When I think of Christmas shopping, I always think of Oprah’s “List of favorite things.” I remember flipping through the glossy pages and reading through all 107 of Oprah’s must-have gifts for the season. Although it may seem as though magazines are a part of the past, Oprah is still going strong with a digital format of her magazine and continuing the tradition of curating a luxurious gift guide for those who don’t mind splurging on $140 gloves. I like the history of this gift guide which pretty much revolves around Oprah’s extravagant kindness and her own willingness to splurge on friends and family, relying on her: “would I buy this for myself?” mentality. She also notes that it is the “spirit, energy, and excitement” of gift giving that makes it special. In other words… “You get a gift and you get a gift!”
I wanted to channel this same energy, but specifically for college students and what they would actually want and use. After examining multiple years of Oprah’s favorites and using my past knowledge, I have found 66 or so of my “favorite things” that would be perfect gifts for college students. Amazon edition!
This year, Oprah has divided her must-haves into 10 categories: Stylish gifts, cozy gifts, home gifts, kitchen gifts, beauty gifts, tech gifts, pet gifts, food gifts, book and writing gifts, and children’s gifts.
Stylish gifts are definitely on my wish-list and I’m sure they’re on everyone’s list as well. No matter what style a college student has, they will definitely be needing these winter-appropriate fashion essentials:
- Basic hoop earrings and chain jewelry
- New sneakers (These New Balance sneakers are really trending)
- Hair claw clips/scrunchies (an on the go fashion staple)
- Nice leggings and sweat sets (great basics that will last forever)
- Cute workout sets (for the indoor gym sesh)
- A good puffer jacket
- Pair of good boots (functionable as well as fashionable)
- Reusable cloth face masks (I’m always losing mine)
Cozy gifts are an essential part of Christmas gift giving that help ease the bite of winter. Your college student will love these snug accessories:
- Slippers (good UGG dupe)
- Mugs
- Cozy socks and throw blankets
- Candles (bonus points if they are Christmas scented and are nontoxic)
- Comfy socks and practical socks
- sweaters/sweatshirts
- Coffee gift cards (always appreciated for hard working students)
- A nice pair of gloves (these work on phone screens!)
- Beanies
Tell your college student you care about their health and skincare routine with some relaxing beauty gifts, and make sure they’re stocked up on essentials to keep them looking glamorous throughout the winter season.
- Face masks (So many options to choose from)
- Gua sha and face roller (perfect for those well earned face massages)
- New mascara (all clean formula)
- Pimple patches (star of the show.. Or your face)
- Makeup brushes
- lotion/moisturizer (I’m always running out of this. Highly recommend)
- Makeup cleansers/wipes
- Perfume
- Anything Burt’s Bees (I love Burt’s Bees and these kits are too cute)
All college students need kitchenware throughout the year. Get their year started off right with some nice essential kitchen appliances (especially if they love cooking):
- Good pots/pans
- Airfryer (super useful and easy)
- New water bottle (time for an upgrade)
- Blender (perfect for sporty girls)
- Waffle iron (this one is cute and mini)
- Electric kettle
- A good insulated tumbler
- Coffee & coffee maker (this coffee maker perfectly fits in any kitchen)
- French press (not too expensive and great for coffee fanatics)
Gifts for the home (or dorm or apartment) are a nice gesture for a college student and allows them to better decorate their space to their unique taste and make a space feel welcoming. Add these fun decor gifts to your list:
- Plants or succulents (to liven up any space)
- Posters
- Any type of fun decor
- Rugs
- Fun bath mats (I promise every college student needs a new bathmat)
- Fun lamps or string lights (I always need more string lights..Who doesn’t?)
- Flowers (flower bouquets are easy gifts and add color to any space)
Christmas is the time to bestow some higher quality tech gifts that the college student in your life will make good use of. Keep the following tech gifts in mind:
- Instax camera (instant cameras are perfect for nights out and adventures)
- New iphone
- Keyboard (super cute to write on for those final papers)
- Google home/alexa (makes life easier, trust me)
- Amazon kindle paperwhite (great for a reader on the go)
- Wireless charger tray (this was on Oprah’s list too, its handy and looks good in any apartment)
- Blue light glasses (inexpensive and a good way to look sharp in class while saving your eyes)
If you know a college student with a furry companion, then you know that they don’t want to be left out. Become their pet’s favorite with these great pet gifts:
- Toys (let your cat know they’re on the nice list with this fun stocking full of toys)
- Treats (These are super festive and my dog at home loves them)
- Bed (This bed looks super comfy I’m jealous)
If you know that your college student is a foodie, they’ll be expecting some fun treats in their stocking. Fulfill their dreams with these food gift ideas:
- Any gift card to their favorite restaurant (always appreciated!)
- A door dash gift card
- Charcuterie board (for the college student who like to entertain)
- Any type of fun snack box (easy to ship and are always delish)
I’m also including childrens gifts because even though they are technically adults, college students are still kids at heart and still like stuffed animals for cuddling or decor (they’re also super cute).
- Any jellycat stuffed animal
- Squishmallow stuffed animals
- Grow your own cactus kit
- Adult coloring books (an adult spin on a classic coloring book to relieve stress)
Books and writing gifts are perfect for all college students who are creative and love to read. Fill their stocking with these favorites:
- Motivational books
- A journal
- Watercolor pens (I got a set of these last Christmas and I still use them)
- An autobiographical novel about their favorite celeb
Whew! That was a long list. Out of all 66 items, it shouldn’t be too hard to Christmas shop for the college student in your life. With all the different categories, you’ll be sure to find something for everyone. At the end of the day, try to embrace Oprah’s true meaning of gift giving: “For me, the gift is a symbol of a feeling. And it’s equally delightful for the giver and the receiver. Some of my best and most extravagant gifts have been vacations or spa trips for friends, because I know experiences make memories.”