Whether it’s nearing commencement or the holidays are fast approaching, you’re likely looking for present ideas for roommates. Still getting to know the person you’re living with? Start with these questions to ask a potential college roommate.
It’s common to give gifts for housemates that are thoughtful and useful but not too expensive. And there are plenty of presents on the market that aren’t too taxing on your student budget. Of course, your relationship with your roommate is also a defining factor. You’re likely to spend more on a roommate you’ve been friends with for years, as opposed to someone you’ve just recently met.
When shopping for roommate gifts for college, there are several great options for one person, like a best friend, or multiple people, like suitemates. We’ve put together a list of 25 of the best gifts for college roommates to make your shopping quick and easy!
1. Cozy Dorm Accents
You can never go wrong with a fluffy blanket, cushy mattress pad, or some throw pillows that coordinate with their personal style and how they’ve decorated their side of the room. These make great birthday presents or Christmas gifts for college roommates and are the perfect way to add colorful accents to your space. You could even pair a cozy blanket with a stylish set of stationery notes so they can easily write a personal thank you for birthday wishesd to everyone who celebrated with them.
2. Poster Frames
Show some roommate love by gifting them poster frames of their favorite musician, movie, or quote. If you’re feeling sentimental, print out a personal framed image that they will love. Remember to get them some white tack or command strips to hang it up. Damage-free dorm room gifts are always the best!
3. Personalized Diploma Frame for a Graduating Roommate
If your roommate is a senior, why not surprise him or her with a gift to capture their upcoming accomplishment? Graduation gifts for college roommates are a great idea, and our custom diploma frames are designed to protect their degree while helping them proudly showcase it for years to come. Design a diploma frame from scratch and customize mouldings, mat colors, and embossments using our online framing tools. Or simply search for your school and select your favorite style!
Or, if they belong to an honor society, consider getting them a custom certificate frame to show off their membership! There are no better gift ideas for college roommates than something personalized and functional like a diploma frame that they’re sure to use for decades to come.
4. Houseplant
Low-maintenance houseplants, like succulents and cacti, are great for keeping the air in your college dorm or apartment clean and fresh. Plus, they can add color and texture to your decor. This great dorm gift benefits you as well, since plants filter the air and will boost your mood!
5. String Lights
When it comes to good gifts for roommates, college students need to be budget-minded. While quite simple and inexpensive, battery-operated string lights are a popular gift known to brighten up even the drabbest of college living rooms with chic ambiance. Best of all, they make ideal gifts for college roommates regardless of gender.
6. Keepsake Shadow Box
For a stylish way to protect and display all of their treasured college memorabilia, one of the best dorm roommate gifts is a keepsake shadow box. Personalized roommate gifts like this add character to a space, and college students love updating shadow boxes seasonally or refreshing each semester with new memories.
Shadow boxes are a fun way to showcase tickets, trinkets, and photos, and they make great birthday gifts for college roommates.
7. Reed Diffuser
Since candles aren’t dorm-friendly, reed diffusers make great gifts for roommates. They provide long-lasting scents to make any dorm cozy and feel like home. Best of all, they can add a touch of sophistication to your room decor.
8. Kitchen Necessities
Is your roommate always borrowing your cereal bowls, kitchen utensils, and sealed plastic containers? No need to break the bank, you can find an attractive selection of dishes, cups, and kitchen gadgets at your local dollar store. Better yet, you can personalize these college roommate gifts by finding kitchen necessities in their favorite color or in cute patterns.
9. Cozy Socks
Socks were once considered a boring gift, but times have certainly changed. A pair of fluffy or wool socks is a great gift for college suitemates. With so many patterns, styles, and textures to choose from, they’ll keep their feet warm when the dorm floor is extra chilly.
10. Message Board
What better way to bring a pop of personality to a room than with a message board? They’re also a great way to leave reminders, phone numbers, and important messages for each other, making for a fun college roommate gift idea.
11. Short-Term Subscription
Is there a season on a different subscription service that your roomie is dying to watch? If you want to be extra thoughtful, give your roomie the gift of a temporary subscription to a popular streaming service. You only need to pay for a month or two, and they’ll appreciate the gift of getting to watch whatever they want.
12. Adult Coloring Books
You probably know that student life can get stressful, and if you’ve noticed your roommate is getting overwhelmed the closer you get to finals week, an adult coloring book could be just what they need to unwind and relax.
13. Touch Screen Gloves
For wintry campuses, gift them a cozy pair of touch screen gloves. That way, they can keep their hands warm in the cold weather but have no problem using their smartphone or tablet to text you about dinner plans.
14. Headphones
If they don’t have them already, there isn’t a dorm-dweller who won’t appreciate a good pair of noise-cancelling headphones. When you search “gift ideas for roommate at college” on Google, you’re sure to find many high-quality affordable headphones.
15. Personalized Mug
A customized mug featuring the owner’s name means it’s going to be more difficult for anybody else to “borrow.” This gift for roommates is a great balance between personal and practical, especially if you find a travel mug with their favorite quote or character.
16. Virtual Experiences
You can purchase unique online experiences from Airbnb, such as tarot card readings, cooking classes, dance instruction, magic shows, yoga workshops, painting lessons, and even interactive scavenger hunts and game nights. Choose something that you know both of you will really enjoy doing!
17. Bathroom Accessories
For shared college dorm rooms’ bathrooms, getting shower essentials can benefit you too! You could opt for something fun like a cute printed shower curtain, colorful towels, a waterproof Bluetooth speaker, great-smelling shower gels and body lotions, or a nice shower caddy.
18. Gift Basket
Whether it’s a set of bath products, snacks, fuzzy socks, or a combination of the best roommate gifts we’ve listed above, a bundle in a custom gift basket shows that you put thought and effort into finding something that is truly one-of-a-kind and meaningful. Browse great gift ideas from a gift basket company then build your BFF’s special present.
19. Laptop Stickers
If you’re looking for a cheap yet considerate gift, then laptop stickers are an awesome idea. Find ones on Redbubble or Etsy to suit your roomie’s tastes, preferences, and hobbies.
20. Calendar
When it comes to useful gifts, a calendar or journal is a great idea for an organized student. And, there are so many different calendar themes and layouts you can choose from like animals, sports, artwork, musicians, movies, cars, and more.
21. Face Care
Maybe a pampering spa day is out of your budget, but there are plenty of face masks that don’t cost much. Male roommates may appreciate a grooming set with shaving cream, a shaving brush, beard balms, and aftershave.
22. Sleep Mask
When you’re sharing a room, it can be difficult to go to sleep unless you’re lucky enough to be in sync with your roommate’s sleeping pattern. So, your roomie will certainly appreciate a comfortable sleep mask to use on those nights when you’re still up studying or not quite ready to turn off the TV.
23. Book Light
Do you live with a bookworm who has a tough time putting down an exciting novel? Or a night owl who starts homework just before midnight? Either way, you’re both sure to appreciate a book light. Most book lights are small, compact lamps that easily clip onto books or headboards.
24. Snack Package
Put together a thoughtful care package filled with sweet and salty treats, including trail mix, cookies, popcorn, donuts, and candy. If they live far away from campus, they’ll appreciate having something to snack on while traveling by bus, train, or plane to get home for a birthday celebration or holiday.
25. Custom Photo Frame
Finally, if this is going to be your last winter holiday together before graduation, then a custom photo frame featuring a favorite memory of you and your roomie since you started college is a thoughtful, personal gift idea they’re sure to cherish. Maybe your roomie has been with you since day one, or perhaps you met them further along into your degree program when you changed living arrangements.
Either way, if you’ve had some fun moments that have made your college experience what it is today, you’ve probably got plenty of photos, and there’s no better way to display and protect them than with a photo collage frame.
When it comes to finding the perfect gifts for college roommates, there are so many options. From diploma frames and collage frames to lip balms and face masks, learn how to be a good roommate by making them feel appreciated.
