Best Gifts College Students

The time spent at college is often considered to be the best time of one’s life. 🏫 Students focus on their chosen field of interest while meeting new friends who share the same passions. It’s not only a time for learning and making best friends but also the first taste of independence and the ability to fully embrace self-expression.

Best Gifts for College Students

Best Gifts for College Students

While college student life can bring amazing fun, it also comes with plenty of challenges. Students are figuring out new life skills like cooking (and cleaning) for themselves, household budgeting, interpersonal skills (life with roommates), time management, and balancing personal health and wellness.

There is no shortage of things that a college student needs (and wants), but they often have very little cash to spend. Continue for good gift ideas for college students and gifts for young adults.

 

50+ of the Best Gift Ideas for College Students

Surprise the bird lovers in your life with these bird-themed gifts. Whether they tend to their own flocks or admire birds from a distance, these bird gift ideas include something for everyone.

 

Accessory Gifts for College Students

These accessory items offer helpful and stylish solutions for students as they navigate their studies and always make a good gift college student.

 

Novelty Socks

Lavley - Nerd Socks - Funny Gifts for Book Lovers, Music Lovers, Men and Women (US, Alpha, One Size, Regular, Regular, DND Reading)

Most everyone wears socks, but not everyone gets to wear socks as fun as these! Show a flash of personality with these unique sock designs.

 

Cozy Lounging Socks

DG Hill Treehouse Knit (2 Pack) Womens Thick Knit Sherpa Fleece Lined Thermal Fuzzy Slipper Socks with Grippers

Keep chills from drafty spaces away with a set (or two) of cozy lounge socks.

 

Travel Neck Pillows

jidachuang Kids Travel Pillows Fox Neck Pillow Animal U-Shaped Plush Fur Warm Cartoon Comfortable Luggage Pillow for Airplanes Planes Car Train (Pink)

These adorable travel pillows bring more fun to a road trip, train ride, or flight home. Snuggle up in cute comfort with these animal-themed neck support pillows.

 

Book and Tablet Rests

Lamicall Tablet Pillow Stand, Pillow Soft Pad for Lap - Tablet Holder Dock for Bed with 6 Viewing Angles, for 4-13" Tablets, like iPad Pro 11, 13, Air, Mini, Kindle, Galaxy Tab, E-Reader, Dark Gray

These book and tablet rests come in a fun variety of colors and styles and provide more comfortable reading over long periods. They’re great for both at home and on the go! Over 11,000 5-star reviews!

 

Soft Contoured Sleep Masks

LKY DIGITAL Sleep Mask for Side Sleeper 3 Pack, 100% Blackout 3D Eye Mask for Sleeping, Night Blindfold for Men Women

Get more restful sleep at any time with these contoured blackout sleep masks, available in a variety of colors and styles. They have over 46,000 perfect 5-star reviews!

 

Men’s UGG Slippers

UGG Men's Ascot Slipper, Chestnut, 12

High-quality UGG slippers for men are available in stylish colors and a variety of fits!

 

Women’s UGG Slippers

UGG Women's Disquette Slipper, Charcoal, 8

A pair of high-quality and stylish UGG slippers are sought-after choices that are made to last for years!

 

Bathroom Gifts for College Students

College students sharing bathrooms with others need to be able to transport their toiletries to and from the bathroom with each shower. These products can help.

 

Shower Caddies

mDesign Small Plastic Shower/Bath Storage Organizer Caddy Tote with Handle for Dorm, Shelf, Cabinet - Hold Soap, Shampoo, Conditioner, Combs, Brushes, Lumiere Collection, Ocean Blue

A quick-drying shower caddy is a must-have everyday item for anyone sharing a shower space with roommates or dormmates. These sturdy shower caddies make it easy to carry a good selection of toiletries to the shower and back.

 

Shower Shoes

Crocs womens Kadee Ii Flip Flop, Black, 8 US

A fast-drying pair of shower shoes will help keep feet from making contact with shared shower floors.

 

Lightweight Bathrobes

Turquaz Robes For Women Lightweight Unisex Waffle Kimono Bathrobe Mothers day Gifts

A quality bathrobe is essential for students to go between shared bathrooms and back to their private bedrooms. These popular unisex bathrobes are available in over 15 colors!

 

Tech Gifts for College Students

The right tools can make a world of difference in productivity.

 

Adjustable Phone and Tablet Stands

Nulaxy Dual Folding Cell Phone Stand, Fully Adjustable Foldable Desktop Phone Holder Cradle Dock Compatible with Phone 15 14 13 12 11 Pro Xs Xs Max Xr X 8, Nintendo Switch, All Phones

These foldable tech holders are sturdy enough to hold smartphones and tablets, plus the pivoting sections adjust fully to provide a comfortable viewing angle every time!

 

Webcam Privacy Covers

CloudValley Webcam Cover Slide[2-Pack], 0.023 Inch Ultra-Thin Metal Web Camera Cover for Macbook Pro, iMac, Laptop, PC, iPad Pro, iPhone 8/7/6 Plus, Protect Your Visual Privacy [Black]

Ensure videos are only broadcast at the desired times with these stick-on webcam privacy covers.

Extra-Long Charging Cables

Pofesun USB C Cable 10ft Type C Charger Fast Charging, 3-Pack USB Type C Cable,Nylon Braided USB C Charging Cable Compatible with Samsung Galaxy S24 S23 S22 S21 S20 Note 20 10 A20 A51 A71,LG G8 V30

These extra-long charging cables (10 ft) will help make it possible to work on devices while they are still plugged in and charging.

 

Portable Waterproof BlueTooth Speakers

JBL FLIP 5, Waterproof Portable Bluetooth Speaker, Black, Small

Enjoy great sound anywhere with a highly-rated portable waterproof BlueTooth speaker.

 

Noise-Canceling Headphones

Soundcore Anker Life Q20 Hybrid Active Noise Cancelling Headphones, Wireless Over Ear Bluetooth Headphones, 60H Playtime, Hi-Res Audio, Deep Bass, Memory Foam Ear Cups, for Travel, Home Office

The large over-ear style headphones provide a comfortable fit, while the noise-canceling technology helps to reduce audible distractions.

 

White Noise Machines

White Noise Machine - Sleep Sound Machine with Soothing Sounds Timer & Memory Function for Sleeping & Relaxation, Sleep Therapy for Kid, Adult, Nursery, Home, Office, Travel. Brown Wood Grain

Relax with this popular white noise machine that provides soothing sounds to help reduce noisy distractions and fall asleep faster.

 

Silent Mouse Devices

Uiosmuph LED Wireless Mouse, G12 Slim Rechargeable Wireless Silent Mouse, 2.4G Portable USB Optical Wireless Computer Mice with USB receiver and Type C Adapter (Blue)

Enjoy a quieter work environment with a quiet computer mouse that almost completely eliminates the physical clicking sound of mouse buttons. Roommates love these! 😉

 

Laptop Cooling Pads

Havit HV-F2056 15.6-17 Inch Laptop Cooler Cooling Pad - Slim Portable USB Powered (3 Fans) (Blue)

Use a laptop cooling pad to protect the lap from too much heat and to cool laptop hardware to help it last longer.

 

Power Surge Protecting Power Strips

GE 6-Outlet Surge Protector, 10 Ft Extension Cord, Power Strip, 800 Joules, Flat Plug, Twist-to-Close Safety Covers, UL Listed, White, 14092

Modern technology has changed our lives, but our homes rarely include enough power outlets to run it all. Add much-needed power outlets with these heavy gauge extension cords that include surge-protecting power strips.

 

Everyday Essentials for College Students

Some things are always needed in a college student’s life – these student gift ideas make sure they’ve got all the day-to-day essentials. These are some of the best gifts for a college freshman as they start off on their own!

 

Snack Samplers

Frito Lay Ultimate Snack Care Package, Variety Assortment of Chips, Cookies, Crackers & More, (Pack of 40)

Snacks are almost always a welcome addition to the pantry for every college student! These snack sampler boxes include plenty to share with friends and study groups.

 

Drink Samplers

Tropicana 100% Juice, 3 flavor, 10 fl oz (Pack of 24) - Pineapple Peach Mango Juice, Fruit Medley, Strawberry Orange Juice

Stay refreshed with bottled juice sampler packs that provide vitamins and much-needed hydration.

 

Reusable Water Bottles

Nalgene Tritan Wide Mouth BPA-Free Water Bottle, Green, 32 oz

It’s easier to stay hydrated with large reusable water bottles that can travel from school to home. These Nalgene water bottles are some of the highest-rated options available!

 

Highly-Rated Ink Pens

Pilot Precise V7 Stick Rolling Ball Pens, Fine Point, Blue Ink, 6 Pack

Keep plenty of pens everywhere they are needed with these multi-packs of highly-rated Pilot Precise pens.

 

Sturdy Laundry Bags

Dalykate Laundry Bag with Shoulder Straps and Mesh Pocket Durable Nylon Backpack Clothes Hamper Bag with Drawstring Closure for College, Travel, Laundromat, Apartment

These durable backpack laundry bags are a godsend when toting heavy loads around on laundry days! Available in multiple colors.

 

First Aid Kits

First Aid Only 6060 10-Person Emergency First Aid Kit for Office, Home, and Worksites, 57 Pieces

Be ready for surprises, and always have a basic first aid kit with the essentials on hand.

 

Home Furnishing Gifts for College Students

Add personal touches to any space to instantly make it feel like home. These furnishings and décor items fit in perfectly in small spaces and make great college dorm gifts.

 

Slim Hangers

Zober Velvet Hangers 50 Pack - Heavy Duty Black Hangers for Coats, Pants & Dress Clothes - Non Slip Clothes Hanger Set - Space Saving Felt Hangers for Clothing

These slim clothes hangers have a skinny profile that takes up less space per item in the closet. Over 76,000 5-star ratings!

 

Underbed Storage Containers

Onlyeasy Large Underbed Storage Bags Organizer Container (2 Pack) with 4 Handles and 2 Sturdy Zippers, Blankets Clothes Comforters Foldable Storage Bags with Clear Window, Herringbone Grey, MXRUBBP2

Take advantage of every possible square inch of storage space with zippered underbed storage bags.

 

Bedside Caddy

Telaero Bedside Caddy, Bedside Storage Caddy Sofa Armrest Organizer, Phone, Tablet, Remote Control Magazine Holder with 5 Pockets for Home Dorm Desk Light Grey

Add convenient storage for a small selection of essential items with this smart bedside caddy. Available in three colors.

 

Bedside Shelf

BedShelfie Bedside Shelf for Bunk Bed & Top Bunk, College Dorm Room & Loft Nightstand, Floating Bed Side Table Tray Storage - Minimalist Black Wood

This bedside shelf makes it easy to add shelf space to keep essential items by the bed – perfect for students in dorm rooms! Available in multiple sizes.

 

Portable Tray Desk

SAIJI Laptop Bed Tray Table, Adjustable PVC Leather Laptop Bed Table, Portable Standing Desk with Storage Drawer, Foldable Lap Tablet Table for Sofa Couch Floor (Dark Black)

Set up shop almost anywhere with an adjustable tray desk that fits a laptop, mouse, and more!

 

Lighted Mirror

Conair Lighted Makeup Mirror, LED Vanity Mirror, 1X/7X Magnifying Mirror, Double Sided, Battery Operated in Polished Chrome

Great lighting for grooming is tough to find no matter where you live but can be especially so for college students. A lighted mirror and magnifier can help provide light exactly where needed.

 

Cosmetic and Beauty Storage

Caboodles Pretty in Petite Makeup Box, Two-Tone Periwinkle on Pink, Hard Plastic Organizer Box, 2 Swivel Trays, Fashion Mirror, Secure Latch for Safe Travel

Caboodles cosmetic cases have been around for decades and are not showing any signs of losing popularity points. Multiple compartments and a portable design allow ladies to easily keep track of and carry their beauty essentials wherever life takes them!

 

Dimmable Desk Lamps with USB Charging Ports

LED Desk Lamp, NovoLido Rechargeable Lamp with USB Charging Port/Pen Holder/Phone Holder, Small Study Cute for Kids/Home/Office/Dorm, Flexible Portable Bedside Table Reading (White)

These dimmable desk lamps provide the perfect amount of light for work, study, or relaxing while also offering convenient USB charging ports!

 

Memo Boards

Combination Whiteboard Bulletin Board Set - 24 x 18" Dry Erase/Cork Board with 1 Magnetic Dry Eraser, 4 Markers, 4 Magnets and 10 Thumb Tacks - Small Combo Tack White Board for Home Office Desk

Return to dorms’ original social media by leaving a written or pinned memo on their memo board!

 

Neon Sign Lamps

Isaac Jacobs 17" by 6" inch LED Neon Blue “Dream” Wall Sign For Cool Light, Wall Art, Bedroom Decorations, Home Accessories, Party, and Holiday Decor: Powered by USB Wire (DREAM)

Inspire and encourage the passion of dreams with a brightly lit, glowing neon “Dream” lamp.

 

Diversion Safes

Wall Clock Safe - 10-Inch Battery-Operated Analog Timepiece with Hidden Shelf Storage for Secret Compartment Items and More by Stalwart (Silver/White)

These diversion safes offer discrete and safer storage of valuable and sensitive items.

 

Storage Ottomans

Homepop Home Decor | Upholstered Round Velvet Tufted Foot Rest Ottoman | Ottoman with Storage for Living Room & Bedroom | Decorative Home Furniture, Dark Gray Small

These storage ottomans are smart solutions that provide extra storage space and double as seating or a table when needed!

 

Air Purifiers

Pure Enrichment® PureZone™ Halo 2-in-1 Air Purifier - True HEPA Filter Cleans Air, Helps Alleviate Allergies, Removes Pet Hair, Smoke & More — For Home, Bedroom & Office Desktops (Graphite)

Clean and sanitize the air with a small air purifier for medium-sized rooms.

 

Vornado Fans

Vornado VFAN Petite Alchemy Vintage Fan, Gunmetal (CR1-0279-102)

Choose a stylish and highly-rated Vornado fan to help circulate air and help a room feel cooler.

 

Heated Blankets

Degrees of Comfort White Heated Blanket, Cream Full Size Heating Blanket for Bed, Fuzzy Plush, Auto Shut Off, Machine Washable | UL Certified - 80Wx84L

Ensure personal comfort with an electric heated blanket and stay cozy all year long!

 

Kitchen Gifts for College Students

Encourage young cooks to explore the food they love with kitchen products suitable for small spaces. These quality kitchen investments are easy to use and are designed to last for many years!

 

Kitchen Mitt and Towel Sets

Oven Mitts and Pot Holders Set 500 Degree Heat Resistant Oven Gloves and Hot Pads, Premium Soft Cotton Kitchen Hand Towels and Dish Cloth Hanging Loop Gray

Make sure they have these kitchen essentials on hand when they need them. These matching kitchen sets include oven mitts, pot holders, and more!

 

Collapsible Popcorn Poppers

The Original Salbree Microwave Popcorn Popper, Silicone Popcorn Maker, Collapsible Microwavable Bowl - Hot Air Popper - No Oil Required - The Most Colors Available (Transparent Mint)

These BPA-free microwave popcorn makers offer an easy way to make a quick bowl of popcorn — the quintessential student snack! The silicone bowls fold down for compact storage when not in use.

 

Collapsible Kitchen Tools

Tovolo Microwave Cover, Medium, Candy Apple Red

Find room in small spaces for these versatile and collapsible kitchen tools.

 

Collapsible Water Kettle

Travel Foldable Electric Kettle, Collapsible Food Grade Silicone Small Kettle Boiling water,Dual Voltage(600ml,110-220V US Plug) (Blue)

This collapsible dual voltage kettle has a small footprint and collapses for easier storage in small spaces.

 

Kitchen Utensil Sets

Silicone Cooking Utensil Set, Umite Chef Kitchen Utensils 15pcs Cooking Utensils Set Non-stick Silicone Rose Gold Handle Cooking Tools Whisk Kitchen Tools Set - Balck

Start them with these versatile kitchen utensil sets that include all the basics needed to make the most popular meals!

 

Nesting Kitchen Tools

OXO Good Grips 7-Piece Nesting Measuring Beaker Set

These nesting kitchen measuring beakers have an intelligent design that makes them ideal for measuring liquids and providing compact storage, perfect for small spaces.

 

Nesting Food Storage Containers

Joseph Joseph Nest Lock Plastic BPA Free Food Storage Container Set with Lockable Airtight Leakproof Lids, 10-Piece, Multi-Color

These highly-rated food storage containers provide lots of storage space when needed but nest inside each other for compact storage when not in use.

 

Kitchen Thermometer

ThermoPro TP-16 Large LCD Digital Cooking Food Meat Smoker Oven Kitchen BBQ Grill Thermometer Clock Timer with Stainless Steel Probe

No one should leave food safety up to chance. These kitchen thermometers provide a quick reading to indicate when food is ready.

 

Electric Kettles

DmofwHi 1000W Gooseneck Electric Kettle (1.0L),100% Stainless Steel BPA Free Tea Kettle with Auto Shut - Off Protection, Pour Over Coffee Kettle -Copper

Help them quickly boil water for fresh coffee, tea, or cooking with a highly-rated electric kettle.

 

Ninja Kitchen Appliances

Ninja BL610 Professional 72 Oz Countertop 1000-Watt Base and Total Crushing Technology for Smoothies, Ice and Frozen Fruit, Black, Blender + Pitcher

The professional power of Ninja kitchen appliances makes it easy to crush ice, blend smoothies, and create hundreds of great recipes.

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Top Amazon Gifts for College Students

Top Amazon Gifts for College Students

Want more great gift ideas? Check out these other posts featuring unique gift ideas:

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What were some of your favorite things that helped make student life easier?

57 Responses

  1. Kelly says:

    This is a really sensible list. College is underrated in England, but I still know many who would love the Adult in training socks (my husband for example) and many many more who would appreciate all those practical gifts. College is a time when young ones find out how expensive it is just to live and practical gifts are really appreciated at that age.

  2. Alicia Watts says:

    Good article.  You have really brought out some good gifts.  I would have thought about like sheets, towels.  I like the squirrel pillow, the dinosaur that holds post notes. Always food any kind of food.  My daughter went and she needed a popcorn popper definitely.  She wanted the magic bullet.  So everything you have is on point.  Alicia

  3. Wildecoll says:

    As much as you have varieties of what you can buy for them, you can also make mistakes when buying gifts for them because they might not have interest in what you’ve gotten. What you should do is just study the person you want to get a gift for, know what he/she would like. I personally love the Adjustable Phone / Tablet Stand, it is something that college students use generally. I’ll bookmark this website so I don’t lost it.

    • Alyce says:

      I suppose that gift cards are so popular because it can be a challenge to pick something out — even when you truly want to delight someone with a great gift. Hopefully this article can help you to find some gift items that work for the people in your life!

  4. Wildecoll says:

    This is a very good post, it’s true that college students never run out of things to buy but the issue of limit cash gets it all down the “can’t” list, this list is full of stuffs they’ll definitely love because they all have that you h and feeling of tenderness, fun and youthfulness. The LED lamps is what I love most here, who knows, I might get one for my cousin. Thanks for sharing such an informative article, it is useful.

  5. Irina says:

    How many things nice and fun! I passed a lot of college-age, but I would like to have most of these things in the house. I studied each one and in the end, I felt suddenly a better mood. I have no family members in college but I have a child who will go to school next year. But I do not think you have to wait to enter the school to provide some of these objects.

    • Alyce says:

      Irina, these gift ideas are great because they absolutely work for lots of different situations!! Go ahead and pick up the things that you would like in your house — they will be enjoyable and useful whether you are a student or not!

  6. Cathy Allen says:

    What cool gift ideas! I never went to college, but a lot of these gifts are good for first-time apartment dwellers. The TaoTronix desk lamp sounds so awesome I want one now! The adjustable phone stand looks so simple, but it seems so handy when you think about it. Who wants to hold the phone while they’re trying to read from it or watch videos? Having a stand makes the experience much more fun. Charging ports aren’t as expensive as they used to be, and they are handy in any living situation. I love your suggestions. People with college-bound kids should definitely read this!

  7. Happier At Home says:

    How fun is this post!  I thoroughly enjoyed this post about the best gifts for college students!  Some of my favorite people are currently learning in a university setting right now!  With Christmas right around the corner, you offer several great options!  I would have never thought of these if not for your sharing them!  You’ve categorized the options between gender, dorm necessities, kitchen gadgets, technology, and others!  I’m impressed by this great list!  Thank you so much!  

  8. Ron says:

    As I browsed around your site it seems you have great insight as to what a college student really needs. I really like the led lamp with USB port and the power strip with multiple USB ports.  Since we live “The age of Technology” I think these and other items related to device charging are super Gifts for most any college student.

  9. Anthony Hu says:

    Thank you for your post. It is a nice idea to have a gifts for college students. My son is in college now and I usually give him cash, but I think it is good idea to give him gift as a inspiration and motivation token.

    I am surprised that my son loves cooking and he seldom eat at  school cafeteria, instead he makes his own food.  Kitchen gifts are certainly the best gifts for my son. I see that you suggest Ninja Mega Kitchen Blender / Food Processor. My loves smoothies and will like the Ninja blender. 

    My son certainly like other kitchen utensils. I guess Ninja Mega Kitchen should have the all of them and I am going to order one sets of stuff for my son.

    It is kind of you sharing this helpful idea with us.

  10. Renea says:

    Really cool post. You have lots of good ideas of gifts for a college student. The Dino memo holder is so cute and the pop corn popper would be a hit for a gift:) My daughter is in college and I will definitely use some of your ideas for her. My youngest son starts colleges next fall, so will be coming back to your site for more ideas then. 🙂

  11. Stephanie says:

    I had most of the practical gifs you mentioned when I was in college. I got it all by myself though because I didn’t had anyone to help me with anything. Really wish I could’ve seen an article like this back in the days. It would’ve saved me so much time and unnecessary headaches. 

    • Alyce says:

      It’s wonderful to have someone who will surprise you with a gift, especially in those college years when funds can be tight. I’m glad to hear that you were able to get some of these items on your own and that you found them to be practical as well!

  12. Michel says:

    College is a great experience and often remembered by all the good times had with friends. We just tend to forget that that was the time of our lives where we felt the poorest. We never had any money and we were always looking to save a buck or two.

    You have come up with some very useful gifts for students here. I am sure they will appreciate something like the power strip surge protector, especially with all the gadgets and technology that they walk around with nowadays.

    • Alyce says:

      Hi Michel, those were definitely some cash-strapped times, and practical gifts were very much welcomed and appreciated!!!

  13. Claudio says:

    Hello!!
    Searching on the internet I found your site where you promote different products all very useful by the way. Within a few days I have my lady’s birthday I am looking for something to give her. 

    I think you may like the cosmetic case, the last one that appears. I will save your site to show it to my lady before making the purchase. Thank you!

  14. C says:

    Thank you! These are great gift ideas. I like how you always put together so many helpful things within an article to create a full picture. I like the dinosaur memo pad, because of course I like dinosaurs. And the squirrel neck pillow. That’s a good idea to include practical gifts, for example the first aid kit is really practical and could be really helpful.

    maybe a doorway pull-up bar could be good for college students, so they could do some pull-ups in their dorm room if they are too busy to go to the gym for a full workout. They just have to make sure that they’re allowed to put it up in their dorm. Also, gift cards for the grocery store, that way they can always get whatever food they need.

    Great article and I look forward to reading your next one.

  15. Chloe says:

    These are by fat a wide variety of stuffs any college student would ask for. Looking a the lots of things these students would need when they ate going to school, one would certainly need some discount to help reduce the expenses that would go with it. Currently I don’t have a kid in college buy i know just the right person that needs to see these offers. Thanks for sharing this wonderful information.

    • Alyce says:

      Thank you Chloe, I appreciate you sharing this with someone who can use the information about things a college student might need!

  16. Tracy says:

    For what is worth, this post has come very handy to me and I must say that I picked up quite a couple of things from this list. My cousin is in college and I know that he would definitely be in need of a couple of these things listed on this list and I’m surely going to get a couple in line with my budget. To be honest, this list has some very basic things that most college students lack and they would be very appreciative if they can get some our of this. Thumbs up to you for sharing this

  17. John says:

    When I was in college,I used to love it when I receive  good gifts. Seeing this list is very awesome because I have a nephew who is going to college soon and I want to give  him something nice as well. I like that dinosaur memo holder and those last few tips you have are also very good and I think I know now what to give him. Is there a set of gifts you can recommend?

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