Top 100 Inexpensive Gift Ideas For Students [Updated 2024]

Choosing the right gift for a student can be difficult. They are at an age where their interests are varied, and their needs are specific. Whether it’s for a birthday, a special occasion, or just to show appreciation, here are some fantastic and inexpensive gift ideas for students that are sure to bring a smile to any student’s face.

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How Do I Choose A Special Gift For Students?

Choosing a special gift for students involves considering their interests, needs, and personality. Here are some tips to help you select the perfect gift:

1. Know Their Interests

• Hobbies: What activities do they enjoy? Sports, music, art, or reading?
• Favorite Subjects: Are they passionate about science, literature, or technology?
• Personal Preferences: Do they have a favorite book series, movie, or game?

2. Consider Their Needs

• Academic Tools: Do they need anything for school, like a scientific calculator, notebooks, or study guides?
• Tech Gadgets: Are they in need of any tech accessories like headphones, a laptop sleeve, or a portable charger?

3. Think About Their Personality

• Creative or Practical: Are they more likely to appreciate a creative gift like an art set or a practical gift like a planner?
• Introverted or Extroverted: Would they enjoy a solitary activity like reading or a social activity like a board game?

4. Personalize the Gift

• Customized Items: Personalized gifts such as custom notebooks, apparel with their name, or photo albums can be very special.
• Meaningful Touches: Adding a handwritten note or a personal message can make any gift more meaningful.

5. Opt for Versatile Choices

• Books and Stationery: These are generally safe and appreciated gifts that can be both fun and useful.
• Gift Cards: If you’re unsure, a gift card to their favorite store or an online platform allows them to choose what they like.

6. Experiences Over Things

• Event Tickets: Concerts, sports events, or theater shows provide memorable experiences.
• Workshops: Enroll them in a class or workshop related to their interests, like a coding camp or art class.
• Travel: A day trip or an outing to a fun place can be a wonderful gift.

Top 100 Inexpensive Gift Ideas For Students: Category Wise

Books

1. Classic Novels: Affordable editions of classics like “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen or “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald.
2. Young Adult Fiction: Popular YA books like “The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins.
3. Non-Fiction: Motivational books like “You Are a Badass” by Jen Sincero.
4. Graphic Novels: Engaging graphic novels like “Persepolis” by Marjane Satrapi.
5. Educational Guides: Study guides for subjects like math and science.

Stationery

6. Notebooks: Decorative or themed notebooks.
7. Planners: Academic planners to help with organization.
8. Pens and Pencils: Sets of colorful pens or mechanical pencils.
9. Highlighters: Multicolored highlighters for study sessions.
10. Sticky Notes: Fun and creative sticky note designs.

Gadgets and Tech Accessories

11. Phone Stand: Adjustable phone stands for easy viewing.
12. USB Flash Drive: Handy for transferring and storing files.
13. Earbuds: Affordable and good-quality earbuds.
14. Phone Cases: Stylish and protective phone cases.
15. Charging Cables: Durable and fast-charging cables.

Educational Tools

16. Scientific Calculator: Essential for math and science students.
17. Geometry Set: Complete set with protractors, compasses, and rulers.
18. Flashcards: Pre-made flashcards for various subjects.
19. Educational Apps: Subscriptions to learning apps like Duolingo.
20. E-Books: Affordable e-books on educational topics.

Sports and Fitness

21. Water Bottle: Reusable and eco-friendly water bottles.
22. Jump Rope: Great for quick home workouts.
23. Yoga Mat: Basic yoga mats for fitness enthusiasts.
24. Resistance Bands: For strength training exercises.
25. Sports Balls: Basketballs, soccer balls, or volleyballs.

Creative and Fun

26. Coloring Books: Adult coloring books for relaxation.
27. Puzzle Sets: Jigsaw puzzles with varying levels of difficulty.
28. DIY Craft Kits: Kits for making friendship bracelets or painting.
29. Model Kits: Simple model building kits.
30. Board Games: Classic games like Scrabble or Uno.

Fashion and Accessories

31. Socks: Fun and quirky sock designs.
32. Beanies: Warm and stylish beanies.
33. Scarves: Cozy scarves for colder weather.
34. Bracelets: Friendship bracelets or simple bangles.
35. Keychains: Personalized or themed keychains.

Personalized Gifts

36. Customized Notebooks: Notebooks with their name or favorite design.
37. Photo Frames: Frames with a special photo.
38. Name Bracelets: Bracelets with their name engraved.
39. Personalized Mugs: Mugs with their name or a special message.
40. Customized Phone Cases: Cases with their initials or favorite quote.

Subscription Boxes

41. Snack Boxes: Monthly snacks from around the world.
42. Book Boxes: Monthly book subscriptions.
43. Art Supplies: Monthly art supply kits.
44. Science Kits: Monthly science experiment kits.
45. Stationery Boxes: Monthly deliveries of unique stationery items.

Experiences

46. Online Classes: Affordable courses on platforms like Udemy.
47. Event Tickets: Discounted tickets to local events or shows.
48. Museum Passes: Passes to local museums or galleries.
49. Escape Room Vouchers: Fun and engaging escape room experiences.
50. Virtual Tours: Online tours of famous landmarks.

Hobby Supplies

51. Drawing Pads: Quality drawing pads for artists.
52. Sketch Pencils: Sets of sketch pencils.
53. Watercolor Sets: Affordable watercolor sets.
54. Craft Supplies: Basic craft supplies like glue, scissors, and glitter.
55. Knitting Kits: Beginner knitting kits.

Music

56. Guitar Picks: Set of guitar picks for musicians.
57. Sheet Music: Sheet music for their favorite songs.
58. Music Theory Books: Books to help with music theory.
59. Metronome: Basic metronomes for practice.
60. Music Apps: Subscriptions to music learning apps.

Travel Accessories

61. Travel Bottles: Reusable travel-sized bottles.
62. Luggage Tags: Fun and unique luggage tags.
63. Travel Journals: Journals to document their travels.
64. Neck Pillows: Comfortable travel pillows.
65. Portable Chargers: Compact chargers for on-the-go.

Home Decor

66. Fairy Lights: String lights for room decoration.
67. Posters: Posters of their favorite movies, bands, or quotes.
68. Throw Pillows: Decorative pillows for their room.
69. Wall Art: Affordable wall art prints.
70. Desk Organizers: Organizers for their study space.

Eco-Friendly Gifts

71. Reusable Straws: Metal or silicone straws.
72. Eco-Friendly Notebooks: Notebooks made from recycled materials.
73. Tote Bags: Reusable tote bags.
74. Bamboo Toothbrushes: Eco-friendly toothbrushes.
75. Plant Kits: Small kits to grow their own plants.

Food and Drink

76. Tea Samplers: Variety packs of teas.
77. Hot Chocolate Mix: Gourmet hot chocolate mixes.
78. Snack Packs: Packs of healthy snacks.
79. Coffee Beans: Specialty coffee beans.
80. Recipe Books: Affordable cookbooks with easy recipes.

Self-Care

81. Face Masks: Packs of facial masks.
82. Bath Bombs: Scented bath bombs.
83. Hand Creams: Nourishing hand creams.
84. Lip Balms: Sets of flavored lip balms.
85. Stress Balls: Stress-relief balls.

Organizational Tools

86. Desk Calendars: Fun and colorful desk calendars.
87. Bullet Journals: For planning and creativity.
88. File Folders: Stylish folders for school papers.
89. Binder Clips: Decorative binder clips.
90. Pen Holders: Creative and functional pen holders.

Games and Entertainment

91. Card Games: Simple card games like Uno or Go Fish.
92. Puzzle Books: Crossword or Sudoku books.
93. Mini Board Games: Travel-sized board games.
94. Video Game Accessories: Affordable accessories for their gaming console.
95. Streaming Subscriptions: One-month subscriptions to services like Netflix.

Miscellaneous

96. Bookmarks: Unique and creative bookmarks.
97. Hand Warmers: Reusable hand warmers.
98. Magnets: Fun magnets for their locker or fridge.
99. Lanyards: Personalized lanyards for keys or ID badges.
100. Mini Plants: Small, low-maintenance plants like succulents.

What Makes A Gift Unique?

1. Personalization

• Customized Items: Gifts like engraved jewelry, personalized notebooks, or custom apparel show that you put thought into the present.
• Photo Gifts: Items like photo books, framed pictures, or custom photo calendars can capture special memories.

2. Thoughtfulness

• Tailored to Interests: Gifts that reflect the recipient’s hobbies, passions, or interests demonstrate that you know and care about them.
• Handmade Items: Crafting something yourself, such as a knitted scarf or a handmade card, adds a personal touch.

3. Uniqueness

• One-of-a-Kind Items: Handmade or limited edition items can be special because they are not mass-produced.
• Rare Finds: Unique gifts could be items that are hard to find or have a special story behind them, like vintage items or souvenirs from travel.

4. Experiences Over Things

• Experiential Gifts: Gifting an experience, such as tickets to a concert, a cooking class, or a day trip, can create lasting memories.
• Subscriptions: Subscriptions to magazines, streaming services, or monthly boxes tailored to the recipient’s interests can be an ongoing delight.

5. Creativity

• Creative Packaging: Thoughtfully wrapping a gift in a creative way can add to its uniqueness.
• DIY Kits: Kits that allow the recipient to create something themselves, like a pottery kit or a DIY terrarium.

6. Practicality

• Useful Gifts: Items that the recipient can use regularly, like a high-quality water bottle or a stylish planner, can be unique if they match the recipient’s lifestyle.
• Tech Gadgets: Innovative tech gadgets that simplify tasks or provide entertainment can be unique and practical.

Examples of Unique Gifts

• Personalized Jewelry: Necklaces or bracelets with the recipient’s initials or a special date.
• Custom Art: Commissioning a piece of art based on something meaningful to the recipient.
• Adventure Experiences: Giving a voucher for activities like hot air ballooning or a zip-lining adventure.
• Handcrafted Goods: Artisan-made goods like pottery, candles, or leather goods.
• Cooking Classes: Enrolling the recipient in a cooking class of their favorite cuisine.

Conclusion

When choosing a gift for a student, it’s important to consider their interests and needs. Whether it’s a book to spark their imagination, a gadget to help them study, or an experience they’ll never forget, there’s something out there for everyone. With these gift ideas for students, you’re sure to find the perfect gift that will delight and inspire any student.