10 great gift ideas on a college student budget
‘Tis the season of jingle bells, mistletoe and last-minute holiday shopping. And believe it or not, a good, thoughtful and useful present is possible with a tight budget. Here are 10 great gift ideas even the most broke Utah State University student can pull off.
- Dorm room decor
We all know USU’s housing isn’t the most glamorous. Consider gifting something to spruce the place up. Trendy items like fairy lights, letter boards and throw blankets can be found at many big retailers for under $20.
- Books
Nothing is better this time of year than cuddling up with a good book, especially when it’s not required for a class. Regardless of whether it’s a journal, cookbook, romance or mystery, books are easy to find locally and online, and are almost always below $20.
- Food & snacks
The only thing better than family this time of year is food. Whether it’s homemade, store-bought, or even from a gift card, there are options for any person on any budget. USU even has some specialties that can’t be found anywhere else, including the Aggie Chocolate Factory and our famous Aggie Ice Cream.
- Skin care
We all know a person who is obsessed with their skin care routine, and there are so many gift options available for that person. Lotions, moisturizers and other skin care products can be found universally and are often inexpensive.
- Cookware and kitchen gadgets
One word — blender. Two words — air fryer. Three words — pots and pans. If there’s one thing college students and grandparents have in common, it’s an endless need for kitchen supplies. Luckily, the list of possible gift ideas is endless, and while many of those options can be more expensive, there are also plenty of choices under $25.
- Homemade gifts
At the end of the day, it’s the thought that counts, so why not try making a gift. Some of the most sentimental gifts can be made from stuff you might already have. For example, a Mason jar can be filled with slips of paper containing date ideas, positive affirmations, favorite memories, compliments and more.
- Entertainment
In the digital age, we are all guilty of spending too much time streaming. With that, there are now so many different options that it’s impossible to have all of them. Many streaming services cost fewer than $10 per month, and a couple months of Netflix, Hulu or Disney+ would make a great gift for anyone.
- Aggie Swag
If you have friends or family who don’t live around USU (which I imagine most of us don’t), why not take USU to them? The USU Campus Store offers clothing such as shirts as low as $15, stickers, water bottles, tree ornaments, drinkware and home goods fit for any budget. Additionally, the campus store has rotating clearance items, so a trip might result in more reward than expected.
- Memories
Sometimes, the best gift can be the simplest. Consider getting a friend or family member a nice framed picture. It’s simple, but photos can be printed for under a dollar and frames can be found at Dollar Tree and on Amazon.
- The gift of quality time
There’s always someone who doesn’t want a gift, and that’s fine. Try taking them out to dinner, plan a fun activity for the two of you, go see a movie or a local play or even just hang around at home. Getting someone you care about the gift of time can mean more than any gift and will result in happy holiday memories without breaking the bank.
-Jared.Adams@usu.edu