36 Affordable Stocking Stuffers That College Guys Really Want

It can be hard to find affordable stocking stuffers for college guys–trust me, I know since I am a mom of two college-age boys. So I thought I would help you and me out by finding and sharing great inexpensive Christmas gift ideas for college guys –all which are small enough to fit in a Christmas stocking.

36 Affordable Stocking Stuffers That College Guys Really Want

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Stocking Stuffer Gift Ideas For The College Guy Who Loves Electronics

1. Earbuds

My college boys go through earbuds like an infant goes through diapers. Because of this, a pair of earbuds are always appreciated in their Christmas stockings. I usually purchase these as they are inexpensive and last well, but if your college guy needs wireless headphones, these have good ratings and are not a bad price.

2. Super Long Charging Cord

A common sight around our home is a college boy attached to a phone connected to a short phone charging cord attached to an extension cord, which is attached to the wall socket. Eliminate the middle man and put this set of charging cords that includes a 10-foot charging cord in your college guys stocking.

3. Car Phone Mount

Car phone mounts are super handy and yet never seem to last long, which makes them an excellent stocking stuffer. Here is one that can be mounted on the dash or attached to the air vent.

4. Tile Mate

I help both of my college boys find their keys at least once a week, so really this gift would be for both them and me. A Tile Mate works along with an app to help you find not just your keys but any item you can attach the tiny square tile mate too. You can buy a pack of one, but they do get cheaper when you buy multiples and almost anyone would appreciate this gift, so it would not be hard to think of more people on your Christmas gift list who would like one.

5. Smart Lightbulb

College guys are lazy, so a lightbulb that can be turned off and on by Alexa, Siri, or Google would make a great gift. It would mean they never have to leave the comfort of their bed to turn off the light.

6. USB Flash Drive

College guys are not the greatest at removing things from their pockets before washing clothes, so USB flash drives get ruined relatively often. Plain, no-frills USB flash drives like this one are very inexpensive, making them great stocking stuffers. However, if you don’t mind spending just a few more dollars, you can get one that matches your guy’s personality, like this one that is shaped like a video game controller.

Stocking Stuffer Gift Ideas For The College Guy Who Loves Creating Music

7. Harmonica

For a small price, you can get a harmonica that is more than just a toy–it is a real instrument.

8. Kazoo

A Kazoo is another inexpensive musical instrument that the musically talented college guy on your gift list can take out of his pocket and create music with.

9. Guitar Pick

If your college guy plays the guitar, a few new guitar picks could make a great stocking stuffer.

Stocking Stuffer Gift Ideas For The College Guy Who Loves To Look His Best

10. Hair Product

There are a lot of college guys who care about their hair as much as college girls do. Others are really into their facial hair. If the guy on your list is like that here are a few hair products to stick in their stocking:

11. Nail Grooming Tools

Even if all they do is trim their nails now and again, the college guy on your list will appreciate this set of black, stainless steel nail trimmers and file that comes in a masculine looking leather case.

12. Lip Balm

They do make lip balm with a more manly twist to it; after all–winter is hard on everyone’s lips. Of course, most men would also be okay with this gender-neutral brand that is slightly less expensive.

13. Body Spray

Body spray may be a classic stocking stuffer, but the college crowd always appreciates it.

Stocking Stuffer Gift Ideas For The College Guy Who Loves Food

14. Snacks

You could either buy a selection of their favorite snacks or splurge on this large variety box of snacks.

15. Reusable Containers

Foodies have to prepare their food in something, so why not fill their stocking with items such as colorful beeswax food wraps or a set of stainless steel cups for snacks and beverages.

Stocking Stuffer Gift Ideas For The College Guy Who Loves Clothing & Accessories

16. A Bracelet

I have seen quite a few college-age guys wearing this style of bracelet. I have also seen them wearing these beaded bracelets in various styles.

17. Socks With Attitude

Does the guy you are buying for love eggs and bacon? Then these socks are for him. Is he more of a donuts guy? There are socks for him too!

18. A T-Shirt That Expresses Their Personality

College guys love t-shirts and they love those that express something about themselves all the more. Got a taco lover on your list? Here is a t-shirt for him.

19. Key Chain With Style And Function

Not only does this key chain look like batman’s cape and mask, but it also wraps around the keys, which keeps them from jingling and scratching items in the bag or pocket your college guy puts them in. Or perhaps your college guy would prefer something a little more minimal like this keychain that allows him to hook his keys to whatever he wants so they don’t go missing as often.

20. Lanyard

With the increasing volume of ID cards needed in this current world for work and school, a lanyard can make a great stocking stuffer for just about anyone, including a college guy.

21. Minimalist Wallet Or Phone Case That Holds Cards

Both my boys have made it clear to me that bifold wallets are a thing of the past. One son prefers a minimalist wallet like this one and the other prefers a phone case that has slots for his driver’s license and his bank card–this is the one he bought for his current iPhone.

Stocking Stuffer Gift Ideas For The College Guy Who Loves The Outdoors

22. Warm Carhartt Winter Hat

So I like watching hiking videos, and many of the hikers are in their mid-20s. Something I started noticing over and over is that all of them wear Carhartt winter hats. So I bought one and now I know why–they are super warm and long enough to keep your ears from getting cold. They come in a lot of different colors too.

23. Keychain sized multitool

This is so much more than a decorative keychain: it will help your guy fix his bike, cut string, tighten a loose screw, and much more.

24. Buff

In case you don’t know what a Buff is, it is a tube of lightweight stretchy material that can be worn in over a dozen different ways. The way you wear it depends on your preferences and the weather.

These are unisex items and backpackers love them as they are so lightweight and versatile, which makes them Christmas stocking-friendly as well.

25. Headlamp

Headlamps are super handy for outdoor types. They can use it for morning runs, camping, nighttime hiking, or whatever they get up to when the sun isn’t out. They also make an excellent gift for those who love to read in bed. This 2-pack is inexpensive and allows them to keep one handy at all times.

26. Portable Charger

I bought all my kids one of these Anker portable chargers years ago, and they are still going strong. This little charger will allow your outdoor enthusiasts to charge their phones out in the woods one and a half times (at least it does for my iPhone).

27. Hammock

Go to any college campus and head over to a wooded area and I can almost guarantee you that you are going to find hammocks attached to every tree and a college kid inside it. This hammock can hold up to 400 pounds and squishes into a small carrying bag.

Stocking Stuffer Gift Ideas For The College Guy Who Loves To Read

28. Magazine Subscription (learn how to get them for free)

Whatever your bookworm college guy is into, there is probably a magazine that covers it. I get my magazines for free and you can too. Recyclebank is a rewards program that gives you points for learning about environmentally friendly practices. The points add up quickly and it doesn’t take long to earn enough to cash out for a magazine subscription. They offer a wide variety, including Backpacker, Car and Driver, Bicycling, Golf, Runner’s World, and even Sports Illustrated.

When you earn enough points for the magazine subscription you think your college guy would like, you can check the “it’s a gift” box during check out and have it sent directly to them. They won’t know you got it for free, although you really did earn it by taking the time to learn about how you can help the environment.

Go here to sign up for Recyclebank

29. Magnetic Bookmark

Help your bookworm avoid the frustration of a lost page in his book by giving him a set of Marvel themed magnetic bookmarks that will stay put in his book.

30. Rechargeable Neck Hugging Reading Light

Book lights that clip to your book are annoying as they require you to open the clip to flip the page continually. However, a neck hugging reading light stays around your neck, allowing your bookworm to keep both his hands free to hold his book as he reads as late as he wants without disturbing his roommate.

Stocking Stuffer Gift Ideas For The College Guy Who Can’t Sit Still

31. Silly Putty

Having something to fidget with can help some college students concentrate and therefore retain more of the information they are studying. Silly Putty is an excellent gift for fidget studiers.

32. Stress Ball

Stress balls are another superb fidget toy. This set of emoji stress balls could be given as one gift or split up and given to several people on your Christmas list.

33. Hacky Sack

One of my college kids studies best when he is kicking a soccer ball around with his feet–things would be a lot quieter if he would choose to take up kicking around a hacky sack instead. Perhaps I should put this set of 3 hacky sacks in his Christmas stocking.

34. Hand Grip Strengthener

If you have a college guy who loves to fiddle while he studies, but he thinks stress balls and silly putty are below him, gift him a hand grip strengthener.

Stocking Stuffer Gift Ideas For The College Guy Who Loves Games

35. Playing Cards

A classic stocking stuffer for those that like games is a deck of cards. They probably already have one, but getting another one is always a welcomed gift as over time they do get worn out.

36. Rubik’s Cube

Fact: I am old enough to remember when Rubik’s cubes first became popular, and I am excited to see that they are making a come back with the college crowd. The classic Rubik’s Cube makes a great stocking stuffer for a college guy who loves games.