It seems like they were just starting kindergarten yesterday and in the blink of an eye, they’re already off to their first year on campus.
The transition from high school to college isn’t always easy, especially for those who chose to go to a university further away from home. Sending a care packages is one of the best ways to show your love and support for your student as they begin this new chapter of life.
Between the new people, activities and routines they have to become adjusted to, a care package is something that reminds them of home and makes your student feel connected to you. They’re perfect to send as a start-of-semester boost, a pick-me-up during final exams or just a sweet surprise in between busier stretches.
Shop TODAY found a few ready-to-send care package options that can be shipped right to their door — er, university mail room. Or, if you want to take a more personalized approach and create a college care package from scratch, we listed a few essential items you won’t want to forget.
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College care packages to shop
They’ll appreciate a little pick-me-up during tougher stretches and this care package with inspirational quotes is sure to put a smile on their face. Each box comes with six to eight trinkets and the box itself can be used as storage once emptied. You can choose from 10 different designs.
Every college student will agree: there’s no such thing as too many snacks. Keep their collection stocked with the yummiest goodies from this ready-to-send package of snacks from Gourmet Gift Baskets. It has something for every craving, from savory pepperoni pizza pretzels to Haribo gummies that’ll satisfy their sweet tooth.
Keeping the self care essentials stocked in college can sometimes be tricky. Between classes, club meetings and social events, your student will probably find little time to worry about buying beauty products. This kit includes many Gen Z beauty favorites like Sol de Janeiro body spray and Lanolips lip balm, all packed into a clear and reusable makeup bag.
This box comes packed with more than just sweet treats (though there’s plenty of those in there, too). It has everything they need for a little sugar fix in between classes.
If your new college student has a birthday that falls during the school year, it’s probably one of the first times in their life they aren’t home to celebrate. This birthday care package includes everything they could want to feel celebrated, even if you’re miles away.
There’s always some sort of cold going around the first few weeks living on campus. Send them this package that has all of the essentials they need to get them through it. It includes six (what the brand calls) make-everything-feel-better cookies — choose from chocolate chip, triple chocolate chunk, snickerdoodle, oatmeal raisin, lemon, confetti or vegan, gluten-free chocolate chip — along with a trio of teas, raw honey, fuzzy socks, cough drops, tissues and a personal note from you. It’ll help them get back to full health in no time.
Even college students love stuffed animals. Send-A-Friend ships cuddly buddies right to your college student’s doorstep. The next best thing to a real hug from mom or dad, this package is perfect for when your student is a bit homesick or could just use a little love. Pick out their favorite animal and prepare for some incoming thank you calls and texts.
If they’re not feeling physically sick but are a little homesick, this care package of comforting soups and cookies will make the transition easier. The package comes with 64 ounces (about 4-6 servings) of your soup of choice — chicken and wild rice, garden vegetable, tomato basil or vegetable and chicken and wild rice combo — alongside six rolls, six chocolate chip cookies, a serving ladle and a personal note from you to make them smile. If gluten isn’t a concern, you can opt for the gluten-filled version.
Help them decompress with this care package that has everything they need to create the most calming night in. They can snuggle up in their fuzzy socks and blanket while filling in their new coloring book and sipping one of three “soothing” teas.
What to put in a care package for college students
These Nature Valley protein balls are a unique spin on the classic protein bar. They’re an easy and delicious snack to have in between a busy class schedule or when they’re just looking for a little pick-me-up.
A college student can never have too many socks. They can be pesky to keep track of, especially when dealing with laundry rooms and communal washers and dryers. This multipack of pastel socks is a colorful and cute necessity they’ll be grateful to receive. They’re also available in classic white, black and grey if color isn’t their thing.
This starter kit from Billie comes with a razor handle, two blades and a magnetic holder so it can have its own safe (and clean) space in their shower. It also performed well during one writer’s razor testing for our Ranked series.
My (Stewart-Jackson’s) little sister is absolutely obsessed with Dunkin’ refreshers so I snagged this pack for her during Prime Day. She’s a harsh critic on the refreshers she gets in-store but was very quick to say these tasted just like the real thing. They’re perfect for her to keep in her backpack so she can make whenever she wants at a fraction of the cost and from the comfort of her own home.
For the prescription or blue light-blocking glasses wearer, lens wipes are a staple to keep at their desk and in their bookbag. Each box comes with 210 individually-packaged wipes so they can slip a few in their book bag or glasses case to make sure they have crystal-clear quality every time.
They might not have room in their dorm for a full coffee bar setup but that doesn’t mean they need to settle for a sub-par brew. These instant coffee sachets feature Blue Bottle’s specialty coffee and chicory blend (that is my (Stewart-Jackson’s) favorite to get from the cafe, so I’ll be stocking up myself). All they have to do is add water, ice and your preferred milk and it’ll be ready to enjoy.
I (Stewart-Jackson) have tried these in the past and was impressed with how good they were! I’m typically not a fan of canned coffee — canned lattes, in particular — because I feel like they tend to have an artificial taste to them I just can’t shake. But these exceeded my expectations and they’ll do the same for your college student; especially when they need something quick as they’re running out the door!
Between kitchen mishaps and general clumsiness, everyone should have a comprehensive first aid kit on hand. This one has everything from the standard bandages, gauze and wipes to Tylenol and Neosporin.
A desk planner is great for the student who likes to visualize their weekly schedule. When they sit down to tackle their homework or get ready for the day, they can easily add their to-dos. This glass version is reusable like a whiteboard and designed to sit comfortably on their desk.
Support their current or budding caffeine habits with a Starbucks gift card. They’ll definitely put it to good use during all-nighters around final exam time (if they don’t already use it by then).
If a desk planner isn’t their jam and they prefer to something more portable, this option from Inside Then Out covers all the bases. It has pages for goal setting, monthly planning, weekly planning, weekly reviews, daily planning and blank pages for notes.
Whether they don’t know how to cook or just don’t have time to make traditional stove-top meals, this microwave pasta pot can easily become their go-to product. Just add their favorite pasta and water, pop in the microwave, strain via the lid, add their favorite sauce and voila! A quick, easy and cheap meal in minutes.
This accessory has two pouches that fit their ID, cards, cash and even mini perfumes and lotions (spoken from personal experience). I’ve also taken to hooking my keys onto them so everything is in one place and it makes it easy to just grab and go.
Don’t underestimate the power of a good gift card! They’re likely to appreciate this more than anything else. An Amazon gift card gives them the ability to order any decor or other essentials they may have forgotten in the packing process.
Many colleges and universities have a book store on campus that’s partnered with Barnes & Noble. They can use this gift card to cover a portion of their textbook costs or start stocking up on school merch.
How we chose
The Shop TODAY team works hard to find the best products for a care package that any college student would love. We use our own personal experiences with brands and shopping to find the most unique gifts on the market that are sure to be a hit.
Don’t forget to check out Shop TODAY’s other gift guides to find the perfect present for everyone on your list including college graduates, high school graduates, Gen Z-ers and more.
