Penn students once again find themselves at the onset of wintertime. Finals are creeping up, the temperature is creeping down (a lot), and it’s never been a better time to distract yourself from the hours of studying in Van Pelt than by thinking about what to ask for this holiday season.
And so, in the spirit of gift–giving, I took the liberty of removing the research and consideration for you and compiled a short list of things every Penn student needs, whether they know it or not.
- Almost Anything From Canada Goose
Hoodies and crewnecks just aren’t cutting it anymore. Northeastern winter is kicking into high gear, and students are already breaking out their parkas and thicker coats. Once the new semester rolls around in January, there’ll be no more important piece in your closet than your winter jacket—and what screams winter more than Canada?
A high–fashion trend that’s both functional and stylish, Canada Goose is no stranger to Penn’s student base; their high–quality (and, yes, incredibly high–price) coats are everywhere. If it’s within your means, almost any jacket from Canada Goose will make the perfect wintertime gift for any Penn student in your life, including yourself.
2. Onitsuka Tiger Sneakers
Speaking of the new semester, there’s no better feeling than hitting campus with a brand–new pair of sneakers on. And Onitsuka Tigers are the perfect complement to the baggy jeans and down jackets everyone’s already wearing.
Known for their timelessness and versatility, the Mexico 66—Onitsuka Tiger’s premier model—is a fantastic option for every wardrobe. Usable for heavier winter outfits and still stylish enough to carry into spring, everyone at Penn has been eager to get their hands on a pair of Tigers that speak to them. And best of all, despite the fact that everyone is wearing them, the sheer number of available colorways makes it easy to stay unique and authentically you.
3. Longchamp Le Pliage Tote
You can’t call an outfit done without proper accessories, and the Le Pliage tote by Longchamp has taken over Penn—for better or for worse.
The bag is relatively affordable, gives that “preppy collegiate” aesthetic, and is the perfect mark of looking like you have your life together without trying too hard. It’s definitely a step above the simple backpack, and while Street has already documented the overwhelming number of them on campus, one more couldn’t really hurt. Plus, once the trend fades and another bag takes over Penn, it folds up small enough to hide in your dorm until you bring it back home.
4. Owala FreeSip Water Bottle
Every year, the world hyperfixates on a new water container. Everyone remembers when Stanley cups took over cupboards across the nation—and in 2025, the bottle to have is Owala.
How water bottles got to be so trendy, I have no idea. But what I do know is that a large majority of Penn students are incredibly dehydrated. Whether it’s because you need to trek through three different halls before finding a refill station, or because you don’t want to shell out for a 40–pack of “Natural Spring Water,” hardworking students need eight cups a day. And there’s no easier way to get hydrated than by getting a reusable water bottle that just so happens to be stylish enough to function as an accessory, too. Penn students, Owala is your bottle.
5. The North Face Nuptse Jacket
Canada Goose can get incredibly pricey, and there’s no shame in passing it up. That doesn’t change the fact that it gets really cold here. The Penn student in your life still needs a warm jacket, and for the less avid spenders, The North Face makes a great down option in their 1996 Retro Nuptse.
The jacket is incredibly versatile, already well–cemented in Penn fashion, and equally good at keeping you warm as it is at keeping you good–looking. And while you don’t quite get that luxury feeling you get with Canada Goose, you still get your foot in the winter high–fashion door with The North Face. Bonus points if you choose the black one.
6. More Dining Dollars
Stommons trips add up faster than you’d imagine. My dining dollars for the semester are already gone, and I’m sure plenty of other students are in the same dire situation. The solution—instead of cash—is simply gifting more dining dollars.
It’s not a traditional gift you can wrap with a bow, but it’s no less appreciated by any hungry Penn student looking for extra leeway with their dining plans. Another Gingerbread Chai couldn’t hurt.
7. AirPods Max
3 a.m. study sessions in Van Pelt‘s basement aren’t the same without music drowning out my sleep deprivation. And Penn students are masters when it comes to the art of the subtle flex (those Canada Goose jackets I mentioned earlier are no better than the tiny patch on their sleeve). So while walking to Huntsman for a GSR, or trying desperately to lock in within the comfort of your own dorm, you might as well be ahead of the game while you suffer.
AirPods Max are the perfect example of high fashion meeting technology. And while you definitely pay a luxury price, you also get a luxury look as they hang around your neck. They’re not even bad headphones, either—fitted with a comfortable mesh strap and effective noise–cancelling, they serve both the “college aesthetic” and fill a genuine study need.
8. Pret a Manger Gift Card
If I could name one consistent thing about my experience being a student at Penn this semester, it’s my caffeine intake. Whether it’s to get your morning started, or have an excuse to walk down Locust with a performative Strawberry Matcha, Pret has cemented itself as the prime destination for Penn students to get their fix of various drinks.
Whether it’s for the senior in your life staying up late to work on their thesis, or the freshman that’s had their first hand of finals trauma and needs to kick back with a beverage, Pret has something for every Penn student. It’s kind of a no–brainer to pick up a gift card for Pret a Manger to use for the new semester.
9. A Hyper-specific Program Sweatshirt
At some point during your time at Penn, you're bound to see someone walking around campus wearing a very official looking sweater, emblazoned with the logo of a program or club that you’ve never heard of. How many people are really in the Wharton China Finance Association? Their logo looks great on a hoodie, though.
That being said, Penn is great for the sheer number of lucrative programs and clubs on campus. So why not try to flaunt what your Penn experience is like and get one of those sweaters for yourself? Even though no one else knows where your sweater’s from, you do. And that’s what really matters, right?
10. The Latest Issue of 34th Street Magazine
Penn students obviously take some interest in what Street is cooking over in the “Stroffice.” I mean, you’re literally reading the gift guide that we put out as we speak. Whether it’s for a collection of magazines you know someone’s putting together, or if someone’s in need of something to read while they decompress after finals, the latest print issue of 34th Street Magazine is the perfect gift for every Penn student.
You can find our friendly staff handing them out once a month, or throughout various spots around campus like the Williams Cafe tables or the newsstands surrounding the quad. Copies are free, incredibly polished thanks to our designers, and filled cover–to–cover with things to learn about Penn, Philly, and college life in general. Who wouldn’t want to take a look?
