College Care Package Ideas

Being away from home, care packages are welcomed touches of family, friends and home. Letting a college student know you are thinking of them and miss them can mean all the world to them, whether, or not they are you own child, a neighbor or a baby sitter. Getting your entire family involved in the process of putting the package together is a great idea and a good lesson in caring and serving others. Here are a few ideas to get your creative juices flowing on what to include in your package.

Office Products

Of course college students use office products on a daily basis. Pens, pencils, post-it notes and the like are all welcomed ideas. Consider tape, a small stapler, rubber bands, a glue stick, or paper clips can all be welcomed because they are often forgotten but needed.

Food - homemade

A care package from home is made even more personal with something baked from home. It could be cookies, brownies or snack mix.

Food - purchased

Any food item that is easy to make in a microwave, a single serving package like macaroni and cheese or ramin noodles. Cans of food are easy to send too but make sure they have a can opener or include one in the package. Microwave popcorn is a very easy thing to include in the package. Or if you need packing material, make popcorn and use it as the packing material. High protein foods like nuts, peanut butter, and peanut butter or cheese crackers are great ideas to get them through some rough tired times. Gum and small candies are great package fillers and something they would love to have on hand and of course not have to spend money on them.

Medicine

Yes there probably is a medical center or nurse on campus. But, you have to feel good enough to make the trip to the office. Cough drops, cod medicine, ibuprofen, and acetaminophen are all welcomed especially when you are fighting a cold or sore throat. Band Aids are another idea that is often forgotten but needed.

Personalized notes

Personal notes of encouragement can raise self-esteem, give a boost of confidence, or just let them know you care. Young children that can't write can always create artwork for them. College students love to hang things on their walls and door. A cute drawing will begin lots of conversations. Photos are also a welcomed reminder of home and allow college students to share with their friends, who sent them this great care package.

Gift Cards

College students eat out and at all times of the day and night. A gift card for fast food, pizza or even a local grocery store is a welcomed gesture. Don't worry, they will definitely get used and the dollar amount doesn't need to be huge. If they have a car on campus, a gas card can also be a great idea, maybe with a note saying here's a tank of gas, you are welcomed to come home and visit! Calling cards also fall into this category. Not only can you buy a calling card but you can buy credit for their cell phones - just remind them to call home!

Money

Cold hard cash! Money is always a great gift for teens and young adults. If you are worried about sending cash in the mail, send a check or send a cash card or even travelers checks can be used.

Gifts

Small gifts can let a college student know you care. Items like gloves, a scarf (even better if you can make one), slippers, clean socks, a pair of earrings, an umbrella, or a deck of cards could all be a great surprise.