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If your teen is away at school, being sick without anyone there to care for them can be scary and overwhelming. While you might not be able to be on campus, nothing says you’re thinking of them quite like a “sick day” care package. We’ve put together a great list that’s sure to make even the gloomiest of sick days a little bit brighter for them.
We’ve given you an array of options to choose from, whether you are inclined to opt for a premade care package or prefer to craft your own sick care package. From cozy socks and soothing teas to uplifting books and comforting snacks, there’s something for your recipient in our carefully curated selection.
Reminder: If your student is truly sick beyond a cold or slight fever, encourage them to go to the health center or doctor as soon as possible!
Our Top Picks
- Best Premade Package: Mikimoony Relaxing Spa Gift Basket – $49.99 at Amazon
- Best for Rest: Giftier Get Well Soon Gift Basket – $40.99 at Amazon
- Best for the Restock: The Sick-Kit – $49.99 at Amazon
- Best Gourmet Package: Specialty Gift Boxes Gourmet Get Well Gift Box – $64.99 at Amazon
- Best Holistic Package: Unbox Me Tea Set – $38.99 at Amazon
Best Premade Care Packages
1. Best Premade Care Package: Mikimoony Relaxing Spa Gift Basket
Offering the ultimate relaxation experience, this Relaxing Spa Gift Basket is the epitome of pampering and self-care. This premade care package provides a spa-like experience while in the comforts of a dorm or apartment. It’s packed with luxurious essentials like a bath bomb, fuzzy socks, and a silk sleep mask, which is exactly what a recovering student would appreciate. If they’re in need of some self-indulgence, this spa gift basket is sure to bring joy and rejuvenation. (Note – it includes a candle which is not allowed in most dorms but they can enjoy the scent or save it for when they return home for a visit.)
2. Best for Rest: Giftier Get Well Soon Gift Basket
This package comes in cool tones and is targeted toward men, but could be great for anyone who needs relaxation tools to promote recovery and rest. This thoughtful care package includes a variety of comforting items including a memory foam pillow, a massage roller, a plush blanket, socks — even a puzzle book to stay entertained. This gift basket is the perfect way to show your teen you care about their well-being and wish them a speedy recovery.
3. Best for the Restock: The Sick-Kit
When it comes to restocking essentials for someone under the weather, The Sick-Kit has you covered. This comprehensive sick care package includes everything needed to make someone feel better, from over-the-counter pain relievers to cough drops and tea. With its convenient assortment of items aimed at providing relief and comfort, The Sick Kit is the perfect gift to help someone get back on their feet quickly. As a reminder, please have your teen check with their healthcare professional before taking any medications.
4. Best Gourmet Package: Specialty Gift Boxes – Gourmet Get Well Gift Box
Being sick means they might not have had time to grab their favorite snacks before they retreated to their dorm. This carefully curated package includes an array of products from popular brands like Burt’s Bees lip balm, Bob’s Red Mill oatmeal, Nutella snack packs, and a gourmet tea collection. This box is perfect for someone getting over the final hump of an illness. The foodie in your life is sure to approve!
5. Best Holistic Package: Unbox Me Self Care Gifts for Women
For the person who loves all things zen, The Unbox Me Self Care Gift offers all the holistic goodness one could ask for. This carefully curated set includes fluffy socks, a coffee mug, a Cedarwood Chai tea set, a mini honey jar, and cinnamon sticks. It is the equivalent of a hug in a box. You can’t go wrong with giving this comforting and rejuvenating sick care package for the mind, body, and soul. Also, take note about the candle…they can save it for future use if not allowed in the dorm.)
6. Best Spa Basket: Purelis Premium Deluxe Bath & Body Gift Set
Treat that under-the-weather student to the ultimate at-home spa experience with the Premium Deluxe Bath & Body Gift Set. This lavish collection features carefully selected items to provide a luxurious spa experience at home. Included in the set are stress stress-release bubble bath, body wash with shea butter, lavender Chamomile body mist, lavender massage oil, and spa slippers. This would be better for students living in apartments so they can take full advantage of the spa-like comforts.
The Best DIY Sick Care Package Ideas
7. Best For the Tea Lover: Hey Girl Feel Better Tea
There’s nothing like a warm cup of tea to soothe cold symptoms and scratchy throats. This tea is crafted with comforting herbs like echinacea, elderberry, and black licorice and contains no caffeine. If anything, it will warm them up on those sick days! The tea aficionado in your life is sure to approve.
8. Best Fuzzy Socks: Bombas Fuzzy Socks
For cozy comfort and warmth when your student has the chills, Bombas socks are the perfect choice. Features we love including seamless toe, honeycomb arch support, and “stay up” technology. Available for women in white as a single purchase or four colors in a multi-pack. They’re a small, packable gift that can help them stay warm with a cold.
For each pair of socks sold, Bombas donates a pair to someone experiencing homelessness. We love them!
9. Best Tissues: Puffs Ultra Soft, 4 Count
When it comes to tissues, it’s best to go with what you know. Puffs Ultra Soft combines the strength and softness you need when battling the sniffles. Designed to be gentle on sensitive skin, they are my family’s favorite brand year round and especially when someone has a cold. Four cubed boxes should be more than enough without overloading them.
10. Best Soup: Campbell’s Microwavable Chicken Noodle Soup
Campbell’s microwavable soup offers a convenient and comforting option for warm and nourishing meals when someone is just not up to cooking. We chose this Chicken Noodle flavor as a tried and true relief for those feeling under the weather. These ready-to-heat soups are perfect for satisfying hunger and soothing the soul. And the best part? They are designed to be mess-free so your sick teen can enjoy them from the comfort of their own bed.
11. Epsom Salt: Amazon Basics Lavender Epsom Salt
For relaxation and muscle relief, Amazon Basics Lavender Epsom Salt is a must-have. Made with high-quality ingredients and infused with soothing lavender oil and magnesium, this Epsom salt helps relax the body and calm the mind. It’s especially good for body aches that someone might feel when battling a more intense illness like mono or the flu. Just make sure they have access to a bathtub before sending.
12. Good Read: Normal People By Sally Rooney
We know that picking a book for someone else can be personal and challenging. Everyone is particular with their genres and writing styles. That’s why we don’t take this recommendation lightly. Normal People is not only a highly readable page-turner, it’s also on Goodreads’ list of best books to read when you’re sick. The best part? There’s a critically acclaimed TV show on Hulu based on the book that they can binge in bed after reading!
13. Shower Steamer: Vicks VapoShower Plus
Your college student can transform their shower into a spa experience with these shower steamer pods. When they dissolve they release the Vicks proprietary blend of eucalyptus and essential oils plus scents of menthol and camphor.
14. Best Humidifier: raydrop humidifier
Research has shown that keeping a room at 40 to 60 percent humidity can help reduce the transmission of respiratory viruses and can make dry throats feel better. This one is compact and lightweight making it ideal for a dorm.
Why You Can Trust Us
Why you should trust us
We are three moms who have raised 8 young adults and have been working on products lists for over 12 years now, making us experts. When selecting products we survey the Grown and Flown Parents Facebook group of nearly 300,000 parents of teens, tweens and young adults. We do opinion polls, surveys and ask open ended questions. We search for products that combine reasonable price with high quality and are recommended by our large following.
Prices accurate as of date of publication.Prices were accurate at time of publication.
