Ah, college. A time for fun, new friends, and...feeling homesick.
The stretch between the start of the school year and Thanksgiving can feel like a long one, and care packages are a great way to give a little boost when it's needed most.
In our humble opinion, the best college care packages are the ones filled with personal details as well as handy items that make a student's time at school feel cozy and comfy.
When we put together the ultimate college care package, it looks like this:
Tasty Treats
Whether homemade or store bought, select some delicious goodies that your child, friend, or self (no one said you couldn't gift yourself!) would want to snack on.
Choose something that reminds them of home or a treat they love to indulge in.
Ice Breakers
College is a time for making friends, and making friends can be tough. Send something that gives people a reason to gather.
A hammock is the best one we know. Hang it between two trees on the quad and it turns into a spot everybody drifts toward. It weighs 18 oz with the carabiners attached, so it lives in a backpack the rest of the time.
It also works indoors. Our loft bed hammock guide shows how students hang one under a dorm loft with straps and no drilling, which is the version housing offices tend to approve.
Refills
Laundry detergent? Hair ties? Toothpaste? Getting a small refill on an essential item can feel good.
Add something super useful that will save your student, friend, or self a trip to the store.
Socks
Socks are easy to lose, so re-up your student's supply with cushy pairs that'll be perfect for fall.
A trusty blanket
Whether studying or study breaking, getting outside on the quad or at a local park is the way to do it.
A good throw blanket covers both jobs. It's a bedspread, a picnic layer and a wall hanging, it's machine washable, and it gets softer every time it goes through the laundry.
"I purchased this awesome blanket as a graduation gift for my daughter. The colors are beautiful and the theme is perfect for her future adventures at college near the mountains! Perfect throw and picnic blanket. Customer service was excellent!"
(Kelly, verified review)
Bonus: blankets are also one of the fastest ways to decorate a dorm room and score some major style points.
Stickers
Laptop lid, water bottle, notebook, the mini fridge four people share. Stickers are the cheapest personality in a dorm room, and they weigh nothing in an envelope.
"SUCH a cute sticker, it looks so cute on my owala!"
(McKayla Gilson, verified review)
A hat they'll actually wear
Walking to an 8am in November is its own kind of character building. A hat they like is one of those small gifts that gets used every single day.
A mug for early mornings
Dorm coffee happens whether anyone plans for it. One good mug beats a stack of mismatched cups from the kitchen at home.
Our enamel mugs hold 16 oz, handle a campfire or a stovetop, and go straight into the dishwasher. They can chip if they hit a hard floor, which is the honest trade for that kind of range.
A kitchen towel for the tiny sink
Once your student moves into a suite or an apartment, a real kitchen towel quietly upgrades the whole place. It also works as padding around anything breakable you're mailing.
A personal note
Everyone needs a reminder that they're loved and cared for.
Include a personal note with well wishes and good vibes. We promise it'll go a long way.
Need more ideas for fun items to include? We've gathered our favorites in one place on our gift ideas page.
Everything we make is backed by our Lifetime Warranty & Happiness Guarantee, and every order plants a tree through our give-back partnership. Start building a care package your favorite student will remember.
