Terp Holiday Gift Guide 2025

Sift through enough gift recommendation or “favorite things” lists, and you might just start to believe you need a pair of Wolverine-style meat shredder claws, $600 stiletto-heeled sneakers or a taco-shaped sleeping bag.   

But don’t get caught up in the holiday frenzy and end up with regrets. Try turning to Terp entrepreneurs to finish your holiday shopping. You’ll find plenty of ideas, from artists creating personalized jackets and backpacks to authors writing fun kids’ books and a chef hosting virtual cooking classes. 

Check out what UMD community members have to offer: 

Curious kids will love “The Itchiest Dog,” the story of Benji the Basenji, written by veterinarian Jacob Held ’15, or “Fantastic Flora: The World’s Biggest, Baddest and Smelliest Plants” by Ann McCallum Staats M.A. ’96, featuring exploding tree seeds, fungi communication highways and the appropriately named skunk cabbage.  

History buffs (and fans of the new Ken Burns documentary) can devour history Professor Richard Bell’s new tome: “The American Revolution and the Fate of the World,” which explores the lesser-known global impacts of the U.S.’s founding fight. Looking for more of a thriller? Murder mystery “In Deadly Company,” by LaShell Stratton-Childers ’03, a NAACP Image Award-nominated author, is about a CEO’s assistant who ends up under suspicion when her boss’ birthday party goes awry.

Beyond books, blast the soundtrack to Netflix’s surprise animated hit “KPop Demon Hunters,” which features alum Rei Ami (Sarah Lee ’18) as the voice of Zoey on songs like Grammy-nominated “Golden.” And stream the holiday film “The Baltimorons,” co-written and starring Michael Strassner ’11 and co-produced by David Bonnett ’10, Charm City natives who bootstrapped the feel-good indie movie. 

Rep the Terps with streetwear by Milan Chaudhary ’26, who founded Brown Boy Nation. His popular “Crab 5” shirts took off during the men’s basketball team’s 2025 NCAA tournament run, and his new Testudo collaboration highlights UMD’s beloved mascot. Want a one-of-a-kind creation? Check out custom-designed letterman jackets, jerseys and puffer vests from Jeanius Jackets by Ben Weiner ’17. His company has outfitted the wives of the World Series-winning L.A. Dodgers, the Washington Capitals alums and even entertainers like the Jonas Brothers.

For the pickleball fanatic in your life, choose some stylish apparel from Moorlow, cofounded by Brooks Kenny ’95, which donates $2 of every purchase to brain health charity partners. Samantha Handler’s Made Moment is also giving back; if you buy one of the 2017 grad’s personalized Hanukkah and Christmas blankets, bibs or stockings, the company will gift an item to the Open Door Toy Drive. 

Banish the winter blues with cozy beverages from Tea Lady Nat Tea, like turmeric ginger peach and calming chill chai, created by Natalie Golden-Robinson '87. Or brew a bag of UMD Alumni Coffee (featuring a throwback Testudo), roasted by Vigilante Coffee just down the street from the university; part of the proceeds support the Alumni Association.

As you plan for holiday gatherings, pick up Terp-made snacks like Pretzelized pita chips and crackers or Drumroll glazed donuts by serial food entrepreneur Jason Cohen ’96. Pair with agave cocktails with 3708 Spirits, cofounded by 2025 Pitch Dingman winner Tony Ajayi ’10. And don’t forget Fido—SoJeong Kim ’10 makes Leo’s Bark small-batch treats like peanut butter bites and jerky. 

Grab the cutest sticker sets for a water bottle or laptop, drawn by Sheila Li ’27 of Lalipop Studios, or order an adorable axolotl, elephant or crocheted plant by Amy Miller ’27 of Little Yarn Studio; both students recently showed off their wares at the Dingman-Lamone Center’s Terp Marketplace at Van Munching Hall. And for a moment of Zen during the hectic holiday season, wind down with Fig and Fire’s candles, sugar scrubs and bath bombs, made by Karen LaRochelle ’11.  

Enjoy a relaxing mani-pedi (with complimentary beverages) at nailsaloon, a local chain founded by former journalist Andrea Vieira ’98, with five locations across the D.C. metro area. Or brush up on your chopping and sauteing skills—and maybe host a cooking party—with a virtual class taught by Chef Josh Capon, who has appeared on the Food Network, “Good Morning America” and “Rachael Ray” and owns restaurants in New York and Las Vegas. The former Terp got his start cooking for his roommates at UMD before transferring to a culinary program to finish his degree.

Still need more gift ideas? Check out the 2024, 2023 and 2022 guides.