27 Thoughtful College Care Package Ideas

Best College Care Package Ideas

Looking for the best college care package ideas?

Here are the best ideas from our site to show that you care, even from far away!

These ideas are great for parents, grandparents, or anyone else who wants to send a thoughtful care package to a college student in their life.

When I was in college, I LOVED receiving packages from my mom. I distinctly remember her sending me cute care packages for different holidays containing snacks and other items. I appreciated them so much!

If you’re looking for a way to show you care, sending a college care package is a great idea. Here are 25+ of the best college care package ideas.

When to Send a College Care Package

When is the best time to send a college care package? Here are just a few occasions that are perfect for sending a college care package:

When your college student is feeling stressed out
During finals week (or any time your college student has a big exam)
When your college student is feeling homesick
When your college student is sick or just feeling under the weather
Any time just to let your college student know you’re thinking of them!

Homemade College Care Packages

Getting a homemade care package is very special. Putting together your own unique package will really show your college student that you care.

Here are ideas for things you can include in a homemade college care package!

1. Homemade treats

Does your college student have a favorite homemade treat, like brownies or cookies that they absolutely love?

If so, bake some and send them! This will remind them of home and they can share the goodies with their friends at school as well.

2. Their favorite snacks

What could be better than receiving a package full of their favorite snacks?!

Speaking from experience, pretty much nothing! I was always so grateful when my mom sent me a big snack box while I was at college (especially around final exams when I was craving study snacks!)

This particular brand (CraveBox) has a variety of snack boxes ranging from junk food to candy to healthy snacks for some more options.

3. Lip balm

This is a small thing that is sure to be appreciated. Adding in some Burt’s Bees lip balm to a college care package is a great idea.

4. Extra toiletries

Mid-way through the school year your college student might be running low on toiletries. They will be super grateful to receive a care packages with some extra toiletries so they don’t have to make a shopping trip for them.

Ideas of toiletries to send include:

Toothbrush and toothpaste
Mouthwash
Shampoo and conditioner
Deodorant
Razor blades and shaving cream

5. Cozy socks

A pair of cozy socks is the perfect thing to throw into a college care package, especially during the winter. You can never have enough comfy socks!

6. Food gift cards

If there’s one thing all college students love, it’s free food.

Nothing will make them happier than getting a gift card to their favorite fast food restaurant or Starbucks inside a care package that you send.

7. Cold care package

Cold season is the worst! Help your college student get through it by sending a “cold care package” filled with items such as:

Cold medicine
Lozenges
Tissues
Emergen-C
Hand sanitizer

8. Reed diffuser

My roommate had one of these in our freshman dorm room and it always smelled so good and calming!

A reed diffuser (like this lavender and eucalyptus scented one) is a great gift to send, especially around finals season to help your college student relax.

9. Nail polish

Nail polish is a fun thing to add to a college care package.

You can even make a mini spa kit by adding some nail files, nail polish remover, nail dividers, etc. Any college girl would be happy to get this!

10. Face masks

Face masks are so relaxing and will definitely be appreciated by college students. This is a great gift to help them de-stress during finals season!

11. Cookie delivery

Insomnia Cookies is a bakery chain that delivers warm cookies until 3 AM. They have locations in most cities and college towns around the U.S.

I remembered I LOVED getting Insomnia Cookies in college. Everyone would always order them to the library when staying up late studying.

This is a care package delivery that EVERY college student is sure to appreciate.

12. Tea or coffee

If your college student is a tea or coffee drinker, then they will definitely be happy to get some (like this fruity herbal tea) in a care package!

13. Hot chocolate mix

There is nothing better than a cup of hot chocolate in the winter! Putting some hot chocolate mix into a care package is a great idea, especially around the holidays! Add a pack of marshmallows or candy canes for a sweet touch!

14. Cleaning supplies

Cleaning supplies might not seem like the most exciting thing to send in a care package, but trust me, most students will actually really appreciate this!

This list contains the cleaning supplies every college student needs.

Some easy things you can send in a care package include:

Disinfecting wipes
All purpose cleaner
Scented trash bags

15. Laundry supplies

Another super useful thing to send in a college care package is laundry supplies such as Tide Pods laundry detergent or some scented dryer sheets.

16. Laptop stickers

It seems like the most popular trend when I got to college was laptop stickers! Everyone decorated their laptops with cute stickers from RedBubble.

This is the perfect thing to throw into a college care package!

17. Cozy slippers

A pair of cozy slippers is perfect for your college student to wear around her dorm or apartment. This is a great thing to include in a winter care package!

18. Motivational mug

Every college girl could use some inspiration now and then. I absolutely love this cute travel mug with the quote “She believed she could so she did.”

I remember my mom sending me a card with this quote on it when I was in college and it really stuck with me!

19. Handwritten letter

Everyone loves to receive a thoughtful letter. They might not always write back to you, but trust me, every college student appreciates a letter from home!

Add this to your college package before you send it to show how much you care.

20. Adult coloring book

I received an adult coloring book and it was actually the best thing ever!

This is a great way to relax and relieve stress. So perfect for college students who are stressed out about school or exams.

21. Extra long charging cord

This is such a random but useful thing to send to a college student!

Extra charging cords for their phone will always come in handy, and these extra long cords are perfect for dorm rooms where outlets are limited.

22. Money

Finally, when in doubt… send money!

I’m only joking, well, kind of… seriously, you can never go wrong with sending a little extra cash to a college student. Even if it’s just a $10 or $20 bill tucked into a card, they will definitely appreciate it!

Ready-Made College Care Packages

Another option for sending a care package to your college student is choosing a ready-made care package.

This is super easy and less hassle than putting one together yourself.

You can have these delivered directly to your college student when you order them (and you can usually add your own personalized note to the package too.)

23. Get Well Care Package

Have a college student who’s been feeling a little under the weather?

You can show you are thinking of them even from a distance with this get well care package that includes some comforting snacks, cough drops, tissues, chapstick, and even a small vase of cheerful faux flowers.

24. Healthy Snacks Care Package

Everyone loves to be surprised with a big box of snacks!

This healthy snacks care package contains tons of snacks including granola bars, fruit snacks, and veggie straws. This is the perfect “brain food” package to send around finals time so your college student has some study snacks.

25. Mega Man Care Package

Perfect for guys, this “mega man” care package includes a ton of snacks like beef jerky, protein bars, mixed nuts, and chips that will make any college guy happy.

26. Well Wishes Care Package

This is another great option for a “get well soon” care package.

Your student will receive a well wishes care package filled with all kinds of goodies like fuzzy socks, a coloring book and colored pencils, chapstick, a mug and tea, snacks, and a get well card. So cute!

27. Movie Night Care Package

How fun is this movie night care package for college students?!

It comes with a ton of movie snacks and a Redbox voucher. This is a care package that your college student and her friends can all enjoy!

College Care Package Ideas

These are the college care package ideas every student will love!

There is no better way to show you care than by sending a thoughtful care package to your college student. Whatever you choose, they are sure to appreciate it and know how much you care!

Check out these articles on college tips to make student life easier.

If you have some questions, don’t hesitate to email us.