The title says it all, really!
I'm off to uni on Friday, and I just wanted to get my parents something for about £10-ish each to say thank you for supporting me all the way through school, and also for buying me loads of stuff to take, plus all my medical equipment for my course when I get there and promising to help me out money-wise.
So far, I've thought of getting a couple of posh mugs for my mum (cath kidson or similar) but my dad is hard to buy for! He likes...golf.... and computers.... and food Any ideas?
And also, I was going to get my brother a stupid t-shirt with something suitably ridiculous on the front
Does anybody have any suggestions for what to get my dad?

What a thoughtful person you are! eldest left home last week and all she thought about was what she needed

I am sure your parents will be quite overcome if you give them presents. Seeing off a child to university is so emotional anyway that I'm sure if either of mine had bought me anything, I'd have been in floods of tears all the way to the university!

Nevertheless, it's a lovely idea, and I'm sure your parents will appreciate it. As for your Dad, could you get him a mouse mat with a picture of you on it? I'm sure there used to be places where you could get this done, though I confess I don't know where. Or my daughter gave her Dad a mug with a picture of her which only appears when the mug is full of hot liquid - usually it's black. He really loved it whilst she was away in Moscow, as we so rarely saw her in the flesh.

I suspect all your parents really want is for you to be happy, and to make the most of all the opportunities that are about to come your way. But.....what about a photo frame with a picture of the 3 of you in it? If you don't have a suitable photo you could maybe put one together as a montage from individual photos using PhotoShop or similar, or get your brother to take one saying "I'd really like a photo of us all to take with me".

Yes brilliant ideas Berkshire Mum, you can go to truprint and get the mousemat, you just upload your photo from your PC and they come really quickly. You could also maybe get your Mum some coasters, with different photos of you on it. I have bought these items over and over again for presents for people and very impressed with the service and they are not too expensive. Mousemats = £6.99 Coaster = £9.99 for set of 6, you can even get your brother a t-shirt for £7.99 - they also do lots of other gifts - definitely worth a look.

http://www.truprint.co.uk/truprint/storeallproducts

Thanks for that site, eldatom - could be useful for Christmas!

My Step Dad and Dad always appreciated a bottle of their fave tipple.

Awh, how thoughtful is that?! I'm sure they'll be delighted whatever you get them, Aurora

Quite agree. It may seem a little transient as a gift, but is usually much appreciated. (So says a middle aged Dad and Grandad)

Remember - when you get to my age, you've got everything you need!

No ideas to add, as I think there are some good ones here but I just wanted to say they'll be chuffed to bits with whatever you give them, because it's a lovely thought And the best of luck on Friday!

I'm on the other side of the fence - parent who's sent two off to uni already. I've made a photo-collage for mine of happy times together - family/friends/pets/treasured memories - nothing expensive, just printed off lots of favourite photos and mounted them in one of those cheap perspex frames you get from Wilkos (and elsewhere, probably), and stuck a label on the back wishing them lots of luck and happiness. I'd managed to keep it a surprise for Child 1 and handed it over after we'd bought all her stuff up to her room in Halls.
The best presents are the really personal, inexpensive ones. I would love it if someone made one for me, I bet your parents would, too.

Nothing can fill the gap and nothing can replace you, AV. All I wanted when mine left was to be able to turn the clock back.

The best thing you can do is keep up a steady stream of communication with them, even if its trivial stuff. They will appreciate that. Oh, And get back to see them as often as you can

Not being a parent I haven't the foggiest idea.
But I do know if I had been a parent I would have appreciated having such a thoughtful child. Best of luck at University.

When I went to university I made a photo album for my mum, with photos of the two of us together from when I was born up until the week I left.

But yes - DO phone them a lot! Also, Mums LOVE getting letters (as do Grannies).

There's something very personal and significant about a proper, hand-written letter I think. It's a shame that people don't do it more often.... I don't because I write like a doctor (ie: it's illegible)

I agree, my sister and I used to write a letter onced she moved to Spain. Although we had email and phone she got so much out of an actual letter which really helped when she was away from all her family.

These days all you seem to get are bills or junk, I think I will make it my motto to try and do some more old familiar letter writing and make someone happy.

When I was young and before we had email and not many people had phones, I used to write to my nanna at least twice a week, she loved it and used to write back and tell me to get my mum to write to her. Mum unfortunately still had children at home and working part time and never seemed to find the time. So poor Mum was always in trouble and I was the blue eyed girl ! Can you seem my halo? lol

Thanks so much for your ideas everyone
I absolutely LOVE the thought of giving them a photo-type gift, and have decided to get some nice photo frames, and print out 3 photos,one each of me and mum dad and brother. It seems so much nicer to get / make something personal instead of a cup!!
Thanks again everyone!

I hope you have a wonderful time at uni - very bet of luck, I'm sure you deserve it.

ps Mums like lots of texts, just to keep the flow of conversation going too, no matter how silly it is!

One thing that you could do is print off a certificate type thing, best Mum and Dad with a photo of you all if possible and then put it in a frame, if you have pound shop you can usually pick quite a nice one up in there. You could do the same for your brother, best brother. Or write a poem and dedicate to them, this is the sort of thing that my son does for Christmas and birthday presents.

I went to Wilkinson today and got some really nice little photo frames - they've got a slightly worn look to the super pale gold finish and they look far more expensive than £2 each. (I've fallen in love with that shop - loads of my stuff for uni came from there ) The challenge now is getting on the computer downstairs and printing the pictures off without anybody seeing

My grandparents put some money into my account today, so I bought them this potted plant thing (the pot was a really cool metallic blue colour) and dropped it in to them on my way home....but then my nan cried!! This whole moving away thing is proving to be really difficult!

Were it not for the £10 limit (and this is VERY tongue in cheek) I might suggest buying them a dance-floor . . .