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I can remember making cookies for my older cousin when he went off to college. And I loved getting stuff from my mom when I was at school. Your college kid will too, so here are some care package ideas for you:
Taste of Home
For the student that’s missing some of the familiarity of home, put together a package with a few of their favorite things. Not just their favorite cookies. Add in a postcard from a local cafe, a gift card to their favorite restaurant they can look forward to using once they return home, a pennant from a local sports team, and family photos.
Digital Gift Ideas
A care package doesn’t have to be physical to have an impact. Electronic gift cards or top-ups on student spending cards offer some spending freedom, but don’t forget video messages from family gatherings, email updates, and e-cards. Collect it all into one big digital gift, or dole them out over time.
Monthly Visits
This one is great for a pal going to grad school somewhere far from their established social network, where it’s a challenge to balance the academic and professional workload and social life. To help them feel connected back home, divide the calendar up for the first year of school, assigning one friend to check in each month.
Holiday in a Box
Some schools are altering schedules to limit travel during the semester, and this means some students are staying on campus for Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. Holiday decorations, garlands, a mini tree, festive paper napkins, and tasty treats are just some of the things you can whip together in one quick trip to a dollar store. Just try to make sure whatever you send is not restricted in on-campus housing (string lights are a fairly common listing).
Smooth Transition
Dorm and apartment living, roommates, and new schedules can be disruptive. Smooth the transition with a care package that includes things like earplugs, noise-canceling headphones, and a sleep mask. A fun pillow cover of a pet at home can bring a smile and ease homesickness. A water filter can help adjust to new city tastes, and as a bonus, you can fill it with packaged snacks. Sharable snacks, board games, and other group-worthy goods will make inroads with the new community.
School Spirit
Help build their collection of school pride: think koozies, t-shirts, stocking caps, pennants, coffee mugs, and other candy in the school colors. It’s perfect in anticipation of a big game or another school event, but it might be especially appreciated by students unable to return to school.
The Essentials
First aid kits, detergent pods, a lint roller, floss, and soap. It’s maybe not exciting, but these kinds of care packages are always a winner, especially with undergrad students who aren’t used to planning for this stuff yet. Have fun with it by replacing run-of-the-mill soap with something a little sassier or shipping laundry quarters in a fun coin purse.
(BHG)