Gift Ideas
62 Amazing Christmas Gifts for College Guys- Ultimate 2023 Guide
Looking for the best Christmas gifts for college guys? Check out our complete guide to find the perfect gift for any type of personality or budget.
This article was updated on 10/24/2023.
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This post is all about Christmas Gifts for College Guys!
Now that the clock has struck midnight on 1 November, it is officially the Christmas season.
Whether you acknowledge this as the controversial holiday kickoff date or not, we can all agree that gift shopping for guys can be a challenge.
Some men can be hard to read, whether it is your brother, son, friend, or boyfriend.
Thankfully, if the guy in your life happens to be a college student, many gifts could make his life easier.
I have researched, brainstormed, and focused groups, and the results are in below, you will find the best Christmas gifts for college guys.
This article is about Christmas gifts for college guys, but it works as a year-round guide.
It is divided into five helpful sections:
• Gifts for College Guys ( Self-Care)
• Gifts to Make Studying a Breeze
• Gifts to Spruce Up his College Dorm Room
• Gifts for a First-Time Adult
• Gifts for College Guys ( Books)
Look no further for what to get your favorite college student—there is something on this list for everyone.
Gifts for College Guys (Self-Care)
Nothing says you care about someone like helping them take care of themselves.
We all need a little pampering occasionally; these gifts will help him incorporate self-care into his daily life to keep him feeling his best.
These blankets exploded in popularity a few years ago, and for good reason.
Sleeping under a weighted blanket has proven to have numerous benefits: they improve the quality of sleep, reduce anxiety, and can help calm the nervous system. Weighted blankets are just plain cozy—this is a gift he is sure to love.
If your family is anything like mine, noise-canceling gear is particularly useful.
Whether or not your home is a rambunctious one, these headphones come in handy in a variety of settings.
From the workplace to a plane ride, these will allow him to zero in and focus on what’s important.
Something you may have heard about is light therapy, also known as photo or heliotherapy. This is a way to improve mental health and ease depression.
This is a gift to do a bit of research on first, but if you think it fits his needs, it can be a real life-changer. Sun lamps such as these can improve skin, seasonal depression, or low moods.
It is a convenient, noninvasive way to implement some self-care into his regimen.
A gift like this may be becoming more and more necessary if he is a dad, and can be more easily disturbed in the mornings.
This sleep mask is a particularly good model because it applies no pressure to the eyes, and will allow for longer, deeper rest.
He might not have the means to go to the spa every day, but you can bring the spa to him! This device is perfect for easing tension or overworked muscles and can be carried anywhere.
This specific example was crafted for students, but you can find these outlets for both creativity and stress in any conceivable genre.
This is a gift that will show you appreciate his interests and will give him a fun way to decompress.
Whether he is a gamer or a chronic fidget-er, he will love this device. Pocket-sized and lightweight, this fidget toy will keep him focused, give him an outlet for stress, and increase his concentration.
It wouldn’t be a Christmas list if I didn’t include something warm and cozy. This bathrobe is sherpa-lined and hooded, making it especially luxurious.
Whether he is a skincare newbie, or has an army of moisturizers in the bathroom cupboard, this gift set from Tiege Hanley features a sleek, masculine design he is sure to love.
Many men let the self-care fundamental of taking care of your skin slip by—this gift could change that!
Smooth as silk, these pajamas are something he will use and appreciate on a nightly basis.
Staying socially active is key to self care; this popcorn maker is perfect for movie nights with friends. It can definitely be enjoyed solo, however—who wouldn’t want to enjoy some delicious popcorn at home?
This candle is warm, comforting, and masculine. It is also made with 100% natural materials, making for a non-toxic burn. Don’t forget—a good smell can set the tone of a whole environment.
If candles aren’t his speed (or are forbidden from his student housing) this essential oil diffuser can have even more health benefits. This diffuser comes with the fundamental essential oils, as well as soothing light and mist.
Related: 65 Amazing Christmas Gifts for College Girls-The Complete 2023 Guide
Gifts to Make Studying a Breeze
Studying is a huge part of college life.
It is likely (hopefully, even) how he spends a considerable chunk of his time, so a gift that lightens his study load is equal parts practical and thoughtful.
Getting out of bed is hard enough—finding that same motivation just to hit the books can be impossible. Thankfully, you can ease this burden with the portable laptop desk, which makes studying possible from the comfort of your bed. The desk can be taken anywhere from a train, a cafe, or a friend’s house.
There is a reason Moleskine notebooks are so popular. As a college student who spends most of her time writing, trust me: few notebooks are as durable or appealing. These notebooks come in all colors, so why not buy one in his favorite shade?
A student’s worst enemy is procrastination. With the whole month laid out in front of you, though, it can be hard to ignore that glaring week reading, “FINALS.” This specific calendar also comes with magnets, extra space to pin stray notes, and an array of differently-colored dry-erase markers to keep everything organized.
Especially post-covid, many of us are on the move while we work.
Even if he does not work remotely, a mobile keyboard can be a helpful tool.
Especially for the workaholic who likes to take the office wherever he goes, this gadget is easily transportable and convenient, and will connect with most devices.
This is a helpful tool for studying or keeping anything organized around the house. Because it is connectable via Bluetooth, this label maker allows you to label anything using names, barcodes, QR codes, text, or emojis. It is a simple yet high-tech gift, and especially helpful for a student.
This set has accounted for any type of notes: annotations, reminders, or quickly jotted-down thoughts. This is the perfect way to keep all those thoughts in one, neatly organized place.
This recommendation is specific, but it is because I have found no better tool for design than the Caran D’ache.
This is particularly lauded amongst architects and designers, but has a smooth feel for any project.
If you are going to invest in a high-quality pen, this is your best option.
One of the greatest gifts you could give a college student is peace of mind. For people with such busy schedules, that only comes in the form of organization. Perfect for academic planning and scheduling, this planner is divided into monthly and weekly sections. This means he can keep track of assignments due Friday, while keeping in mind that final project due at the end of the month.
It is possible to be environmentally conscious in a corporate setting!
These dry erase sticky notes are reusable, making them just that.
Not only do they cut down on paper waste, these notes are convenient.
They reduce clutter in his own office, and will keep his head clear of unnecessary reminders.
The future is here: this gift makes your notes reusable and digitized. This includes features like smart search and email transcription, which cuts down on the headache of getting and staying organized. This is another gift which comes in an array of colors, so don’t be afraid to make it personal.
Rather than using his phone as an alarm—which can lead to a long early-morning scroll through social media—this sunrise alarm clock is a natural, soothing way to start each productive day.
This is the ultimate backpack for college students. Waterproof and travel-friendly, this bag is also suitable for laptops. This is an eco-friendly gift that covers all student needs.
Time management is key to effective studying. This wooden watch can be engraved, making this a stylist and personal way to help him keep track of time.
Related: 55 Amazing Christmas Gift Ideas for Best Friends – The Complete 2023 Guide
Gifts to Spruce Up His College Dorm Room
His whole life revolves around where he lives.
A few touches can make his living space feel special; these gifts are practical, aesthetic, and fun ways to make his dorm room feel like home.
Dorm beds can be murder on the spine. You can give him the gift of restful nights of sleep with this mattress pad, which cushions uncomfy dorm beds. One caveat: be sure to check the size! This specific pad is for a twin bed, but they come in all sizes.
It can be difficult to make a smaller space feel like home. Area rugs are a great way to divide up his dorm to give the impression of divided spaces. Aesthetic and functional, this rug will make his dorm seem more cozy.
These lights heighten any room: multiple scene options let you set the atmosphere for all occasions, and there are a range of colors to choose from. They are connectable via Bluetooth, and even play music!
Playing music while you shower is a must, at least in my opinion. It makes showering a fun experience! But, sometimes, your phone speaker is just not cutting it and you do not want to risk getting water on a nice speaker.
This is why this shower speaker is perfect to solve this problem. It is waterproof so you do not have to worry about it getting wet and ruining the speaker. If your bf’s family also enjoys music, especially in the shower, this is perfect.
It is also great for traveling because it is small so it can be transported easily and withstand the chance of getting wet. Which makes it an even better gift option.
It’s no secret that students are hardcore coffee drinkers. Mugs can pile up and cause clutter; this mug tree is an aesthetic and space-optimizing way to store them.
Nothing is worse than having a messy office and a messy desk.
With this desk organizer, your coworker’s messy desk will disappear. This organizer comes in two colors, has five vertical compartments, a drawer, and a horizontal compartment.
It’s the perfect gift for a coworker who works in an office!
This gift will make his dorm room a designated hangout space. Giant bean bags like this one if he has a larger living space. This comfy and sociable couch replacement is ideal for lounging, sitting, napping, sleeping, or watching TV with buddies.
Mini fridges are cool enough, but this retro version is unbeatable. This will enhance the look of any room, and is perfect for storing beverages or snacks.
This is the dream gift for any music or vinyl lover. This machine not only plays records, but can connect to your phone if you want to listen to your favorite music with ease.
This personal, attachable shelf will keep everything he needs closeby. It is not only practical, but the bamboo adds a tasteful look to his room.
There is a reason you see these everywhere, from college dorms to bigshot offices.
Put simply, they’re fun!
And basketball hoops like this also make great stress relievers—it may do him a lot of good to keep this around the office, or maybe at home for a bit of afterwork winding-down.
Dorm room floors can be cold, especially during these winter months. These slippers are made of memory foam, and will keep him warm and cozy all year round.
Hammocks are popular amongst college students for a reason: they are fun, as well as versatile. This particular hammock is extra durable and can hold up to 300 pounds, and can be added to most indoor or outdoor spaces. In a dorm room, this can be a cool relaxation or hangout spot.
Related: 100 Best Christmas Gifts for Boyfriend’s Parents in 2023
Gifts for a First-Time Adult
College is a crash course in adulthood and a learning curve for everyone.
Consider these training wheels for a first-time adult; they lend a helping hand for cooking, cleaning, or learning how to manage a grown-up life.
A coffee maker is a must-have for any coffee-loving grad. If they’re in a rush, they can brew a cup easily to brighten up their morning.
With this Keurig, you can add a pod to brew 6-12 oz. of your favorite drink.
The cleanup is easy, just toss the coffee pod in the garbage when you’re finished.
This is a versatile gift that will last a lifetime. A MasterClass subscription will give him access to hundreds of videos taught by the world’s experts on virtually any skill. Whether he is interested in science, writing, sports, or photography, these classes are the best of the best.
These cups are great for keeping your coffee or tea piping hot while on the go. Insulated and durable, these stainless steel tumblers are also spill-proof, making them foolproof and handy appliances.
This is another gift that will free up her hands and spare her from joint pain.
Wireless chargers can also be a must-have for those with visual impairments; the device eliminates any difficulties wrestling with outlets or tiny bits of technology.
Simply place your device on the charger, and the machine does the rest!
Living in a compact space shouldn’t mean you have to abstain from baking, or else heating up a frozen pizza. This is a more portable version of an oven, and is helpful for amateur cooks or frozen-food enthusiasts.
This essential gift is more practical than fun. That’s a natural result of adulthood, I suppose. A first aid kit works on two levels: it keeps him safe, and gives you peace of mind that he will be prepared for any situation.
Especially after the advent of online learning—which is still very much a part of college life, even post-pandemic—the number of wires and cords can be overwhelming. To ensure they don’t get tangled or broken, this cord organizer keeps all his chargers separate and intact.
Thanks to its UV light, this is more than a simple vacuum. It also functions as a sanitizer, killing bacteria and viruses from home surfaces.
There are countless dishes you can cook in an instant pot (or rice cooker, as it is sometimes called).
Whether he is an expert or novice chef, an instant pot is an easy way to make a delicious meal at home.
Laundry is perhaps the number-one thing I procrastinate as a college student. This laundry hamper eases the burden; it divides your clothing into lights and darks, so they don’t have to stay littered across your floor.
College students are often on the move. This leather travel bag will last him through his college years and into adulthood; designed with premium vegan leather and heavy-duty mesh, this is a long-lasting and practical gift.
This gift is a must for first-time and long-time adults alike. This Tile Mate utilizes its bluetooth tracker in order to locate his lost keys, phone, or wallet. With this pocket-sized gadget, you can ensure he never loses the essentials.
There are those that swear the only way to learn to take care of oneself is to care for another living thing. A good start to this practice—one which won’t put a hamster or goldfish at risk—is a houseplant such as a succulent. With this ceramic planter set, he can nurture his own mini garden. Who knows, he might earn some confidence in taking care of himself.
Related: 100+ White Elephant Gift Ideas – The Complete 2023 Guide
Gifts for College Guys (Books)
These are the most valuable books for college guys.
Some are well-known, others less so, but they all hold relevant advice and make a great Christmas gift for college guys.
This cookbook from Noah Stern compiles 75 delicious, affordable recipes which can be cooked by any beginner. This is a great introduction to cooking for yourself, even with a dorm room kitchen.
This guide by Thea Kelley will teach him to stand out in an interview. This book will arm him with all he will need to know to ace his interview; if he is a student entering the workforce, this could be the guidance he needs.
Cal Newport’s highly-praised best seller outlines a realistic plan for cutting back on unnecessary screen time. This is a must-read for any student in the modern age.
Pocket-sized and cheap, this book is an on-the-go guide for relaxation practices essential to his wellness.
Unless you have been living under a rock, it would be hard to avoid this book’s accolades. Tara Westover’s memoir is perfect for a student looking for a little inspiration: it recounts the story about a young girl who leaves her family behind to earn her PhD. Incredibly moving and well-written, this is sure to encourage a little ambition in any student.
Julia Delitt’s book is meticulously tailored to college students; the problems and anxieties of students are taken into consideration throughout this book for a holistic and helpful guide.
The problems all college students are confronted with on their first day of freshman year can be as jarring as they are long-lasting. Thankfully, this book by Jill and Dave Henry provides guidance to stay healthy and balanced throughout these unpredictable years.
This is another memoir which contains life-altering advice. It encourages self-acceptance and meaningful relationships—learning to cultivate these connections is one of the most important skills anyone can learn.62
As an expert therapist, Dr. Julie Smith, this book is invaluable in learning to strengthen and maintain your mental health.
In this book, Paul Tough recounts stories of students, stories which each offer pieces of wisdom. This book is especially relevant; Paul Tough examines how the culture of higher education has shifted over the years, making this an updated and topical guide.
Related: 80 Best Romantic Gifts for Him – The Ultimate Guide
Final Thoughts
These are 62 ideas for Christmas gifts for college guys.
Whether you have added any of the above to your shopping cart or were inspired by one of these ideas.
I hope you found this article helpful!
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