Christmas is a wonderful time of year, but sometimes, it can be tough to find that perfect present. Whether shopping for someone special, your mother, or your college bros, finding the right gift that sends the right message can be tricky. 

There is a lot of hidden pressure that is put on gift-giving, especially around Christmas time. The average household spends over $1500 on Christmas gifts each year and that number is only going to rise.

Don’t fret too much, however, because we are here to help. Keep reading for some inspirational college gift ideas that you could get your buddies.

1. The College Cookbook

While it doesn’t have to be this title, it is one that is tailormade for the budget-constricted lifestyle of a student. 

If you can cook in college you will never be lonely, and having a cookbook like this to guide you means you will never be broke either. Giving it to a friend who can cook can be a gift seen in two ways, sincere and jovial, which only makes it an even better choice. 

2. Coffee Makers

Depending on your budget, and who the student is, buddy, family member, loved one, you couldn’t go far wrong with a nice coffee maker. A single serving machine will not set you back too much yet will provide exactly the right amount of caffeine to kick start someone’s day. 

A thoughtful and practical gift that could last through college and beyond. 

3. Smart Programmable Alarm 

The life of a student can be unpredictable, but late nights and partying are pretty synonymous with campus life. So what better Christmas gift for college students than a programmable alarm clock. 

They can enter their schedule as soon as they know it and rest assured the clock will wake them at the right time on the right day. Lectures will be made and not missed with this useful gift for college students. 

4. Selfie Toaster

Sometimes a gift is a gift. It’s fun and frivolous and may even be something only every cracked out when you point out its missing, but that’s the fun and personal nature of gift-giving. 

A selfie toaster is one such product for the friend who is addicted to selfies, filters and all things social media. A photo can be turned into a toast stencil so that every slice comes out Instagram ready. 

5. Fire Extinguisher

Is there any item that is going to be more important in a dorm room than a fire extinguisher? We’ve all been there. A party gets going, Josh decides its time for his famous trick and the next thing you know the curtains are on fire. 

There can be no denying that a fire extinguisher, while entirely practical, is one of the best gifts for college students. 

6. The Gift of Amazon Prime

Amazon Prime is a fabulous resource for everybody, but for a student, the ability to get free next day delivery can be a godsend.

While it may seem like a strange thing to give a friend, the first time they need to use it and see what they can save, they will come to realize exactly what a powerful present it was. 

7. Nintendo Switch

College gifts do not always need to be functional. They can be fun too, and right now there is no single thing hotter than the Nintendo Switch (or the Switch Lite)

With games galore, the ability to move from playing in your dorm to on the go as you move around the campus, it is the ultimate college accessory. Not to mention Nintendo makes some of the most entertaining party games known to man. 

8. Chewable Coffee Blocks

We don’t mean a cup of coffee from that dodgy greasy spoon on the corner, who faded sign lays claims to be the world’s best, but rather specialist edible coffee blocks that will give the recipient everything they need to get up and go in the mornings. 

The ability to smell colors and see soundwaves is just an added well-caffeinated bonus. 

9. Swiss Army Knife or Multi-Tool

Students aren’t always known for being the most resourceful, so when thinking of the best gift ideas for college students something like a Swiss army knife or a multi-tool could be a great way to go. 

It helps them be prepared for a range of eventualities as well as teaching self-reliance but giving them what they need to take care fo small things around the dorm without the need to call someone to do it for them. 

A multi-tool and a YouTube video can go a long way.  

10. Smart Notebook

If you want to think about high-end Christmas gift ideas for students then a smart notebook is a great gift to consider. 

Students have to make a lot of notes and carry a lot of things. Things get lost or misplaced. But what if their notes were saved to the cloud? That means every scribble was captured for future viewing. What better gift to give someone this festive period. 

11. Home State T-Shirt

Many students are moving away from home for the first time. That is a big life event and can be challenging for some. What better thing to get a friend this year than a t-shirt that reminds them of where their home is. 

A t-shirt emblazoned with their home state could be just what they needed to help them through their transition. 

The Best College Gifts Speak to the Individual

The same is true for any gift, but college gifts above many will speak to the individual more than anything else. They may be something random or funny, or something that doesn’t make any sense to someone other than you and the recipient. 

College is a time for self-discovery and learning who you really are as much as it is learning a craft or trade. The perfect gift is out there and deep down, you know exactly what it needs to be. 

With Christmas shopping out of the way, why not check out some of our other articles on college life to help you succeed in all avenues of higher education.