Gifts for College Students: Dorm and Campus Essentials
College students need things that are useful, durable and a little bit fun, since dorm rooms are small and budgets are tight. The best gifts for college students are the ones that survive a backpack, a laundry room and four years of moving. Here are ideas from our shop, all under $50 at the time of writing.
For the backpack
- Stay Curious canvas tote ($21.99): 12 oz cotton canvas, flat corners and reinforced handles. The listing calls it a companion for wandering through bookstores, markets and campus paths.
- Beauty in Becoming journal ($19.99): 150 lined pages for lecture notes and to-do lists.
- Create Your Own Sunshine sticker ($3.99 to $7.99): a small way to decorate a laptop.
For the desk
- Make Today Beautiful mouse pad ($12.99): a thin 9 by 8 inch pad with a non-slip rubber base.
- Keep Your Light ceramic mug ($15.99 to $20.99): microwave-safe for the dorm microwave and dishwasher-safe.
- Choose Progress Over Perfection tumbler ($36.99): vacuum-insulated, for coffee on the walk to class.
For the cold lecture hall
The You Can Do Hard Things fleece hoodie ($48.99) is embroidered and made of medium-heavy 280 g/m2 fleece with an adjustable hood and kangaroo pocket. The listing describes it as a layer for long study sessions. It is machine washable on a cold cycle, which suits dorm laundry.
For the dorm bed
The plush blanket starts at $25.99 for the smallest 30 by 40 inch size and goes up to a 60 by 80 inch throw, which makes it a flexible gift at any budget.
Tees for the student
- Backpack Outline tee, Backpack Sketch tee and Backpack Line Art tee: three takes on the school bag.
- Calculator tee: for the math major.
- Notebook Outline tee: for the note-taker.
- Keyboard Outline tee: for the coder.
Quick picks by budget
| Budget | Try |
|---|---|
| Under $10 | Sticker |
| $10 to $25 | Mouse pad, mug, tote or journal |
| $25 to $50 | Blanket, dad cap or hoodie |
Sizing and timing
Tees use unisex sizing, and the hoodie has its own size chart on the product page. We cannot accept returns for a wrong size, so measure a favorite piece first with our sizing guide. Items without sizes, such as the tote, mug and journal, are the safest choice. Allow time for delivery; see print on demand shipping time.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good gift for a college freshman?
A tote, a mug and a mouse pad are practical and fit any budget. A hoodie is a great upgrade.
Will the hoodie be hard to wash?
The care label says machine wash cold, tumble dry low, and do not bleach.
See also our Secret Santa gifts and work-from-home gifts.