Gift Ideas for Young Professionals, College Students

Gift-giving is undoubtedly on everyone’s mind as we head into these last days before Christmas. It’s a beautiful holiday tradition in which I participate fully because it brings me so much joy.

Earlier this week, I opened my email to find really nice messages from several readers seeking help with gift suggestions. One is in a quandary regarding appropriate gifts for his administrative staff—a group of sharp, young professionals both male and female. He wants to acknowledge each with an appropriate gift—something that won’t be so dorky it shows up in next spring’s garage sale or worse, the trash. And he also wants to stay away from any gift that could be seen as too personal. His budget is about $30 per gift.

Of course I was excited to accept the challenge (I do have that shopping gene) and went to work, contacting several of the sharpest, smartest young professionals I know, asking for their opinions, suggestions and help. Together we came up with suggestions of gifts that each of them would thoroughly enjoy receiving from a supervisor, boss—or anyone, for that matter.

Gym Bag with Shoes Compartment

This fabulous medium-size duffel is exactly that—fabulous. Just the right size, this bag is well-designed with zippers and pockets in all the right places. Comes in 4 colors. Perfect gym bag. Great size.

AMAZON $PRICE

Portable Wireless Charger Apple Watch Compatible

With its built-in 1000mAh battery, you can carry it anywhere. The keychain design easily hooks onto a bag to extend his Apple Watch battery life in an emergency. Convenient for your purse pocket bag. Five color choices

AMAZON $PRICE

Comfortable Sleep Mask and Ear Plugs

What young student or professional doesn’t long for more quality sleep? Here’s the gift that will fulfill that dream. MZOO Comfortable Sleep Mask & Ear Plugs comes with a handy travel case. And boy does it work. Made to block out light, its so lightweight your sleepy recipient will not even feel it. Contoured, this mask creates room to open your eyes, yet still relax in darkness. Won’t smudge makeup either, which makes a quick power nap a distinct possibility!

AMAZON $PRICE

One Dozen Uni-Ball Jetstream RT Retractable Ballpoint Pens

The Uni-Ball Jetstream RT Medium Point Retractable Roller Ball Pen was voted best pen by The Wirecutter—the cutting edge site that rates and reviews all kinds of products for its millennial audience. Back to the pen: Unique hybrid ink offers the smoothness of a gel with the quick-drying properties of a ballpoint. Ideal for left-handers because the ink dries so fast, there’s little chance of smudging. Uni Super ink is specially formulated to become trapped in paper, helping prevent criminal check washing and other document alteration. Archival-quality, acid-free ink is fade- and water-resistant.

AMAZON $PRICE

Travel Laptop Backpack

Beautiful backpack for her device and all of its accessories. Lots of storage space and pockets. One separate laptop compartment holds 15.6 inch and smaller laptop. One spacious packing compartment roomy for daily necessities and tech electronics accessories. Front compartment with many pockets and key fob hook, makes everything organized and easy to find.

AMAZON $PRICE

Anker Portable Phone Charger

Massive Powerful 26800mAh Potable charger can charge most phones over 6 times, tablets at least 2 times, and any other USB device multiple times. Universal Compatible with iPhone, all Android smart phones (Phone 6/7/8/7plus/8plus/6plus/x/xs max/11/11 pro/12/12 pro max), tablets, mp3/mp4 players and other USB-charged devices. Make sure to apply the $3 coupon.

AMAZON $PRICE