‘Tis the season to spoil a college student.

Have you ever had your card declined at Starbucks when buying a $4 latte? Well, I have. I remember going to grab a coffee in an attempt to replace 4-6 hours of sleep before my morning classes during my freshman year of college.  My heart was already racing because I was still a Starbucks newbie at the time and found the whole experience to be quite intimidating. Anyway, the barista announces to me (and all of my peers) your card declined, broke a$$. Well, he didn’t say that last part but he might as well have.  My soul drifted away from my body as I scrambled to put a few dollar bills together and get the hell out of there as fast as I could. 

I say all of that to say this – if you have the means to spoil the college student in your life, do it. So many university students are just barely scraping by while also juggling work, school, and maintaining a social life.  Sure, they will appreciate another sweater, but gifting them something that makes life a little easier will really make the student in your life feel seen. 

I’ve curated a list of the best Christmas gifts for college students that are both practical and trendy – and that they may be unable to afford to buy themselves.

16 Christmas Gifts for College Students They Will Actually Use:

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Gifts for College Students:

1. Stanley 40oz Travel Cup – Whether they’re filling this up with water, coffee, or *ahem* something else (they’re college students, after all), this tumbler will likely never leave their sight.  And with the ability to stay hot for 7 hours or cold for 11 hours, why would it?

2. Laptop Tote Bag – No need to choose between form and function here.  

3. Daily Planner – Help them stay organized and avoid burnout with a daily planner.  This specific planner has daily and weekly planning pages for any level of detail.

4. 1 TB External Hard Drive – Working long hours on a project, only to lose everything because of a tech glitch is every student’s worst nightmare.  An external hard drive will safely store all of their files and provide instant backups to their devices.

5. Nespresso Vertuo – Espresso is a college student’s best friend. As a bonus, grab some double (or triple!) shots here.

6. iPad Air – When I graduated college, I basically had to surgically remove my iPad from my fingertips. I used it for everything from note-taking, studying, reading e-textbooks, and even typing up papers on the go.  

7. Apple Pencil – While not a mandatory companion to the iPad, an apple pencil makes it MUCH easier to highlight and take notes.  It would also make a perfect stocking stuffer!

8. Starbucks Gift Card – They’re going to love you for this.  Starbucks was practically my second home for getting work done in college, and those obligatory cups of coffee really add up over a semester.

9. AirPods Pro – Privacy is a rare commodity on a college campus. AirPods are essential for both blocking the noise of others and keeping their own noise to a minimum.

10. Always Pan – Space is another precious commodity in a shared area. The Always Pan will ensure they don’t waste an inch by replacing up to eight traditional pieces of cookware. 

11. Weighted Blanket – Being able to fall asleep quickly and actually get a restful night of sleep is an important skill for all college students.  A weighted blanket will make sure they’re getting the most efficient sleep possible while also reducing stress and anxiety. 

12. Bose SoundLink Micro Bluetooth Speaker – Portable, waterproof, and ultra-durable, this speaker will hold up to all of the adventures it’s sure to see. It can even be clipped to handlebars or a backpack for easy, hands-free use.

13. Duffel Bag – The perfect, durable travel companion for a weekend getaway with friends or for going home for the holidays.

14. What Do You Meme Card Game – Great for a study break or ice-breaker.

15. Five Minute Journal – If your student struggles with overwhelm, help keep them grounded with the practice of 5 minutes of journaling daily. 

16. Backpack – If their backpack has seen better days, get them this upgrade that will really hold it all and last them until graduation.

This post was all about Christmas gifts for college students.  For more gift ideas for everyone on your list, check out this master post.