42 Christmas Gifts for College Students in 2025

1. Printed Duct Tape: Believe it or not, duct tape can come in pretty handy, especially for a college or university student trying to fix something on the cheap. And it can be a cool novelty gift when it comes in a favorite print like camo or superheroes.

2. Stress ball: What college student doesn't need to release tension once in a while? A squishy, squeezable stress ball can be the perfect gift for anyone who needs to work out a little frustration.

3. Personalized Coffee Mug: A coffee mug personalized with favorite photos and sayings is a simple, personal gift that reminds the college student in your life of a special person or an unforgettable moment.

4. Space Organizers: Many college students live in small spaces such as dorms, apartments, or houses shared with roommates. Organizers for the kitchen, living room, bathroom, bedroom, and desk can come in handy and reduce the clutter in a small area.

5. Flask: Flasks are one of those great Christmas gifts for college guys, although there could be women who would like this gift too. There are many different styles and designs available, and you can even buy a stainless steel flask and have it personalized with a name, message, or funny phrase.

6. Rechargeable, Portable Desk Lamp: This rechargeable LED desk lamp is lightweight and portable, and it offers five to twenty hours of use on a single charge. With adjustable brightness, three color modes, and a flexible 360° design, it's ideal for studying, reading, or relaxing in dorm rooms. Easy USB charging and eye-friendly light make it a convenient and comfortable everyday companion.

7. First Aid Emergency Kit: Accidents happen, and the reality is that most college students are not going to be equipped with essentials like bandages and first aid ointment. So you could set them up with the basics needed to take care of minor cuts, scrapes, and burns.

8. Portable Charger: College students are busy, and most usually don't go anywhere without their phones. So you can imagine how troubling it is when they're out and realize that their phone is not charged. You can help prevent that letdown from happening by giving a portable charger, which can also be used for other small devices like Bluetooth speakers or wireless headphones.

9. Essential Oil Diffuser: With an essential oil diffuser, college students can fill their living spaces with grounding, calming, or uplifting aroma. You can include any number of oil blends that can help with everything from getting a good night's sleep to clearing and focusing the mind—all things that can benefit college students and make their dorms smell much better too.

10. Card Game: A part of attending school is having fun with your friends. That can easily be achieved with one of the popular card games like Cards Against Humanity, Never Have I Ever: The Adult Party Card Game of Poor Life Decisions, or Exploding Kittens. These games can be both slightly inappropriate and downright hilarious—a winning combination for many college students.

11. Personal Humidifier: Dry winter air can wreak havoc on a college student's skin. Personal humidifiers that can easily fit on a desk or nightstand can be the perfect solution.

12. Chalkboard Drinking Jars: When you have a group of friends together, and everyone is drinking from the same style of glasses, it's easy to mix up whose glass is whose. Chalkboard drinking jars solve this problem. People can write their names on their glasses, and the chalk easily washes off later. You also have the option of purchasing chalkboard labels that adhere to the glasses that the gift recipient already owns.

13. Fleece Blanket: Is there anything better than cuddling up under a cozy blanket? A fleece blanket is a great Christmas gift for a college student who wants to keep warm during all of those late-night study sessions.

14. Multi-Charging Station: Most college students own multiple devices that require charging. And when living with roommates, charging devices can sometimes be a challenge. A multi-charging station allows a person to charge several devices at once using only one outlet.

15. Support pillow: A pillow that provides good support for the back and neck can be just what a college student needs to stay comfortable while lounging on a bed reading, studying, or watching Netflix.

16. Backpack or Messenger Bag: Busy college students usually have a lot of stuff to pack around with them. A good-quality backpack or messenger bag can make the difference between traveling around in comfort and having an aching back. And there are countless options and styles to choose from that can suit just about any student.

17. Personal Safety Kit: A personal safety kit can be useful for a female college student, especially if she has evening classes or a job where she could be walking alone after dark. You can buy a kit or put one together with items like a pocket whistle, personal alarm, and pepper spray.

18. Earthly's Unpaper Towels: Reusable Unpaper Towels are washable and can be used in place of paper towels for napkins and cleaning up spills in your dorm room. These environmentally friendly cloths are super handy to have in your car for emergencies. Multiple designs are available, but this bright and cute lemon design on this paper towel alternative will look amazing in your Instagram posts.

20. Bluetooth Speaker: Students usually love their music (and rightfully so) because it can help them study, unwind, or gain energy. Bluetooth speakers let them amplify the tunes from their smartphones or other devices. Some models are even splash-proof.

21. Smartphone Projector: Get a gift that allows college students to turn their dorms, bedrooms, or living rooms into home theaters. The mini bluetooth projector options vary from the most basic cardboard models to high-quality HD pocket projectors.

22. Bean Bag Chair: What is the college experience without a bean bag chair? An essential for many college students, hours can be spent in these comfortable chairs that come in a variety of styles and colors.

23. Fitness Tracker: Are you purchasing a Christmas gift for a college student concerned with their fitness levels? You may want to consider buying a personal fitness tracker like a Fitbit. These devices can track a person's steps, measure distance and calories burned, monitor sleep, and send stats to smartphones or computers.

24. Noise-Cancelling Earbuds or Headphones: These are a great gift idea for college students who are always on the go with music in their ears. Noise-cancelling earbuds or headphones can provide thousands of hours of high-quality sound. If you're willing to spend more than $200, Apple's AirPods Pro are among the best, most desired earbuds with active noise cancellation.

25. Mattress Topper: Dorm room beds are not always super comfortable. A mattress topper can make it easier for your college student to drift off to dreamland.

26. Single-Serve Coffee Brewer: A lot of college and university students are powered by coffee. Their worlds may cease to exist without it. So, help them out a little and buy them a single-serve coffee brewer. Your college student will be happy to always have coffee ready to go at the push of a button.

27. Healthy Snacks: Are you concerned about the amount of ramen noodles and mac and cheese that the college student in your life is consuming? Help them out by having healthy snacks delivered every month via a subscription with Amazon Prime or a fruit-of-the-month club.

28. Amazon Echo: Surprise the student in your life with a voice-activated multimedia speaker. The Amazon Echo plays all of their music from popular sites and apps like Prime Music and Spotify. It can also look up information to answer questions, provide the weather, and report the news. And it can even call for an Uber ride, order pizza, and control home features like lights and thermostats.

29. Ninja Fryer: An air fryer is not just a kitchen appliance; it's a lifestyle upgrade for a college student. It encourages healthier eating, saves time, and is incredibly user-friendly. Whether they're a cooking novice or a food enthusiast, the air fryer is sure to be a hit, helping them create tasty, nutritious meals in between their studies.

30. Pedal Bike: A pedal bike is a great gift idea for college and university students who have larger areas to travel around for school and work. A bike can make commuting a little easier and provide some exercise at the same time. And there are many bike styles and options to choose from, including electric bikes for longer distances.

31. GoPro Action Camera: Get a cool gift for the active college student in your life. Sports enthusiasts love products like GoPros because they can easily take live-action videos while taking part in fun activities such as mountain biking, snowboarding, and scuba diving.

32. Nintendo Switch: Does the college student you are shopping for love to game? They would probably new Nintendo Switch! These units connect to the Internet so that users can game with friends remotely.

33. iPad: Apple iPads are multi-purpose and can be practical and fun for college and university students. They can use them to surf the Web, read, study, take notes, film, photograph, and watch shows. Who wouldn't love a new iPad?

34. Adult Coloring Books: Help relieve the stress that the college girl in your life experiences by buying her a couple of adult coloring books. Coloring is an artistic and creative activity that can be done almost anywhere, and it can bring a great sense of calm peacefulness.

35. Essential Oils: Essential oils have many uses that can be helpful for students. They have been known to help with almost anything from boosting immunity to improving focus and concentration. At the very least, they can help a dorm room smell much better. Rosemary, lemon, and peppermint can be helpful for keeping your student focused and alert, while lavender, chamomile, and ylang ylang can help them unwind and get a good night's sleep.

36. Organic Tea: Organic tea is a natural way for college students to support wellness by boosting alertness with blends like green or yerba mate during study sessions, while herbal options like chamomile or peppermint promote relaxation and stress relief. Free from synthetic pesticides and additives, it's a healthy, soothing choice for both focus and unwinding.

37. Yoga Mat Bag: College students who love to practice yoga can always use a beautiful mat bag for carrying their gear to and from classes. Choose from a variety of styles and colors to find a bag that perfectly suits the student in your life.

38. Toaster Bags: There might not be a handier gift for a college guy living in a dorm than a product that allows him to quickly make a grilled cheese sandwich in the toaster. As a bonus, most toaster bags are reusable and multi-purpose (i.e., they can also be used in the oven or microwave for all kinds of foods, including pizza, chicken nuggets, and frozen waffles).

39. Beard Oil: Does the college guy in your life keep a well-groomed beard? If so, you might want to buy him a moisturizing beard oil that helps keep his skin and facial hair looking and feeling amazing. You may also want to check out additional men's grooming products that he may like.

40. Leatherman: What guy doesn't want a Leatherman or similar multi-tool? You just never know when a bottle opener, screwdriver, pliers, blade, or pair of scissors could come in handy.

41. Electric Shaver: Anything that is convenient and saves time is usually well-loved by college guys. If the student you are buying for likes to be clean-shaven, you may want to get him a nice electric shaver to help reduce the time he has to spend getting ready for his day.

42. Drone: When it comes to cool gifts for college guys, drones probably top the list. When the college guy in your life needs a break from his studies, he can have some fun flying his drone around campus. And since most drones are equipped with cameras, he could take some neat videos and pictures.