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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 happily munching on a chocolate chip cookie and looking through the rest of the box to see what she had chosen.
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 (Amazon)
Dorm room walls are blank slates for every college student to decorate. Find photos of your family 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 cute book for her two off-to-college daughters. It is pretty perfect for any college woman and might remind her of her own mom and home.
For someone who wants to stay healthy
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.
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. Small Collegiate Gym Bag (Fanatics)
A small gym bag 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.
For the one who loves color
7. 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.
8. Hair Ties (Amazon)
They add a pop of color; you can never have too many!
9. 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
10. 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.
11. lululemon clear belt bag (lululemon)
If your daughter 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
12. 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.
13. 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.
14. 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.
15. 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
16. 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.
17. Left Center Right (Amazon)
People love this dice game and it would make a perfect small gift for a college care package. This is the #1 Bestseller in dice games on Amazon.
18. Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza (Amazon)
Another popular and small gift to add to a care package.
More ideas for college care packages
19. Apple AirTag (Amazon)
Help your student keep track of their keys, wallet, or backpack with an Apple AirTag.
20. 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 or text you!
21. She’s Birdie Personal Alarm (Amazon)
This small personal alarm might help your student in 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 the alarm reused.
22. Anker MagGo 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 works with MagSafe for easy wireless charging and can power an iPhone almost twice. With fast charging and a sleek design, it’s great for busy days on campus.
23. Casegrace 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.
Amazon $6.64
24. Rugged & Dapper Organic Lip Balm for Men 4-pack(Amazon)
This men’s sports chapstick is packed with beeswax, Vitamin E, sunflower, jojoba and rosemary oil to protect and moisturize all day.
Amazon $23.70
25. 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. This is the #1 bestseller in bath and shower sets on Amazon.
Amazon $30.00
26. LANEIGE Lip Sleeping Mask (Amazon)
Pamper your college student with this lip sleeping mask that includes Vitamin C, murumuru & shea butter, and antioxidants.
Amazon $22.80
27. Mighty Patch™ – Hydrocolloid Acne Pimple Patch (Amazon)
This is a popular product to treat periodic breakouts.
Amazon
28. Lego Succulents (Amazon)
Legos are popular for older kids, too.
Amazon
29. Wundermax Door Stoppers – Set of 3 (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.
Amazon
30. 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.
Amazon
31. Comfort Spa 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.
Amazon
32. JBL Clip Speaker
Waterproof and durable, this bluetooth speaker plays up to 10 hours of music and is available in lots of great colors.
Amazon
33. Toiletries
Are they out of some of their favorites? Replenish them for them now.
34. Gift card to local restaurants
The dining hall gets old fast.
35. 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.
36. Snacks! (Amazon)
Amazon sells loads of boxes of snacks – your student can share with roommates and hall mates.
37. 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.
38. Letter from home
Nothing cheers any college student more than a handwritten letter from home.
Prices were accurate at time of publication.
Here’s Why You Can Trust Us
The Grown and Flown team includes three moms who have raised 8 young adults and have been working on product lists for over 12 years now, making them experts. When selecting products they survey the Grown and Flown Parents Facebook group of nearly 300,000 parents of teens, tweens and young adults. They do opinion polls, surveys and ask open-ended questions. They search for products that combine reasonable prices with high quality and are recommended by the large following. With recommendations from major retailers, trustworthy publications, and social media influencers, this post selected a range of products, paying close attention to reviews and price tags.
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