College birthday gifts are tough. When you’re invited to parties, most of the time you don’t bring a gift like you would in high school. But what about those special besties you want to celebrate? How do you find affordable birthday gifts that are also memorable?

{RELATED POST: 20 Best Cheap Gift Ideas for Friends}

We’ve got you covered. Here are the best affordable birthday gifts for college friends.

Table of Contents

1. Gift Cards & Homemade Cards

Many times, it’s best to keep it simple. Gift cards may seem kind of impersonal, but if you put in some extra thought, they can be the most useful and welcomed affordable birthday gifts around.

Think about the stores your friend likes to shop at or whether they’re a Dunkin’ or Starbucks type of person. Know a bookworm? Try a local shop or your university’s book store. No one is going to turn down a gas card or supermarket card either, especially if things are tight. Listen to what your pal’s been needing and get them a card that applies to their life.

For a little extra something, include their favorite candies in a bag with the gift card and make them a card yourself. Everyone likes being reminded that they mean something to you, so don’t be afraid to get mushy.

2. Candles & Other Homey Items

Finding a scent your friend loves is no easy task — so if you do it right, it will mean a lot to them.

Dorms and apartments can get a little sparse and make you homesick, so giving your friend a gift that brings warmth into their living space is a sweet (and affordable) way to show you care. (Just make sure that candles aren’t against regulations if your friends lives in the dorms!)