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student gift ideas

17 Holiday Gift Ideas for Students

Are you drawing a blank on what to get your favorite student this year? Take a look at these gift ideas for the students in your life.

Erin Condren Planner

Let’s be real. Every college girl needs a planner—and even further, a cute planner. College students are dealing with the art of balance for the first time — between homework, tests, finals, club activities, Greek life, going home on the weekends, etc., they need a place to keep track of everything. Erin Condren goes above and beyond with the LifePlanner—it’s cute and completely perfect for all things that require planning.

Plus, this can be the gift that you keep giving, because every season there are new, interchangeable covers!

ERIN CONDREN LIFEPLANNER, AVAILABLE AT ERINCONDREN.COM

Skyn ICELAND Face Masks

What’s better in college than taking a little time for R&R? I can’t count the days where all I’ve wanted to do is go to the spa, but didn’t have the time or money.  With these masks that are quality-made to keep breakouts away while chilling you out, you can bring the spa to the stressed student! (We’re also huge fans of their blemish dots here at ESL.)

SKYN ICELAND FRESH START FACE MASK, AVAILABLE AT SKYNICELAND.COM
SKYN ICELAND BLEMISH DOTS, AVAILABLE AT SKYNICELAND.COM

Blankets

Because who doesn’t use a blanket multiple times a day in college? We seriously use them everywhere—the couch, our beds, chilly classrooms, sports games, and especially during those all-nighters in the library. Having a new, cozy blanket always pumps me up with a little extra motivation.

CALITIME SUPER SOFT THROW PLUSH FAUX FUR, AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.
NORTHPOINT RUYA OVERSIZED VELVET PLUSH CHEVRON THROW, AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.
TEAL THRESHOLD CHENILLE BASKETWEAVE, AVAILABLE AT TARGET.

Headphones

I can’t even describe how much these are worth to a study-aholic. When I’m in the library and can’t find a soundproof room, I have to resort to my wimpy in-ear headphones. The problem is, not only can I hear the music, but I can still hear everyone talking around me. Noise cancelling headphones will make it possible to study just about anywhere.

TAN AND SILVER HEADPHONES, AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.
BLACK HEADPHONES, AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.

Portable Chargers

How many days a week does my phone die on me while I’m out and about? Seven out of seven. College kids are always on their phones—checking texts, social media, new assignments, emails, and anything else they can think of on their walks across campus. Having a portable battery could seriously save my life multiple times a week. Plus, they come in super cute patterns and would make great stocking stuffers!

MAKEUP FOR LOST TIME BATTERY PACK, AVAILABLE AT MODCLOTH.
PRESTO CHARGE-O BATTERY PACK, AVAILABLE AT MODCLOTH.

Travel Mugs

College students all run on coffee (and some of us, caffeinated tea). Usually, the majority of people in my classes have a transportable cup of some sort containing whatever juice it is that keeps them going, especially in the cold weather. So, this one’s a no-brainer.

BAN.DO “I AM VERY BUSY” TRAVEL MUG, AVAILABLE AT MODCLOTH.
POUR AND SHOOT MUG, AVAILABLE AT MODCLOTH.
EARN SPEND LIVE “JUST LET ME LIVE” TRAVEL MUG, AVAILABLE AT ZAZZLE.

Coffee Mugs

For those days when class is just too hard and we stay in all day studying and watching TV reruns. Yeah, we’ll need life juice on those days too. Plus, they are so much cuter to post on Instagram than a coffee cup with a lid. Am I right, or am I right? Point is, college kids use a lot of coffee cups.

EARN SPEND LIVE “JUST LET ME LIVE” MUG, AVAILABLE AT ZAZZLE
GRAPHIC MUGS, AVAILABLE AT MODCLOTH.

Clothes Steamer

I received one of these as a graduation gift right before I went off to college. Now, every friend that’s ever seen it wants one. It de-wrinkles your clothes in about 30 seconds (which is way faster than the dryer). Also, it’s super rare that college kids get the time to hang up all their clothes right after they come out of the dryer, so this is more handy than you’ll ever know. Shout out to the family who gave me my steamer, I probably wouldn’t have had de-wrinkled clothes to wear to my interview if it weren’t for you.

BESTOPE WHITE STEAMER, AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.
OPOLAR BLACK STEAMER, AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.

A Subscription Box

Subscription boxes are little sample packs that come in the mail once a month. They come in all sorts of types, sizes, and prices (we’ve rounded up the best subscription boxes under $10, read it here). But no matter what your favorite student likes, there’s definitely a subscription box for them. There’s everything from clothes, to arts and crafts, to desserts, to makeup, to coffee. Whether you want to order them one single box, three months of boxes, or even a whole year’s worth, there are options on most sites to give boxes as gifts.

LE TOTE | TREATSIE | BEAUTY BOX 5 | BEAN BOX | SMART ART BOX

GoPro

Does the student you’re buying for love going outside and being adventurous? Well this little camera records videos and takes pictures in all types of conditions. No matter what they do for spring break (go surfing, skiing, hike mountains in the rain or shine), this little gadget will record it all in very high quality. What a perfect gift for the memory-hungry, adventure-seeking student.

GOPRO, AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.

Apple Watch

A watch that tells you what time it is, who’s texting you and what they’re saying, and when people post in social media. That’s right. It’s the watch that’s far enough away from a phone that teachers can’t yell at us for using it in class. And, we can’t text back on it, so it’s not really that distracting. Plus, it holds all your favorite apps, pictures, and counts your steps everyday!

APPLE WATCHES, AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.

Printer

It’s the worst feeling to have to leave your place late at night or really early in the morning to go print something off at the library. I wish every single day that I had a printer of my own. It would save me time, money, gas, and emotional trauma of being late to class. So do your college kiddo a favor and bless them with the ability to print from home.

HP ENVY WIRELESS PRINTER, AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.

Cards Against Humanity

The epitome of a college kid game night. This card game might be a little vulgar, but it’s the quickest way to liven up a party. If you’ve ever heard of Apples to Apples, Cards Against Humanity is just the R-Rated version. If you’re looking to get something that will help keep a student’s mind off classes, this is a great way to go.

CARDS AGAINST HUMANITY, AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.

Backpack

You know, one of the ones that makes you look like you just came back from a three-week mountain adventure even if all you do is sit on the couch and watch Netflix? Yeah. They’re a big hit. Not only are they cute, but they have so much room and so many pockets without looking like a nerdy suitcase. Snag one of these as a gift, and you’ll be their new favorite.

ADULT BACKPACKS, AVAILABLE AT TARGET.

Nalgene

Besides all the coffee that college kids transport around, they also have to stay hydrated. Nalgene water bottles are popular because they’re easy to wash, come in great colors, and are perfect to cover in stickers (college kids put stickers on everything). So if you’re looking for a cheaper option, think Nalgene!

NALGENE WIDE MOUTH SEAFOAM GREEN WATER BOTTLE, AVAILABLE AT TARGET.
NALGENE WATER BOTTLES, AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.

Buttons for the Backpack and Stickers for the Nalgene

When in college, giving your opinion is everything. And what better way to let everyone know what you like and don’t like than with buttons and stickers? Get your student some personalized buttons for their backpack that let everyone know what they’re into, or get them some stickers to stick on literally everything they own! Either way, they’ll love you for knowing them so well.

EARN SPEND LIVE LOGO DECAL, AVAILABLE ON ZAZZLE.
EVESDROPPING LOGO DECAL, AVAILABLE ON ZAZZLE.
CACTUS PIN, AVAILABLE ON ZAZZLE.
DONUT PIN, AVAILABLE ON ZAZZLE.
TOTALLY KOALAFIED PIN, AVAILABLE ON ZAZZLE.

Phone Case

A phone case is a good idea because it helps change the scenery, even if it’s only a little bit. Speaking from experience, getting a new phone case puts me in the mood to get things done. Because my phone looks put together, and my phone is my life, it makes me feel as if I’m put together as well. So if you aren’t looking to spend a ton of money but want to get an impactful gift, grab them a phone case!

CACTI IPHONE 6/6S CASE, AVAILABLE AT MODCLOTH.
FLORABUNDA IPHONE 6 CASE, AVAILABLE AT PAPERSOURCE.
PAPER CROWN IPHONE 6 CASE, AVAILABLE AT PAPERSOURCE.
VINTAGE HYDRANGEA FLORAL BARELY THERE IPHONE 6 CASE, AVAILABLE ON ZAZZLE.
FAUX OPAL GEMSTONE IPHONE 6 CASE, AVAILABLE ON ZAZZLE.
ABALONE SHELL IPHONE 6 CASE, AVAILABLE ON ZAZZLE.

Last Updated: November 21, 2016