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The college years are all about our kids embracing their new independence as adults so that means gifts that help them stay healthy, happy, and safe. As a mom of two college students (a sophomore and a senior) I’ve loved seeing my kids in this next phase of their lives.

Best Gifts for College Students

Whether in their first or last year of school, living in an off-campus apartment for the first time, or have just recently heard that they were accepted (I see you parents of kids who applied to schools ED or with rolling admission- congratulations!) 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 items on my best gifts for college students are ones they can use on or off campus and well after graduation because they’re practical and useful. Here’s to continuing to empower our older kids to navigate new social scenes, embrace academic challenges, and problem solve!

CarMD Connect  ($99.96)

If your college-age kid or young adult has a car at school, CarMD Connect is one of the best gifts for college students  because it provides real-time vehicle health monitoring that can help prevent costly repairs and the chance of getting stuck somewhere.

CarMD Connect comes with 24/7 access to “Ask CarMD,” an AI chatbot powered by decades of repair data, that delivers personalized answers based on your car’s VIN and mileage. The all-in-one smart solution monitors vital systems and can help you decipher warning lights, warn you about failing car batteries, and access technician-verified fixes with repair costs and service scheduling.

CarMD Connect builds on CarMD’s two decades of helping drivers monitor vehicle health, diagnose check engine light issues, and save on car repair. also provides location sharing and. Besides the wealth of information that comes this consumer electronics product, you get the app with it- no subscription or monthly charges required. The $99.96 price includes location sharing and real-time vehicle health monitoring.

Versa Brew 2 in 1 Coffee System from Bella ($79.99)

Bella VersaBrew 2-in-1 Coffee System is the perfect blend of versatility and style. This slim, multifunctional drip coffee maker fits seamlessly into any kitchen, allowing your student to brew a single cup or a full 12-cup carafe with ease.

This dual-function portable machine features a K-cup compatible single-serve option with a pod adapter and reusable ground coffee filter, plus a carafe brewer with its own reusable filter. A large 60oz water reservoir supports multiple brews without constant refills and the easy-view water window ensures precise filling. A flip-down tray fits mugs up to 7” tall and a press-and-hold function is available for brewing over ice. A clean indicator light alerts you when it’s time to descale, making maintenance simple.

Door Handle Alarm from Sabre ($12.99)

Great for first apartments, study abroad situations, and dorm rooms, Sabre’s Door Handle Alarm helps your student safeguard their space. Simply hang the alarm from the inside to turn your door into its very own security system. The Door Handle Alarm detects vibration that occurs when someone touches the handle from the outside and sounds a loud 110dB alarm, audible up to 680-feet away. It’s loud enough to wake you while alerting the burglar – and possibly neighbors – that an intrusion has been detected.

This user-friendly and versatile security alarm includes three operating modes (off/chime/alarm). The alarm mode includes a 30-second activation delay to prevent immediate false triggering. If the doorknob is touched any time after the initial 30-second delay, the Door Handle Alarm sounds immediately.

Mini Coloring Books by A Brighter Year ($8)

College students need a creative outlet to cope with stress and anxiety and A Brighter Year’s mini coloring books make great gifts for college students who need a quick break. These pocket-sized books serve as a gentle reminder to pause, breathe, and refocus and encourage taking mindful breaks during the day. Best-selling mini coloring books include the Best Sellers Bundle ($30) and individual books like Birds Bugs and Botany, Tiny Eats & Treats, and Little Moments ($8 each). A Brighter Year is a female-led business

Geekey Multitool ($21.99)

Good things come in small packages and that’s certainly true of the Geekey Multitool. Featuring 16+ tools in one, this compact, stainless steel, this TSA friendly pocket tool is an essential multitool to have for many situations. It’s equipped with essentials like a bike spoke key, screwdriver, wrench, box cutter, and bottle opener, plus innovative features like a wire stripper and protractor. This helpful tool is perfect for quick fixes, outdoor excursions, and daily use.

Aquasana Clean Water Machine ($399)

College students can only fit so much in a shoebox dorm room or small apartment, which is why upgrading a daily routine, like drinking water, makes for the perfect gift this holiday season. Aquasana’s Clean Water Machine is a countertop water filter obsessively engineered to filter out 78 contaminants, including lead and PFAS.

It just takes a push of a button and 8 seconds to get an 8 ounce glass of clean, filtered water. Each filter lasts up to 7.5X longer than leading pitcher filters, replacing more than 2,200 single-use plastic bottles while retaining beneficial minerals like calcium, potassium, and magnesium. It’s a simple, science-backed way for students to stay hydrated, save money, and reduce plastic waste; all without taking up valuable space or requiring installation.

Pottery with a Purpose ($65 and up)

This holiday season give your college student the gift of creativity. Pottery with a Purpose’s all-in-one kit makes it easy for anyone to create handmade décor, planters, and pottery pieces from the comfort of home. The premium clay air dries to a hard finish, ready for painting and display. Whether sculpting solo or sharing the experience, it’s perfect for creative nights in and mindful me-time.

Sugarwish (starting at $39)

Stop wondering what to get your college student and let them choose thanks to Sugarwish! Sugarwish makes my best gifts for college students because it lets them choose exactly what they want. When you send a Sugarwish, you choose from a collection of gifts (such as holiday treats, birthday, candy & snacks, etc.), an amount you want to spend, and Sugarwish takes care of sending an email to your college student notifying them of the gift and a redemption link.

Upon receipt, your college student goes to the Sugarwish site and chooses something to be sent to their mailbox. I was recently gifted a Sugarwish and loved looking through the variety of gifts I could choose from- coffee, bath products, candles, cookies, jewelry, hot sauce, etc. I chose coffee as my Sugarwish, selected the varieties of coffee, and Sugarwish took care of sending a beautifully packaged selection to be sent to my house. Gift giving made easy! Female founded company

One Line a Day 5 Year Memory Book ($17.95)

More than a daily diary: For any young adult daunted by the idea of keeping a journal or diary, the simple commitment of just One Line a Day makes memory-keeping manageable. Just write down a single quick line once a day over five years. As you write, the layout allows you to see your highlights and reflections on the same date in previous years, so this book becomes a treasure trove of memories to cherish forever.

Popdarts ($22.50)

Remember when your college student used to love to flip water bottles in their younger years? Bring them back to that era with Popdarts, the best-selling suction cup dart game. This set includes 6 throwing darts (3 red and 3 blue) with arrowtail fins for smoother flight path and enhanced accuracy during gameplay. Each Popdart features suction cup bases that allow them to stick to most surfaces and streamlined design, perfect for indoor and outdoor play

Jetsetter Curved Cosmetic Bag with Jewelry Organizer from Youzey ($39)

Give her the ability to stay organized and stylish on the go with Youzey’s Jetsetter Curved Cosmetic Bag with Jewelry Organizer crafted from vegan leather. Whether you’re heading out for a weekend getaway or an extended adventure, this thoughtfully designed cosmetics bag has an integrated jewelry organizer to keep your essentials neat and accessible.

On-the-Go Personal Safety Kit ($17.99)

Give the gift of personal protection with Sabre’s On the Go Personal Safety kit. This kit comes with a Sabre Pepper Spray with Key Chain and 2-in-1 Personal Alarm with LED Light. The SABRE Pepper Spray contains 25 powerful bursts for protection against multiple threats at a safer distance. UV marking dye helps the authorities identify an attacker after they’re sprayed. Twist lock safety prevents an accidental discharge in your purse or pocket.

The Sabre Key Chain Personal Alarm with LED Light sounds an ear piercing 130db siren that can scare off and help deter an attacker by calling for the attention of people nearby. Personal alarm is easy to operate- simply pull the key chain to remove the pin to sound the alarm. Replace the pin to turn the alarm off. Get multiple uses out of your personal alarm with a built-in, long-lasting battery.

A Paper Crane a Day ($19.95)

Help your student incorporate mindfulness into every day with A Paper Crane a Day. Paper cranes are a symbol of longevity, peace, hope, healing, and good fortune, and gifting them is a gesture of goodwill. Inspired by the tradition of 1,000 paper cranes, this beautiful origami set helps you create a ritual of folding a paper crane every day.

Packaged like a traditional book with a tear-away notepad of origami paper, this 365-sheet origami paper notepad helps celebrate mindfulness, intention setting, and gift-giving. It includes a removable booklet that includes folding instructions and information on the significance of paper cranes. This 365-sheet origami paper notepad provides inspiration every day of the year.

Brezza Supermix Protein Shake Machine from Brezza ($199)

Protein shake loving young adults will love the Supermix Protein Shake Machine from Brezza that automatically measures, dispenses, and mixes clump-free shakes at the touch of a button. Engineered for any protein, the patent-pending technology in the Shake Machine will perfectly mix your shake for a clump-free drink in under 30 seconds. Set up the machine once for it to make personalized shakes. With the included mixing cup, you can mix, grab, and go. Plus the protein power and liquid reservoir will hold enough ingredients to make 12 shakes without refilling. 

Flip & Store Waffle Maker from Bella ($29.99)

Forget frozen waffles because ones made in the Flip & Store Waffle Maker will always taste better. With its innovative hinge design, the bella Flip & Store Waffle Maker flips 180 degrees to evenly heat 1.5” thick waffles in minutes. When you’re done, it flips to stand for compact storage. It also features proprietary EverGood™ Ceramic Nonstick Coating, which is made without PFAS, PFOA, PTFE, lead, and cadmium for easy cleanup.

Crackerology Fan Favorites 4-Pack ($64)

Class up your college student’s apartment entertaining with the gift of Crackerology Fan Favorites. This curated set includes four best-selling flavors—Red Wine & Rosemary, Jalapeno & Chipotle, Lemon Blueberry, and Sweet S’mores. Each are thoughtfully crafted to bring a unique twist to any appetizer spread. From bold and savory to bright and sweet, these kits are perfect for to keep on hand for entertaining because they’re designed to delight a crowd and make hosting easy and impressively delicious.

2025 Holiday Gift Guides

Below is the entire list of what you can look forward to this year. These links will go live as guides are published so bookmark or pin this post now so you can come back to it as you do your holiday shopping since I’ll be updating it often!

• Favorite Advent Calendars for All Ages
• Best Gifts College Students (inspired by my own college students!)
• Best STEM Gifts for All Ages (preK-teen)
• Best Subscriptions Boxes for All Ages
• Best Gifts for Teachers
• Best Hostess Gifts
• Gifts for the Best Dogs and the People Who Love Them (inspired by Goldie and Murphy, of course)
• Best Gifts for Outdoor Lovers (inspired by our family’s love of skiing, hiking, backpacking, water sports, and National Parks)
• Favorite Ways to Teach Kids to Give Back

FAVORITE HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDES FROM PAST YEARS

In case you wanted to start making your shopping lists now, here’s a look at past gift guides that are full of great ideas:

• Toddlers & Preschoolers
• Early Elementary Ages (grades K-2)
• Tweens (ages 9-12)
• Teens (ages 13+)
• College Students 
• Best STEM Gifts for Kids
• Best Gifts for Outdoor Lovers
• Gifts for Teachers
• Gifts the Best Dogs and the People Who Love Them (inspired by Goldie and Murphy, of course)
• Favorite Advent Calendars for All Ages
• Best Subscriptions Boxes for All Ages
• Fair Trade Holiday Gifts
• Best Gifts for Unplugged Fun
• Gifts for Outdoor Adventures
• Gifts for Gadget Lovers
• Gifts for Hostesses
• Gifts that Give Back
• 9 Gifts that Make it Easy for Families to Give Back

I hope you enjoy this year’s 2025 Holiday Gift Guide picks and wish you happy and stress-free holiday shopping!

Note to PR: 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. Thank you!