Updated: December 14, 2024
Need some help coming up with stocking stuffer ideas for teens and college students? They’ve moved beyond the little bottles of bubbles, the Matchbox cars and the Play Dough, so now what?
We’ve updated our great list of stocking stuffers for 2024 to include 75 ideas (and growing!) that your teen or college student will actually find useful. Small enough to fit in a stocking and most between $5 and $25, you’re sure to find more gift ideas than will fit in one stocking.
Where do we get our ideas? We have college interns who are so helpful with gathering trends and ideas, and we also run 2 Facebook groups that give us endless ideas. Please join the conversation in one or both of these groups!
- Dorm Shopping Recommendations & Deal Alerts Facebook group – over 112k members in a group 100% focused on good-quality, non-toxic, comfortable and affordable essentials for dorm rooms. Please join us in the group for ongoing dorm/apartment planning discussion, helpful advice and deal alerts!
- After The Drop Off | Parenting Through The College Years – a helpful group of over 13k members supporting each other through our kids moving to college, discussing some of their struggles and finding community in the fact that we’re all navigating new and sometimes difficult situations.
Now get ready for our 75+ stocking stuffer ideas organized into 11 categories below – something for everyone for sure!
Self-Care Stocking Stuffer Ideas
1. Dior Addict Lip Glow Oil – – The lip accessory of the season. I have a feeling this one will be hard to find soon! Looking for a less costly option? Try this e.l.f. Glow Reviver version.
2. Clinique Black Honey Pop Creamy Lip Gloss – This one is the hot item on TikTok and supposedly the perfect color for any complexion.
3. Lip Scrub Stick – Using this safe, gentle scrub twice a week will help repair dry cracked winter lips. No chemicals or artificial ingredients. This lip sugar scrub from eos comes in a festive Candy Cane flavor!
4. Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask – This year-round best seller is available in peppermint during the holiday season.
5. Environmentally Friendly and Shine Free Lip Balm (great for guys) – 18 SPF, moisturizing, water and sweat-resistant and shine free. Clean ingredients too!
6. Clinique/Clinique For Men Gift Sets – several great sets for men and women.
7. Men’s or Women’s Travel Manicure/Nail Care Set – In a variety of colors. A $10 must have for every student.
8. Burt’s Bees Gift Set – Help heal those dry winter hands, feet and lips.
9. Oil-Free Facial Moisturizer with Sunscreen – Is your college student wearing sunscreen every day? Make it happen by including it in their moisturizer. CeraVe’s products are paraben, sulfate, oil and fragrance-free.
10. Mighty Patch – Blemish patches to wear overnight.
11. MIX:BAR Perfume – Vanilla Bourbon– Perfume that doesn’t cost a fortune and smells great. A variety of scents are available.
We had to add these after publishing because they became very popular!
* grace & stella Eye Masks – A best seller for reducing puffy eyes and dark circles.
* grace & stella Eye Brightening Stick – With caffeine, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, ceramide, and peptides.
* Silk Scrunchies – Set of 6 hair ties that don’t damage hair, won’t slip or crease.
* Dr Squatch Men’s All Natural Bar Soap – Wood Barrel Bourbon or try the Pine Tar scent, or Fresh Falls!
PERSONAL SAFETY STOCKING STUFFER IDEAS
12. She’s Birdie Keychain Personal Alarm – Another inexpensive but impactful device to keep on hand at all times. There is the original Birdie and also the Birdie+ with a subscription for extra safety features including location sharing with your designating contacts, staying on the phone with you until you are home safely, and contacting authorities if necessary. Use our code PSA15 to save 15% on the device.
13. Night Cap Drink Cover Scrunchie – Wear the scrunchie on the wrist and have the drink cover with them for all stops during the night. A great way to ensure drinks, even if momentarily unattended, stay safe.
14. Keychain Pepper Spray – This under $10 small but mighty device can be attached to a keychain, a wristlet or a student ID lanyard and has over 60,000 5-star ratings on Amazon. Note that these are not TSA friendly, and some colleges (and probably most high schools) do not allow pepper spray on campus.
15. Emergency Seatbelt Cutter & Window Hammer Tool – A practical gift that should be in every car – a best-seller and parent favorite.
De-stress Stocking Stuffer Ideas
16. Let That Sh*t Go Journal – Let the funny prompts help them blow off steam and get their thoughts together.
17. Motivational Stress Balls – Better to squeeze these than crabbily respond to someone nearby!
18. 2-Pack Silk Eye Masks – Be prepared for a roommate who studies late or gets up early when you really need your beauty sleep.
19. Calm, Sleep, De-stress Essential Oil Roll On – Even if this just works as a placebo, give them a way to calmly drift off to sleep.
20. Microwave or Freeze Neck & Shoulder Wrap – Pop it in the microwave or freeze it in the freezer and then let the weighted neck wrap melt away the study stress or pain.
21. Face Massage Roller – This rose quartz jade face roller can be used to relieve headaches and jaw clenching pain, increase blood circulation, stimulate collagen production, reduce puffiness, & eliminate toxins.
* Scented Colored Pencils Infused with Scented Oils – a great gift with both calming scents and a stress-releasing activity!
Food & Drink Stocking Stuffer Ideas
22. The 5 Ingredient College Cookbook: Easy, Healthy Recipes for the Next Four Years & Beyond
23. Assorted Flavored Coffee Pods – Nothing says the holidays like a festive flavored cup of coffee!
24. Individual packages of Jack Links Beef Jerky – A quick protein snack that stores easily in a dorm room or a backpack.
25. Stanley Coffee Tumbler – Holds 12oz but should fit under most single-serve brewers.
26. Owala Water Bottle – A favorite water bottle that is great for their backpack, workout or travel.
27. Ghiradelli Peppermint Bark Squares – A holiday staple that’s perfect for adding to anyone’s stocking. Andes Chocolates – Mmmmmm. And a classic – Lindt Milk Chocolate Santa.
Fun & GAMES Stocking Stuffer Ideas
28. Deck of Cards & Poker Chips & A Book On How To Play Poker – Better than a game of beer pong, right?
29. Pop Darts – A fun new game anyone can play just about anywhere.
30. Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza – A fun game that’s quick to play and fun for all ages.
31. Five Crowns Game – A rummy-like game fun to share with family at the holidays and to take back to college.
32. Yahtzee Game, or just Yahtzee Score Pads if you already have 5 dice.
33. Nike Golf Gloves – If you have a golf lover, they always appreciate new gloves.
34. NCAA Logo Golf Towels – About 60 schools currently available. Has a hook for hanging on golf bags.
35. Ping Pong Balls – In case the dorm or apartment building has a ping pong table, but your student can’t ever find a viable ping pong ball.
Technology Stocking Stuffer Ideas
36. Portable Charger – One of the most highly rated portable chargers on Amazon now in this smaller version this year. A portable charger is a must for those always on the go and on their phones. For personal safety, our teens should have well-charged phones at all times. Having a backup power supply for those times away from a power source is crucial. Don’t forget the short charging cables to keep in the backpack for charging without lengthy cords.
37. Phone Holder Clamp Stand For Airplanes, Bathrooms, Kitchens – Not all flights have built-in entertainment or your shows available, this universal phone holder model allows for a phone to be attached to the tray table and rotates 360 degrees.
38. Silicone Suction Phone Mount – Great for mounting their phone on the mirror, window or other flat surface for videos, make-up and selfies.
39. Extra-long Charging Cords – When teens gather to hang out, teens often need to charge their phones. 10 foot charging cables make it easy to plug in and still keep those constant notifications close at hand, literally. Have an Android? 3 Pack 10′ Android charging cables. Don’t forget this 4-USB port car charger.
40. Apple AirTags – If your teen is regularly hunting for their keys, their wallet or even their backpack, there is an easy way to turn these items into digitally trackable devices. Accessories are available to attach AirTags to key chains (these are silicone) and even hide an AirTag on a bicycle. These are also great to slip inside luggage and your car too. Since this is an Apple product, it only works with iPhones and requires an iPhone 11 or newer.
41. Smart Plugs – There are so many uses for these that I wrote an entire article on them. If you decorate with lights at the holidays, these will change your life! Meanwhile, for older teens and college students, lamps scheduled with smart plugs are great for making their off-campus apartment look lived in even when no one is home. Or have their string lights go on/off on a schedule. Or simply tell Alexa to turn off or on anything plugged into a smart plug. A 4-pack is linked here so that you can drop one into every stocking on your mantle, but these are also available as a single or in a 2-pack. I highly, highly recommend this brand – I have at least 20 of their plugs, outdoor plugs, power strips and switches.
42. AirPod Case Covers – Like an insurance policy for AirPods, these inexpensive silicone covers help keep AirPod cases from slipping out of pockets. These are for AirPod Pros.
43. String Lights – Decorate their bedroom, study area or even a covered patio with low voltage LED lights. OR, if they have a TV in their room, plug this LED TV light strip into the USB port and attach to the back of the TV for a cinematic glow. These will also sync lights to music via settings in the app. A lot of fun and creativity for such a low price!
44. Wired Headphones That Work On An Airplane Or At The Gym – If your student has bluetooth AirPods or other earbuds that won’t work on an airplane or at the gym, consider this pair of inexpensive but highly rated earbuds for those situations. Especially helpful for college students who are an airplane ride from home. Comes with a carrying case too.
CLEANING AND De-germing Stocking Stuffer Ideas
45. New Shower Shoes – Time to replace the pair that started the school year?
46. Charcoal Shoe Deodorizers – 3 pairs of reusable (up to 2 years) recyclable bamboo charcoal bags. Roommates will thank you!
47. OXO Good Grips Cleaning Brush For Electronics – Everyone on your list needs one of these!
48. Scrub Daddy Sponge – Perfect for the sink at the dorm or apartment. Super durable and cute too!
49. 12-pack Microfiber Cleaning Cloths – Great for glasses, sunglasses and screens.
50. Poo-Pourri Toilet Spray – Small enough to fit in your shower caddy or toiletry bag.
51. Dude Bombs – A Poo-Pourri alternative for dudes. The product page and the comments are worth the price of admission!
52. Dude Wipes – These are even available in the perfect stocking stuffer size!
ECO-FRIENDLY STOCKING STUFFER IDEAS
53. Travel Coffee Mug – Made to look like a coffee shop coffee cup, but reusable.
54. Mesh Grocery/Tote Bag – These would also be great for the beach, a day at the lake or a road trip.
55. Dryer Balls – Better for the environment and for your clothes than disposable dryer sheets.
56. Reusable Makeup Remover Pads – This set comes with a laundry bag for easy cleaning.
PRACTICAL STOCKING STUFFER IDEAS
57. Small Velvet Travel Jewelry Box – perfect for quick trips and college visits.
58. Trinket/Ring Dish – Put your rings in a safe (and the same place) when you take them off. This one is embellished with a single letter of your choosing to personalize it.
59. Leather Slim RFID Wallet – Holds just what they need and comes with RFID secure technology to keep contents safe from scans. Comes in a variety of colors. This is a more affordable leather-like slim wallet.
60. Lululemon Keychain – So many colors to choose from, how do you pick one?
61. Hand Warmers Value Pack – 20 pairs of hand warmers for a great low price. Perfect for outdoor events in the cooler and cold months. All the rage this year are more eco-friendly rechargeable hand warmers
62. Athleta No-Show Socks or these Higher Ankle Socks – Because socks are always needed!
63. Instant Read Meat Thermometer – Great for the budding grill master.
64. Waterproof Backpack Rain Cover – Makes keeping their backpack dry for long walks across campus on rainy days easy.
65. Goodr Sunglasses – An affordable and popular young adult brand, these stay snug with a no-slip grip coating and feature 100% UV protection.
BOOKS MAKE GREAT STOCKING STUFFERS
66. Life Skills For Teens Book – We tried to teach them everything, but time flew by way too fast!
67. The Manual To Manhood – “How to Cook the Perfect Steak, Change a Tire, Impress a Girl & 97 Other Skills You Need to Survive”
68. The Girls’ Guide to Conquering Life – “How to Ace an Interview, Change a Tire, Talk to a Guy, and 97 Other Skills You Need to Thrive”
69. Atomic Habits – “An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones”
70. Shoot Your Shot – “A Sport-Inspired Guide To Living Your Best Life”
71. How Teens Win – “The Student’s Guide to Accomplishing Big Goals”
WEARABLE STOCKING STUFFER IDEAS
72. Winter Fan Gear– Select their favorite college (or switch to professional leagues) and look for logo’d pajama pants, a knit cap or a scarf.
73. Gloves & Hats For Cold Days – Black and sporty or Cable Knit – Both feature touch screen fingers. For hats, Carhartt Men’s Knit Cuffed Beanie – pick his favorite color or pick her favorite color of this cute Cable Knit Beanie.
74. Cute clear bag for concerts, sporting events and other large gatherings with clear bag only policies.
- Small bag with decorative guitar strap
- Small bag with adjustable detachable chain strap
- Small clear backpack with many color options
75. Funny/Cute T-shirts For:
- Gamers
- Musicians
- Math is not the favorite subject
- College stud
- The procrastinator
- Future scientist
- Rather be fishing
- Country music girl
- Girls of faith
- Spreading a little kindness
AMAZON PRIME STUDENT MEMBERSHIP & GIFT CARD
Bonus Idea: For a great stocking stuffer for a college student that keeps on giving, consider gifting them an Amazon Prime Student account along with an Amazon gift card to get them started.
A Prime Student account is free for the first 6-months and then half-price for an ongoing membership. The Prime Student account includes all that you’ve come to know and love as a standard Prime member and a few extra bonuses for students including a GrubHub membership. Read more about an Amazon Prime Student account here.
Need More Ideas? Check Out All Of Our Gift Guides
- Gifts For College Girls
- Gifts For College Guys
- Gifts for Travel
- Gift Ideas For High School Seniors: The College Essentials To Buy (And Avoid) This Holiday Season
- Gifts For College Apartments (coming soon!)
- White Elephant Gifts (coming soon!)
If you’re the parent of a college student, join us in the After The Drop Off | Parenting Through The College Years Facebook group. Lots of great ideas being shared there by parents!
Have a student moving into a dorm? Our over 100k member Dorm Shopping Recommendations & Deal Alerts Facebook group will guide you through non-toxic, practical and reusable items to consider and keep you up to date on what you don’t need or probably aren’t allowed to bring!
Something to consider while the kids are home for the holidays
If your child has already turned or is about to turn 18, now is a good time to discuss a healthcare power of attorney with your adult-aged children. Please consider doing this while you are together over the holidays. Click the link below to learn more, or read our article, and use our code PSA20 to take 20% off the Young Adult package. This brings the cost to just over $60 and includes multiple states if your child goes to school or lives out of state.
If you have other great stocking stuffer gift ideas for college students or older teens, please share them in the comments below. Thank you!
I love these ideas!