Top 10 College Care Package Ideas to Surprise Your Student

Key Takeaways:

• A college care package ideas are thoughtfully curated box of goodies designed to remind your student of home.

• Combining fun items with practical essentials can brighten their day and help them adjust to college life.

• A personal, handwritten note adds a special, heartfelt touch to your gift.

Have you ever wondered what your college student needs while juggling classes, friends, and newfound independence? A well-thought-out care package can provide the perfect dose of comfort and support during stressful times. In this article, we’ll dive into the top 10 college care package ideas that will delight your students and give them a taste of home when they need it most. Let’s make their day a little brighter together!

What is a college care package?

A care package is a box filled with a college student’s favorite goodies. To create your student care package, start with a roomy, empty box. Then, you can choose a theme for your package or add any random items you know will make your loved one smile. Seal it shut, then ship it off and envision the joy you’ll bring to a dorm room far away.

The key to a heartwarming care package is to include thoughtful gifts that will make your favorite student feel loved and appreciated. It can also help to consider what you would’ve liked to get from a parent or loved one in college. That means fun gift ideas like mood lighting or more practical things like money for groceries, new clothes, or cleaning supplies.

What do you write on a college care package card?

After filling your box with goodies, there’s one final step to completing your care package. Placing a handwritten card inside the box adds an emotional touch and makes your gift more meaningful.

But what do you include in your letter? The key is to write from the heart. Your message doesn’t need to be pages long; a simple “thinking of you” or “I miss you” is a great start. Adding another line or two will go a long way.

Top 10 College Care Package Ideas to Surprise Your Student

1. Gift cards

Firstly on our college care package ideas is Gift cards. You can’t keep track of their changing interests once your kids are off to college. You also can’t keep track of their expenses and spending habits. A gift card can be a huge help here, whether for a supermarket in the area or a video game store nearby. Gift cards for coffee, restaurants, or clothing stores might be well-appreciated, too.

2. Reusable water bottles

Secondly on our college care package ideas is reusable water bottles. For students constantly on the go between classes, the gym, and friends’ dorms, hydration may be the last thing on someone’s mind. Single-use plastic water bottles from the convenience store aren’t quite the solution—their costs add up over time, and they’re bad for the environment. That’s why a reusable water bottle is an excellent choice for a college care package. Your loved one will likely use it daily, and it’s healthy for both them and the earth.

3. A personal note

Although usable presents are always lovely, a personal note can be the greatest gift. A heartfelt note can make college students feel closer to home, especially if you share some details about how things are going over you. Feel free to write about what you’ve been up to lately so your loved one feels in on your life. Knowing that you’re doing well and caring about them is a gift.

4. Coffee/Tea/Hot Chocolate

Throw in a few packets of their favorite hot chocolate —  don’t forget the marshmallows — along with a new coffee mug and maybe some graham crackers and Hershey’s chocolate bars (see the section below on shipping), and your college student will be set when temperatures start to drop. They might not be able to get to a campfire, but microwave s’mores aren’t an inadequate substitute! But even a package of coffee pods or a box of tea bags will be welcome. You could create an entire care package just around coffee and tea!

5. Packaged Snacks

While sending homemade goodies can be nice, prepackaged snacks are guaranteed fresh upon delivery and have a longer shelf life. Your student will love receiving an assortment of their favorite sweet and salty snacks, especially if a brand favorite is unavailable at the grocery store in their college town.

6. Blissy Silk Pillowcase

Blissy pillowcases are 100% Mulberry Silk. These excellent pillowcases are made of hypoallergenic fabric, and your daughter can wake up without a bedhead! The cooling properties in Blissy’s case may also help her have a more comfortable night’s sleep. They are available in a dozen colors and three sizes.

BUY NOW

7. Notes to self socks

Help your daughter remember your belief in her with notes to self® positive affirmation socks. We love their singular messages, variety of styles, and gift packs — the only thing better than one pair is two. Or three. Or, four

8. Crossbody Belt Bag

We’re in love with the belt bags at Lululemon, and this clear one is stadium-ready for any security restrictions that exist at her campus for college a day or to attend a concert. Your daughter will LOVE this in her college care package.

9. Apple AirPod Pros

With the 2nd generation of AirPod Pros, there’s now up to 2x more Active Noise Cancellation than the previous model. If your daughter is having difficulty blocking out noisy roommates and hallmates, this could be a fantastic college care package ideas or birthday gift.

BUY NOW

10. Card Game

A small and simple card game students can take to hang out and play in dorms is a great addition to any college care package. The mega-popular “Exploding Kittens“ allows 2-5 players and hours of fun. It’s a combination of Russian roulette, Uno, and pure silliness.

Conclusion

In conclusion, sending a care package to your college student is a thoughtful way to show you care and support them during their academic journey. Gift cards can allow them to indulge in their favorite snacks or treat themselves to a fun night out, while reusable water bottles will keep them hydrated and eco-friendly. These gifts cater to their immediate needs and remind them of home and your love. I hope this post gave you a few college care package ideas, whether for kids in college, birthday/holiday gifts, or any other event! Enjoy your day, and I’ll be back with more holiday decor and fun soon. 🙂