Tech Savvy Mama

Parenting in the Digital Age

2022 Gift Guide: Best Gifts for College Students

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The links in this best gifts for college students post are affiliate links and I will receive a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking on a link. 

This year my daughter started her first year of college. Together, we did a great job anticipating needs and shopping before she left for school, but there have been additional purchases made as she’s settled into her classes and dorm living.

She’s figured out exactly how late she can sleep now that she’s mastered mobile ordering breakfast and coffee from the on-campus café before skateboarding to class. Apple Air Tags have solved the problem of misplaced keys as she lives her best life across the country. She now knows she should have let me buy her more cold & flu remedies and Advil because nothing is worse than having to source some from your friend down the hall when you feel yucky.

But lessons learned, right? That’s what college is all about as she embraces her new independence as an adult.

Best Gifts for College Students

Best Gifts for College Students

Whether in their first or last year of school, the best gifts for college students are ones that make adulting easier, positively impact campus life, or are beneficial to apartment or dorm living. The 13 items on my best gifts for college students are ones they can use on campus and well after graduation because they’re practical and useful. 

Well Told Custom Tumbler ($34.95)

Well Told Tumbler- Best Gifts for College Students

Give your college student the gift of a Well Told Custom Tumbler featuring either a map of their hometown or their new college town. These custom etched tumblers are absolutely stunning and functional! The triple-wall vacuum insulated stainless steel tumbler keeps drinks hot for 12 hours or cold for 24 and features an easy slide-close lid for on-the-go spill protection. This is a great gift that your college student will use every day that they’re in school and well after they graduate.

BusyBox Sign  ($59)

Staying productive and creative can be challenging, whether working from home, doing homework, keeping areas quiet for nap time, recording a podcast, or gaming, etc.… Cue BusyBox Sign, the polite way to say “leave me alone” any way you want. It’s a wireless status box that lets those around you know not to bother you. With Digital or Standard model options, you can customize and create your own message to set the right mood. What’s more, the BusyBox Button is a simple way to control it from afar or go “hands-free” with integrations using your favorite apps such as Google Calendar or Siri for voice commands. 3 Models ranging from $129-$299, there is a BusyBox sign for different users and applications.

Caminito Blanket ($86)

Caminito blankets are perfect on a bed in a dorm room, studying on a grassy quad, picnic with a friend, or movie night in. There are several vibrant patterns to choose from. Caminito’s fair trade blankets are woven in Mexico using traditional methods but modern designs. Each one preserves a slice of history, art, and craft and is sure to become a favorite blanket treasured for years.

Sleek Socket Ultra-Thin Outlet Concealer ($33.95)

Cord clutter creates mental clutter so eliminate the mess for a cleaner space with Sleek Socket. I love the 6 Outlet Surge Protector version and the way such a small change can really tidy up a space.

Apple AirTag ($27.98) and SiliLoop for AirTag ($14.95)

AirTags are great for helping college students keep track of belongings such as a wallet, keys, backpacks, and even luggage. Slip them inside a bag or wallet or attach them with a SiliLoop. SiliLoops are convenient and versatile accessories made to securely attach an AirTag to any bag or strap. The loop-through design is soft to the touch and is easy enough for anyone to take on and off. SiliLoops are available in 8 different colors in packs of fours for $44.95 or $14.95 for one. 

Skateboard or Longboard ($79 and up)


This summer my 16-year-old son taught my daughter how to skateboard before she left for college and she’s been riding ever since. She finds skateboarding to be an efficient mode of transportation to get to and class and anywhere else on campus she needs to go. She appreciates that she can easily secure it by taking it in buildings when she has class and doesn’t take much space in her dorm room. My college age daughter bought a used board from a neighbor selling his during a yard sale but if you’re looking for a new one, my son (who owns 3 boards!) highly recommends Landyachtz longboards.

Path.me Subscription ($15/month)


Gift your college student the path to a strong financial future. The Path Card and Path App is designed to help college students build credit without overspending. Students just link their bank account and spend what they have — it’s that easy. Students build credit with each swipe, with perks you wish you had at their age: live credit score tracking, 1-5% rewards on every purchase, strategies to save money on tuition, and chats with a live financial aid advisor. $15/month is the only fee you’ll pay. No interest. No late fees. Just peace of mind. 

Puffer Hug ($49.99)

Every college student needs a hug from time to time so giving them a gift of a Puffer Hug is like embracing them in a cozy hug when they need it most. This cozy wrap features deep outer pockets and a fleece lining. It’s an accessory your college student will reach for whether it’s chilly out or they just want to accessorize. Available in red/gray fleece, gray/yellow fleece, and black/black fleece.

Woozoo Fan ($98.99)

Say goodbye to stale dorm room air thanks to Woozoo Fan! This fan is a favorite of college students and parents alike who report their kids use them all year long. Woozoo is great for helping achieve full room air circulation thanks to an adjustable head that has 6 different angles, timer function that can be set for 1, 2 or 4 hours, different modes (natural wind, yes please!), and 6 speeds. The best part is your student can control this powerful and compact fan without getting up thanks to a remote control.

Felt Bedside Organizer ($17.99)

College students short on space who need to keep certain items within arm’s reach will appreciate this felt bedside organizer. It features a main compartment with 2 small mesh pockets inside, 2 front pouches for small items (phone, tablet, remotes, glasses, etc.) a water bottle holder pocket, removable tissue box, and 2 side cable or earphones holes. Out of the many beside organizers we looked at, this was a favorite for its many pockets and versatility because it can be put under the mattress, hung on the bed rail with adjustable buckle straps, off the side of a desk, or even used on a sofa.

Headspace (currently 50% off for Black Friday at the price of $34.99/year, regularly $69.99/year)

With the goal of improving health and happiness of the world, a subscription to Headspace can help your college student get through tough times and find joy in the everyday thanks to

hundreds of mood-boosting meditations, relaxing sleep exercises, focus music, and more. Headspace uses science-backed meditation and mindfulness tools, to create life-changing habits to support your student’s mental health to help them be healthier and happier. Headspace is proven to reduce stress by 14% in just 10 days. It can also help your student relax their mind in minutes, improve focus, and get the best sleep ever.

Adjustable Lap Desk (regularly $35.99)

Studying becomes more comfortable thanks to this adjustable lap desk. With 8 tilt positions for comfortable viewing and typing, 2 cushions for comfort and stability, an anti-slip rail to keep devices from sliding off, and a handle for easy portability, this adjustable lap desk can be used anywhere your student wants to study- whether in bed, on the quad, or on a couch in the common room.

Floral Drink Tumbler ($28)

This cheery floral drink tumbler helps make mornings better thanks to the hand painted pastel design. It holds 15 ounces of your student’s favorite beverage and keeps drinks cold for 24 hours or hot for 12. It features a non-slip silicone bottom and hard plastic lid with locking closure. This wonderful gift supports charities that empower women and underserved communities around the world. With each pattern purchased, CAUS donates to organizations that give new life and prosperity to those who need it most.

Gift cards make great stocking stuffers for college students! Here are some favorites:

  • Uber Eats to splurge on the food they’re craving during a late night study session or when they just can’t stomach what the dining hall is serving
  • Amazon and access to the family Prime account because there’s always something they needed yesterday
  • Trader Joe’s for favorite snacks and frozen entrees for microwavable gratification
  • Spotify Premium so they won’t have to pay for ad-free music for a year
  • Starbucks or their local coffee shop on campus to fuel late nights studying or mornings with early classes
  • Target because there’s something they can always use from there like laundry detergent 

2022 Holiday Gift Guides

2022 Holiday Gift Guides

AGE APPROPRIATE GIFT GUIDES

SPECIALTY GIFT GUIDES:

FAVORITE HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDES FROM LAST YEAR

2019 Holiday Gift Guides

Need other ideas? Here’s a look at last year’s gift guides :

I hope you enjoy this year’s picks and wish you happy and stress-free holiday shopping!

Samples were received to facilitate this post and affiliate links are included. No compensation was received for this post and all opinions are my own.

Note to PR: The period for accepting items for age specific gift guides has ended but I am happy to accept items for review to consider for specialty guides. Please be specific about the products you’d like me to consider reviewing in your pitch and thanks for understanding I’m on a short deadline to get most gift guides wrapped up before Thanksgiving and do not have the bandwidth to return samples during this extremely busy time of the year.