Well, I wouldn't. She is going to expect you to buy her blankets, etc., for her dorm room anyway, right? So I'd get her something else for Christmas. (Though a trip to London is a REAL nice gift in and of itself.)

I agree with littlebug. Part of the fun of going off to college for some girls is getting to pick out what you'll be taking to furnish your dorm room. Or perhaps she will want to coordinate with her dorm-mates.

Since you're going to London, maybe get her something she can use on the trip like a hooded jacket, a warm cape, warm socks, hat or gloves, play tickets. She might have some of these things, but it is COLD in London in winter and you'll be doing a lot of walking around.

I say yes.

I give my kids gifts like this all the time ...my DH calls them non-present presents. Things you'd buy them anyway. Why not? Kids get sooooo much stuff I'm not above giving them some "necessities" under the tree.

I think necessities under the tree are fine. But not knowing your daughter, I'm questioning the bedding 9 months before it's needed, and without her input for her first home away from home. If she'd seen something, pointed it out, was focused on having it for her dorm room, surprising her with it might be fun. Otherwise, I think I might wait and share the linen shopping experience with her, and later.

Hmm- I guess maybe not:( I could focus on some warm clothes or accessories for London, especially since we are in So Cal and she is going to school in Boston or Minneapolis (hasn't decided) next year and will need to bundle up! The trip really is the gift and we have tickets for 3 plays so I should refrain from doing too much else.

I would think sharing a shopping expedition with you to select the bedding shortly before time for her to depart for school would induce even more excitement. I'd wait. Enjoy London! That's a very special gift in itself.

It's not a terrible idea but I think she would rather pick out her own college bedding. I buy my college age daughters non-present presents all the time. This year's non-presents are Patagonia leggings, scout bags, washable slipper socks from Lands End and car detailing gift certificates.

My niece is the same age and she asked for a tapestry for her dorm room-- but the reality is, she and her (to be) roomie will be deciding the room decor/colors etc together. Her roomie will be visiting over Christmas and I am sure they will discuss-- but 17 yos being 17 yos will likely change their vision and plan for their room a few times before they head off in Sept. I opted not to get her the tapestry.

She's under the impression that she's going to have a winter of sub zero temps in the arctic tundra of CT! LOL.. I did get her a thick, warm snood and a cute free people cap. That's the only "college prep" stuff I am getting her until graduation.

Has your daughter committed to a school? Perhaps something in the school colors or something from the bookstore.

and fwiw, I have yet to hear of a freshman dorm that doesn't use twin XL mattresses. That may change in later years if/when she moves to less traditional housing.

I think a nice heavy jacket, scarf, hat, gloves for London and college is the better choice, especially since she hasnt yet picked the specific bedding she wants. You could also give her some extra $ for shopping in London.

Why on earth would anyone say it's a dumb idea? Not only is it not a dumb idea, it's a thoughtful idea and a common sense idea.

Personally, I'd feel the trip to London was Christmas present enough. Time enough to get the sheets and other things for college, and perhaps a better time to do so is when she's rarin' up to go.

But it was not a dumb idea. At all.

I am really trying to get out of the habit of putting things I would have bought anyway under the tree. In part this is driven by my kids getting older, 14 & 16. It is also pushed by trying to get away from Christmas being equated with a pile of gifts to be opened, and for the boys to understand our family budgeting decisions more.

We ski, ski season means seasons passes and possibly/probably some new gear. My sons want and need to be involved in these purchases and they understand these are the big gifts. We have a few gifts followed by marathon game of Settlers of Cataan.

She hasn't committed to a school yet- she's waiting to see where else she gets into. So far no rejections so all her hard work is paying off. Her top choices are BU and Minnesota, so she'll likely end up at one of those two unless she changes her mind. I think I'll stick to other gifts and she and I can shop for bedding later. I need to commit to keeping this Christmas low key present wise since I'm sure she will want to shop in London, not to mention the trip was planned as a gift for all of us instead of a million little things under the tree.

I think college bedding is a great idea----she is already excited at the prospect of going away to school, this will only whet her appetite for those final visits and decisions.

I haven't read all the replies, but I say back away from the bedding. It is a great gift idea, but bad timing (unless it is something she adores, has to have and is on closeout -- in which case I'd buy it, hide it for later and hope she doesn't change her mind). It isn't something she is going to use now and it will seem less like a gift when is's pile of unused bedding in the corner while other people are using their gifts -- and then the new stuff is starting to feel old by the time she actually does get to use it. I know more girls who want to pick out things with a roommate (I never considered that, but I got a roommate who wanted to go shop and have everthing in the room match -- so we did, and it was fun, but not what I would have picked on my own). She may get things as gifts from others, and that's better suited to graduation gifts anyway. It isn't the gift idea -- just the timing.

Letting her do her own shopping in London is a great idea. You could give her a preloaded card to spend so she has something to open and the choices on how to spend can be hers.

Travel accessories are good if she doesn't have them, and many can come in handy for college (chargers she probably has, a power adapter, packing organizers, travel jewelry case, etc.) The Container Store has some nice options and Marshalls has a lot of travel jewely cases this time of year.

Or something to do while on that long flight -- some new music to listen to, a video or two to watch, materials for a small needlework project if she's into any of those things or would like to learn, or a small coloring book and pencils.

I agree with those who said to wait. I still remember going out with my roommate to pick out bedding when we first arrived at school. Our parents took us and it was fun. I think most students like to at least coordinate with roommates.

Have a marvelous time in London! Wonderful city.

I'm older but one thing I wanted when I went to London was a very smart/stylish coat and scarf.

Re: the bedding: I was only in a twin XL for two years before I moved to an apartment and a queen. The twin XL bedding was an albatross. Get the sheets that fit, but get her a queen or king comforter and duvet cover. If you wanted to shop for a duvet cover with her, London would be a great place to do it.

My teen self would have REALLY appreciated extra spending money for London as a present. : )

Maybe her Christmas present can be a Visa/MC gift card for $XXX to spend on whatever she wants in London -- clothing, decor, whatever . . .