Holiday Gifts for College Students That They Will Use Every Day

There’s something deeply satisfying when we see that our kids really love and use the presents we pick out for them. These holiday gifts for college students and young adults are the things they will use, and thank you for, all year long.

We receive small amounts of compensation from purchases made through some of the links on this page which allows us to pay our writers. Thanks!

NEW! See all of Grown and Flown top picks for holiday and grad gifts in one place.

Holiday Gifts for College Students

Handheld Steamer

My son loves this steamer that he borrowed from a roommate for graduation and only wishes he had taken one to school with him as freshmen.

Sonic Alert Alarm Clock

MY LATEST VIDEOS

Is your son a heavy sleeper who snoozes through any conventional alarm clock? Here’s one that will get him up and out the door so he never misses an early class, again.

Plantronics Wireless Bluetooth Headphones

Wireless, waterproof, sweat proof, perfect for working out or just walking across campus.

10 Ft Charging Cable

If you have a kid in college (or soon to be going) a long charger cord may be the single most useful gift you can give them. They can have their phone plugged in and charging overnight yet still close enough to their dorm bed to use as an alarm!

Echo Spot

Amazon’s newest line of Echo products, the Spot is perfect for your college kid and they will soon wonder how they did without. Want to make sure to see them far from home? Get two and make video calls.

Family Photo Book

Remember the excitement when we picked up photos from a roll of film we had developed? Treat your kids to that same thrill by printing out some of the great pics in your phone and create this wonderful keepsake.

Allbirds

We love these, our kids love these. We include them as holiday gifts for guys but they are great for any family members. If there are little ones in your family, OMG Smallbirds!!

Meet 100 People: A How-to Guide to the Career and Life Edge Everyone’s Missing

We love this book that teaches kids one of the best job seeking lessons they will ever learn: How to create your own network and why we all need one.

LL Bean Boots

These boots are among the most durable and practical of all winter boots ever made. They are among our favorite holiday gifts for college students, especially for those going to cold country for the first time.

Sephora Gift Card

There is a reason why every Sephora store is always buzzing anytime I dip into one of their stores. It has absolutely every beauty product that your college daughter would ever need or want. This gift card will be put to good, and immediate, use!

Tile Mate – Key Finder. Phone Finder. Anything Finder

These ingenious little square tracking devices will help a distracted college kid keep up with phones, keys, and other easy-to-misplace valuables.

Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking

Malcolm Gladwell’s bestseller is an inspiration. We love adding books to our list of holiday gifts for college students.

Herschel Supply Co. Backpack

Why not give your college kid one of these spacious and trendy backpacks to use both every day as well as for an overnight bag?

Simple Modern Stainless Steel Vacuum Insulated Bottle

Every student needs a water bottle and this one will keep cold things cold, or hot things hot, all day long.

Microwave Pasta Cooker

Genius for kids in dorms or for those who have little time to cook pasta.

Carry-On Bag

Away luggage is young and trendy and they call it “first class luggage at a coach price.” Bonus feature is the built in charger so your student can keep their phone battery ready while on the go. While this is not a gift they will use EVERY day, they will be so happy to have a great new bag whenever they travel.

Hydro Flask Sports Water Bottle

This bottle is super popular on campus now. Say goodbye to plastic bottles forever!

Join Prime Student FREE Two-Day Shipping for College Students

This is the single best holiday gift for any college student! Check out all the features beyond two-day FREE shipping. Free for 6 months and month-to-month pricing after that.