Checklist · 16 picks · 6 categories
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Roommate gifts work best when they are small, useful or a bit funny. I pulled these from two BuzzFeed roommate gift guides and kept the ones sold on Amazon.
You will find fixes for shared-bathroom annoyances, cozy room upgrades, kitchen picks and games for nights in. Most are cheap enough for a secret santa or a thank-you. A good tip is to pick something the whole place can use, like a streaming stick or a dishwasher magnet, so it feels like a gift to both of you.
Who this is not for. Skip this if you are buying for a dorm move-in, and head to the dorm list instead.
mid streaming stick
Best for a shared living room TV
BuzzFeed's pick: a shared streaming device for the whole apartment.
Picked by BuzzFeed gift your roommate will love.
$25-50
Shop on AmazonAffiliate link. I may earn a commission at no cost to you.
mid speaker
Best for a shower singer
BuzzFeed's pick: lets the roommate listen in the shower and holds up around water.
Picked by BuzzFeed gift your roommate will love.
$25-50
Shop on AmazonAffiliate link.
budget toothbrush holder · 4 slots
Best for a shared bathroom
BuzzFeed's pick: keeps toothbrush heads apart and protected, with no drilling.
Picked by BuzzFeed gift your roommate will love.
under $15
Shop on AmazonAffiliate link.
budget drain catcher
Best for a roommate who sheds
BuzzFeed's pick: keeps hair out of the shower drain.
Picked by BuzzFeed gift your roommate will love.
under $15
Shop on AmazonAffiliate link.
| Pick | Tier | Price | Best for | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ron Swanson Dishwasher Magnet | budget | under $15 | parks and Rec fans | 1 outlet |
| Bodum Pour-Over Coffee Maker | mid | $25-50 | a coffee fan | 1 outlet |
| Cat Sponges (Set of 4) | budget | under $15 | a roommate who skips dishes | 1 outlet |
| Mike's Hot Honey | budget | under $15 | a foodie roommate | 1 outlet |
| Milk Frother | budget | $15-25 | a coffee-run regular | 1 outlet |
budget dishwasher magnet
Best for parks and Rec fans
BuzzFeed's pick: ends arguments over whether the dishwasher is clean.
Picked by BuzzFeed gift your roommate will love.
under $15
Shop on AmazonAffiliate link.
mid pour-over
Best for a coffee fan
BuzzFeed's pick: lets them learn pour-over coffee at home.
Picked by BuzzFeed gift your roommate will love.
$25-50
Shop on AmazonAffiliate link.
budget dish sponges · Set of 4
Best for a roommate who skips dishes
BuzzFeed's pick: a playful hint about doing the dishes.
Picked by BuzzFeed gift your roommate will love.
under $15
Shop on AmazonAffiliate link.
budget hot honey
Best for a foodie roommate
BuzzFeed's pick: a honey and hot sauce in one.
Picked by BuzzFeed gift your roommate will love.
under $15
Shop on AmazonAffiliate link.
budget milk frother
Best for a coffee-run regular
BuzzFeed's pick: cafe-style drinks at home instead of buying coffee out.
Picked by BuzzFeed gift your roommate will love.
$15-25
Shop on AmazonAffiliate link.
budget hair claws · 4-pack
Best for a roommate with long hair
BuzzFeed's pick: easy updos that are harder to lose than hair ties.
Picked by BuzzFeed gift your roommate will love.
under $15
Shop on AmazonAffiliate link.
budget magnifying mirror
Best for a makeup lover
BuzzFeed's pick: better lighting for makeup so no one hogs the bathroom.
Picked by BuzzFeed gift your roommate will love.
$15-25
Shop on AmazonAffiliate link.
| Pick | Tier | Price | Best for | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Roommate Book | budget | under $15 | a new roommate | 1 outlet |
| The Voting Game | budget | $15-25 | game nights | 1 outlet |
| One Line a Day Five-Year Journal | budget | $15-25 | a sentimental roommate | 1 outlet |
budget roommate book
Best for a new roommate
BuzzFeed's pick: an illustrated place to record inside jokes, with light tips for shared living.
Picked by BuzzFeed gift your roommate will love.
under $15
Shop on AmazonAffiliate link.
budget card game · 5-10 players, 17+
Best for game nights
BuzzFeed's pick: a party card game for getting to know friends better.
Picked by BuzzFeed gift your roommate will love.
$15-25
Shop on AmazonAffiliate link.
budget journal
Best for a sentimental roommate
BuzzFeed's pick: lets them record daily life during the roommate years in about two minutes a day.
Picked by BuzzFeed gift your roommate will love.
$15-25
Shop on AmazonAffiliate link.
mid light curtain
Best for cozy room vibes
BuzzFeed's pick: creates a relaxing atmosphere in their room.
Picked by BuzzFeed gift your roommate will love.
$15-25
Shop on AmazonAffiliate link.
mid salt lamp
Best for a calm-space roommate
BuzzFeed's pick: creates a calm room.
Picked by BuzzFeed gift your roommate will love.
$15-25
Shop on AmazonAffiliate link.
means three independent outlets recommend a pick, means one, and limited evidence means none has yet. I research these picks. I have not tested them myself. How I pick · Spot a mistake? A broken link, a wrong price range or an outdated pick: tell me at hello@allsetlist.com and I'll fix it.
Small practical picks like a dishwasher magnet, sponges or a toothbrush holder are cheap and get used. A game or book also works well.
It can be. Things like a streaming stick, light curtain or game are shared and make the space nicer for both of you.
Yes, most of the picks are small and easy to wrap.
USPS's recommended last send dates for December 25 in the contiguous US are December 17 for Ground Advantage, December 18 for Priority Mail and December 19 for Priority Mail Express. Retailers set their own order-by dates, so check at checkout.
