21 Gifts That Medical Students Want This Year

After working hard all year, medical students deserve a restful break and holiday presents that are both practical and fun. You can help them feel supported and appreciated with a mix of gifts related to their professional career as well as their unique interests. For this list, Medscape Medical News spoke with current and former medical students to learn about the top picks for 2024.

“An Owala water bottle, pair of Figs scrubs, face masks, gift cards to coffee shops and grocery stores, and a cute badge reel (to hold credentials or badges) are on my Christmas wish list this year,” said Andie Thi-Streety, a medical student at the Sonoran University of Health Sciences in Tempe, Arizona.

“As a medical student, a pair of Hokas or On Cloud shoes would be a great gift since we’re always on our feet,” she said. “I also enjoy personalized or doctor-related items like coffee mugs.”

Support Their Career

For medical students who haven’t yet received them, professional items specific to their career could be useful, such as a stethoscope, suture kit, or trauma shears. Of course, it’s important to check what your student needs, particularly so they don’t receive several stethoscopes or a pair of shears that they may not need until later years.

Medical students shared with Medscape Medical News that scrubs remain popular, especially if you’re familiar with their favorite brand or provide a gift card so they can pick the colors and styles they enjoy.

Other supportive professional options include access to medical journals or professional memberships — such as the American Medical Association’s (AMA’s) student gift membership — to help your student afford the resources they need but perhaps don’t always buy.

“Your medical student has begun an exciting journey to become a physician,” the AMA said. “That journey includes preparing for exams, balancing well-being, and distinguishing themselves for residency, just to name a few. The American Medical Association supports them on that journey, both now and in the future.”

Treat Their Feet

Beyond scrubs, medical students specifically said they want good shoes and good socks to support their feet while standing, walking, and studying during the next year. Don’t forget to ask about their favorite brands — and ensure proper arch support and circulation.

“A pair of excellent shoes was one of the greatest presents I’ve ever had as a physical therapist. Being active throughout the day has a profound impact,” said Calum Fraser, a physiotherapist and owner of The Wellness Team in Brisbane, Australia.

“Proper arch support and cushioning in shoes aid with foot alignment, which lessens strain on the lower back, hips, and knees,” he said. “It’s a useful gift and significantly improves the workday.”

Boost Their Wellness

In an era of self-care and work-life balance, medical students said they want to take their holiday time to rest and recharge their battery for the coming year. Face masks, spa-related items, and gifts that boost health remain popular in 2024.

“If I could go back, I would have appreciated a gift that encouraged relaxation and personal well-being,” said Barbara Sparacino, MD, an adult and geriatric psychiatrist in Miami.

“Something like a high-quality massage gift certificate or a subscription to a meditation app would have been perfect,” she said. “As healthcare professionals, we often prioritize others’ needs, and these gifts offer an opportunity for self-care, helping to recharge and avoid burnout.”

Help Them Study

Medical students also shared they could use support and comfort during late-night study sessions or their hands-on training days in healthcare facilities. They pointed to high-quality picks they could use in their day-to-day lives — nice headphones or earbuds, water bottles, mugs or thermoses, blankets, and nice pens and notebooks.

“For younger medical professionals today, I believe they would value gifts that promote work-life balance and mental health. A thoughtful option could be ergonomic office gear, like a supportive chair or desk accessories, which help create a comfortable, healthy workspace,” Sparacino said. “Given the rise in digital tools, a gift like a smartwatch or wearable device that tracks health metrics could also be well-received, allowing them to manage their work and wellness more effectively.”

Make Life Easier and More Fun

As part of their day-to-day routines, medical students said they need help with the major “adult” aspects of life, such as eating well, keeping their spaces clean, and balancing work with play.

In the kitchen, medical students may appreciate a subscription to a meal kit service, an air fryer or a pressure cooker, or high-quality dinnerware. The key is to check what’s best based on their preferences and year in school — younger students may need a kickstart with a meal kit, while experienced students may want to upgrade their knife set or coffee maker.

Outside of the kitchen, medical students shared they’d like better tools to keep up with chores, such as a handheld or wireless vacuum, or new ways to decompress outside of their responsibilities. Craft kits and LEGO sets can help students decompress and develop new interests, said Jeanne Sandella, DO, vice president for professional development initiatives at the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners.

“Doctors and medical students are so much more than just their profession — we have other interests, inspirations, and hobbies as well,” she said. “So instead of new scrubs, a stethoscope, or the latest and greatest in medical gadgets (all legitimate, of course), creative gifts can nourish our other passions.”

Personalize — Or Not — Certain Items

When medical students first get accepted to medical school or begin the first semester, it’s common for them to receive doctor-related gifts, whether monogrammed or personalized items that say “Dr So-and-So” or novelties intended to provoke a chuckle.

After an initial round of gag gifts, though, medical students said they’re more likely to enjoy practical, personalized gifts such as coffee mugs, badge reels, and pins, rather than generic medical humor or cheesy items such as bone-shaped pens, strong candles, or bulky keychains.

“Unless you know it’s necessary, I would avoid medical-themed goods like funny socks with muscles on them or a stethoscope,” Fraser said. “They are usually more clutter than useful.”