Care Package Ideas for College Students

Your child has entered the ranks of the college freshmen. He or she is moving out of the house and away from home. You'd like to send gentle reminds and thoughtful gifts through out the year. Here is a list of ideas for care packages from home.

The Food Package
Better know as the making friends box! After a month or two of dorm food or even worse, their own cooking, any food will be a welcomed sight. Traditionally homemade cookies are wonderful reminders of home. But if you aren't the cookie type of mom, how about a box of snack foods: popcorn, nuts, peanut butter crackers, mac and cheese, ramin noodles, heck even a box of store bought cookies!

The Cold Season
Kids forget to bring with them and take medicine. Just as the weather begins to change, many catch horrible colds, coughs and even the flu. Why? They don't sleep enough; they don't wear heavy enough clothing; and they don't take care of themselves well. As the weather begins to change a care package of cough drops, Tylenol, cold medicine and a few cans of soup or cup o'noodles and a box of tissues will be a great reminder of how you took care of them growing up.

Show Me the Money!
OK, every college students wants money. Maybe you send them money on a monthly basis. Here is a slight twist to the cold hard cash. Send gift cards. Research the area for the local pizza place, the movie rental place, the junk food place, the coffee shop and send an envelope full of gift cards to the local hang outs. They don't have to be large sums of money on each card; just five dollars each can be a welcomed surprise.

The Home Sick Pack
Not every college student gets homesick. Not every college student misses home. But if they do, a home sick pack might do the trick. Or, if you just want to tug on their heartstrings a little, this idea is for you. Send a box full of local charm. Include foods made in your local area, send a small photo album of their favorite haunts. Include family and friends snap shots. Be creative, videotape messages from relatives and friends. Include a few tourist type items of your hometown if available; the kitschier the better. Include a copy of the local paper, or just a few clipping of the funniest news items.

The Week Long Blast
Any theme would work here but the basic idea is to spread it out over a week's time. Send something that will arrive each day of the week. Even something small like a pack of gum will be welcome. Soon the notes and cards will be anticipated and opening their mailbox will become sheer joy.

Correspondence Pack
Better know as the "I want to hear from you" pack. You might just have a son or daughter who gets so involved in school and activities that they forget to write, call or email. Send a gentle reminder with a pack full of note cards, stamps, and a phone card. You know your child better than I do, you might need to send them a stronger message with a card that is a fill in the blank or check the appropriate box type of postcard if you want to hear from them. You can get humorous with this idea: "Check you status: alive or dead", "Mom, I'd love to write or call but I am too busy doing _______________. " Don't forget to include the stamp, this kind of child needs all the help they can get. But most will get the idea and call home!

I have no doubt you will become infamously famous with your child's roommate and dorm mates if you send a few of these care package ideas spread out over the school year. Your child will be thankful and miss you even more than they did before.