With Christmas coming up, I have the annual issue of what to get our college guys. We sponsor midshipmen at the Naval Academy, and I’m always at a loss for what to get them.
Gift certificates are great, but not as fun. They have to move rooms frequently, so nothing too big or too much “stuff.” And in the spirit of efficiency, I try to get the same gift for each of them.
Last year, I asked our female midshipman what Christmas gifts college girls would want, and she was SO helpful. But college guys? You’re lucky if you get a solid answer, let alone one that works for multiple guys.
Luckily, college students’ needs don’t change drastically in one year, so I was able to repupose a lot of her recommendations.
Rather than trying to find one item, I went with a variety of smaller items. Many were edible or consumable in some way. Hopefully all useful. But if not, they’re small enough they can re-gift without feeling bad about it.
What was in the Christmas gift for each of my college guys:
- Tide PODS
- Pringles (one with the holiday label!)
- Fleece socks
- ChapStick
- Desk cord organizer
- BlenderBottle shaker bottle
- Hand sanitizer
- Hanging bedside storange caddy
Sidenote: Nobody WANTS hand sanitizer, but I am too much of a mom not to try to help them avoid getting sick before finals week.
Apparently in college, Tide PODS are traded like its money. Apparently the ease of a pod is much better than carrying laundry AND detegent to the laundry room. I got them a 100-pack, which hopefully will feel like $100! #collegemath
If you’re looking to recreate the gift for your college student, below are some quick links to the Amazon products. And then shove in a bunch of snacks or candy and you’re good to go.
Last year, I got each of the guys an oversized wearable blanket. Their dorms get really cold, so even though they remind me of snuggies (remember those?), apparently these are popular with college kids.
Plus, I gave them the gift receipt in case they didn’t like it.
In addition to the wearable blanket, I gave them each a box of travel-sized toiletries (similar to this 20-piece travel size convenience kit). They said it was really great because guys don’t buy themselves a lot of toiletries. It’s also convenient to bring when they fly home too; makes sure they have what they need.
Depending on how much you want to spend, you can always get gift cards. Our college kids order food delivery on a regular basis so you know the Uber Eats, Chipotle, McDonalds, etc. card will get used quickly.
Do you have any gift ideas that college students would want? Or wouldn’t want? Gifts that worked well in the past? I’d love to hear your thoughts; I could use some for next year!
Thanks for reading!
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