The holiday season is in full swing! Christmas music is on nearly every radio station, lights encase houses on every street, and stores are busier than ever. Oh, and college students are preparing for finals with an immense amount of stress. Sometimes, the only thing pushing us through is the impending joy of Christmas morning, all the laughter, fun, and the fact that we will actually be home and have some time off of school (however long or short that may be). Plus, the gifts we are about to receive cross our minds too. Don't know what to get the college kid(s) in your family this year? Here's a list of just 10 things any college kid would love to receive this Christmas!
10. A new backpack is always a good option.
We're college students, with classes each day and averaging about 10,000 steps. Imagine carrying 1,000 page books up and over hills for an entire semester in a backpack that's too little or uncomfortable. It hurts, makes us even more tired than we already are and makes us appreciate a good backpack. So, when stumped on which type to get, consider spending a little more money on a backpack with adequate padding and coverage.
9. A box full of goodies.
With Christmas, that means the end of an old semester and the beginning of a new. This also means that we are low on a lot of stuff. For this gift idea, there are multiple options that you could use when planning and filling the box. For one, you could fill the box with school supplies (pens, highlighters, new notebooks, etc.), in order to keep the cost of spending down for each student, as you would be providing the supplies they need to get through the coming months. Or you could provide the box with food convenient for dorm life (things like Mac & Cheese, crackers, etc.). You could even put a box together that combines both elements. Either way, it'll be appreciated, and it'll help save the student some money.
8. A set of water speakers.
This is one of my most favorite gifts I have ever been given. These are perfect, because they allow students to play music from their phones in their dorm room. That being said, do not let it blare and disturb the other rooms around them. It provides light when on, music that is louder than what a phone speaker provides, and they're simply fun to watch. I use mine all the time!
7. Movies are always great idea.
We're in college. We are always broke or stressed, and eventually; we'll have watched and binged every Netflix show that interests us. As such, we are always willing to accept a new movie, or movies, to add to the collection. I can promise that they'll be watched more than once, and it will be appreciated! Find out what genre appeals to the student, and either select a new movie, or a few $5 movies out of the bin. Either way, we'll likely watch it.
6. A lot of sleep.
This is good for more than one reason: they need it, and it's free. So, set aside a few days within their break that involve no plans. Allow the college kids to sleep in, and don't disturb their slumber.
5. Lots of warm, home-cooked meals.
Anything to relieve us from our dining hall food, literally anything. We eat the same thing nearly every day, so providing us with real food is always an encouragement to get through finals. Plus, this is a rather cheap option for a gift, but it's one your college kid will highly appreciate.
4. Online gift certificates.
This is for the girls that have a slight internet shopping addiction, something I've discovered a lot of females in college do. Providing them with the certificates to places they need (often Sephora and Ulta beauty stores) would save them money during the year. It's also likely to help their spending habits slow.
3. A desk top sling shot for the guys.
Oftentimes, we spend hours upon hours studying and doing homework. As a result, we get restless and need some time to wind down. What better way than to make a mess, and mess with your roommate at the same time?
2. Gift cards galore, and cash too.
This one is just about the most important and valuable gift anyone could give. Don't ask us what type of gift cards, because we literally accept anything we are given. To food places, to the grocery store, to clothing stores, to anywhere basically. You could provide a wallet and stuff it with the cards and money, or you could wrap each one, or you could simply hand us what we need. Whichever way you choose to do so, we will be grateful.
1. Anything personal from you.
We may not act sentimental, but we love personal touches from people we love and share a connection with. Any gift you choose that comes from the heart will always top any material thing.
