23 Gift Ideas for the Coolest Person on Your List

Joy Udoh
Joy Udoh
Joy Udoh is a sophomore at Columbia University majoring in English with minors in sociology and dance. She is originally from Atlanta, Georgia, and her love for writing started with a Wix blog in the eighth grade. After several rebrands, the blog lives on as a digital magazine…read more
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3 "cool girl" gift products on a graphic background
Credit: LeatherMyStudio via Etsy, Urban Outfitters, Hobonichi

When you have an effortlessly cool friend, buying a gift for them can be a little intimidating. Whether your bestie is always finding the cutest accessories, trying a new hobby, or putting you onto the latest trend, finding something that feels just as unique as they are can be a challenge. 

Luckily, the Dorm Therapy team has assembled a “cool girl” gift guide filled with quirky accessories, creative kits, and splurge-worthy finds that are equal parts stylish, thoughtful, and unexpected. Here are 23 gift ideas for the coolest person you know. 

What Is a “Cool Girl” Gift Guide?

First things first, being a “cool girl” is not gender-specific; it’s a state of mind. Think of the trendsetters in your life, like your sister, your bestie, your boyfriend, or your dorm neighbor. This gift guide is all about finding presents for the person who always seems to know about the niche brands before they’re super trendy, has a great eye for style, and appreciates the little things that make everyday life more fun. From small stocking stuffers to luxe finds worth the splurge, these are the gifts for the friend who’s so cool, they’re hard to shop for.

23 Gifts for the Coolest Person You Know

Gifts $25 and Under

From little luxuries to artistic finds and adorable accessories.

SunPrint Paper Kit
$21$1814% off

If you’re shopping for someone who loves a craft but already has several hobbies, this Sunprint kit is a fun pick. The kit uses light-sensitive paper to create photographic prints of whatever they place on top of it, from flowers and leaves to pieces of jewelry. Each kit comes with 12 sheets, so whoever you gift it to can experiment with different shapes and compositions. They can frame the finished prints, add them to a scrapbook, or use them to create cool cards, making this a thoughtful gift for anyone who wants versatile, one-of-a-kind art pieces.

$18 at Amazon
The Susan Alexandra Sticker Book
$25

For the friend whose water bottle, laptop, journal, and phone case are already covered in stickers, the Susan Alexandra Sticker Book is an especially good gift. Inspired by the designer's colorful, playful aesthetic, the book features more than 700 stickers across over 200 pages, including motifs like flowers, purses, food, and cute animals. It's a fun way to personalize everyday belongings without buying another accessory.

$25 at Amazon
Dieux x Fishwife Good Taste Forever Eye Masks
$25

These reusable silicone under-eye patches feature playful fish illustrations and come in a collectible tin inspired by Fishwife's signature tinned fish packaging. Unlike single-use patches, you can layer these cult-favorite Dieux patches over your favorite eye cream or serum to help lock in moisture, then wash and reuse them. They're a cute addition to a self-care routine, whether your “cool girl” is getting ready for a night out or winding down after a long day.

$25 at Fishwife
Rhode Peptide Lip Tint Nourishing Glaze
$20

A good lip product is always appreciated — especially one someone can use every day. Rhode's Peptide Lip Tint is a nourishing formula designed to hydrate lips. It combines a hint of color with a glossy finish, making it a nice option for someone who wants something a little more polished than a basic lip balm without committing to a full lipstick. With its sleek packaging and easy everyday appeal, it's a practical little luxury they’ll love.

$20 at Sephora
Sheer Socks
$10

Socks might not sound like the most exciting gift, but the right pair can completely change an outfit. Sheer socks add a little texture and personality to an otherwise simple look, whether they're peeking out of loafers, paired with ballet flats, or worn with sneakers and a higher hemline. This pack of six pairs features stripes, geometric prints, and polka dots, making them especially fun for that friend who likes experimenting with small styling details. They're also ideal when you're shopping for someone whose personal style you admire but you aren't quite sure what clothing size to buy.

$10 at Amazon
Button Mini Claw Set - Original
$24$19

For the friend who always has a hair clip within reach, this set of mini claw clips is a cute addition to their collection. The four clips are shaped like little buttons and come in a mix of colors and shapes, including a heart and a flower. The clips are less than an inch long, so they’re designed for smaller styling moments, like pinning back face-framing pieces, decorating braids, or creating mini space buns. You can also mix and match them for a playful look that feels more intentional than throwing your hair up with whatever scrunchie is nearby.

$19 at Ban.do
House Bag Charm
$15

Bag charms are an easy way to make a bag more personal, and this little house-shaped option is particularly charming. Designed like a colorful cottage, lace trim and tiny details give it a whimsical, almost storybook feel. It also has a zip closure, so it can hold small essentials like earbuds or other little items. Clip it onto a tote, backpack, or purse for a pop of color that feels a little more unexpected than the usual keychain. It's an especially sweet pick for someone who loves cozy details and accessories that tell a story.

$15 at Ban.do

Gifts Under $50

For the friend who appreciates a gadget or a great design (or both!).

KODAK CHARMERA Keychain Digital Camera
$35

Do you have someone in your life who's always documenting nights out, weekend trips, and random everyday moments? They'll love the Kodak Mini Charmera as a fun alternative to a phone camera. Its retro-inspired design gives it plenty of personality, while its compact size makes it super portable. It's a great gift for someone who enjoys the look of digital snapshots and collecting little gadgets — the perfect mix of cute and practical.

$35 at Amazon
Custom Leather Notebook Cover
$73$36

A personalized journal cover is a gift that shows someone you picked it out especially for them. (Note that this product doesn’t come with an actual journal, just the cover.) This leather option from Etsy comes in plenty of sizes and even fits on a regular notebook, so if your friend doesn’t have a journal yet, they can easily get started. The best part? Your friend will think of you each time they reach for their journal.

$36 at Etsy
Piecework Butter 1000-Piece Jigsaw Puzzle
$40

Piecework's butter-themed puzzle makes the puzzling experience a little more playful. The 1,000-piece design features a spread (get it?) of different butters, and the puzzle box is also trés chic, doubling as a nice coffee table (or desk) accent. This is a great gift for your friend who adores butter, or for anyone who loves having a project to work on while listening to a podcast, watching a comfort show, talking on the phone, or hanging out with friends. Once completed, the puzzle measures approximately 19.25 by 26.6 inches, making it a great piece of wall art if they decide to preserve their work!

$40 at Urban Outfitters
Native Union Retro Pop Phone
$40

This one's for your most nostalgic friend: a smartphone accessory that looks like an old-school telephone handset. It uses a USB-C cord to connect to compatible devices, making every phone call feel 10 times more fun. It’s also a unique piece of desk decor and can totally be a conversation starter when your friend has people over. The retro design makes it especially fitting for someone who appreciates the intersection of fashion, design, and tech.

$40 at Urban Outfitters
Hobonichi Techo 2027 Weeks
$40

For the person who loves a fresh notebook, a new calendar, and the feeling of getting organized, the Hobonichi Weeks planner is a thoughtful gift for the year ahead. Its compact weekly format makes it easy to carry in a tote or backpack, while still leaving space to keep track of appointments, deadlines, plans, and little notes. It's a nice middle ground for someone who wants more structure than a blank notebook but doesn't need a huge daily planner taking over their desk. The illustrated 2027 edition is also a reminder that a planner can be functional and personal at the same time.

$40 at Amazon

Gifts Under $100

More elevated — and useful — picks with plenty of personality.

DedCool Xtra Milk Eau de Parfum and Solid Fragrance Charm Gift Set
$96

The DedCool Xtra Milk set is a thoughtful way to make a fragrance lover’s scent routine a little more special. The set includes a full-size Xtra Milk Eau de Parfum alongside a travel-size and a solid fragrance charm, so they can keep their favorite scent close at home and on the go. The fragrance features notes of amber, bergamot, and white musk, creating a warm, clean scent profile for someone who prefers something subtle. It's great for someone who treats fragrance as part of their personal style.

$96 at Sephora
Signature Waffle Pouch
$78

A personalized pouch can be both cute and genuinely useful. This waffle weave pouch from Abbode is perfect for stashing makeup, serums, travel-size toiletries, or the miscellaneous items that tend to collect at the bottom of a tote. You can also personalize it for them by picking a color (there are a dozen options), an icon, and some text (up to 20 characters).

$78 at Abbode
Puffy Picnic Blanket
$72

The Baggu Puffy Picnic Blanket is a fun gift for the friend who always has plans when the weather is nice. The Storybook Floral print brings a playful touch to a practical outdoor essential, while the quilted design gives it a little more padding than a standard sheet or thin blanket. It rolls up and velcros into place, plus it has a carrying strap that makes it so easy to bring along for park hangs, beach days, outdoor concerts, or a picnic with friends. It's also machine washable, which is especially helpful for something that's bound to encounter grass, sand, and spilled drinks.

$72 at Baggu
SINGER M1000 Blue Mending Machine
$90$80

For the friend that’s always saving outfit inspiration, customizing their clothes, or talking about learning a new hobby, the Singer M1000 is a practical starting point. This compact, lightweight machine is designed for everyday mending and basic sewing projects, making it a good option for anyone who wants to get comfortable with the fundamentals of sewing (without taking up too much space in a dorm!). For the more advanced sewers in your life, the Brother CP100x, which I own and love, will allow them to use their sewing skills on a full-size machine with 100 stitches, an automatic needle threader, a removable quilting table, and a carrying case, making it the perfect gift for someone looking to upgrade their sewing setup.

$80 at Walmart
Emma Chamberlain Stainless Steel Mug & Button Saucer Set
$60

This stainless steel mug and saucer set from Emma Chamberlain's West Elm collection is such a sweet addition to a morning coffee or tea routine. Its polished metal finish gives it a modern look, while the button-inspired saucer keeps the set from feeling too serious. It's the kind of piece that looks just as good sitting on a desk as it does on a kitchen counter — perfect for someone who appreciates design as much as their first morning sip. Keep in mind that the set is hand-wash only, can't go in the microwave, and the metal can heat up when a hot beverage is poured in.

$60 at West Elm
Matcha Coloured Smiski Matcha Station
$74

If your coolest friend loves matcha and collecting tiny decorative figures, the Smiski Matcha Station brings both interests together in one adorable display. Inspired by the ritual of preparing matcha, this little collectible makes a fun addition to a desk, shelf, or coffee station. It's more unexpected than a tin of matcha or a standard mug, which is exactly what makes it feel special for someone who appreciates little objects with personality.

$74 at Etsy

Splurgey Gifts

Spoil them (complimentary) with something they’ll love for years to come.

Robe - Iced Chocolate
$129

A good robe can make an ordinary morning or evening feel a little more luxurious. Hommey's terry robe in Iced Chocolate features a striped design with rich brown and icy blue that’s trendier than a basic white bathrobe, while still being soft and functional. It's an easy layer to throw on after a shower, during a slow weekend morning, or while getting ready for a night out.

$129 at Hommey
Vida Pavé Ear Cuff
$195

For the friend who loves statement jewelry but doesn't necessarily want another piercing, the Demarson Vida Pavé Ear Cuff is a striking option. The gold-plated design features dimensional crystal detailing that creates the look of a stacked-ear arrangement in one piece. It has a hinged closure, so it’s easy to comfortably put on without squeezing your ear. Wear it alongside a full ear stack of jewelry, or let it stand on its own as the focal point of an outfit. It's a more distinctive alternative to gifting another pair of classic hoops.

$195 at Demarson
CS-8 Digital Video Camcorder
$199

Capturing memories doesn't have to mean looking at a screen after every shot, and the Camp Snap CS-8 is a particularly fun splurge to stay in the moment. Inspired by classic Super 8 cameras, this screen-free digital video camera is designed to record moments without instant playback, encouraging you to stay present instead of constantly reviewing footage. It includes film-style filters, a built-in microphone, and several aspect ratios for different kinds of videos. The included 4GB SD card holds approximately 30 minutes of footage, and the camera is rechargeable and reusable. It's a thoughtful gift for someone who loves documenting trips, concerts, and everyday life.

$199 at Camp Snap
Zebra Lola Original
$275

If you're looking for a gift that feels indulgent from the moment they unwrap it, the Lola Blanket is your winner. It’s unbelievably soft and cozy, and this zebra print version makes a big splash on any bed. Made from the brand's signature faux fur, it's double-sided, machine washable, and designed to resist shedding. It's a seriously solid pick for someone who loves a night in and wants comfort without sacrificing style.

$275 at Lola Blankets
Organic Dôme Liquid Letter Charm
$158

Jewelry is an especially thoughtful gift when it feels personal, and Mejuri's Organic Dôme Liquid Letter Charm is the perfect everyday piece. The sculptural initial pendant has a fluid, organic shape that gives it more character than a traditional block-letter necklace, with select designs featuring a small gemstone for an added pop of color. It’s made from sterling silver and comes in every letter of the alphabet, so you can choose your friend’s first or last initial, or another letter that’s meaningful to them. Add it to a simple chain, and it's a statement piece they can wear all the time.

$158 at Mejuri

Joy Udoh

Contributor

Joy Udoh is a sophomore at Columbia University majoring in English with minors in sociology and dance. She is originally from Atlanta, Georgia, and her love for writing started with a Wix blog in the eighth grade. After several rebrands, the blog lives on as a digital magazine called The Art of NJoyment, a play on her first and middle name. Through her magazine, she shares personal essays and social commentary with the goal of encouraging more people to find joy in being true to themselves. In her free time, she enjoys trying thrift flips with her sewing machine, playing Sims 4, and saving stickers and memes from TikTok.

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SchoolColumbia University ‘29
MajorEnglish and Sociology
FavesInsecure on HBO, sewing, and memes in TikTok comment sections
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