It’s that time of year again – time to start thinking about the perfect gift for every college student in your life to welcome them to college or university! As college students ourselves, we know how tough it can be living on ramen noodles and coping with the stress of exams. That’s why a thoughtful and useful gift for the holidays means so much. In this gift guide, we’ll cover some of our favorite gift ideas for college students of all interests and budgets. Whether they’re an aspiring chef, stressed-out senior, or a freshman adjusting to college dorm life, we’ve got great recommendations on gifts they’ll truly appreciate during the 2023-2024 school year. From compact appliances to self-care subscriptions to dorm room essentials, we’ll help lead you to gifts that will make your college experience a little brighter. It can include care packages, AirPods, gift cards, backpacks, and much more. So read on for awesome welcome back gift ideas any college student would love to find under the tree!
Welcome Back to University Gift Ideas for Every College Student in 2023 – 2024
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Snack Box
Price: $50
Welcome students back to campus in delicious style! This care package is packed with sweet and savory treats to satisfy any late-night study cravings. Keep hunger at bay with bold Sriracha popcorn, roasted nuts, coffee to fuel all-nighters, and of course, chocolate and cookies to end the day on a sweet note. With this tasty variety stuffed inside, new roomies and returning friends will feel right at home after just one bite! This move-in bundle has everything needed for a new semester of snacking in just four quick lines.
Backpack
Price: $29.28
As students trek across campus to classes, the library, and more, a sturdy, spacious backpack is essential. Choose from stylish prints, solid colors, or a classic Jansport for carrying everything from laptops to textbooks. Water-resistant designs help keep contents protected.
Reusable Water Bottle
Price: $35.69
Staying hydrated is key for busy college schedules. A reusable water bottle allows students to tote a drink anywhere without wasting plastic. Select from popular hydro flask designs, durable metal bottles, or budget-friendly options, customize with stickers, and include hydration packets for electrolyte replenishment on the go. A gift that college students will love, is trendy and will come in handy.
Essential Oil Diffuser
Price: $39.99
Curate the perfect box of handpicked gift they’ll love and send joy their way
Help any college student de-stress with an essential oil diffuser for their dorm room. Include some soothing lavender and eucalyptus oils and they’ll be able to relax and recharge between studying. Quiet, elegant diffusers with auto shut-off features double as peaceful night lights.
Portable Charger a Must-Have
Price: $99.99
Running from class to meetings all day, students need a way to power up their devices on the go. A slim, lightweight portable charger is a great gift for college students that can be tossed into any bag or pocket. High-capacity power banks offer multiple charges so they’ll never be left without connected access.
Gift Card
Nothing beats the flexibility of a gift card for college budgeting. Grab a gift card to Amazon, Target, Walmart, or even the campus bookstore to allow students to get what they need most. Consider adding a greeting card with a heartfelt, encouraging message that makes college life even more special.
Bluetooth Speaker
Price: $99.95
A portable Bluetooth speaker is a thoughtful gift that allows students to play their favorite playlists anywhere – while studying, pre-gaming, or relaxing between classes. Choose a waterproof speaker for the dorm showers or a voice-controlled option to queue tunes hands-free. Add a carabiner to easily clip onto backpacks.
Gift Set
Price: $50
Pamper hard-working students with a self-care gift set. Include scented candles, bath bombs, face masks, scrunchies, and nail polish in a cute makeup bag or basket. Consider spa-inspired sets with cozy socks, lotions, loofahs, and more to help them relax and recharge. This gift set makes a great gift.
Graduation Gift Box
Price: $60
Celebrate graduating high school seniors or college grads with a commemorative box packed with mementos. Include a class of 2023-24 apparel, pharmacopeia shower gel, body lotion, & a bathing bar, JoJoba oil, hand cream, sanitizer vanilla gel, and Earth potli for both shampoo & conditioner. This is one of the best appreciation gifts for women and men both.
College Care Package Gift Basket
Price: $50
Treat students to their favorite goodies to munch on in between classes with a personalized college care package gift basket. Fill with an assortment of salty snacks, chocolate, gum, ramen noodle packs, cookies, candy, and other dorm room essential food items.
AirPods
Price: $312.49
Let students get lost in their music, podcasts, and calls with a pair of Apple AirPods. These wireless Bluetooth earbuds make it easy to always have entertainment on hand. Opt for the latest AirPods Pro model or classic style to enhance any college student’s daily soundtrack.
Unique Welcome Back to College Swag Ideas: Best Gifts for College Students
Out of The Woods Zip Pouch
Price: $20.09
Keep pens, chargers, earbuds, and other small essentials organized on the go with the Out of The Woods Zip Pouch. This durable canvas pouch features a custom logo zipper pull and soft fleece lining. Toss it in a backpack or use the wristlet strap for easy carrying.
Unisex Long Sleeve Tee
Price: $29.21
This cozy long-sleeve tee made from a cotton/poly blend will become a college wardrobe staple. Offer it in an array of colors from classic black to school-spirited hues, sized from XS-2XL. Add a 3-color imprint on the chest to showcase school pride wherever students roam.
3″ x 5″ The Right Swipe screen/eyewear cleaner
Price: $6.75
Help students keep germs at bay and devices spotless with branded screen cleaner wipes. These 3″ x 5″ individually sealed wipes safely sanitize phones, tablets, glasses, and more on the go. Throw a pack in every college survival kit.
Unisex Softstyle Cotton T-Shirt
Price: $18.98
Comfort is key on hectic school days. This soft ringspun cotton t-shirt delivers a casual style with a relaxed fit. The 6.5oz fabric holds up to repeated wears and washes while the tag-free label prevents irritation. Offer short and long-sleeve options.
Hadley Insulated Sling Bag
Price: $28.54
This versatile sling bag tagged The Adventurer keeps your hands free while providing optimized storage for every excursion. Pack drinks and snacks neatly into the integrated cooler bag, while the wide mouth opening allows easy access to the spacious main compartment. Front stash pockets, mesh detailing and a cinch closure offer breathable, organized storage. With adjustable ambidextrous straps, daisy chain loops to clip gear, and a cooler that fits 4 cans, this highly functional bag is ready for any on-the-go adventure!
Welcome Back to College/University Gifts for Teachers and Professors
Aura Clip-on Ring Light and Camera Cover
Price: $29.51
Upgrade video calls and dorm room selfies with this handy clip-on ring light. The rechargeable light evenly illuminates while the silicone camera cover adds flair. Easily attaches to laptops and phones for the perfect lighting every time.
Terrex Sport Bag
Price: $28.54
Haul gym gear in athletic style with this durable bag. Special shoe and wet compartments keep clean gear separated while ventilation helps contents dry. Padded straps make carrying comfortable even when loaded up for practice. Add a reflective custom logo for visibility.
KeySmart Flex – Custom Compact Key Holder
Price: $16.46
Help students stay organized with the patented KeySmart key holder. This custom compact design consolidates keys neatly while still allowing quick access to each one. Choose engraving or a multi-color logo to find keys in a snap inside overloaded backpacks.
Colored Sublimated Bandana
Price: $13.97
Bandanas get a vibrant custom upgrade with sublimated prints dyed directly into microfiber fabric. Vibrant styles stand out wrapped on heads, wrists, or bags. Add oversized logos, names, or funky prints that won’t crack or peel off for long-lasting spirit.
Nike Dry 1/2-Zip Cover-Up
Price: $93.60
This lightweight Nike cover-up will take students stylishly between study sessions, workouts, and more. Moisture-wicking Dri-FIT tech keeps them cool and comfy wherever the day takes them. Offer it in an array of colors with a tone-on-tone custom Swoosh logo.
Make Their Return to Campus Extra Special with Our Tailored Care Packages!
As your student heads back to campus, make their return special with a care package full of dorm must-haves. Browse our collection of fun welcome back college gifts. Place your order today and we’ll ship directly to your college kid’s dorm or college apartment.
Gourmet Cookies
Price: $52
Cure any late-night dorm room cookie cravings with this extra large welcome back gift basket. Each 4-inch wide cookie is made to share with a roommate or new study group buddy. Choose from loaded favorites like chocolate chip, cookies ‘n cream packed with Oreos, funfetti sugar cookies drowning in sprinkles, and more. The ultimate Kitchen Sink cookie is a stacked sensation with chocolate chips, Oreos, sprinkles, AND shards of Hershey’s, guaranteed to make any first week of classes a little sweeter. These generously sized fresh-baked cookies can fuel new friendships deeper than the cookie jar itself!
School Supplies
Price: $9.00
Color coordinate notes in style with this 24-piece gel pen set. Packed with an array of smoothly gliding vibrant ink colors from bold reds to glitzy glitters, it has everything students need to creatively organize planners and studies. The variety of included neon highlighters and glitter pens make key points pop for aesthetically pleasing and functionally organized schoolwork. Gift this complete set to any student seeking to brighten boring lectures and liven up their supplies!
Self-Care Items
Price: $50
Recharge yourself amongst the college’s rush with our self-care snack box for students. Inside hold sweet treats to boost your mood, rejuvenating drinks to decompress with, savory snacks to satiate late-night study cravings, and more. Savor soul-soothing moments of “me time” with Oreos without sharing, calming Sleepytime tea to end long days, and stress nibbling on Cape Cod chips during paper writing. This box keeps the key ingredients on hand whenever you need some solo R&R amidst the daily hustle.
Sending a little piece of home is a great way to support your college kid at the start of a new semester. Take the stress out of back to school shopping and let us assemble a custom gift box filled with treats and essentials. Order now and bring joy to your student’s day when they feel homesick!
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