It’s almost the time when college bound kids head off all wide-eyed and eager and parents stand at the curb misty-eyed and proud. Adjusting to college life is hard for everyone but one of the ways to make it easier and even more exciting for your student is by sending cool care packages. Care packages hold all the excitement of Christmas but contain college essentials as well as little reminders of home.
Care packages are a practical way to show your love and support and can save your college student from living on Top Ramen for the next several years. If you want to create care packages with flair, check out these 20 chart-topping care package ideas.
- Gift cards. Gift cards to the grocery store, coffee shop, pizza place, and even laundry mat can be a real life saver for broke and buy students.
- Cleaning supplies. Supplies to clean the room or bathroom are usually way down on the priority list but high on the list of important needs.
- Bathroom essentials. Tooth paste, shampoo and other bathroom necessities may seem to be a rather inauspicious gift but it comes in handy in a huge way.
- Dry gourmet soups. Save them from a life of noodles but keep the convenience of “just add water” with fun soup packs.
- Coffeemaker, tea, coffee, hot chocolate and a personalized mug or water bottle to put it in
- Oatmeal, mac ‘n cheese, snack bars, cereal, and other easy to fix and store foods.
- Dvd, popcorn, peanuts and candy for a movie night.
- A supper box filled with the makings (or already prepared) favorite meal.
- Energy box filled with protein drinks, energy bars and anything that will help give that extra push.
- Love notes and personalized (pre-stamped) stationery.
- Homemade goodies like cookies, brownies, and rice cereal treats.
- Make a luxury care package with all the “extras” in life they might enjoy like a new magazine, iTune gift card, a new shirt, or a cool new gadget.
- Stress relieving items like an outdoor game, slinky (who can’t smile while playing with a Slinky?), or indoor bowling set.
- Super fun and super geeky items, like a Batman money clip (with money, naturally).
- Beauty or first aid kit.
- Flip flops so their feet do not have to touch the carpet that has probably been there since you graduated.
- Local specialty foods.
- Cheese and crackers, pretzels, and other anytime snacks.
- Flash drives, pens, pencils, paper, and other school supplies and desk accessories.
- Cash.
While you can’t be at their side all of the time, you can let them know you hold them close to your heart every moment. Care packages are the perfect medium for showing your love, and your awesome creativity!
