As I’ve gotten older, the things I’ve wanted for Christmas have gotten less and less exciting. When I was a child, my mom would make jokes about Santa bringing us socks and underwear for Christmas and I would laugh, but now, at 20, I would excitedly welcome either of those things. It certainly makes me miss being a kid, but it also means that literally anything, even socks, makes me happy. Here is a list of things I think lots of college students like me would find helpful during the holidays.
- A good old-fashioned pair of socks
Listen. Socks with funny designs do kind of have my heart. Bonus points if they’re fuzzy; it sure is chilly in Colorado (photos from Pinterest).
2. A multi-pack of instant ramen
In high school, I remember hearing that “college kids live off ramen,” which, for me, is largely true. Ramen is such a quick and easy meal and requires zero cooking ability, which is awesome because I truly cannot cook. Similar ideas include other easy-to-make meals such as Lean Cuisine or frozen pizzas. Take it from me; we aren’t picky. Food is food, especially if we don’t have to pay for it.
3. A Spotify Premium subscription
I use Spotify every single day, whether it be to listen to study music, to stream some Phoebe Bridgers tunes or even to catch up on the latest horrific tragedies on the Dateline podcast. Spotify is helpful both when I am studying and when I’m relaxing, and any college student is sure to be thankful for access to its premium features.
4. A Kindle
As an avid reader, I absolutely love my Kindle. Growing up, I always preferred physical books, but now as a college sophomore living in an apartment, I simply don’t have the space for all my TBRs, so the Kindle is the next best option. You can even download stories from the internet to read on your device (which, if you like fanfiction, is an absolute win). In addition to a Kindle, I would also recommend a few helpful accessories, such as a case (clear seems to be the most popular because it enables users to decorate the back), a Popsocket and maybe even a cable bite if you’re feeling fancy. Below is some cute Kindle decorating inspiration.
5. A HeadSpace subscription
HeadSpace is a meditation app that I find very helpful, especially during the fall and wintertime when seasonal depression starts to kick in. Meditation is a great way to help regulate your emotions and reduce stress and anxiety, which is prevalent for many college students during finals season. HeadSpace is a great way to relax for those who like being guided through the session.
6. Mugs
Many of us are caffeine addicts running on coffee every day. Mugs are not only cute but very functional; we can bring it with us to class or set it on a side table as we cozy up with a good book on the weekend. Yeti has lots of good travel options, and as for at-home mugs, look no further than Home Goods or Target for the cutest picks. Bonus points if it’s Christmas-themed!
7. Posters
Room decor is always a fun gift to receive, and many students living in the dorms decorate with wall hangings like posters or tapestries. Anything that can go on the wall and doesn’t require more than some sticky tack or pushpins to hang up is a great option.
8. Headphones
Headphones are essential in college, whether they’re the over-the-ear kind or earbuds. They’re useful for listening to songs on that new Spotify Premium account and for studying, and some even have a noise-canceling feature that is especially helpful when trying to block out background noise. Great options include Beats, Bose, Skullcandy, and Apple Airpods/Airpods Max.
9. Blankets
Honestly, no one can have too many blankets. I have at least three, and I would still be unreasonably excited if I received one as a gift. Home Goods and Target have some great options, as does Pottery Barn, if you’re looking for ones on the pricier side. A good blanket to bundle up with is always a must.
10. A Comfy
For those who may not know, the Comfy is an oversized fleece sweatshirt that has pockets. It is possibly one of my most prized possessions, and the fact that mine is at home right now is a tragedy. It is, true to its name, incredibly comfortable and great for lounging around at home. There are lots of similar brands that are just as great–mine is not actually the “Comfy” brand and I love it just the same; it even has extra pockets which are great for holding snacks or your phone.
I hope this list was helpful in your search for the perfect college student gifts; we are simple, overly-caffeinated creatures who just want to be comfy and cozy while we work on our 50 weekly assignments. It does not take much to make us happy.