SWEETS KIT:

Your homemade cookies or the bakery, a care package isn't complete without a sweet treat. Pack items tightly in a plastic container (fill in extra space with clean paper towels) and then wrap with bubble wrap.

 

GIFT CARD KIT:

Send gift cards to stores and restaurants in a care package or email. Choose big-box retailers like Target or Walmart, coffee or sandwich chains like Starbucks, Subway, and Panera, and local establishments like the college bookstore.

 

SNACK KIT:

Consider snacks, like granola bars, microwave popcorn, and hot chocolate mixes, as well as more substantial mini-meals—such as instant oatmeal and soup—for rushed mornings and missed dining hall dinners. Mints and gum are always welcome in a care package too. 

 

HOLIDAY KIT:

Festive accessories are surprisingly welcome and uplifting for a kid away from home for the first time; this care package idea is also nice to send in anticipation of your kid coming home for the holidays. Keep items small, like a desktop Christmas tree, a mini-menorah, and Easter baskets or Halloween pumpkins filled with candy. Seasonally themed lights, like orange for Halloween or green for St. Patrick's Day, are also fun.

 

GET WELL/ FIRST AID KIT:

Make a mini first-aid care package by filling a tin with: 

Items include: 

1. Band-aids
2. Antibiotic ointment
3. Advil
4. Gas X {dorm food makes this one essential}
5. Benadryl
6. Milk of magnesia
7. Thermometer
8. Instant ice pack
9. Pepto
10. Throat losenges
11. Cold medicine
12. Q-Tips
13. Nail clippers
14. Hydrogen Peroxide
15. An ace bandage
16. Cotton balls
17. Small pair scissors
18. Small pair of tweezers

 

CLEANING KIT: 

Dorms need to be clean. Pack some Mr. Clean multi-surface spray, paper towels, Swiffer dusting cloths, and electronics cleaner, and throw in a bottle of Febreze air freshener for good measure. 

 

Plus, here are more ideas!

• Hometown newspaper

• Gift Cards

• Magazines

• Holiday decorations

• Quarters for laundromats, bus fare, and vending machines

• Instant oatmeal, granola bars, dried fruit

• Vitamins

• Razors

• Body lotion

• Toothpaste

• Dental floss

• Anti-bacterial wipes

• Hand sanitizer

• Facial tissues

• Mac n Cheese

• Scotch tape and scissors

• Over-the-counter cold medicine and pain reliever

• Recipes for favorite dishes

• Band-aids

• Ointment

• Extra cell phone charger

• Soap

• Ramen noodles

• Gum

• Vinyl wall decals for decoration

• Pillowcases

• A memento from each family member

• Digital picture frame with photos from home

• Movie gift certificates

• Air fresheners

• Pre-paid credit card

•  Pens

•  Highlighters

•  Post-it notes

•  Pre-paid calling cards

•  Headphones

•  Refrigerator magnets

• Cork board and thumbtacks

•  Slippers

•  Socks

•  Underwear

•  Screen cleaner for laptop and cell phone

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This post is sponsored by Shespeaks. All opinions are my own.