Gifts Under $50.00 For College Students

College students are actually probably the easiest people on your gift list because they are short on money and big on needs. When purchasing gifts for college students think about the things you needed during your time in college.

If the student is living in a dorm keep in mind space is very limited and whatever you give them they are likely to need a place to put that gift so instead of buying something that is likely to gather dust buy them something for school.

School Colors

T-shirts, sweatshirts, jackets, sweats, hats and more can be bought for any school in the country. Many school bookstores are even online these days and items can be purchased for under fifty dollars. This is a something that every college feels are must haves for their wardrobe, not only will these gift be used they will be used often. There isn't much that you can't find with their school logo on it, look around your local department stores and college campus stores near the end of any semester for large discounts on soon to be cleared out merchandise.

Handheld Audio Recorder

Trying to pay attention and take notes at the same time can be difficult for even the most accomplished multi-tasker. If the student has a palm pilot there is now software that turns it into an audio recorder. IPOD also has a recording device. If the student doesn't have either of these there is always the old stand-by of a cassette recorder. All of these items will help the student improve their grades and take some of the stress off of note taking.

Itunes Gift Card

Every college student must have their music and with Itunes they can find any genre of music as well as audio books and televisions shows that they can download to their computer or IPOD. With an Itunes gift card you know that you are getting them exactly the music they want without buying something they already have or don't like.

Portable CD Player

Privacy in a dorm room is limited so after the student has burned the music from Itunes onto a CD they can play them on their own portable CD player. Most students will use a CD player while walking to class, working out of just relaxing around campus. Students have very little alone time and a portable CD player with headphones can give them something close to being alone for a little while.

Travel Mugs

It is seldom you will find a student who is putting in an all nighter before finals without coffee. Travel mugs are a great way to keep the coffee hot longer, prevent spills and can go anywhere with the student.
If the student is not a coffee drinker water bottles are always useful as most classes require something with a cover when it comes to beverages in classrooms and lecture halls.

Single Cup Coffee Makers

These take up little space and many can be found for less than $25.00, add in a travel mug and a pound of the favorite coffee and you have a winning gift for any student.

Gift Cards

The average college student is on a limited budget while they still have things that they must have. Gasoline gift cards can make a huge difference in a limited budget. For the student who isn't on the school meal plan a $50.00 gift card can often cover two or more weeks of food.
If you simply want to give them something they can call frivolous then give them a gift card for the local movie theatre or restaurant. Many places these days offer a dinner and movie package for two. You can ensure with this gift that they not only had a night out but also a good meal.

With a college student always consider space and use for anything you give them. The student has to move at the end of every school year and move back in when the fall semester starts up again. Don't give them something they will have to find a place to store or something that is easily breakable instead give them something that will help them out in a the here and now.