What is a good gift for a student going to university?

Practical and slightly nicer than they would buy: good earbuds, a laptop bag, an insulated bottle and tumbler, a desk lamp, a decent set of bedding or towels. Save the fragile and the decorative for when they have their own flat.

What do you get a student for Christmas?

The thing they have been living without since October — usually headphones, a keyboard, a proper coat or a bag. Money towards it is welcome; the thing itself is a present.

Is money a better gift for a student?

Usually, and it is never wrong. If you would rather give an object, a wishlist tells you the one they would have spent the money on anyway.

Gifts for students

A student needs things and has no money, which makes them the most grateful person you will buy for this year. The trick is buying what a student actually lacks, not what a parent imagines they lack.

Here is what they lack: earbuds that cancel the library, a keyboard for the laptop, a bag that is not a rucksack from school, a bottle, a lamp, the toiletries that are nicer than the supermarket own-brand. Real UK prices, in stock.

Students are the best wishlist-keepers in the world, because everything on it is something they would otherwise have to buy. Ask.

30 products · prices and stock checked October 2026 · every link goes to the shop

Rituals Homme Hair & Beard Oil
£21.90
10
Rains Stainless Steel Tumbler Vacuum Flask 2000ml
£79.00
10
Zara Leather Flap Crossbody Bag
£69.99
10
Zara Striped Trunk Bag
£25.99
9
Stanley Cold For Days Outdoor Cooler - 28.3L
£150.00
9
Rituals The Ritual of Mehr Fragrance Sticks
£34.90
9
Rains Valera Bum Bag Micro
£79.00
9
Rituals The Ritual of Ayurveda Body Scrub
£14.17
9
The North Face Base Camp Slide III TNF White / TNF Black
£28.00
9
Stanley Quencher® ProTour Flip Straw Tumbler - 0.89L (Fall Refresh)
£55.00
9
Rains Messenger Bag
£100.00
9
Garmin Lily - Classic Edition
£199.99
8
Medicube AGE-R Booster Pro Mini Plus Beige
£159.00
8
Herschel Classic™ Crossbody Black
£35.00
8
Stanley Ideal Mate Bottle - 1.2L
£70.00
8
Medicube AGE-R Booster Pro Mini Plus Pink
£159.00
8
Color Wow Volume Bundle
£70.50
8
Omorovicza Hydration Set
£84.00
8
Beauty of Joseon Calming Serum Green Tea + Panthenol 30ml
£12.00
8
TOZO A1 Wireless Earbuds
£19.99
8
AmLactin Daily Nourish Body Lotion
£27.65
7
Carhartt WIP Kilda Backpack Polyester Popli Thyme
£117.00
7
By Terry Tea to Tan Face and Body Matte Finish 100ml
£47.20
7
Joonbyrd Confetti Sky Hand Treatment 25ml
£20.00
7
Aesop Geranium Leaf Body Cleanser 100ml
£15.00
7
Biodance Radiant Vita Niacinamide Serum 30ml
£21.00
7
NIP+FAB Protein Fix Skin Longevity Booster Drops 10% 30ml
£29.95
7
Tan-Luxe The Body Illuminating Self-Tan Drops 15ml Light/Medium
£19.00
7
IKEA VALLKRASSING Throw - gray-green 59x79 "
£15.00
7
Beauty of Joseon Glow Replenishing Rice Milk Toner 150ml
£15.50
7

Make the list, stop getting guessed at

Save anything from any shop to a free wishlist, share the link, and let people buy you things you actually want. Reserved items stay hidden from you, so the surprise survives.

Create your wishlist

Make the list, stop getting guessed at

Questions people ask