The official student newspaper of Vanderbilt University

The Vanderbilt Hustler

The official student newspaper of Vanderbilt University.
Since 1888
The official student newspaper of Vanderbilt University

The Vanderbilt Hustler

The official student newspaper of Vanderbilt University.
The official student newspaper of Vanderbilt University

The Vanderbilt Hustler

The official student newspaper of Vanderbilt University.

What to put on your holiday wishlist based on where you spend time on campus

Whether you prefer giving or receiving, this Vandy-themed gift guide is perfectly curated for all of your gifting needs.
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Lexie Perez
Graphic depicting gifts and falling snow at Central Library. (Hustler Multimedia/Lexie Perez)

Whether you’re a Peabody scholar who finds joy in a good campus coffee shop crawl or an engineering student who finds it difficult to get out of bed in the morning for an absurd amount of 8 a.m. classes, I’ve compiled the ultimate list of items for you to request for the holidays this year! Prices included are as of the time of publishing and exclude shipping or additional charges.

For the homebodies who find themselves rarely leaving their dorm rooms:

The UGG Tasman slippers ($110) are the shoes of the season for both men and women without the time to lace up tennis shoes when wanting to brush their teeth or visit the laundry room. More ideas along this theme include a Beetles Gel Nail Polish Kit ($36+) for individuals wanting a manicure but not wanting to visit a salon. Do you want to host a movie night in your dorm? Check out this Mini Portable Projector ($70) and Micro-Pop Microwave Popcorn Popper ($20). If one serving of popcorn is simply not enough, this Snack Ring for Cup ($16) attaches perfectly onto any tumbler for ultimate snacking. For a non-movie-watcher who still enjoys lounging on their lofted bed over all else, the Amazon Echo Pop ($40) is the newest Alexa model that can serve not only as a speaking smart device but also as a companion. Along similar lines, a Weighted Blanket ($60) or Sleep Mask ($34) would provide the perfect hug for introverts in need of physical comfort, as would a Warmies Stuffed Animal ($30) to pop in the microwave as the temperatures decline. Lastly, Crayola Colored Pencils ($6) would pair nicely with a Nashville Coloring Book ($16) to get to know the city from the safety and soundness of your dorm room.

For the guys and gals on the go who are anywhere but their dorms:

The Owala FreeSip Water Bottle ($28+) is trending this year and for good reason. Staying hydrated is as important as ever when the air becomes dry, along with remaining active and braving the outdoors. A Carhartt Knit Cuffed Beanie ($20) is a must as well to keep ears warm through the nippy Nashville winter, along with some Ray-Ban Polarized Sunglasses ($171+) to beat that Southern sunshine even in the cold. The Lands’ End Canvas Tote Bag ($15) is the clutch of the year to toss all of these essentials into, and no must-have is complete without this Pinch Provisions Minimergency Kit ($21) for any daily problems. Technological tools that should make their way onto your holiday wishlist include an Anker Portable Charger ($22) and this PhoneSoap UV Sanitizer ($37) to both keep your phone powered up and avoid the spread of germs amidst flu season. An Apple AirTag ($27) is the last essential for people in movement, to keep track of all of their belongings and never have to utilize the “Lost and Found, Vandy!” chat again.

For the bookish individuals who make it habit to frequent the Suzie’s at Central:

Despite which campus coffee shop is your favorite to visit, a Blind Date with a Book ($18) is the perfect thing to bring along, especially when gifted or requested with a Custom Book Stamp ($10) or Embosser ($24+) to add a touch of personal flair. If physical books aren’t your style, a Kindle Paperwhite ($140) should be at the top of your list this year — and if you’re more of a writer than a reader, this Magnetic Poetry Kit ($22) or a Paper Source Stationary Set ($16+) should be right up your alley. For those seeking an exquisite espresso drink without wanting to wait in lines, an Instant 4-in-1 Milk Frother + Steamer ($35) is a necessity to replicate the iconic weekly lattes on your own time, and the Ember Temperature Control Smart Mug ($108) is perfect to keep these brews warm throughout the day.

For the sporty few who often brave the hike to the Rec Center: 

The JBL Go 3 Portable Waterproof Speaker ($30) is the ideal gift for any college athlete to request for the holidays this year, paired with a Massage Gun ($50) to unwind after these musical post-workout showers. If you’re looking for a fun alternative, asking for this Recess Pickleball Set ($160) or Yoga Dice ($49) would be fun, sporty activities for those on the move outside of practice. Bala Bangles ($55), versatile wearable weights, are another common wishlist item that can elevate any activity and can be taken to the many workout class locations near campus. Another popular item is the Lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag ($38) for an everyday multi-purpose pack to tuck essentials into. To take a break, this Vanderbilt Commodores Snack Helmet ($49) is perfect for athletes who also enjoy sitting back, relaxing and watching sports. A tennis, golf, baseball, cricket, rugby, soccer, basketball or football Jellycat Amuseable ($22+) is another cutesy and cuddly alternative to physical athletic equipment.

For the music-oriented who find themselves never leaving Ingram Hall:

Practical items to add to your harmonious wishlist this year include the PageFlip Butterfly Bluetooth Page Turner Pedal ($90), M-Audio Keystation 49es MK3 Keyboard Controller ($80), Logic Pro for Mac ($200) or simply men’s or women’s concert black button ups ($34+) to add to the collection. On the other hand, a Make Your Own Music Box Kit ($30) or Guitar Pick Punch ($22) would be whimsical playthings to express typical music outlets in unconventional ways. For the unlucky individuals who have the homework of composing symphonies at 11 p.m., this Twist Memory Foam Travel Pillow ($24) for the inevitable Blair couch naps and a Panera Unlimited Sip Club subscription ($12+) are great options in the meantime. If all else fails, this Crosley Voyager Vintage Portable Vinyl Record Player ($65) or perhaps Upcycled Record Coasters ($18) are classic gifts to show off undeniably well-crafted music taste.

For the unfortunate STEM students who lose track of time in Stevenson:

As seen across campus both in and out of the libraries, Apple AirPods Max ($480) are incredibly popular headphones with both noise canceling and transparency mode that serve as an ideal gift for any student needing to zone in for hours on end. These could be paired with a Heated Back Massager ($40) or this Magnet Ballpoint Fidget Pen ($17) for staying alert and attentive during long study sessions. Another technologically savvy thing to ask for for the holidays is the Rocketbook Core ($37) notebook, saving both the environment and various worries about the possibility of losing paper notes. If mathematically-brained and in need of a creative means, wishlist ideas include this Murder Mystery Jigsaw Puzzle ($19), this Smartphone-Controlled Paper Airplane ($60+) or Lego sets ($50+) including projects such as Tiny Plants, “The Office” or a Jazz Club. Last but certainly not least, a Sunrise ($109) or Runaway ($40) alarm clock is a must to be able to get up and do it all again the next day along with a “Jeopardy!” 2024 Day-to-Day Calendar ($16) for morning motivation.

To wrap things up and tie them with a bow, we hope this guide fulfills your gifting needs both on and off campus. Happiest of holidays from The Hustler!

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About the Contributors
Abby Hoelscher
Abby Hoelscher, Deputy Photography Director
Abby Hoelscher (‘27) is from St. Louis and is an aspiring elementary teacher currently studying in Peabody College. Outside of writing, she enjoys performing, learning Taylor Swift songs in American Sign Language and trying the seasonal lattes from the campus coffee shops. She can be reached at [email protected].
Lexie Perez
Lexie Perez, Graphics Director
Lexie Perez (‘26) is from Northern Virginia and is majoring in climate studies and human and organizational development and minoring in business in the College of Arts and Science. She enjoys listening to 70s and 80s pop music, doing the daily Wordle and rooting for the Nashville Predators and Cincinnati Bengals. She can be reached at [email protected].
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Comments (2)

The Vanderbilt Hustler welcomes and encourages readers to engage with content and express opinions through the comment sections on our website and social media platforms. The Hustler reserves the right to remove comments that contain vulgarity, hate speech, personal attacks or that appear to be spam, commercial promotion or impersonation. The comment sections are moderated by our Editor-in-Chief, Rachael Perrotta, and our Social Media Director, Chloe Postlewaite. You can reach them at [email protected] and [email protected].
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Katie Solomon
4 months ago

Thanks for the tips! Thoughtfully compiled and beautifully written!

G
George Albu
4 months ago

Just to add to this:

Not to joke about the crippling caffeine addictions of some but giving the gift of coffee is always welcome. That plus giving out chargers is a great gift (considering how often they can break). Plus giving out school supplies can be nice too.

Just to give praise, the idea of gifting AirTags is great, like considering how huge campus (and Nashville) in general is, plus to help fight bike theft.

Great article/gift list! 🙂