Valentine’s Day is coming up, and you might be procrastinating getting a gift for your date, partner or class crush. And while I don’t encourage stereotyping, using their NYU school as a gift-giving guide might not be the worst idea if you’re in a pinch. From Slidesgo subscriptions for Steinhardt students to stocks for a Sternie, here are some Valentine’s Day gift ideas organized by NYU school.
College of Arts & Science
As NYU’s largest school with more than 60 different majors and minors, CAS includes a wide range of students — and, as a result, a wide range of gift preferences. Your valentines’ major might not align specifically with these gifts, but they will definitely appreciate them regardless. My first recommendation is a Book of the Month subscription. Whether they’re a humanities or STEM major, everyone likes a good read once in a while, and what’s better than a monthly subscription box where you can have your pick of hardcover books for a cheaper price than in a regular bookstore? Or, if you often find your partner in need of an afternoon energy boost, you can never go wrong with a Keurig machine or a case of energy drinks for those long hours they spend at Bobst Library.
Tandon School of Engineering
For the Tandon student whose brain is always at work, look for an adjustable table that gives them the ability to stretch and stand while working at their computer. Or, if you want something similar in practicality but cheaper, go for an ergonomic mouse, which will help your date reduce strain on their hands and arms while typing away. For maximum relaxation, bath bombs are perfect for the rare free days when they simply want to chill. Or, if they don’t have a bathtub, scented shower steamers will allow your partner to unwind with aromatherapy.
Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development
The Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development is home to a diverse range of majors, including everything from applied psychology to food studies. Get your valentine a premium plan on Slidesgo, giving them unlimited access to all of the Google Slides, Canva or PowerPoint templates they could ever need during their time at NYU and beyond. Or, if you’re shopping for a Studio Art major, settle on a Blick gift card — an art store gift card could make all the difference in their hunt for supplies. Even if your partner isn’t studying studio art, an arts and crafts night still makes for a great at-home Valentine’s Day date.
Stern School of Business
The one student who could likely buy themselves anything, a Sternie can be tough to find the perfect gift for. Unless you’re able to put in a good word for your date at an investment banking company, shoot for a simpler Valentine’s Day present. Opt for a nice necktie or two to help them feel confident for their next job interview — even if you might be adding to their already expansive collection of business attire. If you’re feeling risky, buy your partner some stocks from their favorite national corporation. Nothing says you’re in it for the long haul like financial literacy.
Tisch School of the Arts
Known for their artsy nature, Tisch students are likely to appreciate a Valentine’s Day date at the theater. The NYU Box Office often has deals for both Broadway and off-Broadway shows and, to complement the tickets, throw in a hand-decorated folder or binder for their growing collection of theater mementos. After all, they need somewhere to keep their signed Playbills in perfect condition. Another great option is a Polaroid camera or a few rolls of film to capture memories of their time in college before they get famous.
Gallatin School of Individualized Study
The Gallatin School of Individualized Study is perhaps NYU’s most unique school. A place where students craft their own majors and curate their own courses, Gallatin requires its students to express their creativity in a variety of mediums. For these interdisciplinary scholars, a thesaurus might come in handy as a tool to come up with an elaborate major. Alternatively, if your valentine is looking for a new hobby or destressing tactic, a crochet kit is a great start. Of course, this doesn’t apply just to Gallatin students, but their knack for innovation seems to translate well into crocheting. Lastly, another tried-and-true gift for the creative type is a journal. This could be for brainstorming ideas, planning out a weekly schedule or just writing down spontaneous thoughts. As an avid journal user myself, I love a good, sturdy journal with dotted pages, like a classy hardcover Moleskine or Leuchtturm 1917.
Contact Sherry Chen at [email protected].
