Giving gifts sometimes suck. What does the other person want? What if they hate it? People put a lot of thought into gifts— whether it’s a gift exchange or birthday presents, gifts show that someone was thinking about you enough to do something for you. But just a handwritten letter with chicken scratch or a 99-cent key chain feels like the apple of Eden to the financially depressed, emotionally stunted college students. Whatever it be, we are less likely to turn our noses up at well-meant but odd presents. In fact, we’ll pretty much take anything useful in some way.
Need a good present for literally anyone? We’ve got your back.
1. [easyazon_link identifier=”B01M1H46IQ” locale=”US” tag=”collemagaz-20″]Mini Glass Terrarium (PLANTS NOT INCLUDED)[/easyazon_link]
[easyazon_image align=”none” height=”500″ identifier=”B01M1H46IQ” locale=”US” src=”//www.collegemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/51rP2hwrMzL-1.jpg” tag=”collemagaz-20″ width=”500″]
For those who want to try their green thumb at gardening but feel the enormous responsibility of nurturing a plant, [easyazon_link identifier=”B01M1H46IQ” locale=”US” tag=”collemagaz-20″]this[/easyazon_link] livens up a room and replicates that maternal instinct in us all. Ever wanted to try your hand at Minecraft farming IRL? Voila— a small-scale version of your blocky fantasies.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B01M1H46IQ” locale=”US” tag=”collemagaz-20″]Price: $19.99[/easyazon_link]
2. [easyazon_link identifier=”B005G02ESA” locale=”US” tag=”collemagaz-20″]Foam Mattress[/easyazon_link]
[easyazon_image align=”none” height=”500″ identifier=”B005G02ESA” locale=”US” src=”//www.collegemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/51WdIskEjjL.jpg” tag=”collemagaz-20″ width=”500″]
While many people take sleep for granted, college shows students the importance of an eight hour rejuvenation period (at the best of times) but basically anything that will fill up the bedroom hourglass is a plus in the university grind #WorkHard #PlayHard. “Please send me a 3-inch [easyazon_link identifier=”B005G02ESA” locale=”US” tag=”collemagaz-20″]foam mattress topper[/easyazon_link] because it feels like heaven,” said University of California, Los Angeles junior AJ Tongson. Sweet dreams.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B005G02ESA” locale=”US” tag=”collemagaz-20″]Price: $79.90[/easyazon_link]
3. Cozy Blanket
Something cuddly will definitely round out the pajama and bed hair outfit you have on those days you run out of energy. “This keeps a college student warm when they are up late at night in the cold trying to finish an assignment,” said San Diego State University senior Jean Demapelis. “They are also soft, perfect to caress a sad college student.”
4. [easyazon_link identifier=”B00YSHENGS” locale=”US” tag=”collemagaz-20″]Framed Photo of Self (self photo NOT included)[/easyazon_link]
[easyazon_image align=”none” height=”500″ identifier=”B00YSHENGS” locale=”US” src=”//www.collegemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/51Uu2Bg2K4YL.jpg” tag=”collemagaz-20″ width=”500″]
A little out-of-the-ordinary, but definitely something that will make someone laugh or pin your present to a dartboard. But who doesn’t like a little humor in their life?
[easyazon_link identifier=”B00YSHENGS” locale=”US” tag=”collemagaz-20″]Price: $14.95[/easyazon_link]
5. Favorite Book
What if you took someone’s favorite book and read it cover to cover? It might not seem that great to you, but imagine how it shaped your best friend, the ideas and characters blazing stars in your friend’s eyes. It would mean even more if there were personal annotations littered in the novel so you could see your friend’s thoughts and daydreams. Priceless.
6. [easyazon_link identifier=”B004PAQOCY” locale=”US” tag=”collemagaz-20″]Assorted Fruit[/easyazon_link]
[easyazon_image align=”none” height=”275″ identifier=”B004PAQOCY” locale=”US” src=”//www.collegemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/51ZD0sEIcL.jpg” tag=”collemagaz-20″ width=”500″]
Apparently the peach and eggplant emoji find validation in the real world with [easyazon_link identifier=”B001CTO0YA” locale=”US” tag=”collemagaz-20″]mail-order edible bouquets[/easyazon_link]. Ordinary strawberries or a watermelon— something tasty yet healthy. Which makes sense considering that as people get older, we tend to realize the importance of a well-balanced meal.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B004PAQOCY” locale=”US” tag=”collemagaz-20″]Price: $9.45[/easyazon_link]
7. [easyazon_link identifier=”B019MMUA8S” locale=”US” tag=”collemagaz-20″]Self-Help Books[/easyazon_link]
[easyazon_image align=”none” height=”500″ identifier=”B019MMUA8S” locale=”US” src=”//www.collegemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/51c34QgUM0L-1.jpg” tag=”collemagaz-20″ width=”334″]
This presents the dual emotions of “cool I got a present” with “does she think I need to [easyazon_link identifier=”B019MMUA8S” locale=”US” tag=”collemagaz-20″]learn about[/easyazon_link] business models and CS8?” But still—on those boring Sunday afternoons, your friend won’t find herself bored AF.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B019MMUA8S” locale=”US” tag=”collemagaz-20″]Hardcover Price: $14.99[/easyazon_link]
8. [easyazon_link identifier=”B00ITX1K4K” locale=”US” tag=”collemagaz-20″]Scientific DIY experiment kits[/easyazon_link]
[easyazon_image align=”none” height=”438″ identifier=”B00ITX1K4K” locale=”US” src=”//www.collegemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/61bmVVGK2BpL.jpg” tag=”collemagaz-20″ width=”500″]
Don’t hide it, everyone wanted to be a scientist at some point. And, it seems like that childish flare in their hearts never truly goes away.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B00ITX1K4K” locale=”US” tag=”collemagaz-20″]Price: $14.51 – $123.64 (depending on size)[/easyazon_link]
9. [easyazon_link identifier=”B06WW64YM6″ locale=”US” tag=”collemagaz-20″]Polaroid Camera[/easyazon_link]
[easyazon_image align=”none” height=”500″ identifier=”B06WW64YM6″ locale=”US” src=”//www.collegemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/41WQUqgEdIL.jpg” tag=”collemagaz-20″ width=”485″]
These are [easyazon_link identifier=”B06WW64YM6″ locale=”US” tag=”collemagaz-20″]the hipster, vintage way to capture memories [/easyazon_link] and an even more hipster way to give your photo to a friend. Someone was left behind studying while you hit the beach at 2 a.m. with the frat boys down the street? Snap them a picture and hang it in their dorm so they remember that you can retake an exam but you can’t relive a party.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B06WW64YM6″ locale=”US” tag=”collemagaz-20″]Price: $69.90[/easyazon_link]
10. [easyazon_link identifier=”B01ACARBTA” locale=”US” tag=”collemagaz-20″]Hydroflask[/easyazon_link]
[easyazon_image align=”none” height=”225″ identifier=”B01ACARBTA” locale=”US” src=”//www.collegemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/410llLf50CL.jpg” tag=”collemagaz-20″ width=”500″]
“A [easyazon_link identifier=”B01ACARBTA” locale=”US” tag=”collemagaz-20″]Hydro Flask[/easyazon_link] [is great],” said UCLA rising second year Kyle Fontelera, a Neuroscience and Development Studies major. “Cause we’re all thirsty.” Is that your Hydroflask there, or are you just happy to see me?
[easyazon_link identifier=”B01ACARBTA” locale=”US” tag=”collemagaz-20″]Price: $29.95 – $92.91 [/easyazon_link]
11. [easyazon_link identifier=”B06XRSNSRT” locale=”US” tag=”collemagaz-20″]Passion Planner[/easyazon_link]
[easyazon_image align=”none” height=”333″ identifier=”B06XS2G82R” locale=”US” src=”//www.collegemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/31cx03m2B4GL.jpg” tag=”collemagaz-20″ width=”500″]
Nothing like juggling internships, four classes and club meetings to make [easyazon_link identifier=”B06XRSNSRT” locale=”US” tag=”collemagaz-20″]people realize the importance of staying organized[/easyazon_link]. Don’t you know how grrrreat it feels to cross things off a to-do list?
[easyazon_link identifier=”B06XRSNSRT” locale=”US” tag=”collemagaz-20″]Price: $25.00[/easyazon_link]
12. [easyazon_link identifier=”B00GHAGGOG” locale=”US” tag=”collemagaz-20″]Plush Toy[/easyazon_link]
[easyazon_image align=”none” height=”500″ identifier=”B00GHAGGOG” locale=”US” src=”//www.collegemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/512wF3yP3FL.jpg” tag=”collemagaz-20″ width=”500″]
Never let the child inside of you go. Sometimes that means turning down the lights, playing Toy Story on Netflix and [easyazon_link identifier=”B00GHAGGOG” locale=”US” tag=”collemagaz-20″]curling up with your new BFF[/easyazon_link].
[easyazon_link identifier=”B00GHAGGOG” locale=”US” tag=”collemagaz-20″]Price: $8.50[/easyazon_link]
13. Scantron
The worst part about college is the constant fees attached to every thing you do. Taking exams becomes no exception to the rule, despite already paying for school, parking and miscellaneous other items. These go a long way, especially on days your friend is running late.
14. [easyazon_link identifier=”B0194WDVHI” locale=”US” tag=”collemagaz-20″]Phone Charger/External Charger[/easyazon_link]
[easyazon_image align=”none” height=”500″ identifier=”B0194WDVHI” locale=”US” src=”//www.collegemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/31w3wAgD9L.jpg” tag=”collemagaz-20″ width=”500″]
“A battery pack with a built-in charging cable [is preferable] [easyazon_link identifier=”B0194WDVHI” locale=”US” tag=”collemagaz-20″]because our phones always die[/easyazon_link] on us when we go adventuring,” Tongson said. You don’t want to miss Kim Kardashian’s latest Insta, after all.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B0194WDVHI” locale=”US” tag=”collemagaz-20″]Price: $25.99[/easyazon_link]
15. [easyazon_link identifier=”B01DI1XO4G” locale=”US” tag=”collemagaz-20″]USB 2.0[/easyazon_link]
[easyazon_image align=”none” height=”450″ identifier=”B01DI1XO4G” locale=”US” src=”//www.collegemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/41w2BOS1y0xL.jpg” tag=”collemagaz-20″ width=”500″]
Maybe a little outdated now that we have Google Cloud, Dropbox, etc., but [easyazon_link identifier=”B01DI1XO4G” locale=”US” tag=”collemagaz-20″]you should always have a backup[/easyazon_link]. Sometimes this good idea becomes a great idea when your computer crashes, the invisible omnipresent Cloud disperses over high winds and your Redbull-induced essay is due in T-minus 30 minutes.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B01DI1XO4G” locale=”US” tag=”collemagaz-20″]Price: $23.99[/easyazon_link]
16. [easyazon_link identifier=”8883701127″ locale=”US” tag=”collemagaz-20″]Moleskin Classic Notebook[/easyazon_link]
[easyazon_image align=”none” height=”500″ identifier=”8883701127″ locale=”US” src=”//www.collegemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/41CKd111oJL.jpg” tag=”collemagaz-20″ width=”343″]
“Even if it’s more time-consuming to use a notebook nowadays, I’d say that it’s still convenient to use one for notes or as a planner,” said San Diego State University graduate Kevin Raquidan. “You’d be able to use it when you’re offline, or when your devices aren’t close by.” Whoever said paper was going out of style seems to have misjudged [easyazon_link identifier=”8883701127″ locale=”US” tag=”collemagaz-20″]misjudged human’s desire for the unique/vintage. [/easyazon_link]
[easyazon_link identifier=”8883701127″ locale=”US” tag=”collemagaz-20″]Price: $17.28[/easyazon_link]
17. [easyazon_link identifier=”B004LLIKVU” locale=”US” tag=”collemagaz-20″]Amazon eGift Card[/easyazon_link]
[easyazon_image align=”none” height=”500″ identifier=”B004LLIKVU” locale=”US” src=”//www.collegemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/41HIBCiSxzL.jpg” tag=”collemagaz-20″ width=”500″]
“Gift cards make great presents for your average college student, as they cover items that the student would normally pay for,” said Raquidan. “I mean, it’s that much more money in their pockets that they don’t have to spend, so why not? [easyazon_link identifier=”B004LLIKVU” locale=”US” tag=”collemagaz-20″]Amazon and Starbucks gift cards [are great][/easyazon_link] cause college students are broke and tired,” said University of California Los Angeles junior Mark Tolentino.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B004LLIKVU” locale=”US” tag=”collemagaz-20″]Price: Up to Your Humble Discretion[/easyazon_link]
18. Food
“Everyone loves food, especially your everyday broke college student,” Raquidan said. “Again, it’s that much money that the student would be saving, and that’s always much appreciated.” Feeling #hangry and lusting after someone’s half eaten pack of Doritos really sucks.
19. [easyazon_link identifier=”B00VAP3WQS” locale=”US” tag=”collemagaz-20″]Shower Caddy[/easyazon_link]
[easyazon_image align=”none” height=”458″ identifier=”B00VAP3WQS” locale=”US” src=”//www.collegemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/51fJnVeZBsL.jpg” tag=”collemagaz-20″ width=”500″]
“It can hold all your bathroom stuff,” said Fontelera. Why stress over appearance when practicality has more importance? You don’t want to find yourself juggling your shampoo and conditioner bottles under your chin like poor Gus Gus in Cinderella.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B00VAP3WQS” locale=”US” tag=”collemagaz-20″]Price: $9.89[/easyazon_link]
20. [easyazon_link identifier=”B005YPK8G2″ locale=”US” tag=”collemagaz-20″]Bicycle Lock[/easyazon_link]
[easyazon_image align=”none” height=”435″ identifier=”B005YPK8G2″ locale=”US” src=”//www.collegemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/41mBBM7BkYL.jpg” tag=”collemagaz-20″ width=”500″]
We all have that one friend whose things always get stolen. You don’t want to end up needing to wake up half an hour earlier just to walk all the way to your 8 a.m. English class.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B005YPK8G2″ locale=”US” tag=”collemagaz-20″]Price: $35.35[/easyazon_link]
21. [easyazon_link identifier=”B01FXN3E74″ locale=”US” tag=”collemagaz-20″]Brita Water Filter[/easyazon_link]
[easyazon_image align=”none” height=”500″ identifier=”B01FXN3E74″ locale=”US” src=”//www.collegemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/414B13NxoWL.jpg” tag=”collemagaz-20″ width=”500″]
Growing up also means trying to act like an adult. Parents coming over to judge your living conditions? Bust out something #adult to prove to them that [easyazon_link identifier=”B01FXN3E74″ locale=”US” tag=”collemagaz-20″]you are capable, you are sanitary[/easyazon_link] and you are no longer their baby.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B01FXN3E74″ locale=”US” tag=”collemagaz-20″]Price: $36.30[/easyazon_link]
22. [easyazon_link identifier=”B00EQA34W6″ locale=”US” tag=”collemagaz-20″]Medicine[/easyazon_link]
[easyazon_image align=”none” height=”500″ identifier=”B00EQA34W6″ locale=”US” src=”//www.collegemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/51jpjlZ0kPL.jpg” tag=”collemagaz-20″ width=”500″]
The morning after hangovers sometimes call for a quick fix. “NyQuil and DayQuil [easyazon_link identifier=”B00EQA34W6″ locale=”US” tag=”collemagaz-20″]to stave off sickness[/easyazon_link],” said Fontelera. “Because you’re surrounded by a bunch of unsanitary people and you will get sick.”
[easyazon_link identifier=”B00EQA34W6″ locale=”US” tag=”collemagaz-20″]Price: $14.97[/easyazon_link]
23. [easyazon_link identifier=”B00J2MUV06″ locale=”US” tag=”collemagaz-20″]MUJI Gel Pens[/easyazon_link]
[easyazon_image align=”none” height=”500″ identifier=”B00J2MUV06″ locale=”US” src=”//www.collegemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/51UwQ4RWg5L.jpg” tag=”collemagaz-20″ width=”414″]
Though they seem like a simple gift, they actually go a long way. You are the crayon master of your life, so why not make it a rainbow? Plus, aren’t you sick of pretending to study with your plain, boring black and white notes?
[easyazon_link identifier=”B00J2MUV06″ locale=”US” tag=”collemagaz-20″]Price: $11.28[/easyazon_link]
24. Spotify Premium
How can you honestly wake up in the morning without rocking out to your favorite playlist? Stop letting your Monday mornings suck, and start each day with a little Beyonce.
25. [easyazon_link identifier=”B00XC5KNB6″ locale=”US” tag=”collemagaz-20″]Desk lamp[/easyazon_link]
[easyazon_image align=”none” height=”500″ identifier=”B00XC5KNB6″ locale=”US” src=”//www.collegemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/31gGFxs5YVL.jpg” tag=”collemagaz-20″ width=”500″]
You know you’ve reached the maximum level of adulting as a college student when you actually want something practical. Your friend won’t have any excuse to not study for her midterms this fall.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B00XC5KNB6″ locale=”US” tag=”collemagaz-20″]Price: $21.99[/easyazon_link]
Looking for even more awesome presents?
1. Succulent Blanket
2. Throw Pillow
3. Cat Lady Pouch
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