This time last year my daughter was on a high. With just a couple months left of her senior year of high school and knowing what her post-graduation future looked like felt like there was finally light at the end of the tunnel. But fast forward to the present and while she’s found the school perfect for her, it’s far away and she’s feeling stressed. Since it’s not easy for her to come home, the next best thing is sending some love in the form of a college care package.
When I was in college, my mom packed carefully curated boxes of my favorite things and sent them periodically throughout the year. Her boxes were a treat to open because there were always goodies for me and my friends. These days that seems like next level parenting, especially when there are easier ways to send a college care package!
11 Easy College Care Package Ideas
A college care package can be a collection of items or a single thing. Regardless of what you send, getting a package in the mailroom shows you’re thinking of them and support them from afar.
From a hug in a box, products that relieve stress, and keep them healthy, these 11 ideas are great together or on their own. And all can be ordered with just one click to provide a quick pick me up!
Send a Hug
BoxFull of College Hugs (starting at $44.95)
When you can’t be there, send love and comfort with a box full of hugs! BoxFull’s Original Bear Hug in a Box is a great college care package idea because it’s a way to ensure your student feels your love and warmth anywhere. Upon opening the box, your college student will be greeted by a new fuzzy friend (you get to choose the animal) with outstretched arms, ready to give them a hug. They’ll also find a special poem and a message where you can write a note of support and encouragement. You can also create your own custom Boxfull by selecting treats your student will love. This versatile and thoughtful gift is perfect for a stressed college student from across the country because it’s guaranteed to brighten their day.
Give the Gift of Stress Relief
Morphée Zen ($79.99)
In the age of relaxation apps, there’s also value in unplugging and enjoying some screen-free zen. Resembling a hot stone reminiscent of a therapy session, Morphée Zen provides access to over 72 expert-approved audio sessions combining the best meditation and sophrology relaxation techniques to help your college student relax and re-center any time during the day. This discreet, tactile device is pocket sized for when they need an instant moment of calmness anywhere, like between classes, during a study break, or first thing in the morning. The rechargeable battery gives approximately one week’s worth of daily listening to sessions, which can be heard via personal wired headphones or plugged-in speakers. I’m also a big fan of the original Morphée ($99.99) which sits on my desk and whose cool design is a conversation starter.
TheraICE Hot & Cold Therapy Head Cap ($34.95)
Tension headaches caused by stress are no joke and TheraICE’s Ice Cap provides hot or cold relief to alleviate stress. TheralCE™’s patented design works to soothe and relax through 360-degree cold and heat coverage (no inserts or velcro!), light-blocking material, and expert-grade gel for cooling or warming. This cap is comfortable, stretchable, and form-fitting with a one size fits all design.
Today Is The Day Gift Set ($54) from Beloved Bath
Remember the “Calgon! Take me away!” commercials from our childhoods? Give your college student the gift of relaxation and self-care from Beloved Bath in the form of their Today Is The Day Gift Set. This set features soap, body butter, candle, and bath tea in scents rivaling fresh cotton laundry billowing in the wind near a magical wildflower field. Products come beautifully packaged and promote self-care, positivity, mental health, and wellness.
By purchasing products from Beloved Bath, you’re supporting meaningful employment for people with autism. Beloved Bath was started by two moms with autistic boys to show the world that people with autism are productive members of society and creates. Today Beyond Bath is a company centered around empowerment, where the work is purposeful, enjoyable, and adds value to the lives of their employees and the community. All products are cruelty-free and phthalate-free, using oils that are plant-based and farmed by sustainable growers.
Keep Them Organized
No Waste Notebooks ($5.75 each) from Wisdom Supply Co
When given the choice, would your college student spend money on organizational supplies over other things? Probably not so encourage your student to stay organized thanks to sustainably designed zero-waste notebooks from Wisdom Supply Co. I love these 100% plastic, vinyl, and spiral-free products that aim to reduce waste from school supplies. They’re slim yet have plenty of pages for notes during the semester or to get organized for finals. Choose from College Ruled (blue), Bullet Journal (red), Sketch (green), and Storybook (yellow).
Send Sweet Treats and Healthy Options for Late Night Study Breaks
True Primal ($51.99 for an 8 pack on Amazon)
Many students aren’t thinking about their own nutrition during late nights of studying. Help them make good decisions regarding their nutrition with the gift of soups from True Primal ensures your college student has a convenient, quick, easy, and nutritious meal when they need it. These gluten-free, paleo-friendly alternative to all other canned soups. We recently tried the Tuscan-Style Chicken and Roasted Chicken Soups and both were hearty and delicious, making me think they’d be good pantry staples as a quick and nourishing dinner option on busy weeknights!
Baked By Melissa cupcakes (starting at $37 for 25)
These bite-sized cupcakes are always a favorite! Order a box of custom flavors or try a curate assortment like the Latest & Greatest. Cupcakes come in gluten-free, vegan, and no-nut varieties too.
Chomps Snack Sticks
Fans of savory snacks will like protein-rich Chomps Snack Sticks. Sourced from the best real ingredients like 100% grass-fed & finished beef and venison, these paleo and whole30 approved snacks are also certified gluten-free. We’re big fans of these tasty on-the-go snack sticks at any time of day. Get your college student a Chomplings Variety Pack (18 sticks for $24) with Original beef, Italian Style Beef, and Turkey. They’ll be grateful to have these to keep in their bag to fuel up wherever they’re studying.
CandyCan Gummy Bears ($27.99 for a case of 6 packs)
CandyCan’s gummy bears aren’t just a sweet treat, they’re a lower sugar and lower calorie version that are packed with natural ingredients to help your student stay healthy, get the sleep they need, and focus, especially during finals week. Designed to be eaten by the bag, CandyCan gummy bears come in a 6 pack with 2 Focus, 2 Sleep, and 2 Immunity packs that are a great gift that can provide extra health benefits when they’re needed most.
Bell’s Cookie Co (Box of 8 Cookies $28; One Dozen Cookies $36)
A fresh box of cookies is sure to put a smile on their face when it arrives in the mail room because they’re the perfect study treat! Bell’s Cookie Co. delivers nationwide with their cookies individually wrapped to remain fresh and boxed to ship. With 12 traditional and unique flavors, your student is in for a real soul warming ooey gooey treat! When you shop from Bell’s, you’re supporting a family-owned business that is the pride of Washington state. It was recently voted the best in the state and thankfully, you don’t have to live there to enjoy these crunchy and gooey creations.
GrubHub Gift Card
Late nights of studying call for late night fuel in the form of comfort food. A GrubHub gift card for food from favorite local restaurants is always a welcome treat for finals or anytime during the school year.
Samples were received to facilitate this post but all opinions are my own. Affiliate links are included in this post. Images courtesy of the companies.
