29 stocking stuffers for college students for any budget
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Practical and affordable stocking stuffer ideas
What are stocking stuffers?
Emily Spivak explained the history of stocking stuffers as it was shared by some.
The tradition is around two centuries old. While there may be a few explanations for stockings at Christmas, it is thought that St. Nicholas heard of a widowed man who had three children.
He was struggling financially but was too prideful to ask for help. So, St. Nicholas slid down the chimney. There were stockings already hanging on the mantle because they were drying from the heat. He placed gold coins in the stockings.
The family was delighted, and it was thought that this additional wealth helped his daughters wed later.
This can be where the tradition started.
There are other explanations that exist, but I thought I’d share a popular belief about where this tradition is thought to have started.
So, kids wake up across the world and check their stockings on Christmas morning to find small presents and treats from Santa Claus.
Why give college students stocking stuffers?
College students may not work and be focusing on their academic career. Or they may have a job, but working part-time. They are sure to need some stocking stuffers to get them by until they can make more money with a full time career.
Be sure to surprise your college student by continuing this tradition. Even though they aren’t young children anymore, stockings give you the opportunity to place small and practical gifts in their stockings to really make them feel special.
Having a stocking as a young adult can revitalize their inner child and will definitely make them smile.
Stocking stuffers might be more appropriate because stuffers are usually more affordable than larger gifts, which on their own, may not be significant.
But when you place several smaller/cheaper gifts into a stocking, it is impactful.
It might be more financially doable for you to give your favorite college student stocking stuffers, and it will definitely be loved by the college student too. Double win.
You don’t even have to place these in a stocking if you don’t see the college student because these presents could also work as gifts in a care package too.
My husband and I still get stocking stuffers from my mother-in-law, and at first I thought it would be simplistic and childish, but I actually enjoy seeing my stocking stuffers more than my presents. It’s those little trinkets and treats that are so fun to dig through on Christmas morning.
Here are my top 29 gifts for college students. I have been a college student, and now I am a professor, so I know what colleges students want because I was one, but also because I teach them now too.
You’re sure to find several stocking stuffer ideas that will be in your favorite college student’s stocking this year.
1.) Bookmark/Weight page holder - If you’ve ever read a book, you know it’s frustrating when it won’t hold its place. This weight makes that possible. As a college student, they are sure to be reading textbooks that could use this tool. This is something you never really knew you needed until you got one.
2.) Wallet multi-tool. This is 18 tools in one. You can open a bottle with it, or use it as a phone stand. It’s sure to come in handy for college students.
3.) Shower steamers - These amazing tablets work by placing them in the shower pan and waiting for the relaxing or invigorating aroma to start working its magic. This will definitely be a hit on Christmas morning.
4.) Potty Spray - Okay, I know this one seems a little strange, but it is practical. If they have roommates, or use communal bathrooms in dorm halls, they’ll be sure to need this spray eventually. We all go. So it’s sure to be used.
5.) Rechargeable portable handheld fan - I own this. And my family loves it. Your college student can take this in their backpack and have it on their long walks on campus to and from class.
6.) Erasable highlighters - I cannot believe these exist and I wish they would have existed when I was in school. Now students can highlight, underline and erase. You must put this in their stocking. How cool?!
7.) Starbucks gift card - They can grab their favorite pick-me-up beverage, take it on the go, or sit and study. This is such a popular choice for stocking stuffers.
8.) Mini portable charger - They have different colors to choose from. And it’s compatible with most iPhones and AirPods. We’ve all been there where we lost battery on our devices, and it’s so convenient to have a backup.
9.) Lip Balm - Keep your lips moisturized with lip balm. It’s small enough to fit in a stocking, cheap enough to be affordable, and practical enough to be used.
10.) Keychain alarm - When your favorite college student is on their own, you can rest a little easier knowing that they have a keychain that gives them a light, and a screaming siren! If they feel threatened, get attacked, and need to sound an alarm, this is sure to help.
11.) Tire pressure gauge - It can be used for a variety of tires. Before they set out on a trip back home for a visit, or commuting to campus, this will definitely come in handy.
12.) Stress less cards - These cards are sure to help your college student focus on mindfulness and relaxation during finals week or when a big research paper is due. Even I could use them.
13.) Travel bag/organizer - They can place their favorite toiletries in this bag and use it during travels, or use it to organize a drawer or bathroom cabinet. It’s something they can keep on using after graduation.
14.) Pocket journal - When they’re in class, or on the go, and think of something they just have to jot down, they’ll have something to take notes on quickly. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve reached for my pocket journal to remind myself of something I need to take care of later, or jotted some notes down to remember.
15.) Adulting shirt - Now you can say it without officially saying it. Adulting is hard, and I’m sure you wonder if your college student will truly ever “get” it. This shirt is hilarious and sure to make them laugh.
16.) Water bottle - As a professor, I know a lot of college students who lug around bulky water jugs. This is lightweight, large, has a covered spout, and a carry loop. They can hang it on their backpack. How cool! They don’t have to hold it their entire day.
17.) String lights with clips - Let them display all their favorite memories in their room with these lights and hanging clips for pictures. They can even get creative and hang other memorabilia to give them some happy thoughts while away from home.
18.) College bucket list - They are sure to make some memories completing these bucket lists items before they graduate college. Help them think of some activities that they’ll treasure forever.
19.) First Aid Kit - I cannot tell you how many times I could have used this in college. Getting first aid items stocked in my apartment wasn’t even on my mind back then like it is now. Help them out in times of need.
20.) Toolkit - If they don’t use this multiple times during their college years, I’d be shocked. Maybe they need to hang a picture, or open boxes, they’ll grab this and think of you. They likely don’t own any of these tools yet so start their collection now.
21.) Multi Plug outlet extender and USB plug - Where has this been my whole life? The picture says it all.
22.) Desk lamp - Perfect for a small space, and for late nights studying. They can even use it to brighten dark spaces during the day. It has a dimmer, a USB charging port, and an adjustable neck.
23.) Alarm clock - A digital alarm clock is surely needed for the college student in your life. They are embarking on adulting and need some structure. While they may use their phone for an alarm clock, I’ve had several students show up late to class because it didn’t go off or it lost charge. Make sure they have a backup.
24.) Ring toss game - This is small enough to fit in any dorm room, and a fun gift for that special college student in your life. They can play by themselves or with others.
25.) Phone stand - They’ll likely need this when watching videos, playing games, reading notes, or texting. It’s bound to be used everyday.
26.) Waterproof speaker - This portable speaker has up to 10 hours of play. They can hang it in the shower, take it with them on the go, and use it in their room for some motivational tunes.
27.) Flashlights - There’s enough flashlights here to put one in their bedroom, kitchen, backpack and car. I have used a flashlight multiple times in the last year so I’m sure it will be a loved gift.
28.) Amazon gift card - Let them pick their favorite items instead or give it to them in addition to other stocking stuffers. It doesn’t have to be much if you’re on a budget.
29.) Batteries - Need I really explain why a college student needs these? We all do. With as many electronics as we all own, they’re bound to need to replace them.
I know you have found several options for the perfect stocking stuffers for the college student in your life. These are such practical stocking stuffers for college students.
These stocking stuffers will make them just as delighted as the widowed man and his three daughters were centuries ago when St. Nicholas visited their home.
