50 Ideas for College Care Packages
Pizza Cookie Cake
Gearing up to send your college student to school? Make the adjustment a little easier with a care package, filled with thoughtful things they’ll use. Send it with them before they hit the road, or arrange to have it delivered after they arrive. Anticipate the things they’ll miss from home, necessities they’re likely to forget, and little indulgences that let them know how much you care. Need some ideas? Check out my top 50:
- Gift cards for local restaurants or fast food
- Quarters for laundromats, bus fare, and vending machines
- Instant oatmeal, granola bars, dried fruit
- Vitamins
- Scotch tape and scissors
- Over-the-counter cold medicine and pain reliever
- Recipes for favorite dishes
- Jump drive
- Band-aids
- Ointment
- Extra cell phone charger
- Soap
- Razors
- Body lotion
- Toothpaste
- Dental floss
- Anti-bacterial wipes
- Hand sanitizer
- Facial tissues
- Macaroni ‘n’ Cheese
- Ramen noodles
- Gum
- Vinyl wall decals for decoration
- Pillowcases
- A memento from each family member
- Digital picture frame with photos from home
- Movie gift certificates
- Air fresheners
- Pre-paid credit card
- Pens
- Highlighters
- Post-it notes
- Pre-paid calling cards
- Tea
- Headphones
- Refrigerator magnets
- Cork board and thumbtacks
- A Snuggie
- Slippers
- Socks
- Underwear
- Screen cleaner for laptop and cell phone
- Gloves
- Scarf
- Hat
- Hometown newspaper
- Magazines
- Holiday decorations
- Hand warmers
- Pizza Cookie Cake (My favorite!)
TIP: Pack items in a reusable container your student can use for storage and organization.
TIP: Instead of bubble wrap or tissue paper, wrap breakable items in useful things like washcloths or kitchen towels.
TIP: Always include a hand-written, encouraging note—easy to forget, but so important to remember.
Any suggestions? Add your ideas in the comments section.
love the list.. the extra cell phone charger is really great as those always seem to disappear in dorm rooms! Here’s another fun place that has some great theme ideas for college care packages: http://www.celebrationideasonline.com/college-care-packages.html
I would add a mini stapler. Nothing is more frustrating than realizing you forgot to staple a paper right before you turn it in. Also, the jump drive should have a clip or a lanyard on it. I lost mine 3 times last semester. Pancake or muffin mix is great since we don’t usually have all the baking goods on hand. Microwave popcorn and a DVD would be great too. And don’t forget peanut butter. The vinyl decorations are awesome since we can’t put holes in the walls. A small white board for the fridge is fun too and can remind roommates to not eat what isn’t theirs. Sharpies and TP are priceless. And pens and pencils.