Moving into a dorm room as a college freshman is overwhelming and a big transition. Here are the best dorm gifts!
Buying gifts for college freshmen or even high school students heading to college can seem daunting. It’s a transition period in the student’s life, and they will be living on their own. Giving a college freshman a gift can help ease the process.
These gifts can be given at any time of the year, from graduation, Christmas, birthdays, or just for fun!
Here are 37 of the best dorm gifts you can give to a college freshman.
What You Should Gift a College Freshman
1. Back rest pillow
One thing that I absolutely loved as a college freshman was a back rest pillow. Aside from being a scoliosis girl (this was a TikTok aesthetic at some point lol), I also did a lot of homework in my dorm’s bed. A bed rest pillow like this from Amazon is a great dorm gift.
- PREMIUM FABRIC- The back reading pillow is stuffed with premium quality pp cotton without any odor, which allows for a better airflow and will be more…
- EXPERIENCE ULTIMATE RELAXATIONT: Compared with tranditional pillows, Holawakaka faux rabbit fur bed rest pillow is ultra-soft, more sturdy, fluffy,…
2. Throw blanket
Having a throw blanket is nice. Dorm rooms can get cold, too!
- Polyester (550 Gsm)
- UGG Fluff Soft Throw Blanket: Designed for style and comfort, this reversible throw blanket features a plush pink fleece on one side and soft UGG Fluff on the other. Its dual-tone design your home with warmth and texture for a bed or couch.
- Giftable Fleece Blanket: A timeless addition to for a housewarming, registry, or birthday. This fuzzy blanket is a thoughtful way to bring warmth to any home. Its luxurious texture makes it an elegant accent for apartment decor or living room decor.
3. Mini Vacuum
Cleaning up messes in dorms is a bit difficult, and students do not have enough space for a regular vacuum. A mini vacuum will also make a great tool to use for cleaning cars, and eventually, when they move out into their apartment.
- Tackle large household messes without stopping to empty the high-capacity dirt bowl
- Count on reliably strong, lithium-powered suction
- Maintenance is a breeze thanks to easy-off washable bowl and filters
- Know at a glance when it’s time to empty the translucent dirt bowl
- Thoroughly clean narrow spaces and tight corners with the crevice tool
4. Lap Desk
Again, college students do a lot of homework in their beds and dorm rooms. A lap desk will be so useful. This one from Amazon has a spot for a cell phone. It is my favorite lap desk, and I use it almost daily.
- Spacious Design: Measuring 21.1″ wide and 14.1″ deep, our lap desk comfortably fits most laptops up to 15.6″. Extra room for accessories ensures convenience.
- Enhanced Functionality: Packed with handy features, including a 5×9″ precision tracking mouse pad and a built-in phone slot for seamless work or video calls. Plus, enjoy ergonomic support with the integrated cushioned wrist rest.
- Cool Comfort: Enjoy a stable surface with our lap desk’s dual bolster cushion, designed for comfort and airflow, keeping your lap cool during extended use.
5. Grocery Wagon
One of the most annoying parts I remember from freshman year was grocery shopping. It wasn’t that annoying, but moving groceries from the parking lot all the way to your dorm wasn’t easy. My friend bought me one for my birthday in college, and I loved using the wagon. It took one trip and up the elevator. It’s also a nice thing to have for tailgates and moving out!
- Space-Saving Design: Weighing only 10 lbs, this compact foldable wagon easily fits into any car when folded (22”*9.8”*7.5”), maximizing space for your journey
- Effortless Maneuvering: 360° rotating front wheels and an ergonomic extendable handle offer smooth control, even when fully loaded
- Sturdy & Enduring: Heavy-duty 1.2mm thick steel frame and 600D Oxford fabric withstand significant weight and all-weather use. Wear-resistant PU wheels would conquer all kinds of terrain
6. Water Bottle
Have you seen the costs of water on campus? $4-5 dollars! Imagine spending that every day….for water. Buying a college freshman any water bottle will be doing them a favor. Some of my favorites are the ever-so-popular Stanley Cup and Hydroflask.
7. Rain Boots
Rainy days on campus are not fun. Getting to classes are a pain in the butt. A great gift for college students are rain boots. They will come in handy.
- Slim Chelsea Fit: Sleek ankle-boot silhouette; Runs small, recommend sizing up
- 100% Waterproof Rubber: Durable vulcanized construction keeps feet dry in rain, slush, and puddles.
- Cozy Plush Lining: Soft faux-fur interior adds warmth and comfort for chilly, damp days.
- Easy On & Off: Stretchy side gores and back pull tab make slipping in and out simple.
- Non-Slip Outsole: Sturdy tread provides traction and stability on wet or slippery surfaces.
8. MacBook Air (or a Laptop)
Every college class will use a laptop eventually. It’s a requirement at this point. I had a MacBook Air my freshman year of college, and it was perfect for my first year classes. But I also upgraded my laptop to a MacBook Pro since my classes used heavy programs like Photoshop my last few years.
- SPEED OF LIGHTNESS — MacBook Air with the M4 chip blazes through work, homework, and creative projects. With Apple Intelligence,* up to 18 hours of battery life,* and an ultralight portable design, it’s the perfect gift for someone on your list.
9. Amazon Prime
Amazon Prime yearly subscription was the most useful thing I had during college. Whenever I had to buy textbooks for classes, they came in on time and were cheaper than at my college campus’s bookstore. Click here to buy a membership for students.
10. Long Phone Charger
Dorm rooms place outlets in the weirdest spots. Having a longer charger will be so useful for any college student.
11. Laptop Bag/Work Tote
Another useful dorm gift perfect for freshmen is a laptop bag/work tote. On days when they have one or two classes, carrying a backpack can be excessive. Having a laptop bag like this one from Béis would be an amazing gift for a college girl you know.
12. AirPods or Noise-Cancelling Headphones
AirPods are the main thing you’ll notice on a college campus. It’s best to give a college freshman a pair of noise-cancelling AirPods or headphones. They will come in handy when she or he is studying.
- REBUILT FOR COMFORT — AirPods 4 have been redesigned for exceptional all-day comfort and greater stability. With a refined contour, shorter stem, and quick-press controls for music or calls.
- ACTIVE NOISE CANCELLATION — AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation help reduce outside noise before it reaches your ears, so you can immerse yourself in what you’re listening to.*
13. Mini Keurig Coffee Maker
Is your high school grad a coffee lover? Get a Mini Keurig for them.
- PERFECT FOR SMALL HOLIDAY SPACES: At just 4” wide, this compact brewer fits kitchens, dorms, offices, and festive setups, ideal for gift guides and seasonal decor.
- SINGLE-CUP CONVENIENCE FOR COZY MOMENTS: Brew up to 12 oz of your favorite coffee in minutes, perfect for holiday mornings or late-night treats.
- TRAVEL MUG FRIENDLY FOR ON-THE-GO CHEER: Fits mugs up to 7.25” tall so you can take your seasonal brew anywhere, great for holiday road trips.
- SLEEK, MODERN DESIGN FOR STYLISH GIFTING: Minimalist look blends with any decor, making it a thoughtful and elegant holiday gift.
- FESTIVE COLOR OPTIONS TO MATCH YOUR STYLE: Available in elevated colors that complement seasonal themes, ideal for personalized gifting.
14. Sunglasses
Sunglasses are a nice gift to give to a college student because of how useful they are. They come in handy, especially when walking around on campus on sunny days. These are my current pairs.
- Say Hello to Your New Go-Tos: The Chica is an everyday essential that you might just need to snag in every shade; the cat-eye shape and colored lens are a trendy update on a classic vibe
- Durable & Comfortable Glasses for the Everyday: The Chica features scratch- and impact-resistant lenses unlike many other sunglasses, plus strong and lightweight injection-molded cellulose propionate frame and temples
- Polarized Lenses with 100% UV Protection: Features scratch- and impact-resistant TAC Polarized lenses that enhance visual clarity and reduce glare, so you can say goodbye to being blinded by intense sunlight
15. Mug Warmer
This is general good gift for anyone who drinks warm drinks and needs to keep it warm. I love my mug warmer and recommend it to anyone.
- Adjustable Three-Temperature Setting: VOBAGA coffee warmer will keep your coffee at a perfect drinking temperature. You can control the temperature by tapping the button, keeping your coffee or milk up to 104℉-131℉-149℉ (40℃-55℃-65℃). Changing temperature is just a tap on of your finger.
- Automatic Shut-off & Smart Safety Feature: This smart cup warmer will shut off automatically after continually working 4 hours. No worry about forgetting to turn it off. The blinking red light indicator tells you the heating plate is hot and will stop until the temperature drops to 97℉ (36℃).
16. 32-inch TV
This is the closest to the television I had when I was in college that my family bought for me. A 32-inch TV is the perfect fit for a dorm room.
- HDR: Enjoy great contrast in all your content. High Dynamic Range (HDR) expands the contrast between the lightest and darkest parts of a scene, so you can enjoy a wide spectrum of colors and visual details.
- OBJECT TRACKING SOUND LITE: Feel like you’re part of the scene with audio that follows the action on screen. Featuring a virtual top channel, every sound is precisely placed in space, placing you in the heart of the scene.
17. Clothing Steamer
This is a great gift for dorm rooms since college dorms (again) are small. Then, college students won’t have time to pull out an iron board and the iron itself to iron their clothes. A clothing steamer is small and enough for a college student.
- [Easy to Use] This 700W steamer generates gentle, long-lasting steam and has a 9- foot power cord, so you’ll never have to worry about operating it remotely and you can iron clothes from a distance.
- [Portable] This garment steamer is portable and lightweight, making it an ideal travel companion. This travel steamer is compact enough to fit in any suitcase or carry-on luggage.
18. Comfy Robe
A comfortable robe like this one from UGG would be a useful gift for any freshman living in a dorm with a communal bathroom.
19. Snacks
Find out what they like and send the snacks in a gift basket!
20. North Face Backpack
My Borealis North Face backpack lasted my entire time on campus. I loved how compact the backpack is. It’s the perfect backpack for college students. I’m so jealous because I want this Borealis in this shade of blue, but my Borealis from college is still holding up. 🥲
21. Bluetooth Speaker
A Bluetooth speaker can be used in many ways—from playing music while they clean to playing class lectures in their dorm. I loved using my Bluetooth speaker during studying sessions and playing café ambience or study concentration music.
- MUSIC CALLS: The Bose SoundLink Flex Portable Bluetooth Speaker (2nd Gen) packs big, bold sound in a portable size that’s perfect for sharing tunes and good times anywhere on your travels
- SOUND THAT TAKES YOU PLACES: Take advantage of the surprisingly powerful performance of this Bose wireless speaker with its clear, balanced, high-fidelity audio and deep bass that is easy to take with you
22. Fan
Dorm rooms can be hot, especially in older buildings. A great dorm gift for freshmen you should consider is a fan, whether it’ll be a smaller one for their desk or bedside, or a tower fan for their entire room.
- USB or Rechargeable Battery Operated: The clip-on fan has a 2000 mAh battery that can last from 3.5/6/10 hours(Depending on speeds), can be used while charging; suit for desks, strollers, camping, car seats; your beach/camping/travel essentials
- Powerful Meets Portable: Dreo’s all-in-one airflow system combines with a supercharged electric motor, delivering high-speed, brisk cool. This 36-inch compact tower fan enlivens every inch of air in your living space fast at up to 25ft/s.
Related: The ONLY College School Supply List You Need
23. Hard Shell Laptop Case
Every college student needs a laptop, so that means they will also need a laptop case. I learned for sure after my laptop got wet on a rainy day and had dents from before that to ALWAYS have a laptop case. This brand has been my go-to since my first college laptop. Students can also decorate it with stickers!
- Designed ONLY to be compatible with MacBook Air 13 inch case M4 M3 M2 2025 2024 2023 2022 Release with Liquid Retina Display & Touch ID (models: A3240 & A3113 & A2681 – MC6T4LL/A, MW123LL/A, MW0W3LL/A, MW0Y3LL/A, MW103LL/A, MW0X3LL/A, MW133LL/A, MC6U4LL/A, MC6V4LL/A, MC6C4LL/A, MC654LL/A, MC6A4LL/A, MRXV3LL/A, MRXQ3LL/A, MRXN3LL/A, MRXT3LL/A, MXCV3LL/A, MXCT3LL/A, MXCR3LL/A, MXCU3LL/A, MLXW3LL/A, MLXX3LL/A, MLXY3LL/A, MLY03LL/A, MLY13LL/A, MLY23LL/A, MLY33LL/A, MLY43LL/A).
24. Apple Watch
FOMO on campus for me was when everyone was getting an Apple Watch. This is a trendy, popular gift idea that will be useful for college students, especially if they have an iPhone or MacBook.
![Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS + Cellular 42mm] Smartwatch with Rose Gold Aluminum Case w Light Blush Sport Band](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/6110Jv9wqeL._AC_SL1500_._SL160_.jpg)
- HYPERTENSION NOTIFICATIONS — Apple Watch Series 11 can spot signs of chronic high blood pressure and notify you of possible hypertension.*
- KNOW YOUR SLEEP SCORE — Sleep score provides an easy way to help track and understand the quality of your sleep, so you can make it more restorative.
25. Lunch Box
Another affordable, smaller dorm gift idea is a lunch box. Even though dorms don’t have kitchens, it’s still a nice idea to have a lunch box around to carry snacks or take food from the dining hall or from a free food event on campus.
- THE BAG THAT’S AN ICE PACK: The Freezable Lunch Bag features PackIt’s groundbreaking cooling design. Patented EcoFreeze Technology, with built-in ice packs, creates a fridge-like cooling system that keeps food and drinks cool for hours.
- SIMPLE AND EASY TO USE: Just Freeze, Pack, and Go! Keeps food cooler longer, allowing you to pack healthier foods that would spoil in other lunch boxes. Simple care: the interior wipes clean, spot clean exterior.
- FOR FAST TOP-LOAD PACKAGING: Designed with zip top and Velcro closure that locks in cool, dry air, a buckle handle, and a wider base. Measures 8.5″L x 6.25”W x 9.75”H while open and 8.5”L x 3”W x 5.25”H while collapsed.
- NONTOXIC: Like all PackIt products, the Freezable Lunch Bag is made from nontoxic gel and gel liner built into the walls.Made PVC free, BPA free, phthalate, and lead free. Super Smart and Seriously Cool.
- REDUCE WASTE: The entire bag freezes! Eliminate the need for separate ice packs or gel packs with our freezable, reusable lunch bags. Reduce food waste by keeping your food fresh for hours.
26. College Sweatshirt
Everyone needs a sweatshirt to rep their university. Give them a sweatshirt with their college’s colors or name as a dorm gift.
27. Slippers
Slippers are another dorm gift idea that will help any student living in a dorm. The floors are not the cleanest, especially in a communal or suite bathroom. Even then, slippers are a comfy gift that anyone would love.
28. Walking Shoes
A pair of shoes will go a long way for a college freshman, since most of their classes will likely be scattered across campus.
29. Mini Waffle Maker
Breakfast made easy. I loved having this waffle maker, and the Dash’s mini appliances are great gifts for anyone.
- MORE THAN WAFFLES: Make your favorite breakfast classics, or get creative with waffled hash browns, cookies and even biscuit pizzas. Any batter will “waffle” into single serving portions. Great for families or on the go.
- MINI IS MIGHTY: With a 4” nonstick cooking surface, this is a MUST-HAVE for that first apartment, smaller kitchen, college dorm, or camper/RV and stores easily in a kitchen cabinet or drawer.
- WAFFLY EASY: Simply plug it in and go; the Waffle Maker heats up in minutes. Dual non-stick surfaces provide an even cook for consistent results and delicious golden waffles every time. Nonstick surfaces make cleanup a snap.
- PERFECT GIFT: The perfect wedding or new home gift, the Waffle Maker’s small size takes up little counter space, and its sleek design and trendy color options will match any kitchen décor (add to your registry now.)
30. iPad
There was this TikTok sound about iPads and being organized, and it seems to be true. People who have organized seem like they are super organized.
Also, iPads are becoming the new laptops. If a laptop is out of budget, then iPads can help, and I know several people who had them during college to complete their work.
- WHY IPAD AIR — iPad Air is powerful, versatile, and comes in a choice of two sizes. Featuring the incredible performance of the M3 chip built for Apple Intelligence and a stunning Liquid Retina display along with Touch ID, advanced cameras, blazing-fast Wi-Fi 6E, and a USB-C connector.
- APPLE INTELLIGENCE — Apple Intelligence is the personal intelligence system that helps you write, express yourself, and get things done effortlessly.* With groundbreaking privacy protections integrated into the core of iPad, it gives you peace of mind that no one else can access your data — not even Apple.
31. Bluetooth Keyboard
After decorating their dorm, college freshman are going to plan to decorate their dorm’s desk. These Bluetooth keyboards are so popular right now, and I see so many on study with me YouTube or on Pinterest.
- GORGEOUS COLOR DESIGN NEVER FADE OFF: Each one is multicolored to help you be distinctive in the office. And you will not worry the color will be faded anymore from this 2024 new arrival version
32. Personal/Single Serving Blender
Having a personal blender would be a nice dorm gift. College students can use them to make smoothies, frappes, and even salsas.
- THE ORIGINAL BLEND AND GO PERSONAL BLENDER: This small smoothie blender blends fruit smoothies, shakes and your favorite icy drinks right in the 14 oz. BPA-free travel jar. The personal blender jar comes with a travel lid to double as a to-go cup. It’s lightweight and fits most car cup holders.
- POWERFUL BLENDING PERFORMANCE: Durable stainless steel blades on this protein shake blender powers through ice, frozen fruits and leafy greens for smooth results. Perfect for adding more vitamins into your diet in smoothies and protein shakes.
33. Money
The best dorm gift you can give to a college freshman or college-bound high school graduate is money. Seriously, I appreciated it whenever someone gave me money anytime during college (and still do as a recent graduate). Whether it’s dollar bills or in gift card form, money is one of the best gifts to give.
That’s it for this blog post all about the best dorm gifts.
Before you go, check out more college content:
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