The BEST Gifts For College Students

Wondering what to get the college students in your life? This year, get them something they actually want -- and might actually use.

Below, check out our top picks for student gifts this holiday season, as well as some suggestions offered by HuffPost readers.

Did we leave out something you'd kill for? Let us know in the comments section!

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• Single-serve coffee maker

  Although these <a href="http://www.greenmountaincoffee.com/compare-keurig-brewers.aspx?ck=1&cm_mmc=Google-_-single-cup%20brewer-_-keurig-_-keurig&crcat=single-cup%20brewer~keurig&crsource=adwords&crkw=keurig&crcampaign=6496587313&ordergroup=WPPC&useid=SINGLE-CUP%20BREWER&gclid=CNGP1rCJ4KUCFUbf4AodcSs9zQ" target="_hplink">caffeine dispensers</a> are a bit pricey, they may prove to be a bargain if they replace multiple runs to a local coffee shop.

• Scanner pen

  These nifty devices scans printed text and transfers it to your laptop, and are perfect for those who like to take copious notes. <a href="http://www.irislink.com/c2-1692-189/IRISPen-6--Overview.aspx?adwp=GGS-IP-US&gclid=CMv35PaH4KUCFQo75QodMBsJ1g" target="_hplink">IRIS</a> offers a number of products, as does<a href="http://www.cpen.com/" target="_hplink"> C-Pen</a>.

• Portable speakers

  Speakers are a must for music lovers -- especially to those who listen on their laptops. And because they come in a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=portable+speakers&x=0&y=0" target="_hplink">variety</a> of designs, sizes and prices, it's easy to find a set that makes sense for you.

• Netflix

  For those students who don't have TV (i.e. most students) <a href="http://www.netflix.com/" target="_hplink">Netflix</a> instant watch is pretty much a godsend.

• Backpack

  If you're going to lug half the library home with you, might as well do it in style.

• Elliptical

  Reader submission

• Job

  Reader submission

• Laptop

  Reader submission

• Tenure

  Reader submission

• "A" on finals

  Reader submission

• Money

  Reader submission

• For "college campuses to reflect the true marketplaces of ideas they were meant to be"

  Reader submission

• Final Cut Pro

  Reader submission

Comments

[JackiChan]

08:11 AM on 01/02/2011

How did they forget the $1,000 gift card to Barnes and Noble?

Don't ever give a college student cash.

[Nopinky]

08:47 PM on 12/29/2010

a roommate on a minimum 24-hour shower cycle?

[MikeyMike]

12:21 AM on 12/22/2010

Rent money or a grocery store gift card is more useful for the truly starving student.

[kaw5234]

04:22 PM on 12/19/2010

hmmm best gifts ever... tuition paid for, roof over my head, and food on the table~

[veritas88]

01:03 PM on 12/15/2010

That scanner pen looks really interesting. I just might buy one. Also, I'd prefer a spin bike to an elliptical, it takes up much less space.

[Acert]

10:13 PM on 12/14/2010

There's generally no need for the elliptical machines; most universities provide students with free gym-access.

[Nora Allen]

07:33 PM on 12/14/2010

Having my room the way I left it when I left- and allowing me to spend time with friends from home I haven't seen. And time with family is valuable as well (we may not admit it, but it's true).

[gratefulpezhead]

04:43 PM on 12/14/2010

How about a good outlook and a positive attitude.

[spotswood320]

12:27 AM on 12/13/2010

Sleep.

[SangZe]

07:21 PM on 12/12/2010

A trunkful of money.

[SteveDenver]

02:02 PM on 12/12/2010

The best gift I received while I was in college was two months rent. My second-best gift was a $100 gift card to the gas station. Stop loading young people with tomorrow's trash and teach living skills through truly useful gifts.

[Eve PurvisAllen]

01:18 PM on 12/12/2010

Come on HuffPo...E-Readers are a very hot and great gift. I have three children who are going to medical school (BioPharm, Bio-Engineering and Pediactrics) whose books are tons of money...A lot of publishers are publishing in EReader format. This cuts the price of typical text books in half. Not all books are available on E-Readers (format), so the Cpen is a good buy. I will be buying each of my children a Nook and CPen for Christmas...The CPen is being sold on Amazon for about $130 dollars.

[Vismortis]

03:25 PM on 12/22/2010

I thought that would be a great idea untill i looked into it a bit. It is still hard to find assigned text books in digitial format.

[GrownupStewie]

04:02 AM on 12/12/2010

at my school the number one "best gift" would be an adderall prescription....

[themainpoint]

12:20 PM on 12/11/2010

Maybe add parental involvement in government policy so that these students have some sort of future.

[SteveDenver]

02:03 PM on 12/12/2010

Excellent! Perhaps "family" involvement so uninvolved college-age people will pay attention.

[themainpoint]

04:45 PM on 12/12/2010

Even Better. Great point!

[belle27]

10:46 PM on 12/10/2010

Wow. That was pretty lame as I was ACTUALLY looking for gift ideas for a college student and about half of these (like "job") are jokes. Thanks. Very helpful.

[veritas88]

01:04 PM on 12/15/2010

How are any of these jokes? You could actually help a college student get a job if you had some helpful contacts, for instance.