortskirtlongjacket to Shopping (9 answers total)

A good book or three?
posted by rmd1023 at 10:13 AM on December 18, 2010

Tsai's comic book translation of The Art of War is actually rather fine.

The 1966 version of A Man for All Seasons.
posted by coffeefilter at 11:19 AM on December 18, 2010

Best answer: It's probably better to ask yourself, "what would this kid like?" and then check whether it's forbidden by academic policy. Attending West Point doesn't really define people (except for the part where their math department can run a football 180 miles overnight, apparently). Unless you're asking what sort of items would help her out at West Point?
posted by d. z. wang at 11:25 AM on December 18, 2010

A walmart gift card (assuming she can get off campus and one is near) would probably be awesome. Or, a Barnes and Noble or Amazon gift card would rock as well. (My son went to a service academy but not THAT service academy so I cannot speak to what their food regs would be.)
posted by St. Alia of the Bunnies at 11:52 AM on December 18, 2010

Best answer: The academy bookstore sells gift certificates and care packages. Maybe a little cash that she can use at a permitted store could help her to stretch out her spending money.
posted by pickypicky at 1:57 PM on December 18, 2010

Mod note: Jokey answer removed = don't post jokey answer again. Please reach us at the contact form if this is going to be a problem.
posted by cortex (staff) at 2:47 PM on December 18, 2010

Ooh, if as pickypicky says they do offer care packages I highly recommend them. My folks arranged to have one sent once and for some reason it just melted my little undergraduate heart.

Otherwise, gift certificates to Powells.com or another place she could buy something fun OR something school-y were always appreciated.
posted by Neofelis at 3:32 PM on December 18, 2010

Response by poster: Thanks everyone for the suggestions - checked with family members and just went with cash. Unoriginal, but a big hit : )
posted by shortskirtlongjacket at 7:43 PM on January 6, 2011

Response by poster: Loved the book suggestions but sounded like she had a heavy semester and more reading = do you even *like* me ; )
posted by shortskirtlongjacket at 7:44 PM on January 6, 2011