Secret Santa Gift Ideas for College Students

There has never been a more perfect environment for a round of Secret Santa than the wing or floor of a college dorm. This can be a great activity to exchange gifts and bond/meet with any of the people you failed to meet at the beginning of the semester. A Secret Santa is also great because it takes the pressure of broke college students to provide fabulous presents for everyone on their floor (although you might also want to pick up a little something for your roommate). However, trying to find a present for a person you may only have seen in passing can be daunting. Here are some tips for selecting universally appreciated presents that don't break the bank.

Starbucks Gift Card: Who doesn't appreciate a couple of free lattes? Almost all college students are running on some form of caffeine, and those who aren't might enjoy a cup of herbal tea. A rule of thumb for this gift is to select a monetary value for around five to ten dollars. If you are stingy, then you might be frowned upon, but if you are extravagant then you risk alienating other gift-givers. Try to ask what some of the other people on your floor are giving for gifts to get a feel for the price range. In general, however, cheaper gifts are the norm.

Small Luxuries: Think about when you, as a college student, go out shopping. Whether it's at a grocery store, a boutique, or a mall, you have probably spotting a small, inexpensive trinket that you thought would be nice to have, then skipped over because it was impractical. Well, here's the chance to snatch up that warm, fuzzy, colorful pair of socks, or flashy ID card case. This is something small, fun and superfluous that you would feel guilty buying for yourself (or maybe not). This works out especially well if your assigned person is thrifty, and rarely indulges in these small pleasures.

Useful Gifts: Think back to when you ran out of staples, or found yourself in need of laundry detergent. Oftentimes, the most appreciated gifts are those that people will actually use. This can be awkward if done incorrectly; you don't want to come off as the doting grandmother who gives practical, yet boring gifts. In the case of laundry detergent, office supplies, and room/fabric sprays, splurge on the slightly more expensive designer or name brands. Bath & Body Works and Victoria's secret now sell these products with their signature fragrances (yes, even laundry detergent), which can be easy purchased for 10-12 dollars. People who regularly resort to generic versions will greatly welcome this gift.

Toiletries: A mainstay in any domestic person's arsenal, this Secret Santa gift idea will never go out of style. Body spray, shower gel, and aromatherapy gifts are all great commodities and go a step above staples like toothpaste and shaving cream. Make sure that this gift is presented in a way that does not subtly hint that your recipient needs to put some more effort into his or her personal hygiene regimen. Again, this gift should be something that the person would perhaps not normally buy for themselves given their limited college budget. A potential caveat of this gift is that toiletries and fragrances involve a great deal of personal preference. Although you may have to do some fishing around for these preferences, people definitely appreciate the effort involved and you could win yourself a new friend. Also, in the case of possible allergies or skin conditions, some research may be necessary to avoid Secret Santa-related disasters.

There are, of course, infinite options out there. These are just a few to provide some inspiration. Have fun with your gift giving, and have a Happy Holiday!