I know what you’re thinking, your kid just went off to college, why on earth would you need to be thinking about care packages already? Bear with me for a second, though. Â Right about now, college students across the country are either just settling into their brand new dorm rooms or packing up their last-minute supplies to head back to campus. You think you’ve thought of everything for them. They’re stocked up on all the essentials, from notebooks and pencils to shower supplies. You even made sure they had plenty of fab decor to personalize their dorms and make it feel more like home.
A week goes by. Everything is going great! Well, unless you’re me. I called my mommy on the second night and begged her to come pick me up, but that’s a different story for a different day. Anyway, first week? Going pretty well. Second week? Chances are, your kid is starving. Her roommate ate all her good snacks, she hasn’t quite mastered the art of “stocking up” in the cafeteria and she spent all her laundry quarters on who knows what. Probably not laundry. It’s college, did you really think she was going to stay inside braiding her hair every night?
Even if your college student was nothing like me and manages to allocate her supplies in a way that makes them last longer than a few days, by that second week, she’s starting to miss home like crazy. She may not admit it, but trust me, she’s thinking it. A care package is a great way to surprise her (or him, of course!) and let her know that you miss her too! Check out a few of my favorite college care package ideas! All of these are already put together for you by mouth.com (not a sponsored post, but I am an affiliate), but you can easily replicate the ideas yourself or mix and match the products to create the perfect care package for your student.
7 Stellar Care Packages for College Students
Affiliate links included below.
Real Simple Breakfast Bonanza Care Package
On days that I didn’t have to get up for class early, I never made it to breakfast in the cafeteria. If I didn’t have a decent stash of cereal and toaster pastries, I pretty much went without until lunch. I never could eat non-breakfast foods before at least noon! If your college student is a late riser, make sure she’s getting a decent meal no matter what time she wakes up with a breakfast care package. I love the Breakfast Bonanza Care Package from Mouth.com. It’s filled with Real Simple breakfast foods, like Popped Tarts from Megpies, gourmet chewy granola and raspberry lime ricky jam.
Real Simple Midnight Snacker
I know, when they lived with you, snack time ended well before bedtime. When your kids are away at college, though, midnight is often no where near bedtime, so it’s okay! If they’re going to snack in the middle of the night anyway, you might as well give them something good to munch on! The Midnight Snacker care package comes with yummy treats like Asiago Black Pepper Cheesy Puffs and Organic Gummy Worms. Every item is made with simple, delicious ingredients.
Real Simple Java Junkie Care Package
Forget your college student, send this Java Junkie care package to ME now, please! Start the morning off right with a bold cup of Sumatra Permata Goya coffee from Brooklyn Roasting and a Coffee Cayenne Energy Bar. Add in tasty caffeinated snacks like a Mokacinno Chocolate Bar, Chocolate Espesso Cookies, and my personal favorite, Chocolated-Covered Espresso Beans. Pure coffee bliss.
Snack In the Box
Go big so they don’t want to go home with this massive curated Snack in the Box package! It’s a bit pricier than the other options on this list so far, but it includes a TON of gourmet goodies. From a DIY Cold Brew Kit (coffee, mom, it’s coffee, not the other kind of cold brew) to zesty lime popcorn to chocolately cookies, it has a little of everything. Plus it comes in a cute pop-up storage box!
Sick Day Care Package
When I was away at college, I got deathly ill the first month. I’m talking high fever, hallucinating monsters in my window ill. It didn’t help that my first roommate was a little off and actually thought there WERE monsters coming in our window (and left it open for them!), but hey, there’s a reason I moved out! Anyway, so sick. I would have loved a sick day care package like this one, filled with comforting teas, gourmet crackers, gingersnap cookies and soothing honey sticks.
Peanut Butter & Jelly Taster
PB&J is a staple of every college student, but there’s no reason it can’t be a little more upscale than the basic sandwich from their childhood! The Peanut Butter & Jelly Taster care package upgrades the staple with yummy flavors, like apricot-orange jam and peanut cashew nut butter. It also includes snacks like the raspberry pate de fruit heart and PB&J macaroons.
Snacks Every Month
Want to make sure your student never goes without? Send Snacks Every Month! The subscription service delivers 5 indie snacks (including a jar of pickles) to your college student each month for as long as you choose. Examples of boxes they sent out recently included: Black truffle popcorn, Korean BBQ beef jerky, maple bourbon bread & butter pickles, citrus honey roasted cashews, and a creamy peanut butter nougat chocolate bar.
When I was a college student, I would have been happy with any of these awesome care packages! Honestly, I still would! Seriously, send me that Java Junkie package. 😀 I NEED it. My son goes back to school in less than a week and I have to start waking up at 6am again. Oh, the humanity!
These snack ideas are great and there’s a set for any kind of student! It’s definitely going to lift their spirits. I think it’s a great idea to send subscription boxes, that will make them super happy!
I would love to get a care package featuring some of these treats. You’d be the envy of everyone in the dorm with a gift package like this.
With sons I wonder how long those snacks would last. They’d probably want a box a day. But it’s a great idea if your kids aren’t close.
Probably about five minutes, lol! For me, the coffee one would last about an hour!
Such an awesome idea! Pretty handy and the snacks look luscious enough!
I have so many years before my son go to college. This will be helpful when I get there.
I have a few years before mine goes, but I also have a very sad and scary feeling that they’re going to fly right by. My friend’s daughter that I remember holding as a baby is heading off to college next year!
oh, my goodness! These are awesome care package ideas for sure. I wish I’m still in college…lol! Thanks for sharing!
I remember my college days. I will recommend this post to my sister, she is getting in college very soon.
These snacks look great! Have you heard of Home Sweet College Home care packages? They have snacks and other useful items to get students through the year. Every month the add a new themed package to the mix. You should check them out at http://homesweetcollegehome.com/shop/
I loved getting mail when I lived in the college dorms! These are such sweet ideas!
I love the midnight snacker one! When I was in college, that would have helped me to the most because studying late was always what I did.
OMG I am getting there soon, I dont know how I will handle it, I just pray It wont be too much for me. CAre packages, I lie the sound of that! A lil bit of Mom packed for when they need it!
This is such great ideas! thanks for sharing.
These are great! Love it!
I didn’t get care packages, but I don’t think my parents realized I was hungry, and I didn’t want to tell. I worked 3 jobs concurrently but needed every dollar for books, tuition. I remember a meal being ketchup on bread kind of thing. These care packages are wonderful, my fav is the Real Simple Midnight Snacker! It would be fun to give all of them, sending a new one every couple of months!
Oh my gosh, I remember the ketchup on bread meals. I also lived on Ramen, back when it was like a nickel for a package. And lemonade made from lemon packets and sugar that I snagged from diners.
Honestly, an mail I received at college was always welcome. My friends at home sent me homemade cookies that I loved.