Or anyone on your list, really.

Between college and post-grad work, there are certain products I’ve sworn by for the past 7 years. While the greatest gift of all would be student loan forgiveness, something a little more practical is probably what you’re thinking for your favorite college or graduate student. However, these products absolutely apply to anyone and everyone.

LAPTOP STAND

I wrote so many papers and lab reports from my bed in undergrad. No, it’s not good sleep hygiene, nor is it a great study habit, but my mattress was always easier on my back than those decades-old dorm desk chairs. A laptop stand (I’m not that fond of the ones that actually rest in your lap) lets me work from bed, or the couch, with ease. I’ve linked one similar to what I use here.

A smaller, desk-based laptop stand, is high up on my list this year. Now that I work more from my desk at home, having my laptop closer to eye level will reduce strain on my neck, and let me lift my laptop up enough to make a little more space on my desk.

BLUE LIGHT BLOCKING GLASSES

Whether it’s for research or for Netflix, we look at screens a lot. A cute pair of blue light reducing glasses will help to block some of that damaging light. I bought myself this pair from Quay Australia, and my boyfriend (a gamer and a chemist who looks at screens basically all day), has this pair from Amazon on his Christmas list.

SUBSCRIPTIONS

Spotify and Audible make for perfect subscriptions. Spotify offers a student discount, so getting your student a gift card towards either streaming service will help them get their account started. Audible also has a student discount, making it slightly more “I ate ramen 3 times this week”-budget friendly.

SELF-CARE

One of my all-time favorite elements in my skincare regimen is The Body Shop’s Bouncy Sleeping Mask. I first tried it in my junior year of college, during finals week when I was pulling all-nighters, eating the wrong things, and definitely not drinking enough water. Within a matter of days, my skin was glowing, looked so nourished and hydrated, and I received so many compliments on how youthful and healthy my skin looked as soon as I began incorporating it into my regimen! Add a cooling gel eye mask to the mix, and you’re set (these really help me when I get a migraine).

As for candles, we couldn’t light anything in our dorms, but I always kept an open, unlit candle next to my bed. My go to was the scent that we burn all the time in our house: this Illume candle in Whipped Cream and Pear. It reminded me of home, and kept my dorm room smelling great even without being lit or warmed. And while I haven’t personally tried them, I’ve heard great things about Homesick candles, and one would be perfect for anyone looking for a familiar scent of home.

Now that I moved back home, I pretty much only exclusively burn candles and wax melts from Walter & Rosie Candle Co (affiliate link, the shop will reopen in 2019). They fill my room and office with amazing, magical scents that remind me of the place where I’m most relaxed these days - Disney parks. Which sounds crazy because of the crowds, but it’s a familiar place where I can forget the craziness of my normal day-to-day for a while.

For some wonderful self-care apps, be sure to check out this article written by my wonderful college roommate!

PLANNER FOR THE NEW YEAR

I don’t know where I’d be without my planners. I haven’t ordered one for 2019 yet, and I feel unprepared already. While I used my phone’s calendar for everything as well, the actual act of writing something down in my planner makes me remember it that much more. Plus there’s something so satisfying about checking something off of your to-do list. Even if it’s something you wrote down just for the sake of checking it off, don’t lie, we all do it. In the past, I’ve used Lilly Pulitzer planners, Erin Condren planners, and I’m planning (sorry, I had to) on using a Day Designer for 2019.

P.S.: if you’re not looking for a gift, but want to get more organized yourself - try installing the Momentum extension for Google Chrome. It’s my absolute favorite!

A NEW WATCH

For the people who are late for everything, or just love having a cute (but functional) accessory! While I love my Apple Watch, sometimes having a watch that isn’t buzzing every 5 minutes with notifications or reminding me to stand up in the middle of a lecture is a wonderful thing. Check out MVMT Watches (affiliate link) for something stylish, functional, and perfect for anyone on your list.

I hope this helped you check something off your list (or add something last minute to your own)!

And if you’re looking for stocking stuffers, check out my last minute stocking stuffer guide!

Merrily,
Maya