Cheap Gifts For College Students
The College Student's Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide — All Under $15
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Let's face it: saving money in college is hard AF. Practically impossible, in fact. Tuition and housing costs alone put your bank account in the crapper, not to mention food, book, and miscellaneous expenses on top of it all — which is why it's so essential to spend lightly when the holiday season rolls around. Cheaper doesn't mean less thoughtful! Here are 45 cute and meaningful gifts for under $15 that friends and family will appreciate come Christmastime.
1 Earrings
These triangle threader earrings ($6, originally $18) balance style with sophistication.
2 Calculator Notebook
Math wizards will appreciate this notebook in the form of a calculator ($8, originally $12).
3 Purple Fluffy Pillow
Doll up your friend's dorm with a purple fluffy pillow ($14).
4 Perfume
This perfume ($10) mixes notes of lavender, bee blossom honey, white orchids, Indian amber, and Tahitian vanilla.
5 The Assassination of Margaret Thatcher
Author Hilary Mantel covers everything from family to class to sex in her novel The Assassination of Margaret Thatcher ($10, originally $16), which is full of juicy and unpredictable twists.
6 Loose Leaf Tea Sampler
An assortment of organic black and green tea blends in this loose leaf tea sampler ($12) make the perfect present for a diehard tea-drinker.
7 Personalized Wooden Spoon
Stirring soup just got a whole lot more interesting — this personalized wooden spoon ($6) is a delight.
8 Classic Leather Diary
Not your average old notebook, this classic leather diary ($8) will dutifully hold the most private of reflections.
9 Tote Bag
The eclectic print on this tote bag ($9) is casual-chic.
10 Leather Analog Wrist Watch
The sleek, simple gold and black design of this leather analog wrist watch ($10, originally $12) makes it versatile.
11 Be Yourself 2016 Poster Calendar
This inspirational calendar ($17) will pave the way for a positive year.
12 Moon Pendant Leather Wrap Bracelet
Anyone who can rock a bohemian style will adore this moon pendant leather wrap bracelet ($6, originally $25).
13 Burt's Bees Almond Milk Beeswax Hand Cream
Winter is hard on everyone's skin — Burt's Bees Almond Milk Beeswax Hand Cream ($8) is to the rescue.
14 Teal Stereo Headset
You can never go wrong with a pair of adorable headphones ($14, originally $17).
15 iPhone 6S Flip Wallet Case
A wrist strap, slots to store cash and cards, plus a magnetic flip cover make for a pretty great iPhone 6S case ($8, originally $23).
16 Plaid Blanket Scarf
This plaid blanket scarf ($10) will make winter feel a little bit warmer.
17 Welcome to Night Vale
Located in a small American town where ghosts, aliens, and angels are the everyday norm, Welcome to Night Vale ($12, originally $20) is a sci-fi staple that tells the tale of two women with mysteries that coincide.
18 Beard Balm Leave-in Conditioner
Men will sport softer beard hair with this beard balm leave-in conditioner ($13, originally $20).
19 Panda Cell Phone Holder
This panda cell phone holder ($3) is for the friend who's obsessed with fuzzy animals and her cell phone.
20 Mysterious Time Gem Pendant Necklace
For those who carry stars in their eyes, this mysterious time gem pendant necklace ($7, originally $16) is out of this world.
21 Bad Hair Day Beanie
Who hasn't been there? This beanie ($3, originally $30) is the perfect cover-up for any bad hair day.
22 Retro Floppy Disk Coasters
Prepare for a nerd-out — these retro floppy disk coasters ($12) will make every '90s kid go wild.
23 Customizable Rings
Customize this ring ($13) for a special person in your life.
24 "You're Like, Really Pretty" Mousepad
The famous Mean Girls quote on a mousepad ($13) will make fans giddy with delight.
25 Christmas Treats Candle
Instantly transport everyone in the room to the best holiday of the year with this sweet Christmas treats candle ($6).
26 Brown Sugar Vanilla Bubble Bath
This oh-so-delicious brown sugar vanilla bubble bath ($10) is the ultimate soothing elixir.
27 Polka Dot Fuzzy Socks
Ward off cold feet with these playful polka dot fuzzy socks ($6, originally $11).
28 Personalized Nameplate
This personalized nameplate ($13) is great for the office.
29 Natural Mint Therapy Lip Balm
Don't allow the falling temperatures to wreak havoc on a loved one's lips — this natural mint therapy lip balm ($8) is gender neutral.
30 Leopard Print Velvet Plush Throw
Stay toasty in the cold with this leopard print velvet plush throw ($10, originally $15).
31 Belgian White Ale Soap
This beer soap ($6) is great for the manly men in your life.
32 Glass Bottle Necklace
What could possibly be sweeter and more whimsical than this glass bottle necklace ($10)?
33 Bookshop Jigsaw Puzzle
Everyone has the friend who's nuts about puzzles — this 1,000-piece jigsaw ($13, originally $20) will keep her occupied for hours.
34 Patterned Socks
Basic crew socks are so out — these patterned socks ($12) make for a stylish alternative.
35 Scented Fire Starters Gift Bag
These all-natural fire starters ($10) provide up to 20 minutes of flame and scent.
36 12-Piece Nail Art Pen Set
For the girl who tends to gets nail polish everywhere, these nail art pens ($13) will give a flawless application.
37 Personalized Keychain
Spice up a key set with a personalized keychain ($10).
38 "Donut Touch My Coffee" Mug
"Donut touch my coffee" ($15) . . . 'nuff said.
39 Horizontal Photo Snow Globe
A cuter alternative to a picture frame, this snow globe ($10) holds two photos — one on each side — and is easy to assemble.
40 Hershey's Nuggets Assortment Party Bag
This Hershey's nuggets assortment party bag ($12) includes four different kinds of sweets.
41 Dino Wine Stopper
Make any bottle instantly epic with this dino wine stopper ($14).
42 Grid Bow Tie
This blue, white, and grey grid bow tie ($25) is classy AF.
43 Knit Fingerless Mittens
Texting while keeping hands insulated is possible with these pretty knit fingerless mittens ($9, originally $26).
44 A Thousand Mornings
For the true poet in your life, A Thousand Mornings ($13, originally $16) is a New York Times-bestselling collection of poems from celebrated poet Mary Oliver.
45 Fridge Chalkboard Magnet
This fridge chalkboard magnet ($6) will jazz up even the lamest of fridges.
