Care Packages for College Students
Ahh..care packages! Those sweet little gifts from home that kids love to get (and we love to send!) that show them we care. Here are some things my kids love to get (and I love to gift!):
Snacks
Can they ever have enough snacks? My kids love snacky, salty, and sugary treats, but they also LOVE fruits, veggies, nuts, protein bars, and even (*shocking*) energy drinks, haha! I can’t imagine why.. Do not mention this to my daughter, but she asks for fiber. She loves any flavor frosted mini-wheats! Blueberry and chocolate bite-size are her favorites. Even without milk, they are a great snack. They love Clif bars for a quick (protein) lunch between classes or even just granola/other protein bars. Little packs of mixed nuts, peanuts, or trail mix are easy to pack in a care package (and in their backpacks!). Dried fruit is a big bonus and easy to mail!
Coffee
They love coffee-maybe it’s all the late nights and studying! Keurig K-cups/pods, or freshly ground coffee for traditional coffee makers, coffee filters, and add a new portable coffee mug. You can also include a Starbucks gift card, or a gift card to a local coffee shop on or near campus. Sometimes, they like to buy a single coffee and study there for hours!
Medicine and First Aid Supplies
They never really take all they need when they move out. Their luggage is full-and they don’t realize they’ll get sick. College kids truly believe they are invincible! They need little packs of ibuprofen or acetaminophen (and Midol is a blessing for young ladies!), and send cold medicine. You must be at least 18 years old and show your driver’s license to purchase cold medicine (and they usually don’t feel well enough to go to the pharmacy by the time they need it)! They also need cough drops, antibiotic ointment, and band-aids (I love to pick up cute patterned ones or funny characters to make them laugh!). If your student has allergies-send some Benadryl or some antihistamine medication (especially if your child is moving to a a new environment that their sweet bodies aren’t accustomed to!). Trees and plants are brutal, y’all. Especially here in Arkansas! I also like to send little rice bags they can microwave for an achy ear or sore neck/shoulders (try it… they are magical!). And throw in some dental floss for unspoken encouragement for those expensive teeth.
Room Scents
My daughter loves new wallflowers from Bath & Body Works (to match the color/seasons). My son will take a can of Febreze, haha! A diffuser is nice, or any wall plug-in is nice. Dirty laundry and no air movement can really take a toll on a dorm room!
School Supplies
Send some really nice new pencils (mechanical with extra lead and erasers), smooth-writing pens, highlighters, and post-it notes or little post-it flags for bookmarks. Girls are also really into colored pens (like little Le Pens (that I LOVED in my college days!!), or these from Staedtler ( ..neither are a paid advertisement, I just love them)! If you have a left-handed child, get them a couple notebooks from Leftys..their life will be changed. I have a Lefty!)
Fun things
Sometimes just throw in some things for FUN! Laptop, phone case and water bottle decals are all the rage! Send a new reusable water bottle, new workout clothes (to encourage movement! ..and because they live in them, haha!), air pods, hair ties, books, card games, new phone charging cords (they wear them OUT!), lotion or new shampoo, and new socks. I think everyone rolls their eyes when they get new socks at Christmas..but they LOVE them and wear them! Send some cute, stylish ones..they don’t wear shoes around their dorms or houses so they wear their socks out fast..well, and because they do their own laundry and lose them, ha!
Most of all, send your love. Even a card lets them know they might be far away but not forgotten. They are finding their way, but they still miss home. Even if they never tell you.
I do have some Happy Mail and packages available for college students if you are busy and need some help. We all need a little help from time to time. But they’d love to get anything from you too!
love, mom
