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After a semester of juggling projects, extracurriculars, exams, and social life, the college student in your life will make their way back home for the holidays for a much-needed break. Whether they are freshmen prepping to take on the second semester or a senior embarking on their last university adventure, the college students deserve a gift that will bring them joy. From the coolest tech on the market to self-care finds, we rounded up the best gifts you can give the college student in your life. We even included some fun finds like, a home theater projector set they can use in their dorm, a pair of adorable heated slippers to keep their feet cozy during the wintertime, and even a smart water bottle that will keep track of their water intake and remind them to stay hydrated. Keep reading to shop our top picks!
— Additional reporting by Macy Cate Williams, Haley Lyndes, and Krista Jones
This YnM Weighted Blanket ($50, originally $80) will keep them warm and comforted while away from home. It's the perfect thing to grab for college students. The weight is evenly distributed throughout the blanket. It comes in a variety of colors and weights as well.
I Dew Care Let's Get Sheet Faced Face Sheet Mask Pack
Buy NowYou can't go wrong with a pair of trendy, luxe PJs, and these Sioro Long Sleeve Silk Pajama Set ($29, originally $49) are so soft and lightweight, you'll probably end up buying yourself a pair, too! These come in a variety of colors as well.
Sioro Long Sleeve Silk Pajama Set
Buy NowThe JBL Flip 5 Waterproof Portable Bluetooth Speaker ($130) comes in a variety of color choices, like black, gray, and blue. This speaker is dust-proof and waterproof and allows for 12 hours of wireless playtime. Whether it's rain, spilled drinks, or beach sand, this speaker can handle it all.
JBL Flip 5 Waterproof Portable Bluetooth Speaker
Buy NowIf you're shopping for someone who loves fitness, get them these trendy Bala Bangles — Set of 2 ($49 for one pound). They are stylish ankle and arm weights that can level up any workout by adding resistance.
They'll love lounging in their dorm in this The Comfy Original ($45). Yes, it's both a blanket and a sweatshirt, and it comes in a variety of colors.
The Renpho Eye Massager With Heat ($70, originally $80) is an electric shiatsu eye massager that will help relieve the tension from eye fatigue and eye strain. It's a gift that will truly keep on giving and actually help out.
Renpho Eye Massager With Heat
Buy NowAnyone will get a good night's sleep with the relaxing Sleep Headphones ($20, originally $23). If they have trouble sleeping with the light on, they'll get a lot of use out of these.
The Fujifilm Instax Mini 11 Instant Camera ($60, originally $70) is such a fun and sentimental way to capture candid moments in real time. The photos are such a thoughtful memento friends and family can keep forever. It's a great find for those who want to explore photography beyond an iPhone.
Fujifilm Instax Mini 11 Instant Camera
Buy NowUpgrade their listening experience with a truly wireless pair of in-ear headphones. The JBL Tune 125TWS True Wireless In-Ear Headphones ($60, originally $100) are perfect for music-lovers who love a pure, bass-heavy sound. They have 32 hours of playtime in one charge and a comfortable fit. They can take calls and enable their voice assistant of choice with these as well.
JBL Tune 125TWS True Wireless In-Ear Headphones
Buy NowIf they love sparking water, they can make their own right in their dorm with the SodaStream Terra Sparkling Water Maker Bundle ($128, originally $160). The bundle comes with carbon dioxide canisters, two sparkling water bottles, and Bubly flavor drops.
SodaStream Terra Sparkling Water Maker Bundle
Buy NowIf your bestie loves to complete every look with a layer of lip gloss, they'll thank you endlessly for this Fenty Beauty Glossy Posse Fantasy 4Sum 4-Piece Gloss Bomb Set ($38). It comes with three mini Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizers in brand-new holographic shades like Fenty Glow Fantasy, Hot Chocolit Fantasy, and Champ Stamp Fantasy, plus a full-size Gloss Bomb Cream in the shade Candy Milk.
Fenty Beauty Glossy Posse Fantasy 4Sum 4-Piece Gloss Bomb Set
Buy NowThe Echo Dot ($35, originally $50) will be their new best friend. They can ask Alexa to play music, set timers, call anyone hands-free, control the rest of their smart home, get information about almost anything including the news, and so much more.
The Mala the Brand Candle ($30) will set the mood with the ultimate sensorial experience. It's a woodwick candle that crackles as it burns, so it sounds like a relaxing fireplace. It comes in a variety of fresh and cozy scents including fireside and morning dew, you can shop them here. If you're shopping for a college student who loves ASMR, this candle is a must!
The Care Crate Ultimate Candy Snack Box Care Package
Buy NowRelease muscle tension and ease body pains with the Hyperice Hypervolt Bluetooth Percussion Massage Device ($249, originally $349). The powerful tool comes with five different interchangeable heads and has three different speed settings. They can use the app to create custom routines for the ultimate relaxation experience. It's great for fitness enthusiasts!
Hyperice Hypervolt Bluetooth Percussion Massage Device
Buy NowBrilliant Ideas UO Exclusive Galaxy Star Projector
Buy NowThe Urbanista Miami Over-Ear Headphones ($149) are stylish, wireless Bluetooth headphones that everyone needs to block out the distractions of the world. They can dive deep into an audiobook or podcast, listen to their favorite music and jam out, or take conference calls with these headphones. These are available in a timeless white color as well.
Urbanista Miami Over-Ear Headphones
Buy NowThe Courant Carry ($150) is a rechargeable powerbank that charges devices wirelessly! Not only does it look incredibly sleek, but it also takes multifunctionality to a whole new level. They can charge the Carry with another wireless charger while charging their phone right on top of the stack all at the same time. This is perfect for everyone but especially for a busybody who needs a fully charged phone at all times.
Rocketbook Everlast Reusable Smart Notebook
Buy NowHidrateSpark Pro Smart Water Bottle, Tracks Water Intake & Glows to Remind You
Buy NowPackard Bell Home Theater Projector and Screen Set
Buy NowHow adorable are these Smoko Tayto Potato USB Heated Slippers ($42)?! They're perfect for embracing your inner couch potato. These USB-powered slippers can be plugged into any compatible USB port, like your laptop. If they want to walk around, they can just unplug them and take the warmth all around their dorm.
Smoko Tayto Potato USB Heated Slippers
Buy NowFrom binge-watching their favorite shows to relaxin' and reading a good book in bed, the Bedsure Heated Blanket Electric Throw ($80) is a cuddle-worthy must have. It's an ultrasoft sherpa fleece blanket with five different heat settings, so they can cuddle up and stay warm. It has a three-hour auto-shutoff feature for their safety. It comes in a variety of colors including beige, light blue, gray, navy, red, and chocolate.
Bedsure Heated Blanket Electric Throw
Buy NowYou've probably seen this The Five Minute Journal: A Happier You in 5 Minutes a Day ($30) everywhere, but it really does work. If they love to journal or want to embrace being more mindful in their daily life, they'll appreciate this gift. There's something so satisfying about starting and ending the day with gratitude and reflection.
The Five Minute Journal: A Happier You in 5 Minutes a Day
Buy NowWhether they are prone to facial tension or love a good pamper session the The Skinny Confidential Hot Mess Ice Roller ($69) is a lifesaver. They can keep it in their dorm room fridge for a moment of cooling, soothing relief.
The Skinny Confidential Hot Mess Ice Roller
Buy NowStars Above Women's Cozy Plush Robe
Buy NowIf they can't go without their iced coffee, rain or shine, they need the Mr. Coffee Iced Coffee Maker With Reusable Tumbler and Coffee Filter ($35). It brews a perfectly chilled cup in less than four minutes. Just add water and your favorite coffee grounds to the machine, fill the tumbler with ice, and brew. Finish off with milks, sweeteners, and syrups.
Mr. Coffee Iced Coffee Maker With Reusable Tumbler and Coffee Filter
Buy NowWhether it's your close friends and family or a truly complete stranger, the We're Not Really Strangers Game ($25) is an interactive game that lets them get to know the people they are playing with on a deeper level. It's all about empowering meaningful connections and growing the relationships in your life; we even reviewed it.
We're Not Really Strangers Game
Buy NowThe one thing about curling hair that can get annoying is the weird angles our arms have to be in to reach every part. The Kristin Ess Soft Wave Pivoting Wand Curling Iron — 1 1/4" ($60) fixes that issue with an innovative handle that rotates from 180 degrees to 90 degrees for easier styling and less stress on your arms. It heats up to 425 degrees Fahrenheit and automatically shuts off after 30 minutes of nonuse.
Kristin Ess Soft Wave Pivoting Wand Curling Iron — 1 1/4"
Buy NowIf they love to eat bowls and bowls of cereal, let them enjoy their favorite meal on the go with this The CrunchCup XL ($25). They don't need anything else — no extra bowl or spoon! The best part? The cereal won't get soggy because the CrunchCup has two cups, one meant for cereal and the other meant for milk. The cereal and milk won't meet until it reaches their mouth.
If they are obsessed with all things Star Wars, they'll truly enjoy this The Mandalorian The Child Talking Light Clapper ($35). All they have to do is plug it in and simply clap their hands to activate the light and hear Baby Yoda's iconic lines.
The Mandalorian The Child Talking Light Clapper
Buy NowIf they are the ultimate gamer, then get them this fun yet useful Cable Guys Toddler Groot Device Holder ($25). Toddler Groot can hold their gaming consoles, smartphone, headphones, and more.
Cable Guys Toddler Groot Device Holder
Buy NowIf they love candles, they'll be over the moon to receive this Voluspa Mini Candle Advent Calendar ($75). Every day has a different scent, and we'd like one for ourselves as well, please and thank you.
Voluspa Mini Candle Advent Calendar
Buy NowWe know so many people who swear by the Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask. This Laneige Midnight Minis Set ($18) is for that person; it contains five fun flavors of the cult-favorite product.
Olaplex is one of those products that is definitely worth the hype. If they're wondering about the brand, gift them this Olaplex Healthy Hair Essentials ($60), and they'll be hooked.
Olaplex Healthy Hair Essentials
Buy NowIf they have plants all over their home, they'll appreciate this upgraded Planter Bluetooth Speaker ($20). It's such a cute planter that doubles as a speaker perfect for their desk or their bedside table.
Whether they are up late at night studying or can't put down a good book, they absolutely love this Lil B Dumpling Flexible Light ($20). It's such a cute find that will brighten up their space and their mood.
Lil B Dumpling Flexible Light
Buy NowNo more worrying about frayed wires or having enough charging cables. Get them this TOZO W1 Thin Wireless Charger ($12, originally $20) for a seamless charging experience. From their bedside table or desk to their entryway, this wireless charger will make their life easier. It comes in a variety of sleek colors as well like gold, silver, space gray, rose gold, and more.
TOZO W1 Thin Wireless Charger
Buy NowKeep their devices charged wherever they are going with this stylish and useful heyday 4000mAh Power Bank ($20). It comes in a variety of colors inlcuding gold, rose gold, leaf-patterned green, and a coral.
This UBeesize Portable and Adjustable Phone Tripod ($18) will level up their content creation game. They won't have to lean and balance their phone on random objects around the house. Plus, it's portable so they can cerate wherever they want! It comes with a wireless remote for a total hands-free experienece.
UBeesize Portable and Adjustable Phone Tripod
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Buy NowIf you have limited counter space, this Keurig K-Mini Coffee Maker ($70, originally $80) is perfect for your kitchen. Not only does it come in a variety of cute colors, but its sleek design also lets you enjoy your coffee without the clutter.
They can have a relaxing bath or shower with the Shower Beer Holder Bluetooth Speaker ($20, originally $30). It's got a waterproof Bluetooth speaker that has up to four hours of playtime in a single charge. It's a gadget they'll use every day.
Shower Beer Holder Bluetooth Speaker
Buy Now