College Care Packages From Home: 50 Great Ideas

As a first-year college student, nothing put a smile on my face quite like knowing I had one of my mom’s college care packages waiting for me at the dorm. It started with an email from the mailroom saying a box would be available for pick-up that afternoon. It was hard to focus on the differences between classical and operant conditioning that my psychology professor explained when I would rather think about treats from home.

“How does she do it?” I wondered while eagerly munching on some chocolate chip cookies and looking through the rest of the box to see what she had chosen.

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College Care Packages — 50 Favorite Ideas 

For the Homesick

1. Cookies

The fastest way to make new friends is to share with hall mates, especially treats they can’t get on their meal plan. Homemade is incredible, and I loved getting chocolate chip cookies from my mom.

2. Energy Bar

I also love LaRaBars and always try to have one in my backpack for a quick snack. I also appreciate that she sends extras for my friends and think this variety pack has some of the flavors we all love the most. 

3. Diffuser

A scent that reminds you of home will cover the smell of your dorm room and make you smile. These Nest Diffusers come in many beautiful scents and will last for the entire fall term.

4. Wall poster of a landmark from home

Dorm room walls are blank slates for every college student to decorate. Don’t forget to throw in a Command Poster Adhesive Strips package so that posters can be put up easily without damaging the walls.

5. Amazon Prime Student

Having a subscription to Amazon Prime is an excellent resource for ordering everything you suddenly realize you need as a student for free with overnight delivery. Now, students can get a 6-month FREE trial (for new members only) of Prime Student, which will cost $7.49/month after that.

A subscription to Prime Student comes with loads of perks…free delivery, what you want when you want — including 2-hour grocery delivery. Stream TV shows, movies, and ad-free music. Unlimited photo storage and try on clothes before you buy. Read tons of titles on any device. You can also rent textbooks and save up to 90%.

For the Health-Focused

Working out and eating healthy foods when relying on the cafeteria for most meals can be challenging, especially as a college freshman. Here are a few ways to help your student stay healthy:

6. Water bottle

I keep a water bottle in my backpack, which is a great way to stay hydrated. There are water stations in many of the buildings on campus, so I can keep it filled, and I never have to buy a plastic one. Hydro Flask water bottles are trendy, come in many sizes, and are available in many colors.

7. Microwaveable oatmeal

Making oatmeal is easy if you have a microwave in your dorm room. Quaker Oatmeal is my favorite brand, and it’s so easy to add hot water for a leisurely in-dorm breakfast or snack.

8. New workout gear

I try to work out in my apartment but going for a walk or a run is also a great way to stay fit. Lululemon is one of my favorite brands, and it is a real treat to get something new for working out or hanging out.

9. Purell hand sanitizer

It’s not always convenient to wash your hands before grabbing a snack on campus, and having one of these small bottles in a backpack could come in very handy.

10. Sports bag

A small sports bag to carry gear in is a great care package gift, and Fanatics will have the largest selection you can find anywhere, with official licensing from NCAA and all the pro teams. This small and lightweight bag is all I needed to carry things to the gym and back again.

11. Wireless earbuds

These are a little bit of luxury that any college student would love, and the Jabra Elite brand gets top reviews for earbuds to wear while working out.

For the Fashionista

12. Laptop and phone case decals

The easiest way to express your style as a college student is on your laptop. You bring it everywhere, and even on the mornings when you don’t feel like changing out of sweatpants, your computer can still be well dressed with a cute decal.

13. Hair Ties

They add a pop of color, and you can never have too many!

14. Kyle Cavan Jewelry

Kyle Cavan jewelry makes some of the most unique and beautiful jewelry pieces I have ever seen for college students. They have official licensing deals with 100 colleges, but you can always design something personal for your daughter even if her college is not (yet) included on their list.

This company was founded by two young women who have been friends since they were 14, and I love everything they have built.

For the Sports Fan

15. T-shirts and sweatshirts in school colors

We can never have enough clothing items with our college logos on them. The campus bookstore is a logical place to shop, but Fanatics has the widest selection of college logo apparel, accessories, etc.

16. Outdoor games

A corn hole game is a wonderful gift to send if your son or daughter is looking for something to set up on the quad or at a tailgate.

Books for college care packages

17. Do Your Laundry, or You’ll Die Alone: Advice, Your Mom, Would Give if She Thought You Were Listening

Becky Blades is the super-talented author and illustrator who wrote this gorgeous book for her two off-to-college daughters. It is pretty perfect for any college girl.

18. The Naked Roommate: And 107 Other Issues You Might Run Into in College

Harlan Cohen has written the classic book for first-year college students, and this can be the go-to guide for students whenever they encounter a sticky situation.

19. Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life and Maybe the World

Admiral William McRaven delivered this graduation address to students at UT Austin, and it became an instant classic. He will encourage and inspire your student through this challenging first semester at college with the simple advice he offers.

20. The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse

This beautiful book, written and illustrated by Charlie Mackesy, is filled with warmth and love and will remind your student of family values like kindness, friendship, and home…

More ideas for college care packages

21. Bombas Gripper Slippers

I love my Bombas socks and think these cable knit slippers would be perfect to wear in the dorm. They are toasty warm and have grips on the bottoms to prevent slips. Available in pink, green and grey.

 

22. She’s Birdie personal alarm

This small personal alarm might be just the thing to help your daughter prepare for a situation where she feels frightened. Pull the pin to activate a loud alarm and flashing strobe light to create a diversion. The pin can be replaced and reused.

23. Anker Powerline+ II Lightning Cable

The outlets in most dorm rooms are so far away from our beds that it’s inconvenient to keep a phone plugged in to charge overnight. This one is 10 feet long, charges my phone fast, and is durable.

24. Silly games

My hallmate’s mom ordered yo-yos and paddleball games during midterms, which were fun, stress-reducing toys we loved playing with.

25. Anker Portable Charger

Having a phone with a dead battery is a preventable problem if your student has a lightweight charger back to throw into a backpack. 

26. Seasonal decorations/treats

Valentine candy would be a fun gift, especially if you send enough for your student to share with others.

27. Left Center Right 

People love this dice game — it is a top seller among Grown and Flown families — and would make a perfect small gift for a college care package.

28. Tervis Tumblers 

Tervis Tumblers are available with many college logos; they can also be personalized with initials or other designs. These insulated cups are indestructible.

29. Mini Jewelry Case

Having a safe place to store valuable jewelry in the dorm is important and this mini case could be placed in the back of a drawer or storage bin. Also great for traveling. Available in 7 pretty colors. 

 

30. Therapy Dough

Gift your student a trip down memory lane to the days of squeezing, molding, and shaping the dough into anything the heart desired with this grown-up version of therapy putty that provides adult benefits: aromatherapy and stress relief. Available in lavender, pine, orange, or eucalyptus.

31. PJ Bottoms

These cute pajama bottoms are available in three different patterns.

32. Mario Badescu Spritz Mist and Glow Facial Spray Collection, 3 Piece Set — Lavender, Cucumber, Rose

Your daughter will love receiving a collection of these trendy facial sprays.

33. Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza

This popular game is fast to learn and fast to play. 

 

34. Lokai Bracelets

We think these bead bracelets are lovely on the inside and out; Lokai is a socially responsible brand with a mission to help everyone find balance along life’s journey. Each bracelet is infused with elements sourced from the earth’s highest (Mt. Everest) and lowest points (Dead Sea). There are collaborations with Disney, sports teams, and a collegiate collection! 

35. Jack Black Lip Balm 

Jack Black has a line of lip balms with SPF 25 sunscreen and is available with light flavoring. It is considered a men’s brand but the lip balms are excellent for anyone.

36. Burt’s Bees Lip Balm

This is my other favorite lip balm for cold weather, and I like keeping tubes in my backpack and on my desk.

37. Mug Cake

Most students have access to a microwave and these mug cakes could be a yummy treat. 

38. Bluetooth Speaker

The UE Wonderboom 2 gets the highest reviews for a wireless speaker.

39. Blue-light-blocking glasses 

Students use their laptops to study for long hours and then scroll through their phones for relaxation before bed. Wearing a pair of blue-light-blocking glasses when staring at their screens might help them fall and stay asleep when they eventually put their phones down.

This company makes dozens of highly-reviewed styles that would work well for college guys or women.

40. Sunscreen

My mom always reminded me to wear it, so I am never surprised when she includes a bottle in a care package. Here are some of the bestselling sunscreen brands.

41. Nail polish

A gift of Essie Nail Polish in school colors would make for a sporty look for a manicure.

42. PJ Pants

Pajama pants are super comfortable to lounge around in the dorm and these super soft ones from Target would make your son happy.

43. Revlon hairdryer/volumizer 

This is much more than a blow dryer; your daughter will love hers as she styles and dries her hair when she wants to look her best for a class or night out.

44. Journaling pens

These super-popular pens are meant for journaling but they can obviously be used for anything you would need a regular pen for including note taking, color-coding a paper calendar or just doodling. Set includes 18 colors. 

45. Microwavable popcorn popper

Popcorn is a low-calorie, high-fiber snack, and this is an easy-to-manage microwavable popper.

46. Crazy Aaron’s Thinking Putty

This reminds me of the Silly Putty I used to play with as a kid.

47. Toiletries

Replenish their toiletries, including a new toothbrush.

48. Cash

Your kid would be so happy to get an extra few dollars to spend.  Everyone loves this!

49. Plastic plates, bowls, etc.

If they need some lightweight, easy-to-store plates and bowls, these are very cute from Target.

50. Letter from home

Nothing cheers any college student up more than a handwritten letter from home.

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Best Places to Order a College Care Package