10 Affordable Holiday Gifts
For the Student in Your Life
As you wrap up up your late night study sessions, fill in your final Scantron bubble, and turn in your term papers, there’s one big light at the end of the tunnel: winter break. But wait! Before you turn off your brain and get into full-on sloth mode (you know you’re wearing sweat pants the entire time), don’t forget to finish up your holiday shopping. If you’re looking for some fun, affordable holiday gifts to give your favorite student – and if that’s yourself, no judgment – then look no further than this list.
1. A 2017 planner
All right, so this isn’t a fun gift for everyone, but we all know those people who get excited to organize their life. Gift them a shiny, new 2017 planner just in time for the New Year, and watch them get excited over all the blank pages of possibility. Don’t forget to fill in your birthday before giving it to them!

2. Stress Balls
The end of the semester can be a rough time, so a stress ball is a perfect gift Plus, they’re just really fun to play with. Help your beloved student work out a bit of their exam stress, and give them something to fidget with in class next semester. Nothing says, “I care,” like giving them something to pulverize.

3. Emoji Erasers
Who doesn’t smile everytime they see a perfectly placed emoji? From the crying laughing face to the face with heart eyes, these erasers are an adorable addition to anyone’s backpack. Even if you’re erasing a major mistake, at least you’re doing it in a fun way.

4. “Why You’re So Awesome” Fill in the Love Journal
Yeah, most students don’t want to emerge from their books at the end of the semester just to be handed another one. Trust me, this one is different. In the “Why You’re So Awesome” journal, you can fill in all of the personal things about the recipient that makes them awesome. This is one book they’ll wish didn’t end.

5. College Gear
Whether they’re already in college or just starting to look at prospective schools, they’ll appreciate a bit of college swag. Get them anything from a keychain to a sweatshirt: they’ll love the fact that you got something special just for them.
6. Syringe Highlighters
These highlighters are fun for anyone, but especially students interested in science or medicine. Studying and taking notes is always a little bit better when you’re doing it with fun supplies, after all.

7. Adult Coloring Books
There’s something majorly relaxing about coloring. Luckily, there are a lot more options out there than the kiddie coloring books you might have played with as children. Give your friend a coloring book that they can work on mindlessly as they unwind from the stress of the semester.

8. Personalized Travel Mug
This is a perfect gift for the coffee or tea drinking student in your life. While Starbucks sells a lot of great travel mugs around the holidays, take this gift to the next level by giving your friend a personalized photo travel mug. These mugs let you slip in a photo of your choosing, displaying it proudly through it’s clear surface. For laughs, I recommend slipping in an embarrassing selfie.

9. Magnetic Poetry Kit: College Edition
You’ve probably seen refrigerators covered in those various magnetic words that you can rearrange into hysterical sentences. If your recipient in in college, or headed to college, give them a college set! They can deck out their mini-fridge with words like “dorm,” “roommate,” and of course, “pizza.”

10. Winter Break Care Package
After final exams and general end of term chaos, help your friend relax with an ultimate winter break care package. Stock a basket or gift bag with their favorite things, from snack foods to candles to cozy socks. If you’d rather get a pre-made care package, you can go that route too! When they settle in on the couch with their care package and a Harry Potter marathon, they’ll thank you.
