1. Japanese shower scarf, $16 and shower steamers (8), $10: Young adulthood is stressful; give the gift of restoration. This viral shower scarf gives satisfying exfoliation while the steamers make every shower invigorating.

2. Mini portable charger, $30: No matter their personality, your young adult definitely has at least one device they need to charge. This portable charger has integrated cables that fit a variety of inputs and is compact enough to throw in a pocket or purse. Choose from five colors including black, white, and pastels.

3. Air tag, $24 (also in a four-pack, $65): Airtags are worth every penny to track your luggage, purse, laptop bag, car, expensive equipment and tools, or even your dog. Be extra awesome and throw in some cute air tag holders.

4. Stadium bag, $10: If there's one thing young adults do, it's go to places that require clear bags. This one has an always-stylish camera bag shape and comes in 20 colors, with strap options ranging from minimalist to embroidered to chain strap.

5. Organic sweatshirt, $35: A unisex sweatshirt rendered in heavyweight organic cotton is a slam dunk gift. Choose from black, navy, charcoal, and heather. 

6. Meal prep glass containers (10), $40: Packing your own lunch every day is a mark of maturity. Give the gift of a more organized week with a set of meal prep containers that feature two compartments and airtight lids. 

7. Tableware set (16 pieces, service for 4), $120: Stylish dishes add joy multiple times a day, plus a boost of confidence to invite friends for dinner. 

8. Mini karaoke machine, $26: In a screen-driven world that can be isolating, help them create real-life social connections and pure fun. This device connects to their phone for easy streaming and features a light show and two microphones. Instant party at their apartment. 

9. Nativity set, $108: This beautiful, minimalist nativity set will become a cherished tradition and fits with any aesthetic. (It’s also one of my favorite gifts to give for weddings and showers.) You can also choose other sets or collect individual pieces here. Here’s a 13-piece mini minimalist version for $15.

10. Catholic Geaux Bag, $40: Give them this portable collection of essential sacramentals to take wherever they roam and roost. This set comes from our dear friends' non-profit and includes essentials like a crucifix, holy water, blessed salt, a brown scapular, and more.

11. Cloud socks (3), $31: Dreamy, ridiculously soft socks make everyone feel a little better. 

12. Compact waffle iron, $20: There’s something gratifying about making food from scratch and nothing’s more iconic for late nights than waffles. This iron will fit neatly into small spaces. Pair with some fancy waffle mix and maple syrup. 

13. Unbreakable cocktail glasses (4), $24: This playful set has the shine and heft of glass with zero liability so they can toast to their heart’s content. 

14. Butler's Lives of the Saints: Modern Edition book (paperback), $20: Butler's work is the gold standard reference for brief, accurate biographies of hundreds of saints. This updated edition streamlines some of the old-fashioned language for modern readers. The biographies are arranged by feast days according to months of the year; each one runs less than a page, so it's accessible enough for busy young adults to pick up here and there. Updates also include recently canonized saints, more obscure saints, and those still on the path to official canonization.

15. Cash plus something silly like this emotional support pickle, $9: The kind of boring truth is that many young adults need and want cash more than other gifts. If you decide to give money, you can still pair it with something fun and personal. For my college-age nieces and nephews, I've slipped gift cards into this cute crochet pickle (there are dozens of other characters in the collection so you can choose one that resonates with your young adult). 

16. My all-time favorite backpack, $29: This backpack offers tons of pockets and compartments to keep them organized and has smart features like security pockets, water-resistant exterior (wipes clean!), and comfortable straps. They can use this backpack as a carry-on personal item for longer trips, but it also suffices on its own for a weekend getaway. Plus, the zippers are beautiful and function smoothly. Details!

17. Amazon Prime subscription: This annual subscription is the gift that keeps giving! Members have access to seemingly infinite video and music streaming options, countless free Kindle books, fast and free shipping, and other special offers. There are special rates for young adults and students.

    
    

A note about Amazon

These links connect mostly to products sold on Amazon. This is not the only place you can buy most of these items, but I set it up this way because of Amazon's ubiquity (everyone I know already has a Prime account). You can also try finding the items you like at other retailers, local shops, or even use these ideas as a springboard to create gifts.

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Contact me. I am a Catholic author, artist, speaker, pilgrimage leader, and travel concierge.

I'd love to collaborate with you on your next retreat, day of reflection, pilgrimage, trip, or event.

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