Gift Guide for College Students: 15+ fresh ideas

I first saw this lounger at a music festival, and now I see them everywhere from the beach to the dorms. Packs up to nothing, and you swing it in the air to fill it up for a comfy lounger. While there are many imitators, the Lamzac from Fatboy is the original and known to be the best quality. Several colors to choose from, this lounger accommodates up to 440lbs.

Since writing this gift guide, I got my kid a Fatboy lounger and it has been fantastic! We've taken it camping, to the beach, and yes to a music festival. It's fun to just enjoy in the yard. While the photo shows one individual in each Fatboy lounger, you can sit in it like a couch with two, sometimes three folks in it.

For less than $40, you get high-quality sound, Bluetooth capability, a waterproof casing making it great for the beach or even shower, and the convenience to clip it most anywhere. Durable, 10 hours of playtime, and available in a dizen different colors and prints.

Ramen is a mainstay for college students, but can prove complicated without a stove. Enter Rapid Ramen, a way to make ramen in the microwave! Reusable for up to 5 years, the Rapid Ramen Cooker can make ramen in the microwave in just three minutes that has the same consistency and taste as ramen made on the stove.

I have this one and can attest to the fact that it is awesome and that anyone who sees it wants it! It can be a desktop fridge to keep cans of soda or beer cold, a place to store skincare, and can even be a warmer to keep lunch the right temperature. Holds up to six 12 oz. cans. Ideal size for use at home, in the nursery, office or dorm room. The Cooluli Cooler & Warmer comes included with AC and DC power adapters – Easy to go from indoor 110V (AC) to car use by plugging the appliance into the car cigarette 12V (DC) adapter. Comes in a variety of colors as well as classic white and black so there is a style to fit anyone on your gift list.

Allbirds are cult-favorite shoes crafted out of with planet-friendly natural materials, like merino wool and eucalyptus trees. A certified B Corp, Allbirds cares for the environment; the company also donates shoes to those in need. Their Runners made out of super-soft merino wool have been nicknamed "the world's most comfortable shoes."

Now that you've heard of Allbirds you'll see them everywhere on some of the most stylish people. Heck, you may want to get a pair for your college student and a pair for yourself!

This handheld SmartPhone can connect up to 5 phones to print, create collages, and customize photos with the ease of a highly-rated free app. Available in four colors, this is a gift that is fun for all ages, whether you are a college student, a teen, or adult!

These hand-poured soy wax candles offer a remedy for homesick senses. Available for all 50 states.

AfterShoks headphones use bone conduction technology to deliver music through your cheekbones, ensuring ears remain completely open to ambient sounds for maximum situational awareness during long-term wear. These are great headphones for working out not only because the wearer can hear traffic and those around them, but they are also sweatproof, lightweight, flexible, and have a 6-hour battery. Highly rated and available in a variety of colors.

Great coffee while being small enough to fit in the most cramped of dorm rooms or the counter of the tiniest apartment kitchen. At less than 5" wide, this coffee maker has an auto-shutoff and can brew a cup that is 8, 10, or 12 ounces in size.

Cereal as a gift? Yes! This is one of the hottest food trends this year - Magic Spoon lets you enjoy the taste of your favorite childhood cereals with only 3g net carbs, 11g complete protein, 110 calories, and nothing artificial. You'll get major cool points for knowing about this product, and your college student will be grateful during an all-nighter study session or a case of the munchies.

PhoneSoap’s revolutionary bacteria-zapping technology was featured on ABC’s Shark Tank, tested and proven effective on the Discovery Channel. This unit houses two scientifically proven germicidal UV-C bulbs that completely sanitize your entire phone, killing 99.99% of all bacteria and germs. In addition, the unit offers one USB port and one USB-C port for charging.

The PhoneSoap 3 was created with smartphones in mind, but will sanitize anything that fits inside - pacifiers, smart watches, headphones, keys - you name it!

Highly rated for style, durability, and design, this water-resistant backpack from Dagne Dover is made from recycled water bottles available in three sizes and a multitude of colors. With places for a laptop, keys, small and large necessities, and even with a separate pouch for shoes or gym clothes, this is a bag that will go from class to gym to flights with ease.

I own this bag and it's my favorite for travel as well as working from a neighborhood coffee shop. My kid loves this bag for school, my husband has used it to pack up essentials for a weekend getaway.