Christmas Gift Suggestions 11-20 for College Students
11. You Need a Budget (YNAB) Personal Finance Software
As my goal is to cater at least some of this suggested Christmas list to college students, and presumably individuals who are acquiring more responsibility in life; I would highly suggest personal finance software which will aid in your son or daughter learning how to budget their money and more importantly save money when possible. This is especially useful if your child is currently working. In our current economy, saving money is a very important thing to do. You Need a Budget is a highly rated financial software product, easy to use, and most importantly will teach your child about personal fiscal responsibility. Remember: college students should not be expecting toys for Christmas (if anything at all). If you are going to buy them a gift, consider getting them something that will influence their life for the rest of the year. More importantly, hold them to maintaining their budget as well. They will learn to save themselves money, and might just save you some money as well in the long run if you are paying any of their bills!For some extra tips on easy money management, I would suggest my other blog Easy Money Management Online.
You Need A Budget (YNAB) - Personal Finance Software
12. Owl Bathroom Rug
A cute bathroom rug such as this is the perfect mix of practical and...well...cute. At the beginning of this college semester, my girlfriend and I went shopping for her off campus apartment. We ended up finding this really unique bathroom rug, which was well within our budget for sure. I would especially recommend this rug for college aged females!Allure Home Creations Hoot Bath Rug
13. The Lord of the Rings Trilogy on Blu-Ray
When I heard that the Lord of the Rings was being released on blu-ray, I nearly wet myself. I have thoroughly enjoyed Lord of the Rings since it was released in theaters. I currently own almost all of the editions of this film (standard, extended editions, and the blu ray editions). If you have a blu-ray player, this is a must purchase. This set is surprisingly cheap for all three of the films, and the quality of the film is unlike anything you have ever seen before. In all honesty, I believe this is one of the few film trilogies that will never get old. I expect to show my children them whenever I have them. If your child enjoys the cinema, thinks blu-ray is a great video format, and loves the Lord of the Rings; then this is a must buy this holiday season!The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy (The Fellowship of the Ring / The Two Towers / The Return of the King Extended Editions + Digital Copy) [Blu-ray]
14. Manga for Beginners Book
Manga is a Japanese art style that is often found in oriental cartoons and comic books/graphic novels. It is actually very popular these days, even in college. This book will be a great gift if your child is interested in manga or anime, Japanese culture, and drawing/graphic design. Many people simply read manga graphic novels and comics, or watch movies and television shows featuring this art style; but only a few people actually are able to really appreciate this art style by learning how to draw it. Manga is a surprisingly easy art style to learn, and having this book as a guide will be a great way to learn for sure!Manga for the Beginner: Everything you Need to Start Drawing Right Away!
15. Coffee Maker
What college student doesn't need an extra kick of caffeine to get through the day? Many students work jobs in addition to attending college full time, and as a result caffeine is a major necessity. Having a coffee maker in my apartment has made all the difference when starting my day, and also has served me well in helping me stay up all night to study (among other things of course!). I suggest getting a coffee maker from the Mr. Coffee brand, as they are generally very inexpensive; yet fully functional and durable as well. This particular 12 cup model is ranked very highly on a variety of websites, and will come in handy for apartment and dorm living without a doubt. Your child can share the coffee maker with roommates as well, making this a double win for sure!Mr. Coffee BVMC-SJX33GT 12-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker, Chrome
16. The Big Bang Theory Season DVD's
The Big Bang Theory is one of my favorite shows on television. It follows the exploits of some extremely nerdy guys, and their relationships with other people as well. The show is very popular in the United States, and if you asked your child about it they would very likely know something about it. I currently own seasons 1-4, I intend to buy the 5th season when it is released. I have spent many a night laughing hysterically at this show. Best of all: it is relatively clean and very easy to get into by both parents and college students. I would personally recommend Season 2, as it is my favorite of the bunch; though I inevitably enjoy them all and the enduring evolution of these characters from the first episode to the last. The DVDs contain some extra behind the scenes goodies as well!The Big Bang Theory: The Complete Second Season
17. Haier 32" LCD HD TV
If your college student is in particular need of a television to have at school, either in their dorm or their apartment, I would highly recommend this television. It is very inexpensive (at the low price of $199 dollars), and the quality is superb as well. Most 32" HD TV's run around $350 dollars or even more. I was tempted to suggest an alternative television that was 26" inches, however to get more bang for your buck I would suggest this even more. While Haier is not a particularly well known television brand, it is becoming well known by building up many positive reviews and by providing great quality television viewing at a low price. This television is great for simply watching tv, watching movies, and playing video games in high definition. It is a very simple television, which is a major selling point as far as I am concerned.Haier L32D1120 32-Inch 720p LCD HDTV
18. Darice 80-Piece Art Set
This art set astonished me when I first came across it. For starters, it is a beautiful collection of art supplies. It comes in a wooden case and looks very sleek and professional. This is a great gift, especially if your child is attending school for art. My girlfriend is an artist herself, and during her time in the fine arts at a local community college; she racked up enormous bills because each of these individuals products would often run at atrociously high prices. This 80-piece set is fantastic because it will ultimately save you money in the long run. Not only this, but it will allow a college student to be better organized with their supplies; and make it easier on them as they go to and from their classes with their art supplies. Included in this set are color pencils, oil pastels, watercolor cakes, paintbrushes, pencils, and other accessories.Darice 80-Piece Professional Art Set
19. Carl Sagan, "Pale Blue Dot: A Vision of the Human Future in Space" Book
Carl Sagan is an infamous scientist who is best known for his books, his television series "Cosmos," and his scientific activism throughout his life. While Carl Sagan is deceased, his vision continues to live on. I recommend "Pale Blue Dot" because it is a relatively easy book to get into, as Sagan writes in such a manner that even the general population can get into. While many scientists use a complex vocabulary, Sagan describes the universe in such a manner that is both poetic and accessible. Carl Sagan was a visionary for his time, and many of his points in this book still live up under scientific scrutiny. I highly recommend this book without a doubt!Pale Blue Dot: A Vision of the Human Future in Space
20. Batman: Year One Graphic Novel/Comic Book
Batman is a superhero that is somewhat of an American legend. He has appeared in a large variety of comic books in his time, has had multiple film adaptations, merchandise, apparel, and video games created in his image. This is a very popular novelization of Batman, and is perfect for anyone who is into superheros, comic books, artwork, or just Batman in general. I mean, really, it is Batman! What is not to like about him? The focus of this novel is on Batman's first year fighting crime(hence the title: Year One). But don't let me spoil it for you, check it out for yourself!Batman: Year One
Hopefully you are enjoying these articles suggestion a variety of different Christmas gift ideas for college students! Feel free to leave a comment or suggest something I should consider putting on another list below.
The Sunlight Desk Lamp, produced by Lights of America, is a great and very affordable lamp that is very unique in that it illuminates a room in a way that is very similar to natural lighting from the sun. Unlike most lamps that you can purchase, this lamp is actually very beneficial to an individuals health. Because of how the light is produced, it can lead to increased levels of Vitamin D in the body; and can even increase levels of serotonin which can aid in your college student maintaining a healthy mind by feeling better overall. As a result, this is a great present idea for virtually anyone, and is particularly useful for college students who are living in some close-quartered living areas, such as in a dorm or on campus apartment complex.
Yoga is a growing workout trend, and for some people is a method for reaching spiritual enlightenment through a physical workout and mental relaxation. Yoga mats are a great idea as a gift because they are inexpensive, come in a large variety of colors, and can promote a healthy lifestyle as the New Year rolls in. My girlfriend and I have done yoga in the past, and for the longest time we simply did it on our hard apartment floor. This ultimately took a toll on our bodies, after which we invested in a few yoga mats. They are comfortable and make doing an intense yoga workout much easier on the body. Additionally, yoga mats can be used for other purposes as well that involve the need for a soft floor.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is the fifth installment in game developer and producers video game franchise The Elder Scrolls. It was released in November, 2011 and was met with immediate critical acclaim. Unlike most video games which last a few weeks (if that), Skyrim is said to have over 300+ hours of game time, and can last indefinitely because of the many quests and stories that can be found within. I purchased this game the day it was released, and have been thoroughly enjoying it since. Skyrim is likely going to be awarded "Game of the Year" and you can expect gifting it to your college gaming student will be a sure fire way to make their Christmas. The game is available on Xbox 360, Playstation 3, and PC. You can check out a professional review of the game 
The Exam Cram Care Package is a great gift idea for college students. It consists of a variety of snack foods that will be sure to keep your collegiate child eating during their examination periods. More importantly, this is a great selection of snacks for any time of year. Often, it is difficult to purchase gifts for college students; and I can tell you from first hand experience that receiving snack food oftentimes is better then any other gift you could buy. This is a particularly great gift idea if you have college-aged students who are away at college who you will not be seeing over the holiday season. Just buy and have it shipped right to where they are currently living!
This is a fairly odd recommendation for a Christmas gift, however it is one that is very practical considering the confined spaces college students frequently find themselves in. This bedside storage caddy will remove the need for bookshelves and other things in a dorm or apartment room that take up a lot of space, and are more expensive at that.
Kindle Fire is the latest incarnation of Amazon's Kindle. For the college student who is in need of being up to date with the latest tech gadgets, this is a must buy. Kindle Fire is paving itself as a competitor against Apple's iPad, and comes at a significantly lower price with much of the same functionality. The Kindle became infamous for being an excellent e-reader, and has built on this concept significantly. Kindle Fire can be used to watch movies and television, surf the internet, read books, play games, access mobile applications, and listen to music. It would seem that the capability of the Kindle Fire is endless. The Kindle Fire has been met with critical acclaim, and will likely be sitting under quite a few Christmas trees this holiday. I highly recommend this product!
I have lived in both a college dorm and in an off campus apartment during my undergraduate school career. I have had roommates in both conditions, and for my first year in college I wish I would have been aware of the many new experiences I would encounter living with other people. This book is catered to informing individuals who are going to college about the nature of roommates and campus living. I wish I had known about this book before going to college, and still regret my first year on campus because it was not what I would have liked it to be. I am happy now living in my own apartment (shared with two other guys), but still the thought of living in a college dorm will haunt me for years to come. Buying this book for someone who is destined to go to college is a great idea so they know what to expect. There is a significant culture shock when you enter into a college dorm, and this is highlighted in great detail in this book.
When I first heard of WEN hair products, I was skeptical. I had seen an infomercial on it early in the morning one day (I had accidentally left my television on all night). With long hair, I often found managing it to be very difficult and often tedious and time consuming. I decided to try out WEN, and instantly fell in love with it. Most of the reviews I have seen of it rank it very highly as a great hair product. This is an excellent product, especially if you are purchasing it for someone who has long and hard to manage hair. What makes this product even better is that it is completely organic and works just like it says it will. This product will condition your hair and leave you feeling great!
External hard drives are a modern college students necessity. With the number of files students interact with on a daily basis, it is important to be able to constantly back up their work and other computer materials quickly and efficiently. My girlfriend is a graphic design student, and her standard Apple MacBook Pro actually ran out of space with all of the work she does; and purchasing an external hard drive has done wonders in making saving her work easier and more efficient. Not to mention, you can unplug this hard drive and take it anywhere you need. No longer do you have to lug around your desktop computer or laptop. I suggest getting a one terra bite external hard drive because you can always use more space on your hard drive. Not to mention, the difference between a smaller model and this one is a difference of only about ~$20 dollars. This hard drive is very useful and will compliment your college students lifestyle very well.