50 Care Package Ideas for College Students

Color Box – Make your loved one happy and send a package with fun items in their signature hue.
Mix-Up Holiday Theme – Surprise and delight your student with a mix-up holiday care package. Send holiday greetings in March or Valentine sentiments in December.
Movie Night – Assemble popcorn, gummy candy and a soft blanket and encourage your student to relax and enjoy a night in.
Chef’s Table – What’s on the mind of every hungry student? Food. Put together a basket with simple ingredients like pasta and sauce or challenge them with all the ingredients to make a favorite family recipe. Include a gift card so they can shop for meat and produce.
Socks – Go cozy and cuddly for the win! Pack a pair of cute feet warmers for every day of the week.
Bed and Bath – Pamper your favorite people with scented soaps, soothing lotions and comfy new pajamas. Dorm life is rough - they need it!
Gift Cards – Send gift cards from their favorite stores and eateries and let them feel the love all month long.
Restock the Desk – Make sure they are stocked up on school supplies with pens, sticky notes, notepads, highlighters and other tools of the trade.
First Aid – Prepare them for the bumps and bruises of life with bandages, aspirin, cotton balls, thermometers, cough drops and more.
Sports Team Theme – Root, root, root for the home team with a package filled with colorful fanfare.
Letter Writing Supplies – Encourage the lost art of letter writing with fancy stationery, pens, preaddressed envelopes to friends and family and a personal letter.
Sugar Rush – Satisfy their sweet tooth with a collection of their favorite candies that will let them feel the rush.
Photo Box – Send fun frames and a photo album to hold new memories and send a few old pictures to remind your student of how far they’ve come.
Stress Break – School is stressful, give them a fun way to cope with stress balls, fidget spinners and aromatherapy kits.
School Spirit – Keep your loved one looking good with t-shirts, sweatpants, hats and other gear from their future alma mater.
Laundry – Make laundry day less of a chore with a package filled with detergent, fabric softeners, extra hangers and money for the machines.
Picnic – Encourage fresh air and friendships with a picnic basket, packable treats and a frisbee.
Brunch Basket – Send waffle molds, egg cookers for the microwave, fancy glasses for OJ and a cookbook for inspiration.
Card Play – Go old school with playing cards, UNO, Old Maid and other classic games perfect for passing the time.
Warm Up – Cold mornings and chilly nights call for a cup of hot chocolate, coffee or tea. Send all supplies needed for a warm hug in a mug.
Clean Up – Help your student tidy up with a pack of sponges, spray cleaner, disinfectant wipes and other must-have items.
Water Fun – Chill them out with water balloons, squirt guns and a raft for fun in the pool or lake.
Coloring Book – Offer a brain break with a coloring book and a set of crayons or colored pencils. Inspire them by adding your creative touch to the first few pages.
Plants – Send easy care succulents and cacti or let them try their green thumb with potting soil and a packet of seeds.
Books - Even if they don’t have time to read the latest novel, sending a beautiful coffee table book can offer a much-needed break from the grind.
Hometown Gifts –From local treats or homemade candles to hand carved treasures or a book from a local author, bring back memories of home no matter where they are.
Cords and Chargers – Cords, chargers, blocks and electronic organizers are always a welcome gift.
Journal– Encourage them to express themselves and create a wonderful keepsake for years to come with a pretty journal.
Dollar Store Spree– Challenge yourself to spend $20 at a discount or dollar store and see how creative you can get.
Letters – Ask each member of the family and close friends to write a letter to your student offering encouragement and support.
Spa Day – While a trip to the spa might not be in the budget, a box filled with mud masks, polish, exfoliators and slippers should do the trick.
Healthy Snack Pack –Think trail mix, dried fruits and protein packs to give them a much-needed boost. Perfect for students on the go!
Art Supplies – Help relax their mind and create beautiful works of art with a paint by number set or box of art supplies.
Decorating Essentials – Keep their home away from home looking fresh and fun. Include a cozy throw and a new set of cups or mugs, and practical items like no stick hooks, storage bins and magnets.
Go Wild – Put together items adorned with animal print for a “safari” theme or ocean inspired items for an “under the sea wonderland” theme.
Encouraging Words – A book of motivational quotes, poems and sayings could be just what they need to get through the tough moments.
Stargazing – Remind them to always aim for the stars with a care package that includes a book about the constellations and flashlights.
Jerky Joy – Nothing says love like flavored, cured and dried beef! Go big or go home with this great idea.
Alpha Theme – Send items that start with a certain letter of the alphabet. See how long it takes them to figure out the letter!
Pet Pals – Send a care package from the family pet and be sure to include a picture and a letter.
Beach Day – You don’t need an ocean to have a beach day! Pack a colorful towel, beach ball and koozies to keep drinks cold.
Stickers – You’re never too old for stickers. Include all shapes and sizes and let them know you are thinking of them, just like when they were little.
Get to Know You – Send a package with items to help them get to know new people. Think Mad Libs, games or a book of questions.
Hair Care – Keep the beard and locks in tip top shape with a box of their favorite hair care products.
Baked Goods –Let them taste the love with baked goodies they can share with friends.
Tool Kit –Include a hammer, nails, duct tape, string and screwdrivers to make home or dorm projects a cinch.
Personalized Games – Go online and make crossword puzzles with clues specific to their personality.
Menu Mashup – Do a quick map search of area restaurants and take out venues and send them along with a few gift cards.
Collectables – Add to their collection of stamps, coins, stuffed animals or whatever they love most.
Fitness Pack – Reinforce healthy habits with a yoga mat, weights, exercise bands, workout clothes and other items to help them sweat it out.

50 Care Package Ideas for College Students

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