A Guide to Care Packages

Being a poor college student, we can’t throw our parents money around and treat our friends as much as we did in highschool. Back then, our savings account was an opportunity to buy anything in that price range, and now it is the difference between eating or not eating. Because we still want to show our besties how much we care (or maybe you are a parent who wants to show your kid you still love them even though they are failing a class and doing God knows what each night), we made a guide to help you put together cost-friendly and fantastic surprises for your favorite college kid. Everyone deserves to have an email saying there is a package waiting for them in the mailroom.

Every care package should include some sort of food. Bogo items at Publix are always a perfect way to get food for yourself and your friend. Things like tea or hot cocoa, candy, mac and cheese, or popcorn are always popular with college students. As long as it is nonperishable and delicious, it will be perfect.

Gift cards are always welcomed. Even if it is a $5 giftcard to Dunkins, it will come in handy when your recipient is on their way to an 8am on a Monday morning in desperate need of anything resembling energy and their bank account is at $3.35. Dunkin Donuts, Starbucks, Chick-fil-A, and Chipotle are always popular with college students.

Any sort of craft. This adds a personal touch and glitter, glitter never fails. A canvas or picture that matches the color scheme of the recipient’s room or includes a quote from their favorite movie is a great item to include because it verifies that this gift took thought.

Something festive should be included. There is always cheesy little trinkets available in the dollar section of Target for whatever time of year it is. Including stuff like this will always improve the mood of the recipient because it reminds them that even though they are drowning in term papers and study guides, there will be a time to celebrate soon. In fact, maybe include a themed shot glass or painted flask because holidays are basically an excuse to drink, and after midterms the recipient will most certainly need to.

If you are a parent or have the extra money to spend, you could include a shirt from the recipient’s favorite preppy brand. This could be a Vineyard Vines tee shirt or a Southern Shirt Company tank top. Even if it’s a lanyard, a pair of croakies, or a phone case, it will be a great way to show this person that you know their life and their favorite brand (which is essentially what makes them who they are).

The packaging should be on point. Pick up one of the priority mail flat rate boxes and decorate the inside or add fun tissue paper. Half the fun of getting any present is opening it up, so make sure it is Instagram worthy. If it isn’t on Instagram within minutes of being opened, you didn’t make it pretty enough...better luck next time.

Hopefully this helps you put together a lovely care package for that important person in your life who deserves it (I wouldn’t mind getting one either *hint hint*). Happy Packing!