Jennifer, a 25-year-old woman from Illinois, went viral on TikTok with a video discussing a “thoughtful gift” for a college student that was being sold on Facebook Marketplace. The items, which include alarm clocks, reading lamps, and storage boxes in coral and mint colors, were initially purchased for a girl’s college dorm room but were now up for sale. Jennifer speculated that the items may not have been liked due to their dated color scheme and fashion style, possibly from 2012, leading the daughter to refuse to use them.
In the video, Jennifer empathizes with the mom who likely bought the dorm room items thinking they were cute and ideal for a college girl. She believes the mom may have chosen items based on what she personally thought was trendy and cute, rather than considering her daughter’s preferences. Despite feeling sorry for the mom, Jennifer had no intention of buying the $140 bundle on sale. She considered reaching out to the mom to ask for the full story behind the items, but ultimately decided against it.
The video garnered over 107,000 likes and 750 comments on TikTok, with users sharing their own experiences with receiving gifts they didn’t like. Some expressed frustration at receiving gifts they knew they wouldn’t use, while others appreciated the thought and sentiment behind the gifts, even if they didn’t match their personal style. One commenter interpreted the situation as the daughter choosing a different path than attending college, leading to the dorm room items being put up for sale.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground. If readers have a monetary dilemma or personal story to share, they can reach out to Newsweek for advice and a potential feature in an article. The publication aims to explore unique perspectives and highlight the intricacies of everyday life through its reporting and analysis. Jennifer’s viral video discussing the college dorm items on Facebook Marketplace sparked a conversation about gift-giving, preferences, and the significance of personal style in choosing presents for others.
