When it comes to getting the best gifts for phd students, it’s all about understanding their lifestyle and needs, and showing that you care.
Because at the end of the day, we all want to feel seen.
So your gift should show that you get that the PhD life is a real struggle. It should show you nod to the hard work and dedication that PhDs put into their studies.
With that in mind, below is a quick list of 35 gift ideas to show a doctoral student that you’re super proud of them and their journey.
What we’ll cover today
- 35 gift ideas for PhD students
- Why you should give gifts to PhD students
- A breakdown of our top 10 gifts for PhD students
- Conclusion on gifts for PhD students
List of 35 gift ideas for PhD students
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Portable laptop
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A weighted blanket
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Quality headphones
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Wireless printer
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Desk organizers
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Noise-canceling headphones
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Phone stand
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Coffee maker / doctor mug
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High-end laptop bag
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Mini projector with laser pointer
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Bluetooth speaker
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Smart watch
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Adult coloring books
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High-end or stylish pen set
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Ergonomic chair
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Monitor arm mount
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Standing desk converter
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A personalized mechanical pencil
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Digital alarm clock
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Laptop cooler pad
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A bottle of wine
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Fitbit Activity Tracker
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Power bank
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Rechargeable LED light
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Customized mug
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Home office setup (e.g. laptop tables)
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Area rug
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Customized bowl
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Comfortable shoes
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A key chain with “phd loading”
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Memory foam pillow
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Garden gnome
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Customized armband
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Personal chef service
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Customized backpack.
Why should you give gifts to PhD students?
1. To show appreciation for their hard work and dedication to their studies.
Showing appreciation is one of the best things you can do! A few simple gestures can make an incredible difference in the graduate student’s journey. Whether it’s a small reward for a job well done, or a special outing for reaching a certain academic milestone, taking the extra time to give a very thoughtful gift goes a long way.
2. To remind them they’ve got support and encouragement from family and friends.
A lot of times, it’s hard for grad students to remember that they are not alone in their struggles during their PhD program. A gift is a simple reminder of the support and encouragement from a family member or friend, and it can be a huge help in times of hardship.
3. To encourage taking time to relax and enjoy life, despite the rigors of pursuing a doctoral degree.
Pursuing a doctoral degree is no easy feat! The workload is often heavy and the expectations can be high. But it’s important to take the time to practice self care, relax and enjoy life too. And your gift could be a nice reminder to step away and come back. For example, a gift card to a spa, a gift card to a favorite restaurant. Little breaks like these can help PhDs become energized and motivated to continue their doctorate with confidence and enthusiasm.
4. To express admiration for their commitment to making a difference in their field.
It’s no secret that a PhD graduate is one of the most committed humans in the world. They spend years of their life researching and writing, pushing themselves to new levels of excellence. The road to a doctorate is long and can be filled with frustration and struggle, so it’s important to recognize their commitment when you can. A thoughtful and good gift is a great way to do this. Whether it’s a personalized item or something that relates to their research, a great gift option can show your appreciation for their hard work in a tangible way. They may even appreciate the gesture more than you think! Showing your support for their commitment to learning and knowledge is something that will stay with them for years to come. So, if you know any PhD students, don’t hesitate to give them a gift – they deserve it!
A breakdown of our top 10 phd gifts
1. A Coffee Mug
If you are looking to purchase a nice gift for a PhD student, consider this practical and stylish choice. This phd mug will not only enhance their daily cup of joe but also make them smile with pride as well whenever they down their coffee.
Not only is this a great phd student gift for any coffee lover, but it can also be customized with any monogram or inscription of your choice.
You can aim for something funny (“this mug is your daily reminder to write your paper“) or something snarky (“okay doc, who can you really treat?“). The more you tailor it to their personality, the better.
And every time they refill their mug it’ll also come with a subtle reminder that someone out there cares.
2. A Pint Glass as a gift for phd students
For graduating PhDs, a pint glass of their favorite beverage is a nice way to celebrate their special occasion in life and toast to a successful time in graduate school.
Whether they are enjoying a cold beer or something stronger, this unique gift will let them know that you are behind them every step of the way.
I also like this one a lot as a gift for current PhDs because researchers bond a lot over beer:
- Drink
- Complain of research
- Make fun of each other
- Repeat
- You can add to this journey by giving them a pint glass.
3. A Mini-Fridge
This one’s solid for phd graduation gifts but the cost might be a little out of budget. But if you can afford it, it’s high up there as the right gift for grad school.
Lots of options exist, ranging from simple to elaborate designs with multiple compartments.
The size of a mini-fridge can vary from one that can fit into an office space or small dorm room to one large enough to accommodate an entire household’s groceries. In any case, it should provide just enough space so that it doesn’t become an obstacle when lugging it around wherever the student goes!
You already know with this gift you’ll be on their mind.
4. A weighted blanket
The winter months can be unpredictable. And on many college campuses, it catches students in their first year by surprise.
This is what makes a comfy, cozy blanket an essential item for any PhD! Blankets are not only practical; they can also prove to be a real lifesaver when it gets seriously wicked cold.
If you have a beloved PhD student who is residing in an off-campus dwelling, consider providing them with their very own cozy nest. With the right materials and much time on hand, constructing a makeshift igloo could be just the ticket!
Examples of some unique blankets:
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Faux Fur Throw Blanket
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Knitted Throw Blanket
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Sherpa Throw Blanket
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Plush Microfiber Throw Blanket
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Flannel Fleece Throw Blanket
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Velvet Plush Throw Blanket
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Cotton Woven Throw Blanket
One of these unique blankets can make a thoughtful offering at any time of year.
5. A Bookshelf for Books
Like any curious, avid learner, the PhD student you know may acquire a number of books along the way that they might like to add to their collection.
If they do, consider gifting them some extra space!
Consider adding shelves to their library and housing expertly curated books on diverse subjects in one place — after all, having well arranged books nearby is not only helpful for studying, it can also serve as a conversation starter when visitors see them.
6. Gift Cards to Local Cafes and Restaurants
This is the perfect gift for any PhD student who has a favorite spot!
Not only does this gift let them choose what they want, but it also lets them know that you’re really thinking of them!
If your PhD student regularly frequents a particular establishment, treat them with a voucher that they can redeem at any establishment of choice. Or you could purchase a gift card that they may use freely on their choosing!
Here’s a list of gift card ideas
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Starbucks Gift Card
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Amazon Gift Card
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Chipotle Gift Card
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Dunkin’ Donuts Gift Card
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Olive Garden Gift Card
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Burger King Gift Card
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Panda Express Gift Card
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Thai Basil Gift Card
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Domino’s Pizza Gift Card
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Wingstop Gift Card
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P.F. Chang’s China Bistro Gift Card
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Red Lobster Gift Card
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Applebee’s Gift Card
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IHOP Gift Card
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Outback Steakhouse GiftCard
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TGI Friday’s Gift Card
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Olive Garden Italian Kitchen gift card
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Longhorn Steakhouse gift card
7. Smart Phone Accessories
No matter what phone you have, it’s hard not to want accessories to make your phone more convenient to use.
The same thing applies to PhDs.
From screen protectors and car chargers to speaker docks and protective cases, the market is flooded with options when it comes to accessing or enhancing one’s smartphone experience!
You can always look on Amazon or BestBuy for inspiration on things to buy.
8. Custom-engraved awards for PhD Students
Customized gifts are a great way to commemorate valuable educational milestones and serve as keepsakes that will be cherished for years to come.
And they’re perfect both for current students and those who have recently graduated.
There are many options available to choose from that are designed to honor the achievement of a PhD degree. Consider giving:
a custom-made diploma frame for them to show off their degree in style; or a customized pen set to write the next chapter of their educational journey. Cards adorned with their name or images portraying them as a scholar that takes pride in their learning.
Customized mementos can be made into thoughtful presents for grads.
9. A Customized Journal
If your PhD student loves to write, then this is the perfect gift for them!
Not only will they have plenty of space to jot down their thoughts and ideas, but they’ll also be able to do so in a beautiful journal that’s uniquely theirs.
There are countless options when it comes to customized journals, so take your time browsing through different retailers and online stores to find the perfect one for your loved one.
Example of customized journal to choose:
This unique journal is a great tool that creates a safe space to track and document their growth, both academically and emotionally (e.g. documenting the journey as a phd candidate in the united states defending their work in order to graduate into doctoral candidacy)
The journal features a customizable cover page with the recipient’s name, a leather-bound cover, and 80 pages of high-quality paper.
The pages include prompts, activities, and questions that encourage self-reflection and mindful planning. If you’re looking to get fancy, you can personalize the journal with inspirational quotes and custom illustrations or custom illustrations that you believe your PhD gift recipient would love.
It’s a pocket-sized notebook that comes with 48 pages of graph paper which is perfect for recording observations and equations.
Think of it as a must-have for any scholar needing to keep track of research and data.
The cover of the Field Notes Notebook is made from thick, durable material and the binding ensures your notes stay organized and secure. The notebook also features a unique page marker system which allows you to easily access important notes in seconds.
With its classic design and scholarly recognition, it could also make your PhD scholar appear more professional and organized when conducting research in the field; or when studying in the classroom.
Overall, my favorite part is the size of it.
I’m a big fan of portable items and the fact that this is small enough to fit in a pocket or bag, and follow you wherever you go, is pretty awesome!
Journaling can be a great way to relieve stress and get your thoughts down on paper. But sometimes, the whole thing takes too long and over time starts to feel like work instead of something fun and reflective.
This is where the 5-minute journal shines.
And for PhDs with lots of things to accomplish, having a time-saving tool is a life saver.
This simple tool allows one to keep track of their thoughts and emotions in a short amount of time—just five minutes a day. It’s based on positive psychology research, which suggests that gratitude is one of the most effective ways to increase overall happiness and well-being. Once you get started, it’s easy to maintain the habit.
How the 5-minute journal works:
- Spend just five minutes each day writing down three things you’re grateful for
- Three things that would make today great.
- Then, at the end of the day, reflect on three amazing moments from the day and what you could have done better.
Doing this simple exercise every day helps reset your mindset and cultivate a positive attitude. It also helps give you perspective on the little things that bring joy to your life—like a cup of coffee or a funny conversation with a friend.
So, if you’re looking for an easy way to boost the mood and focus of a PhD student on a daily basis, give the 5-Minute Journal a try.
You just might be surprised at how quickly it becomes part of doctoral buddy’s daily routine!
10. Noise-canceling headphones as a gift for PhD students
A good pair of headphones with noise-canceling technology can be a real lifesaver for many PhD students who are juggling multiple tasks at once. They can even help PhD students to block out the background noise of their home or office environment, allowing them to focus on their studies without any interruptions.
One of my favorite reasons for grabbing noise-canceling headphones is to tune out noise from roommates or lab mates that make students procrastinate or if you want to help the PhD student build solid time management tips.
Noise-canceling headphones are comfortable to wear and come in a variety of styles and colors to suit any taste. It can get quite pricy but overall it’s a thoughtful and practical gift that any PhD student would greatly appreciate.
Here’s a list of 10 noise-canceling headphones to choose from:
Conclusion on gifts for PhD students
Pursuing a PhD is a huge goal so gifts for PhD students should reflect that.
The best way to give them something special is to commemorate the big journey! Whether you’re looking for a practical item or something more sentimental, there are plenty of awesome options out there.
The possibilities are endless, so have fun and get creative!
And of course, congratulations on having someone that special to gift. Best wishes for their future endeavors!
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