Unless you’ve recently graduated from college, understanding what’s practical and necessary for college students in 2023 can be hard.
In just the last decade, technology and college curriculums have changed so much that it may feel like 50 years have passed instead of just 10. That’s why I sourced an actual college student for the gift ideas shared below.
Regardless of gender, major, or location, there’s something for everyone in this ultimate holiday gift guide for college students for 2023.
As a college student myself, I can say it is definitely hard to shop for college students.
Being that they’re in their late teens or early twenties, college students can be quite elusive when it comes to giving direct answers and preferences, whether it’s about “how those grades are”, or what they want for Christmas.
To address these challenges, I have created a list of 20 gifts for this holiday season that are bound to be loved by any college student.
Portable Charger
INIU Portable Charger, Small 10000mAh Power Bank USB
With college students' hectic lifestyles and ever-changing daily schedules, it can be hard to find time to charge a phone.
However, with this compact-sized portable charger, charging on the go is simple and convenient.
With phones being such a vital part of modern society, this gift is great for any college student to ensure on-the-go extra hours of battery life, and is sure to be used for years to come.
Sunrise Alarm Clock
Sunrise Alarm Clock, Wake Up Light Dawn Simulator, Bedside Lamp Color Night Light with USB Charger, Sleep Aid, Sunlight Alarm Loud Alarm Clock for Heavy Sleepers Adults, Gift for Kids Teens Boys Girls
A fantastic alternative to a noisy, annoying alarm clock, this alarm clock wakes you up by simulating a sunrise at any time of the day, with the option to choose between a light-only alarm, or to combine the light with a sound of your choice.
With a weekly calendar, thermometer, USB port, 7 different colors and lighting modes, and white noise machine built-in, this alarm is easily one of the best on the market and is sure to be a great gift to any college student.
JBL Bluetooth Speaker
JBL Clip 3, Black - Waterproof, Durable & Portable Bluetooth Speaker - Up to 10 Hours of Play - Includes Noise-Cancelling Speakerphone & Wireless Streaming
Whether going to a party, meeting friends to hang out, or just singing in the shower, music is a must.
A perfect gift for music lovers, this portable Bluetooth speaker has incredible sound, a built-in clip to attach it to anything you like, and is waterproof. Perfect for any occasion, this portable speaker is a must for any college-aged music lover.
Hydro Flask Water Bottle
Hydro Flask All Around Travel Tumbler with Handle 40 Oz Indigo
With a new alternative style to the traditional water bottle, this travel tumbler has taken the world of college reusable drink carriers by storm.
Easy to carry, stylish, and convenient, the Hydro Flask Travel Tumbler is a fantastic alternative to plastic bottles and will not only save money in the long run but help save the planet too.
Mini Projector
HAPPRUN Projector, Native 1080P Bluetooth Projector with 100''Screen, 9500L Portable Outdoor Movie Projector Compatible with Smartphones, HDMI, USB, AV, Fire Stick, PS5
Not all college students have access or room for a traditional TV, with college dorms being so small. An easy solution for this problem is a mini projector.
Most college dorms have white walls, so a projector is a great and cheap way for college students to still be able to watch their favorite shows and movies, without having to make space for a TV.
Lap Desk
LAPGEAR Designer Lap Desk with Phone Holder and Device Ledge - Aqua Trellis - Fits up to 15.6 Inch Laptops - Style No. 45422
Perfect for students who don’t like to sit at a desk for an extended period, a lap desk offers a comfortable way to do school work while on a computer in the comfort of your bed, sitting up, or lying down.
Candle Warmer
Cozyberry® Querencia Candle Warmer, Compatible with Yankee Candle Large Jar, Metal, Candle Lamp, 110-120V, Dimmable Candle Melter, Candle Warmer Lamp, Small & Large Size Jar Candles (Black)
Most colleges do not allow candles, incense, or any open flames in dorm rooms. Therefore, most students have to resort to scented plug-ins and Febreeze spray.
What many don’t realize is a candle warmer is allowed in most college dorms, as it does not have an open flame, making this a perfect gift and solution for candle-loving college students.
Cold Brew Coffee Maker
Takeya Cold Brew Coffee Maker with Black Lid Pitcher, 1 qt
For Gen Z, hot coffee is much less popular than cold brew.
Therefore a hot coffee maker like a Keriug may not be the best choice for a college-aged student. However, this cold-brew coffee maker by Takeya is a fantastic gift this holiday season for any cold-brew coffee fan.
Spikeball Game Set
Spikeball Standard 3 Ball Kit - Spikeball Game Set - Sports & Outdoor Family Games - Includes 3 Regular Balls, 1 Ball Net, Drawstring Bag & Rulebook - for Lawn Games
Spikeball came onto the scene of college campuses with a storm, due to its simple rules, compactness, and ease of setting up. A great gift for creating memories with friends and family, a Spikeball game set is a great option for competitive and sporty kids.
Reading Pillow
Milliard Reading Pillow with Shredded Memory Foam, Large Adult Backrest with Arms, Back Support for Sitting Up in Bed with Washable Cover (Sit up Pillow)
Great for not only reading but for watching TV and movies, gaming, doing homework, and more, a reading pillow should be a staple in every college student's dorm room.
Instant Camera
Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 Instant Camera - Pastel Blue
Instant cameras have made a huge comeback in the past few years.
They are a great way to capture memories through photos that can be printed right after taking them.
Since college is some of the most formative years of a person’s life, an instant camera is a fantastic gift to give a college student to help them capture these moments in physical pictures, not just digital ones on their phone.
Apple AirPods
Apple AirPods (3rd Generation) Wireless Ear Buds, Bluetooth Headphones, Personalized Spatial Audio, Sweat and Water Resistent, Lightning Charging Case Included, Up to 30 Hours of Battery Life
Earbuds are one of the most essential things a college student can own.
Whether studying, working out, or just relaxing, the Apple AirPods are by far the best wireless earbuds on the market, and make the perfect gift for any college student this holiday season.
Ninja Air Fryer
Ninja AF101 Air Fryer that Crisps, Roasts, Reheats, and dehydrates, for Quick, Easy Meals, 4 Quart Capacity, and high Gloss Finish, Grey
Most dorms and college on-campus suites don’t have a full kitchen, aside from a communal kitchen that is usually used by the whole floor/dorm.
And with how dirty, and busy that communal kitchen can get, an air fryer is a great gift for students who don’t want to have to make the trek over to the dining hall for every meal.
It’s a simple, and compact way to cook and heat almost any frozen food.
Bed Shelf
BedShelfie Bedside Shelf for Bunk Bed & Top Bunk, College Dorm Room Essentials, Loft Bed Accessories, Clip On Nightstand Snack Organizer, Bed Side Table Tray Shelfie Storage - Cable Catch, White
When it comes to finding a place to put your phone, water, or anything else you need near you before you go to bed, a college dorm offers little to work with.
That is why the bed shelf, which attaches to the bed frame, has become so popular in colleges across America.
A cheap, and great alternative to a standing nightstand, a bed shelf is a must-have for all college students, especially ones living in freshmen dorms or Greek houses, where they may have to use a bunk bed.
Gooseneck Phone Holder
SAIJI Gooseneck Bed Phone Holder, Flexible Long Arm Phone Mount for Desk, Clip Bracket Clamp Stand for 4.0-6.5'' Mobile Cell Phone Stand Document Camera Nintendo Switch (Black)
Another great accessory that can be clipped onto the bed frame, is a gooseneck phone holder. It is great for watching TV, movies, and videos on a phone without having to hold it the whole time.
A perfect gift to give any college student; this movie night device makes a great stocking stuffer and a cheap yet useful present.
Mattress Topper
ViscoSoft 4 Inch Pillow Top Memory Foam Mattress Topper Twin XL - Extra Long - Made in the USA - Serene Dual Layer Pad
The bed is one of the most important things to have just to one's liking in college. The rest you get will inevitably affect your production in school and overall day.
Many college students come to college thinking they don't need a mattress topper, and that they'll be fine with the mattress their college provides.
Little do they know, the university provides a mattress that's as hard as a rock.
For this reason, a mattress topper is a perfect gift for any college student who comes home for the holidays this year and doesn't already have a mattress topper.
Bose QuietComfort Headphones
NEW Bose QuietComfort Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones, Bluetooth Over Ear Headphones with Up To 24 Hours of Battery Life, Black
Earbuds may not be everyone's cup of tea, but students still need a way to listen to music, podcasts, audiobooks, and more without using their phone's speaker to do so.
The Bose QuietComfort Headphones are the perfect alternative to earbuds. These wireless, noise-canceling technology, with 24 hours of battery life are one of the best headphones on the market and make a great gift.
Stone Oil Diffuser
Vitruvi Stone Diffuser, Ceramic Ultrasonic Essential Oil Diffuser for Aromatherapy | Ceramic Diffuser, Diffusers for Home, Oil Diffuser, Room Decor | White, 90ml Capacity
A great way to keep any dorm or apartment smelling fresh, while using natural essential oils that are beneficial to one's health is to use a diffuser.
This stone diffuser is a beautiful piece of decor, that is simple to use, pretty to look at, and can make a whole apartment smell like anything one wants, from orange blossoms to peppermint, and so much more.
A good idea for any student who is a few years into their college journey, this diffuser is great because it is made to last, and will be perfect for a house or apartment or for when a student graduates.
Nintendo Switch
Nintendo Switch™ with Neon Blue and Neon Red Joy‑Con™
A perfect gift for fans of the Nintendo Catalog, including everything from Mario to Sonic, and much more, the Nintendo Switch is light, compact, and easy to use.
Best of all, it can be used with the screen attached to it, or you can plug it into any TV and use the 2 controls to with play friends.
With Nintendo making a huge resurgence in the past years, due to its beloved games, and nostalgia, gifting a Nintendo Switch is a perfect way to show your love this season.
MacBook Air Laptop
Apple 2023 MacBook Air Laptop with M2 chip: 15.3-inch Liquid Retina Display, 8GB Unified Memory, 512GB SSD Storage, 1080p FaceTime HD Camera, Touch ID. Works with iPhone/iPad; Silver
One of the best gifts for those looking to spend a little extra this holiday season, a Macbook Air is perfect for the current college student.
With pretty much all writing assignments, and the majority of assignments, in general, being done and submitted electronically, having a high-quality laptop in college is vital.
Therefore, the MacBook Air is one of the best options for a college student.
Lightweight, simple to use, reliable, and one of the cheaper Macbooks, this is a perfect gift for any college student, or high school senior going to college next fall.
Determining what a college student really needs from this list can pose a challenge.
My recommendation is to select a few items you believe they would genuinely like as a gift and ask them directly about their preferences.
Whether you’re assembling these gifts into a care package or giving them in person during this holiday season, college students will undoubtedly love receiving any of these thoughtful gifts.
And, for those who may think some of these gifts are more grown-up, and still view their college student as a kid, it’s worth noting that the growth and maturation they can undergo in a single semester can be surprising.
Have a happy holiday season!
