As a first-year college student, nothing made me smile 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 think about treats from home instead.
“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 Package Ideas — 50 Favorites
For the Homesick
1. Cookies
The fastest way to make new friends is to share treats with new roommates and hall mates. I loved getting chocolate chip cookies from my mom.
2. Command Strips for Poster or Photos of “Happy Places” (Amazon)
Dorm room walls are blank slates for every college student to decorate. Find photos or a poster from your hometown, and don’t forget to throw in a Command Poster Adhesive Strips package so that posters can be put up easily without damaging the walls.
3. Do Your Laundry, or You’ll Die Alone: Advice, Your Mom, Would Give if She Thought You Were Listening (Amazon)
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 woman and may remind her of her mom and home, with advice her mom would want to give her daughter now that she’s far away.
For the Health-Focused
Here are a few ways to help your student stay healthy; these are also some of the best care package ideas.
4. Owala Water Bottle (Amazon)
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 wasteful plastic water bottle. I love all the color combinations in the Owala bottles and think they are a great choice for style, too.
5. New Workout Gear (lululemon)
I try to work out in the gym, but walking or running are also great ways to stay fit. lululemon is one of my favorite brands, and it’s a real treat to get something new for working out or hanging out. They make great gear for men and women.
6. Adidas Duffel Bag (Amazon)
Is it time for your son or daughter to replace their old sports duffel with a new one? Adidas bags come in several sizes and many colors so look for one in their college color.
7. Small Collegiate Gym Bag (Fanatics)
A small gym bag to carry gear in is a great care package gift, and Fanatics has the largest selection you can find anywhere, with official licensing from NCAA and all the pro teams. This lightweight bag has two zippered compartments and backpack straps.
8. JLab Go Air Sport wireless earbuds (Amazon)
Having a pair of earbuds for working out can make the time fly, and these inexpensive earbuds by JLab, get great reviews by the New York Times Wirecutter that points out the sweatproof design. Since they hook over ears, they can stay in place better than other earbuds.
For the one who loves color
9. Laptop Decals (Amazon)
One of the easiest ways to express your style as a college student is on your laptop. You bring it everywhere, and even when you don’t feel like changing out of sweatpants, your computer can still be well-dressed with a cute decal.
10. Hair Ties (Amazon)
They add a pop of color; you can never have too many!
11. Journaling Pens (Amazon)
These super-popular pens are meant for journaling, but they can be used for anything you would need a regular pen, including note-taking, color-coding a paper calendar, or just doodling. The set includes 18 colors.
For the Sports Fan
12. College Merch (Fanatics)
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., for more than 500 schools plus pro teams.
13. Cornhole Board Set (Fanatics)
A corn hole game is a fun gift if your son or daughter wants something to set up on the quad or at a tailgate.
14. lululemon clear belt bag (lululemon)
If your student plans to go to a stadium or arena that restricts the types of bags that can be brought inside, this clear belt bag from lululemon would be a great gift.
Books for care packages
15. The Defining Decade: Why Your Twenties Matter–And How to Make the Most of Them (Amazon)
In this book, Dr. Jay explains that the twenties are the most defining years of adulthood. These transitional years should not be squandered because this is the decade to get things done; the things not accomplished will have far-reaching consequences — it’s a book that will be beneficial to all young adults.
16. The Naked Roommate: And 107 Other Issues You Might Run Into in College (Amazon)
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.
17. Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life and Maybe the World (Amazon)
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 year at college with his simple advice.
18. The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse (Amazon)
This beautiful bestselling 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…
Games
19. Paddle Ball (Amazon)
My hallmate’s mom ordered yo-yos and paddleball games during midterms, which were fun, stress-reducing toys we loved playing with.
20. Left Center Right (Amazon)
People love this dice game — a top seller among Grown and Flown families — and would make a perfect small gift for a college care package.
21. Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza (Amazon)
More ideas for college care packages
22. Apple AirTag (Amazon)
Help your student keep track of their keys, wallet, or backpack with an Apple AirTag.
23. Winter Knit Gloves with Upgraded Touch Screen Fingers (Amazon)
For any student that goes to a school that will have a cold winter, these gloves will keep their hands warm, and they won’t have to take them off to use their phone to call you!
24. She’s Birdie Personal Alarm (Amazon)
This small personal alarm might help your student prepare for a situation where they feel frightened. Pull the pin to activate a loud alarm and flash the strobe light to create a diversion. The pin can be replaced and reused.
25. Anker Charging Cable (Amazon)
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.
26. Anker Portable Charger (Amazon)
A phone with a dead battery is a preventable problem if your student has a lightweight charger to throw into a backpack. This one is compatible with iPhone 14/14 Pro / 14 Plus, iPhone 13 and 12 Series.
27. Anker Nano (Amazon)
Here’s the same great charging device for newer model phones: iPhone 15 Series, Samsung S22/23 Series, iPad Pro/Air, AirPods, and More
28. Stanley Travel Mug ( Amazon)
Your student would be thrilled to open a care package and find a Stanley travel mug inside. Available in lots of styles and colors.
29. Mini Jewelry Case (Amazon)
A safe place to store valuable jewelry in the dorm is essential, and this mini case could be placed out of sight in the back of a drawer or storage bin. Also great for traveling and is available in seven pretty colors.
30. Organic Lip Balm for Men (Amazon)
This men’s sports chapstick is packed with beeswax, Vitamin E, sunflower, jojoba and rosemary oil to protect and moisturize all day.
31. Sol de Janiero Travel Kit (Amazon)
This bestselling cosmetics brand smells wonderful and would be a great treat for your daughter. Includes a sample size of three items – Body Wash, Brazilian Bum Bum Cream and Cheirosa 62 Perfume Mist.
32. LANEIGE Lip Sleeping Mask (Amazon)
Pamper your college student with this lip sleeping mask that includes Vitamin C, murumuru & shea butter, and antioxidants.
33. Sunscreen (Amazon)
My mom always reminded me to wear it, so I am never surprised when she includes a tube in a care package. Here are some of the bestselling sunscreen brands.
34. Mighty Patch™ – Hydrocolloid Acne Pimple Patch (Amazon)
This is a popular product to treat periodic breakouts.
35. Burt’s Bees Gift Pack (Amazon)
Here are some of the Burt’s Bees favorites that your student would enjoy getting in a care package.
36. Lego Succulents (Amazon)
Legos are popular for older kids, too.
37. Door Stoppers (Amazon)
A door stopper is an easy way for your son or daughter to get to know people a little more easily on their hall.
38. Carhartt Knit Caps (Amazon)
This might be the ONE hat your son might wear when the weather turns cold. Available in many colors.
39. Masterlock Small Lockbox (Amazon)
If your student has small valuables, this is helpful lockbox for them to have.
40. Centered Student Planner (Amazon)
If your student is struggling with time management, this paper planner might be jsut the thing to help them get a better grasp of their assignments, club meetings and important dates. Created by a professor, and mom.
41. Crocs (Amazon)
Having a pair of lightweight sandals to slip on when you’re just going to the communal bathroom or down the hall to see a friend is so nice and Crocs come is many styles and colors.
42. Bedrest Pillow (Amazon)
Dorm beds are uncomfortable but a pillow like this would make them much nicer to sit up on for reading or doing homework.
43. JBL Clip Speaker
Waterproof and durable, this bluetooth speaker plays up to 10 hours of music and is available in lots of great colors.
44. Projector (Amazon)
A projector will make movie nights in their dorm or apartment so much better!
45. Toiletries
Are they out of some of their favorites? Replenish them for them now.
46. Gift card to local restaurants
The dining hall gets old fast.
47. Uber or Uber Eats
Your student will want to take Ubers in their new college town; a gift card would be a great gift. Here’s here to set that up on the Uber App. Here’s where you can find a gift card on Amazon.
48. Snacks! (Amazon)
Amazon sells loads of boxes of snacks – your student can share with roommates and hall mates.
49. Amazon Prime Student Account
There may be no better time for parents to separate their Amazon Prime accounts than when their teens are college students. The Amazon Prime Student account offers many perks and special deals for college students at a savings over a regular account.
50. Letter from home
Nothing cheers any college student more than a handwritten letter from home.
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