Looking for the best college care package ideas for your favorite college student? Here are 31 thoughtful and insanely cute DIY college care packages that are guaranteed to bring a smile to their face!
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I am now going into my third year of college! Although that is exciting, you can start to feel homesick or alone. Which is why sending college care packages is the perfect way to send some love to your college student. My parents and friends would send me one every quarter filled with my favorite goodies.
Putting together a college care package doesn’t need to be expensive. You can literally make one for less than 10 dollars, which is insane! A few things you can include in these care packages are hygiene products, some snacks, sentimental items, mugs, instant meals (ramen noodles), self-care items, and of course beauty products. The possibilities are truly endless.
Whether you’re planning on making one for your sister, brother, friend, boyfriend, girlfriend, son, or daughter, there is a little something in here for everyone. I’ve gathered over 30 of the most amazing care package ideas for college students. From the basic survival kit to a basket filled with lots of goodies and gifts, these care packages will for sure brighten up their day!
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COLLEGE CARE PACKAGES
1. ORANGE THEME
This is a super easy package to recreate. Just buy some products that have orange packaging. A few of my personal favorites are orange soda, trident gum, cheddar Pringles, and of course Cheetos.
You can also get a little creative here and insert an orange liner in the box and glue on a template with oranges on the lid with a cute quote.
2. FRESHMAN KIT
This is another super useful care package idea that your loved one will greatly appreciate. If your college student is a freshman, then you need to recreate this idea. Include things a freshman will need in college.
Stationary, dorm decorations, snacks, gift cards, and a mini fan (a must-have for any college student) are just a few things you can include.
3. COLLEGE SURVIVAL KIT
We all need some basic school supplies for college. And the great thing about this is, it’s insanely cheap. You can probably put this together for less than 20 dollars.
Include Sharpies, markers, erasers, index cards (a godsend for studying), pencils, and a water bottle along with a few other supplies to complete the package.
4. CLEAN UP CARE PACKAGE
Dorm rooms can get pretty messy in such a short amount of time. Especially the guy’s dorm rooms. There is just so much stress and sometimes you honestly just forget to tidy up your space.
Nude your college student in the right direction and create this amazing care package with a few cleaning supplies such as Clorox wipes and Lysol spray.
5. MIDNIGHT MUNCHIES
We all crave a little midnight snack every once in a while, right? Create a college care package with all of their favorite munchies so they can just grab one whenever they’re craving a snack.
This will make their lives a thousand times better because they have all these goodies in their dorm and don’t have to go out to buy some every time they get a craving or are hungry.
6. GAMES CARE PACKAGES
I think there is very little to do during your free time in college. Especially since everyone is so busy with their studies. The little free time you do have, you literally just end up doing nothing.
This box full of fun board games is just what they need to pass the time and have some much-needed fun with their friends.
7. OUT OF THE BLUE PACKAGE
Random college care packages are the best! It’s just what you need to get you in a better mood and will guarantee a smile on your college student’s face.
Buy a bunch of blue packaged treats and candies that the recipient will love. A few ideas are Pringles, gum, Oreos, and M&M’;’s.
8. DISTANCE MEANS SO LITTLE CARE PACKAGE
If you’re looking for thoughtful college care packages then this is a great option. Grab a box and fill it up with your college student’s favorite snacks.
Granola bars, protein bars, chips, and popcorn are just a few ideas to consider. This is perfect if your loved one goes to college far away and you want to let them know you’re thinking about them.
9. A BOX FULL OF SUNSHINE
How can this not brighten up your day? This yellow-themed box will surely make your college student’s day a whole lot better.
Grab a yellow box and fill it up with an assortment of yellow packaged items. Chips, M&M’s, superglue, pens, and tape are a few things to consider.
10. SELF CARE PACKAGE
Everyone needs at least one day out of the month to just focus on themselves and have a “me” day. Since college life is so insanely stressful with the piles of homework and working so you don’t end up with a mountain of student debt, a self-care package is much needed.
Include, bath bombs, bath salts, relaxing candles, body spray, a face roller, a dry brush, and of course some magazines.
11. HAPPY FINALS WEEK
Finals week is literally the worst week in every college student’s life. It is so insanely stressful and draining. So, creating this amazing care package is the perfect way to give your college student some motivation.
Get a bunch of snacks they love, some self-care products, beauty products, or just some things they need and print out cute notes to attach them to.
12. WE MISS YOU A CHOCOLOT
Does your college student love chocolate? If so, this is the perfect college care package idea to recreate! Grab a medium-sized box and fill it up with their favorite sweet treats.
A few options to consider are Hershey’s Kisses/bars, M&M’s, chocolate chip cookies, Snickers bars, and Twix. Then, just write down ” we miss you a chocoLOT” for the perfect wordplay and cute message.
13. I MISS YOU A LATTE
I LOVE coffee. I honestly think I’m addicted to it. It’s all I drink while studying, doing homework, or when I need a little boost in energy. It also makes for the best college care package.
Buy a few packs of coffee grounds or pods and place them in a box. If your college student has a specific brand they enjoy, buy those instead. You can also add some snacks and I highly recommend including to-go coffee cups. They make life so much easier.
14. JUST ADD WATER
There isn’t a kitchen in dorm rooms and your college student probably doesn’t have much money to spend on takeout. I know for sure that I didn’t. I lived off of ramen!
They are insanely cheap and honestly taste pretty good once you mix in some veggies and eggs. Gift a box filled with food that just needs water so your college student doesn’t have to worry about turning on the stove. It’s such a time-saver and perfect for when you’re in a rush.
15. SAINT PATRICK’S DAY CARE PACKAGE
Looking for the cutest Saint Patrick’s Day college care packages to recreate? This one is perfect! Decorate the box with stickers and rainbows along with a cute quote.
Then just add in some green packaged candies and treats to complete the box!
16. IT’S MOVIE NIGHT
Who doesn’t love a good movie night? My friends and I would alternate holding movie nights while we were in college. In the weeks we weren’t busy, we would put together tasty snacks and pick out a great movie and just relax.
You can fill a box with delicious popcorn because is it really movie night without it? Add in some other snacks as well like sour punch kids, cookies, and of course a few drinks.
17. SELF CARE BOX
This college care package is literally my dream come true! Self-care is extremely important in my opinion, whether you’re a college student or not.
Fill up a large box with lots of body care such as body scrubs, body wash, body lotion, and body oil. Include some hair products if they’re running low and of course towels and candles for the ultimate spa experience.
18. HOT COCOA CARE PACKAGE
Looking for college care packages for winter? Then this is just what you’re looking for! Hot cocoa is literally THE beverage to drink all winter long. It keeps you warm and is delicious.
Grab a box and fill it up with hot cocoa mix. Make sure to add in some marshmallows for toppings and include a cute mug as well.
19. BEAUTY CARE PACKAGE
As a beauty lover myself, this is another one of my favorite college care packages. Buying makeup or personal products, in general, can get quite expensive really fast.
If you have the budget, create this amazing care package filled with beauty products and essentials. The number one thing to include is strip lashes. I honestly think if you put on lashes, some blush, and shiny lip gloss, you’ll be good for the day.
You can also include some other items like foundation, bronzer, and a makeup pouch, along with some body lotion and perfume. You will definitely be their favorite with this package.
20. HALLOWEEN CARE PACKAGE
This is essentially just a Halloween boo basket but in a box instead. Create this amazing care package and fill it with tasty sweet treats your college student will love.
You can also make it more personalized by decorating the box and adding Halloween spooky stickers.
21. HAPPY BIRTHDAY PACKAGE
If you’re loved one attends college far away, chances are they most likely won’t make it home to celebrate. Which is why, this birthday college care package is an amazing idea.
Include a bunch of their favorite snacks, some gifts, and maybe a few items they need for their dorm.
22. CHRISTMAS BASKET
If you want to gift your college student a basket for the holidays, this is a great option.
Just grab a woven basket and include fuzzy slippers, a cozy blanket, Lindor chocolates (I used to think these were so expensive), nice scented candles, and some fairy lights for the finishing touch.
23. FEEL BETTER PACKAGE
As much as I HATE to say this, everyone in college is sick literally all the time. Make sure your loved one is not amongst one of them and create this thoughtful sick care package.
Include some ibuprofen/Tylenol, tissue paper, hand sanitizer, and some halls along with a few other items to help them stay healthy and happy.
24. SPA CARE PACKAGE
Is there anything more relaxing than aromatherapy? There is a lot of stress in college so lighting up candles, turning on your diffuser, and having a “ME” day is the perfect way to unwind and relax.
Include some scented candles, diffusers, room spray, face masks, and of course eye masks for the ultimate relaxation kit.
25. HEALTHY CARE PACKAGE
Is your college student a health nut? If so, they are going to love this college care package. Include some healthy snacks and veggies that they love, along with their favorite drinks.
In college, it is very easy to gain the freshman 15 because you literally have zero free time, so this is perfect!
26. HYGIENE CARE PACKAGE
Spoil your college student with this thoughtful hygiene care package! Fill the basket with soap, body wash, wet wipes, toothbrush, lotion, hand sanitizer, and a few other essentials they’ll love.
Also, add in some items that they might be running low on like toothpaste.
27. COFFEE CARE PACKAGE
I am an absolute coffee addict. Truth be told, my day does not start until I have a full cup of coffee first. So this care package is my absolute dream come true!
Throw in some coffee grounds, syrups, coffee spoons, and a few toppings as well.
28. STATIONARY BASKET
This is a care package every college student needs. Grab a box and incorporate some notebooks, pens, highlighters, pencils, index cards, as well as a few snacks.
This is perfect if you have a low budget and want to create something simple. You could probably buy all of these items for less than $50.
29. SUNDAE IN A BOX
Who doesn’t love sundaes am I right? Grab a large box and include delicious items to add to your ice creams. Such as syrups, sprinkles, and a few other toppings that your college student favors.
If you don’t live that far, you can also include some ice cream.
30. FINALS CARE PACKAGE
If you’re wanting to send a care package to your college student, I highly recommend you send one during finals week. This week or literally the entire month is insanely stressful and draining.
You have to study for hours on end so it can be pretty exhausting. Put a little joy in their life by creating a care package with all of their favorite treats they can snack on while studying.
31. A BIT OF EVERYTHING
If you cannot decide on a theme for your care package, then this is the one for you. Include a little bit of everything, like hygiene products, gift cards, personal care, stationery, snacks and drinks, and games.
There are so many options to choose from!
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THIS POST SHOWED YOU THE BEST COLLEGE CARE PACKAGES
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