Category / personal products

by Kelly Mattei

Holiday Gifts for College Students 2023

Holiday Gifts for College Students 2023.

We have a college student in our family, and she’s pretty easy to buy for at holiday season, mostly because she sends me a list of what she wants/needs. If you have a college student on your Christmas list, you can likely make him/her happy with some of the gifts listed below:

  • Jewelry Stand. College students need items to help keep those tiny rooms organized. A jewelry stand that helps organize necklaces, bracelets, and watches? They can all use it! Get it here. It comes in several colors. For rings? Get the hand-shaped ring holder here. It also comes in several colors.

  • Bronax Cloud Slides. College students like easy-to-use, comfy footwear. Fifteen colors! Slip on. Slip off. Get it here.

  • Samsonite Freeform Spinner Carry-on. I have mentioned this one before in another category (Travel Gifts), but every college student needs a good piece of luggage. They take weekend trips. They go home occasionally. Make it easy for them. Voted “Best Overall Spinner Carry-on” by Travel and Leisure Magazine, the Samsonite spinner is durable, nice looking, and inexpensive. It comes in lots of colors, so you can pick one that’s not just like everyone else’s, making it easy to identify in the overhead bin or in the jetway. Get it here.
  • Travel Bag with Trolley Sleeve. Also mentioned in my Travel Gifts piece. Since I listed the spinner luggage, I’m telling you about a companion piece…a travel bag with a trolley sleeve that sits atop the spinner and doesn’t fall, thanks to the sleeve that goes around the handle of the spinner. I have one, and I love it. Get one for less than $30 here, and pick your color out of several.
  • Hatch Restore 2 Alarm Clock. “No more jarring alarms.” That’s how Hatch markets this product that is a sunrise alarm clock. It’s supposed to support circadian rhythms. Sounds awesome to me! Any college student will love it! It also acts as a sound machine and helps lull the recipient to sleep; that’s what it says! The recipient can also sign up for a Hatch membership that offers meditations, sleep stories, and curated wind-down channels, if desired. This special clock is not cheap, but it gets fantastic reviews. Priced at $199. Get it here.

  • Lap Desk. There’s not much space in dorm rooms or college apartments, so a lap desk comes in handy. College students have been using them for decades; I even used one way back when I was in school! Now, they are new and improved, of course. The best I have found is from LapGear, and it’s priced right at under $40. See it here.

  • Portable Safe/Lock Box. College students get lots of visitors in dorms and apartments. If they have valuables they want to keep secure, this portable safe/lockbox can be a great gift! Even if they just want to lock up their cash or jewelry, this is perfect. With the included cable, they can attach it to a fixed object…like the closet hanging bar. It has a combination lock. Purchase here.

  • Lifestraw Products. I am a big believer in Lifestraw Products. They offer a variety of water-filtering products, including water bottles and pitchers that are great for college students. I have one of the water bottles I purchased when I traveled to Panamá earlier this year, and I love it. See all Lifestraw products here. See their latest filtering water bottles here. And if your college student likes to carry a favorite water cup/bottle, you can get them them the Lifestraw filtering water pitcher for filling the favorite cup/bottles here. Highly recommend.

  • Ugg Slippers. In winter, college students want to stay cozy, and dorm/apartment floors can be cold. My daughter loves her Ugg Coquette slippers. In fact, she likely wears them outside the dorm on occasion. See the women’s Coquette slipper here. Men seem to be a little more picky about their slippers. See the Ugg selection of men’s slippers here.

  • Nestl Reading Pillow. This goes hand-in-hand with the lapdesk we posted above. If they’re going to sit in bed to read or study, they’ll need a good reading pillow. This one gets great reviews. Purchase here.

  • Ninja Portable Blender. College students don’t want appliances that take up a lot of space. Their space is limited, so a portable blender is perfect for those days they want to make a smoothie! I hate seeing coffee shop charges on my credit card, so I told our daughter to get recipes for her favorite smoothies or coffee drinks. The Ninja portable blender is great. My husband uses one regularly. Get it here.
  • Portable Speaker. College students like their tunes. My daughter loves her JBL Flip 5 Portable Bluetooth Speaker. She uses it all the time. Priced at about $90, it provides a big bang for the buck. Everyone knows JBL quality is great. Get it here.

  • Board Games. Sounds silly, I know, but college students love distractions, and they especially love distractions that involve their friends. Yes, people still play board games…especially young people. Some of the old greats are still great. Yahtzee? Click here. Operation? Click here. Uno? Click here. Sorry? Click here. Pictionary? Click here. Scattergories (my personal fave)? Click here.

  • Basketball. Basketball hoops are everywhere on and near college campuses. However, if you don’t have a basketball, it’s a little difficult to start a pick-up game. Give the gift of fun and friendship: a basketball. Get it at Amazon here.

  • Bliss Lights Skylite Projector. College students are under a lot of stress, so they love anything that helps them relax. The Bliss Lights Skylite Projector will do just that! Get it at Amazon here.

  • Jonathan Adler Lollipop Holder. It’s gimmicky. It’s silly. However, friends will think it’s hilarious when they visit your college student, and they’ll love knowing they can grab a lollipop any time! We keep our daughter’s stocked with Tootsie Pops. Get it here.

  • Taco Tuesday Essentials. College students living in apartments love to host friends for Taco Tuesday. Amazon has lots of fun stuff just for that! Your college student will be the host with the most! See a great Taco Tuesday set here. It serves four, but you can purchase more pieces at the link.

Hoping you found some great ideas for the college student on your list. We will likely publish another list for college students in the coming weeks, so stay tuned!

Happy Holiday Shopping!

by Kelly Mattei

Stay Cool

Stay cool.

With temps all over the country at or above triple digits, staying cool is a priority these days…and it’s not easy. Last weekend, I went to Sorority Bid Day at the University of Alabama with a friend, and we both declared it to be as hot as the surface of the sun. Every year, we declare it to be the last year, but somehow, we keep going.

Next year, though, we will be more prepared, because I have done some research on staying cool. I’m also preparing for a couple of warm (hot) vacations, so I’m going to be prepared. You can spend your time doing your own research, or you can just listen to what I say here, because I’m going to share some products I have found that could save you from suffering from heat stroke:

  • Neck fans. I purchased a couple at Amazon recently, and they seem to work pretty well! My husband and I will be taking them to south Florida with us soon, and my cousin and I will use them when we got to Panama in October. It’s always hot near the Panama Canal, but we will be prepared. See these rechargeable neck fans here.
  • Cooling scarf. Yes, I will do anything to try to stay cool, and wearing a cooling scarf is definitely on my agenda! They’re cute and colorful, and they help you stay cool! Purchase here.
  • Be Koool Active Cooling Patch. This one is easy…an adhesive patch to wear during moderate activity, to help keep you cool. Priced under $7, it’s also Prime eligible, so you get free shipping, if you’re an Amazon Prime member. Offering about 4 hours of relief, I’ll be taking a few of these on trips with me. I purchased 20, so my family has them when we need them. Purchase here.
  • Gatsby Cooling wipes. Sometimes, when it’s crazy hot, you just want to “freshen up.” Well, Gatsby Cooling Wipes freshen you up and help cool you off! I’ve used them, and they’re awesome! Take them with you on the go! There are other brands out there, but this is the brand I prefer. Purchase here.
  • Drip Drop Hydration Packets. I carry these everywhere I go. They are great for keeping you hydrated, and they work great for hangovers and illness recovery too. In these crazy temps, it’s important to stay hydrated. There are other brands, but Drip Drop is my favorite, because I think their flavors are better. Purchase on Amazon here.
  • Yeti Insulated Cup. Add some ice, water, and Drip Drop to this insulated cup, and you’re set to move around in crazy temps. For the 26 oz cup with chug top, click here. Or to see other Yeti offerings, click here.
  • Countertop Nugget Ice Machine. Like nugget ice? Keep your drinks cool by making your own nugget ice at home with countertop nugget ice machine! The one from Antarctic Star can be purchased for as low as $159.99 for a light blue color…going up for other colors. Purchase here.
  • Misting fan from O2 Cool. I love this brand. They make my very favorite travel fan, which I will mention below. But for now, it’s all about the portable misting fan. These are a little big, but they’ll fit in a small backpack when you’re at a sporting event, riding a bike, going for hike, or touring a city. Now, get two for under $25 at Amazon! Purchase here.
  • O2 Cool fans. I have used an O2 Cool travel fan for years. I take it anytime I travel and set it up on my nightstand. It’s small but mighty, and you’ll be surprised how much it helps at night when you’re trying to sleep! I sleep with a fan in my room at home, but it’s too big for travel. The O2 Cool travel fan is perfect. Purchase here. O2 Cool also makes a necklace fan they sell in packs of four. This is not one I have tried, but I have ordered it. I expect great things, simply because I love the O2 Cool products. Purchase here.
  • Cooling Bedding. And if you need help staying cool while you sleep, there’s Rest Brand, which makes Evercool comforters and sheets. The comforters and sheets are made to dissipate heat 10X faster than cotton sheets and comforters. They’re not inexpensive, but hey…if you’re sweating at night, they could be the answer. Priced at $199 per twin comforter/$239 for queen/$279 for king. Sheet sets start at $199 for full/$209 for queen/$219 for king/$239 for California King. Like I said, not inexpensive, but they will be worth it for lots of folks. See comforters here. And sheet sets here.
  • Inflatable Pool. There are lots of inflatable pools out there…some smaller, some larger. The one I’m recommending is on the larger size and seems to be more durable. If you don’t have a pool in your yard, an inflatable pool can be the answer for cooling off! See one from Sun Club Inflatable Pools here.

It’s crazy hot out there, people! Stay cool!

by Kelly Mattei

Buy Personal Items on Prime Day

Buy personal items on Prime Day!

Lots of people don’t think about purchasing personal items on Amazon, but I do, and there are some great deals to be had. Here are some ideas:

  • Deodorant/anti-perspirant. Just go look. I’m not kidding…lots of deals to be had! You know you’re going to be using deodorant every day of your life! Get it while the prices are hot! Lots of different brands are offered! Check them out here. My personal favorite is 30% off here.
  • Sunscreen. If you’re like me, you’ll be using sunscreen every day, but you hate paying for it, so stock up while the prices are better! Amazon has some great Prime Day deals on sunscreens…even Sun Bum and Neutrogena. See them here.
  • Toothpaste. There are some great deals on toothpaste, something you are always going to use. See them here.
  • Blood pressure monitors. Stay on top of your heart health by having a blood pressure monitor at home. I have one and use it every day. Lots are on sale here.
  • Flonase Nasal Spray. Y’all know how expensive this is. When I was stocking my daughter’s medicine box for college last year, I rang up quite a bill! Get this while it’s priced about 20% off! Today only! Get it here. Or if you’re OK with the Amazon brand, it’s a little less here.
  • Ibuprofen. 500-count Ibuprofen tablets for under $9?!?! Yes, please! Get them here.
  • Acetaminophen. 500-count Acetaminophen tablets for under $12? You don’t have to tell me twice! Get them here.
  • L’Oreal Telescopic Mascara. My daughter made me try this. I don’t usually like drugstore brand mascaras, but I love this one! It doesn’t smear, and it dries…doesn’t feel sticky. I just ordered four of them. Regularly about $13, they’re under $8 today only! Get it here.
  • It Cosmetics. I love their Your Skin But Better foundation, and I love their makeup brushes too! In fact, I love lots of their products. They are all discounted on Prime Day today only! Get them here.
  • Ugg Fluffette Slippers. My daughter wears hers all the time. She’s getting a new pair to take to college but doesn’t know it…shhh! I just paid under $80 for them, and they’re normally about $110. See them here.

***I’ll publish more deals later!***