- TIPS & IDEAS -
60 Gift Ideas for College Students
College students appreciate useful gifts that perfectly capture their personalities. When it comes to graduation, birthdays or holidays, take inspiration from these 60 gift ideas for college students to show your student how much you care.
1. Lounge Around in a Sherpa Robe
Keep your student cozy morning or night with a sherpa robe. It’s the perfect thing for lounging around with a cup of coffee before an early class. At the end of the day, they can relax in it as they go about their evening routine.
2. Set Them Up For Movie Nights
Movie nights are a staple for college students. A customizable cinema lightbox helps set the scene whether the night’s theme is romantic comedies or horror fest around Halloween. Even when movie time is over, your lightbox can display whatever message you choose in a timeless cinema style.
3. Enjoy Quality Tunes
Create the soundtrack to your student’s college experience by gifting a portable Bluetooth turntable. You can help pick out records for them to play or show them how to connect to the Bluetooth function to stream their music wirelessly.
4. Organize Records With a Storage Crate
If your college student already has a record player and vast vinyl collection, get them this rustic record storage crate to keep them organized. The solid wood is still lightweight, and side handles make it easy to move from dorm to home.
5. Give a Special Keepsake
Whether your student is just headed off to college or is about to graduate with their degree, a piece of monogrammed jewelry is a meaningful gift to commemorate the occasion. Customize a delicate pendant or statement ring that is sure to fit their style.
6. Liven Up Their Space with a Tapestry
Tapestries are a non-permanent way to liven up a blank wall. Transform your teen’s room or dorm with a tapestry of their favorite place or transport them outdoors with a scene from nature.
7. Keep Cozy
When giving a gift, you can never go wrong with a soft, fuzzy blanket. Cozy and plush throw blankets come in a variety of colors to match your student’s preferences, and whatever color you choose, you can feel good about finding the perfect gift to keep them warm and snuggly.
8. Keep It Functional
Whether your student is attending classes online or in person, a functional desk setup will help them achieve their educational goals. A sleek desk riser with built-in USB ports and cubbies can help maximize their study space. Place a laptop or monitor on top and keep books or notes in the cubbies, and keep your phone charged on the side.
9. Display Accessories
Self-expression is in the accessories. Gift a statement jewelry holder to your student so they can put their style on show. Stack rings, sort earrings and hang necklaces to keep everything organized. This way, their accessories will look good whether or not they’re actually wearing them.
10. Gift a Decorative Tassel Garland
Decor is another way to showcase your student’s personal style. Help them make a statement with a bold wall hanging. Pick a wall hanging in neutral colors to play well with a variety of room themes or choose to add a pop of color to your student’s walls.
11. Help Them Pack For Study Snacks
Whether they’re cramming for a test late at night or studying through a lunch break, your student will need brain food to do well in school. A portable, stainless steel sandwich box is a useful gift for college students who like to tote around snacks. The reusable nature of the box is also a big plus for the eco-minded.
12. Set The Mood With String Lights
Help your teen set the mood of their room or dorm with string lights. String lights are a great way to make a dorm room cozy without damaging the walls, and the best part is that they can move them around or turn them off as their mood shifts.
13. Personalize Their Study Space
Whether your student is studying at home or in a dorm, staring at the same desk every day can start to get a little dull. Switch up their space with a personalized desk mat. Colorful monogramming or a fun pattern will make them smile when it’s time to study.
14. Transform a Blank Space
Blank walls can be a killer for creativity. Keep your teen inspired with a dynamic wall mural of their favorite hobby or strive for serenity with a nature scene. A creative environment will help keep their spirits up and mind energized.
15. Set Up a Desk Vanity
An aesthetically pleasing desk mirror is a great addition to any beauty routine. From getting ready in the morning to last-minute touch-ups, your student will get good use out of this gift.
16. A Faux Plant That Won’t Die
New college students are just learning to grapple with independence and responsibility. Keep one more thing off of their busy to-do lists by gifting them a faux plant. Real plants can easily die without the right care, so pick out a faux plant that your student won’t have to think twice about.
17. Hang Out in Style
Help your college student stay social by supplying them with extra seating. A portable lounge chair is great for when an extra friend pops by or if your student wants to switch up their dorm layout. Want their space to be the premier hangout spot? Set them up with two comfy lounge chairs.
18. Brighten Up Their Space
Wall lights are bright accent pieces that can add spunk to any room or dorm. Lights that come in fun shapes or that spell out inspiring words can be tailored to your student’s personality. Either way, your student is sure to love how a neon light pops in their space.
19. Magnetic Dart Board For Fun and Games
The best college hangout spots have fun activities. Give your student a reason to invite friends over for a game night with a magnetic dart board. Your student can exercise friendly rivalries and make memories right in their dorm.
20. Travel in Style
A practical gift idea for college students is to give them a high-quality suitcase to travel with to and from school. Instead of a plain suitcase, opt for a luxe spinner model in a standout color. Your student will transport their belongings in style whether they’re off on a spring vacation with friends or headed home for the holidays.
21. Create Good Lighting
Good lighting for taking photos or setting the mood can be tricky in a dorm setting, so give your student the gift of perfect lighting. A backlit mirror can add plenty of lighting for putting on makeup or bringing in the perfect vibe to your student’s dorm.
22. Chill Out with Bean Bag Chairs
Bean bag chairs are another cool gift idea. College students need lots of comfortable seating to relax and chill out with their friends, and bean bag chairs fit the bill. Choose from different textures and colors of luxe faux fur or a plush sherpa material.
23. Soft Bedding Set To Sleep In
Help your student settle into a new space or update an old one with a supersoft twin XL bedding set. A bedding set ensures that your student has every piece they need to settle down for a good night’s sleep and makes it so that everything matches perfectly.
24. A Desk Set For Organization
You can make organizing easy with a set of matching desk accessories. A magazine and file holder, desk tray and pencil cup will help your student corral their school supplies and loose papers. This will make it easy to locate whatever they need so study time is always efficient.
25. Store Essentials with a Beauty Cart
Level up your student’s beauty game with a fabulous and functional beauty cart. Help them hold makeup, hair tools and any other supplies they need. This is an ideal storage solution for a small space.
26. Save Space with a Photo Rail
If your student is working with limited wall space, a set of slim photo rails can add a touch of their personality to the room. Set up is quick and easy, with no nails or tools required, and they can have photos displayed in minutes. The best part is that they can switch out their favorite images whenever they want, without having to deal with nails or pins.
27. Set Them Up for Sweet Dreams
Many dorm beds don’t come with headboards. A faux headboard is a cool gift idea to help your teen make a statement where they sleep. For a boho feel, choose a natural material like wood, and for a sleek aesthetic, try out a classic tufted design.
28. Streamline Clutter
Clutter can easily crop up when there isn’t a designated place to put things. A chic accessory organizer can provide a home for their tablet, phone, keys, sunglasses and other everyday items. Your student will streamline their clutter and save time by keeping all essentials in one place.
29. Study In Style
When your student is spending long hours studying, a comfortable desk chair is a must. A chair that speaks to their style is a sure fire way to upgrade a basic study space. Additionally, an adjustable seat height helps them find their optimal positioning to stay energized and alert while they work.
30. Help Them Relax
Dorm bath sets are useful gifts for new college students, especially when transitioning to dorm life. Prepare your student with everything they need to get ready like towels, a shower caddy, and other wellness and self-care accessories.
31. Save Dates with a Wall Calendar
Keep your student on top of their schedule with a wall calendar. Your college student can easily track their due dates, activities and special events all in one place. Pick one that easily mounts to a wall for quick visibility, so they never miss an important date.
32. Pin Notes to a State Shaped Cork Board
Upgrade from a traditional pinboard to one shaped as your home state. State-shaped cork boards add a little piece of home to your space, and they double as the perfect place to pin notes and pictures.
33. Gift the Ultimate Beauty Station
Craft the ideal get ready spot with a beauty station. Include plenty of storage space for their jewelry and favorite products. Beauty fiends will be obsessed with doing their hair or makeup here; plus, they’ll always have a spot to display their favorite jewelry.
34. Leave Messages with Dry Erase Decals
Wall decals add extra interest to any wall, but dry erase ones provide extra utility when it comes to wall decor. With these decals, your student can leave reminders about their to-dos and friends can stop by to leave a friendly note.
35. Add a Pop of Color
A fringe wall hanging is the perfect gift for those with a bohemian style. A layered wall hanging adds the perfect touch of texture to any room. Additionally, ones made from sustainably sourced materials are sure to gain approval from eco-conscious students.
36. Make Laundry Fun
For many college students, laundry is not what comes to mind when they think of fun college experiences. Help them enjoy laundry with a fun laundry bag. Dirty clothes can turn into a game of pickup, and when the hamper is full, your student just needs to do their laundry to continue the fun.
37. Go Hands-Free
Equip your student with the right tools to create the ideal study space anywhere they go. A space-saving tablet holder props up their screen so they can watch lectures and take separate notes at the same time. It also works well for hands-free streaming when their homework is done.
38. Carry it All
Backpacks are a college essential. Make your college student stand out with a monogrammed backpack to carry their school or gym supplies. Your student’s initials will add a unique touch to an otherwise everyday accessory.
39. Keep Hydrated
It’s important for your student to stay hydrated throughout a long day of classes. Keep them refreshed with a stainless steel reusable water bottle in their favorite color or pattern. A screw-top water bottle can easily hook to a backpack and even double as a cute accessory.
40. Upgrade Their Toiletry Bag
Toiletry bags help keep essentials all in one place. Your college student will love leveling up to a dopp kit in vegan leather material for the dorms. Spacious dopp kits have enough room for anything they need and feature a handle to make it easy to carry.
41. Represent Home with a State Flag
Send your teen off to college with a state flag to remind them of home. No matter where they are, they can rep state pride on their walls for everyone to see. A state flag made of recycled materials will make your student feel good about their eco-friendly decoration choices.
42. Infuse Style with Decorative Throw Pillows
Decorative pillows are quick and easy ways to infuse your student’s personal style into a room. Pick ones in a variety of colors, shapes or textures for added dimension. Try mixing and matching pillows for an effortlessly curated look on a couch or bed.
43. Adjustable Lap Desk For Comfort
Lap desks make studying possible from just about anywhere. If your student prefers to do homework on the couch or read in bed, a lap desk can make them a lot more comfortable. Pick out one that adjusts and has space inside to keep pens, notes or snacks handy.
44. Transform Their Space
There are many ways to dress up boring walls, but what about a blank floor? Invest in a durable dorm rug to add warmth and personality to your student’s space. Try out a patterned rug or opt for something simple and neutral depending on their preferences.
45. Keep Trinkets in a Jewelry Box
A jewelry box is the perfect place to store their keepsakes and trinkets. Each piece of jewelry will stay in a secure space, and the classic style of a jewelry box will remain timeless through college and beyond.
46. A Makeup Pouch For The Essentials
Help your student take their beauty routine on the go with a makeup pouch. Whether they need to touch up at the gym or are bringing their essentials on vacation, having a go-to pouch will have them ready for anything.
47. Get Beach Ready With A Colorful Towel
Get your student spring break ready with a vibrant beach towel. A plush cotton towel will provide the ultimate foundation to sunbathe on the sand and will be there to dry them off after a dip in the pool or ocean.
48. Add a Touch of Nature
Plants help add life and greenery to a space, but it’s not always easy to find room for them. With wall planters, your student can easily incorporate natural elements into their dorm without taking up precious study space.
49. Opt For In-Room Fitness
Make your student’s favorite exercise available right from their room or dorm with a wall-anchored ballet barre. They can easily access their favorite barre classes online, and with a little floor space, work out to their heart’s content.
50. Stash Their Stuff in a Dorm Trunk
When it comes to college spaces, seating and storage are often scarce. Solve these problems with a versatile dorm trunk. This is great for storing extra stuff and doubles as seating in a crowded room or dorm.
51. Decorate With Gallery Frames
Encourage your college student’s artistic expression by gifting gallery frames. Your student can make their mark on blank dorm walls by curating a selection of their favorite images or prints.
52. Indoor Putting Green For Golf Lovers
53. Add a Personal Touch with Chalk Letters
Personalize their space with some chalk wall letters. In college, your student can easily decorate it for game days or holidays, and friends can stop by to leave notes. For a minimal look, go with their first initial, but feel free to spell out their entire name too.
54. Elevate Small Spaces With a Bedside Drawer
If your teen is working with a small dorm, you’ll need to help them get creative with their space. A bedside drawer that hooks to their bed frame provides a functional nightstand in a tight dorm. This drawer is a great way to keep a journal, phone or snack close by especially if your teen is stuck with the top bunk.
55. Throw A Graduation Party
If your college student is in their last semester, a graduation party is a wonderful way to celebrate their accomplishments. Invite friends and family over for food and some fun and games to recognize your new grad.
56. Commemorate Their Day with a Diploma Frame
A quality diploma frame is a useful gift idea for new and graduating college students alike. Display your student’s high school or college diploma in one of these frames so that they can feel proud of their accomplishment.
57. Wireless Portable Charger For a Convenient Catchall
A luxe leather charger is the ultimate catchall for tech lovers. It’s able to charge a phone or earphones wirelessly and is portable enough to take on the go. Pick a color that best matches your student’s style.
58. Display Memories With a Photo Stand
The greatest gift in college might just be the friends you make along the way, but the next best thing is a way to display those memories. A photo display stand is a trendy upgrade from a regular photo frame to showcase special polaroids and pictures. Friends and family can be confident that this type of gift will wow on all occasions.
59. Offer Flexibility with a Sleeper Sofa
Sleeper sofas and futons are college staples when it comes to accommodating guests because they are functional and maximize space. Offer your student comfortable seating for hangouts that also doubles as a fold out bed for sleepovers.
60. Give Exactly What They Want With a Gift Card
Even if you could pick out the perfect gift for your college student, sometimes the best gift is letting them choose for themselves. Give your student the freedom of choice with a Pottery Barn Teen gift card. Select any amount you’d like and schedule your Gift Card to be sent by mail or email just in time for their special day.
When it comes to finding the perfect gift for your student, the process can be fun but overwhelming. Find inspiration from these 60 gift ideas for college students to get suggestions for every occasion. Don’t forget to check out our dorm gifting guide for more cool gift ideas based on price or personality.