With Christmas right around the corner, shopping for the student in your life might be at the top of your mind. You probably want to give a creative gift that tells them you’re proud of them, that you’re rooting for them. No matter what your budget is, we have some ideas to help you give the best gifts this year.
"Free" Gifts
These gifts can be incredibly thoughtful and personal, and they’re especially easy on your wallet. You may not be able to wrap all of them, but you can give them all year round.
- Make them a playlist with songs that express how you feel about them and the hard work they’re putting in at school. You can even make an actual mixtape so you have something to wrap!
- Give them a coupon book for chores you’ll help with: making dinner, picking up groceries, landscaping, taking kids to activities, etc. Think of things that will help free up their schedule and let them focus on studying or getting extra rest.
- Have their friends send you videos of encouragement and put them together in a montage. This gift keeps on giving, reminding your student who’s cheering them on whenever they need it.
- Make a DIY fidget craft like slime or homemade clay. This can be a fun item for them to play with while studying or reading course materials, and you can wrap it!
Gifts for Every Budget
If you have a budget, we have ideas in every price range, especially for those people who are so difficult to pin down for Christmas wish lists.
- Food delivery gift cards. We’re all busy people, especially those of us taking classes. Having a meal delivered saves time on food prep and clean-up. ($)
- A diploma frame. Keep the student in your life motivated and looking forward to graduation. Order a diploma frame from the campus bookstore—this is something many students won’t splurge and buy for themselves. ($$$)
- Study snack packs. Because who doesn’t love a freshly-stocked snack basket? Trail mix, fruit chews, granola bars, chips, sunflower seeds, and more. There are plenty of options to make the snacks yourself or build your own basket at the grocery store. ($)
- A nice set of headphones. Because sometimes you just need to focus on what’s in front of you. These are especially beneficial for your coffee shop frequenter, your study-on-her-lunch-break student, or the person who just needs to tune out distractions at home. ($$)
- A mug warmer. For your late night or early morning students – keep coffee or tea warm and don’t worry about needing the microwave. ($$)
- A mobile hotspot device. You can take the classroom with you wherever you go, but you might also need the internet! A connectivity device means you can (hypothetically) take the classroom on a camping trip, to a remote cabin, or maybe it’s at home in a rural area. ($$$)