If you celebrate any winter holidays, you know that buying presents for loved ones is rarely an easy task, especially to do affordably. To help you out, I’ve compiled a list of affordable Christmas gifts you can purchase for the college student in your life (all of which I’d love to receive myself).
Practical Gifts
Looking for something that your college student will actually use? Here’s a few practical Christmas gift ideas before we get to the really fun stuff.
A Cozy Bathrobe
Does your student live in a dorm? If so, a bathrobe is the perfect Christmas gift! A big, fluffy bathrobe to wear down to the communal bathrooms (or even the private ones) to preserve a sense of modesty is definitely a huge comfort to have. It’s a customizable gift, too; you could get something simple, or you could go with a theme, like this “Harry Potter” bathrobe.
Desk Organizers
In a dorm, or just in general, there are few things more important than desk organization. This gift is incredibly versatile because you can shop based on the needs of your college student. You could get them a colorful pencil holder or maybe a set of plastic containers for their drawer. Or, even better, a paper tray, which is great if your student has been complaining about old-fashioned professors who insist they print out their assignments. It’s also great for those worksheets and handouts that science professors love to give. There’s definitely a lot of variety with desk organizers, and it’s relatively inexpensive depending on where you shop from. Check out these deals from Amazon!
Noise-Canceling Headphones
Noise-canceling headphones are a lifesaver. They’re probably one of the best gifts you could give to your college student. When finals week comes around, they will be immensely grateful for them. Canceling out disruptive noise to get some good study time in is incredibly valuable, especially during exam weeks. These headphones are on the more expensive side of things, but if you have Amazon Prime, you can score a pretty good deal on some.
Magic Bullet Blender
My Magic Bullet isn’t something I thought I would use as much as I do. If you have a college student who loves to cook or even just make smoothies, this is a great gift. The Magic Bullet is small enough that it fits perfectly into a small kitchen or dorm. You can make salsa, smoothies, or even nut butter– whatever strikes your fancy, making it the perfect gift for your hungry college kid.
Fun Gifts
Now that we got the practical items out of the way, let’s take a look at some gifts that are more on the fun side of things.
Amazon Prime Membership
When I have to order textbooks, the last thing I want is to pay additional shipping costs, and with Amazon Prime, it gets rid of that fee. If you’ve got more than about $50 to spend on your college student, an Amazon Prime Membership makes a fantastic versatile Christmas gift. With things like Prime Video and free Prime shipping, it’s definitely made my life a lot easier. And in my downtime, I get to stream some of my favorite movies on Prime Video.
Gift Cards
You can never go wrong with a gift card! They are a great Christmas gift because of their versatility. You can spend whatever amount you want and buy any sort of gift card. You can shop restaurants around your student’s college campus, or get one to their favorite clothing store. Maybe they have a bookstore they love or a coffee shop they frequent. It’s a really simple way to show your student that you’re thinking of them. And, it helps them keep those simple treats in their life when they’re stressed about finances.
Coloring Books
Coloring books are a fun gift because during exam season, who doesn’t get stressed? Coloring books are a fantastic way to unwind from the stress of the semester and to just be mindful of color. This one is versatile as well; you can buy adult coloring books or kids’ coloring books of various themes. Throw in some pencils, crayons, or markers and you’re good to go! Coloring tools make a great stocking stuffer, and you can always get them cheap at a dollar store.
Luxury Toiletries
A stocking filled with your college student’s favorite toiletries that they might not buy for themselves is a great way to share some Christmas joy! Check out Bath and Body Works, as they always have amazing sales going on, and many girls love their candles and bath products. Don’t let this stop you from doing it for your guys and non-binary folks too! Bath and Body Works has a men’s line and a gender neutral collection, with scents like Coffee & Whiskey or Leather & Brandy. Peruse the long list of scents and find your student some bath products and candles they’d enjoy.
Christmas shopping is definitely difficult, but it doesn’t have to be. Using different Christmas gift guides can be really helpful, and when in doubt, talk to your college student. They may have some good ideas for what they want. And in case they just say “I don’t know,” here at StudyBreaks we have your back.
