What would you include in a care package for a college student?
Have you ever sent a care package to a college student? What would you include? Or, perhaps you have received one? What was your favorite item? My son is getting ready to attend in another state and I want to be able to include some great items at a reasonable cost and keep in mind shipping concerns.
by
mphdavid
asked 4 months ago
tastycakes,protection ( ;) ), pens, pizza $
Money :)
But if that doesn't work, cookies, candy, and anything else you normally had at home that he probably won't have at school will work too.
IF shipping is an issue:
make a list of what you want to get
charmin toilet paper $2.45
oreos $2.89
blanket $7.98
kraft mac and cheese $1.08
etc. (use the stuff that would be best for your kid. these were just an example)
then buy a gift card for that amount, print out the list and send it via u.s. mail. tell em that you wanted em to have the stuff, but would rather he have the money than spending it on postage so this is a do-it-yourself kit.
I don't send care packages. My son procrastinates so long to go to the mail center to get packages that they almost get returned (2 weeks).
I had a soft moment last time and sent chocolate chip cookies. Despite wrapping them in plastic wrap and sealing them in a plastic container, they were pretty hard by the time he finally got the package 10 days after it arrived via 3-day shipping.
Batteries. Not kidding. AA and AAA batteries are always handy, and they're one of those things that runs into real money.
If your son doesn't use an electric shaver, then either packages of blades, or disposable razors, are also good.
There's a LOTTA variables in this question; mostly, it depends on what kinda guy your son is, and what his living situation is..
Not really much point in stating the obvious stuff, because I'm sure you've already thought of it.. so let me think.. Okay! since I don't know what kinda guy you're aiming at, I'll just run some stuff off as "ideas" :D
I'd say a good flashlight and good knife/multitool.
Basic Ibuprofen/Aspirin that kind of thing.. maybe a basic first aid kit. Basic bathroom stuff.
Batteries definitely, rechargeable.
Jerky's good - good munchies and it lasts
Good water bottle (like that filtered one on Woot!)
A basic tool kit. (Multi-head screwdrivers sockets, adjustable wrench, vice grips, hammer, etc.) - Everybody (especially guys) need one. If a door hinge or faucet or something breaks you need a way to fix it.
Duct tape
Quality pillow/blanket
Small heater/fan (or small AC :D)
Slippers/robe
Lamp
Alarm clock/radio
Blank CDs/DVDs
Beanbag chair
Videogame stuff
One thing: As a student your son can get Free Amazon Prime.. you'll be WAY better off if you have him sign up from a PRIME account and then order what you things can from them, then ship it to him directly.
That'll save you OODLES in shipping..
@thunderthighs: you should keep sending them anyway. try visiting an Asian market in your town and buying different kinds of ramen (even if you don't know what they are. it's what my parents did one time) to send to your son. i'm a college student and it makes my day whenever i get a box full of goodies from my parents. it really doesn't matter what's in it, it just makes me feel awesome to know that they still care about me :P
A roll of quarters for the laundry.
A gift card for Walmart. Then just reload it when you so inclined.
Gift cards to different restaurants are always great. If he's staying in the dorms, campus food will get old quick. If he has his own apartment, ramen noodles will get old quick. Make it enough that he could take a friend/lady friend out for dinner.
Add items that are for every day. Toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, etc. It may not be as fun, but it's useful. And most likely they won't be traded for beer. If he's under 21, gift cards to large grocery stores are like cigarettes in prison.
Otherwise, like a lot of other people said: candy, homemade cookies, etc are always nice as well.
A new pair of boxers is always nice
When I was in college, my parents (mostly Mom) would send me all kinds of things. If there was something on the back of a cereal box that you could send away for, it often showed up in my mailbox. I got a little teddy bear wearing a football jersey, some legos, a frosted flakes bowl and spoon set, a deck of playing cards, various little matchbox cars and other toys. I also got coupons for free products and some samples of stuff. Some of the stuff was useful, a lot of it was just fun stuff.
My parents also always put together care packages for the holidays I missed. There was always candy. There were usually a few small toys or trinkets or something I had mentioned I needed (tea bags, toothpaste, etc). And there always a handwritten letter, usually from the point of view of the cat. Those were fun. I talked and emailed with Mom and Dad regularly, so there wasn't a lot more to say, so Mom had fun with thinking what the cat would have to say.
I would scope out the restaurants & movie theatres of the area he'll be in & see if you can buy gift certificates/passes to those places. Also, if he'll be taking a car w/ him, a gas card or two.
If he has any favorite tv series/movies he's really enjoyed watching with you at home, sending him the dvd sets would be nice.
Denny's gift cards, for those 2am breakfasts! Mmmmm, Moons over My-hammy!
antibiotic cream
Toilet Paper. Its great after using "fiesta" for so long.
I never got care packages from family in college and it made me sad every time my room mates would get like 2-3 a month from various friends and family. I only got 1 care package and that was from my high school culinary teacher, which was some awesome baked goods that she made.
Home made sweets are always welcomed especially if it something he has loved since he was a little kid.
As others have said money is always good or gift cards for places like wal-mart.
I didn't get to go home except for summer break so it was nice to get letters from friends and family even when just once a semester. Even if I was able to talk to them fairly regularly there was always something special about getting a hand written letter.
Meds and vitamins are things that can add up to a lot of money for a college student so stuff like advil or excedrin and multivitamins (since college students don't normal have a good diet)
I send my daughter little things that are practical but cute/funny. Sanrio shop (Hello Kitty)-(can be for guys as well)-little frog that cleans your computer screen, little candies/gum/stickers/pencils, etc. Container Store: pen loop-adheres to anything-in her favorite color. Little gadgets: one that keeps a paper upright while she types, one that holds a book open, another that holds quarters for laundry (dispenses them one at a time),& some cool eating utensils that extend into cooking utensils! Also, the Dollar section of Target-a big cup with her literary society's mascot on it (an owl), a big bowl for popcorn, etc. Also, there is the BEST popcorn store-KuKuRuZa- in Seattle! Send some corn to pop! (My daughter has an air popper.) Pick up little things at the grocery store-gatorade powder, Starbucks one cup pkgs, gum or sturdy fruit--apples. Coupons-clothing shops, gift cards (Starbucks, McD's, school store). Once sent a slinky to a college kid who had lots of stairs to climb!
My daughter always wanted homemade fudge and brownies! The apple did not fall far from the tree.
Socks and underwear...that way he can procrastinate a little longer on doing laundry.
And definitely pens. I switched to using pens instead of pencils in college and they run out of ink way quicker than you would think.
screaming woot monkeys
Some other people mentioned it as well, but nice toilet paper is a luxury if you're on your own in college. I've had plenty of "get-what-you-pay-for" experience and boy did I appreciate an upgrade... ha ha. Other than that- pictures of the family pet, a can opener, antibacterial wipes, fabric refresher, his favorite body spray/cologne, (someone else mentioned vitamins and that's always a plus-- get the gummy ones!), AIR FRESHENER!!, a Downy ball, extra socks, undershirts, if it's not weird.. send protection. Better safe, than sorry- seriously. Favorite snack, letters from friends, oh man there's tons of things you could send a boy on his own in college! Just do him a favor and if he's in the dorms... DON'T SEND HIM BALLOONS OR COOKIE GRAMS!!! He's a boy, in college, and subject to social ridicule. It's not that he wouldn't appreciate you loving him enough to send him something cute... but most likely he'd rather get the "cute" stuff in the privacy of his own dorm. :)
condoms, gift cards, no-doz.
Beer, Birth Control, and a Bong. And Food
a snuggie!
Gift card to Trader Joe's or Whole Foods.
Lots and lots of snacks. Cereal, goldfish crackers, and fruit snacks are all good.
Batteries
Toothbrushes/toothpaste/socks/shampoo/soap/conditioner, so he doesn't have to buy it himself.
You can use the USPS flat rate boxes to make shipping a little more manageable. UPS ground is also pretty cheap for heavier boxes, but make sure to wrap everything realyyyyy well.
@cornellbigred: We IM all the time and send each other funny links. He's busy and lazy enough that he hates going to the mail center. It means an hour shuttle ride each way. He actually prefers NOT to get packages.
Anything. Really, for me it was getting a package and being reminded a little bit about home.
But, gift cards are nice. Target, Walmart, etc, are great for when you need small things. Food gift cards as well are great for the late night studying.
@thunderthighs seriously? What sort of janky, backwards college does he attend? When I lived in the dorms, I had my own personal mailing address, that delivered to the building I was in. Mail was in a mailbox, and packages, I just had to walk to the office to pick it up -- all of 5 minutes, round trip. I can't imagine a college that would not do something similar.
@ozymandias2: He goes to SCAD. It doesn't have a campus. They occupy a ton of buildings all throughout historic Savannah. They run a shuttle service to get students from building to building. He can get typical mailbox size mail (i.e. letters) in his mail box but larger packages must be picked up.
Look online for local restaurants and local chains that might be interesting for him to try. Gift cards to the local movie theater (if it is a chain, otherwise use Fandango), toothpaste, snacks of any sort, candy, coffee. If he has a hobby that he is still able to do while living at school, something to contribute to that hobby. Batteries are useful, a flashlight is always handy too. If you are sending food, send a couple extra items for friends and roommates, that will decrease the likelihood of it being stolen.
I mail my son the Purex All In One laundry sheets. He's across the street from the laundry mat & I thought these were easier than juggling bottles. I've sent home made cookies, dress socks, snapshots of the family's activities, books that I think he might enjoy and little tchotchkes to make him laugh.
I use Amazon Prime for the other things. Like cable covers, for when his cat chewed through the dsl cables. Oh and a cat tree for the bored cats.
@klutzyruth: I own a laundromat, and you can't imagine how many complaints we get from people who used those "laundry sheets" and then say, "My clothes didn't get clean." Well, the water is still wet, and the machine still goes around. Doh! You need some real detergent in there!
If you want to have a clean-snmelling college kid, you really can't beat liquid detergent... Tide seems to be the most popular brand, by far.
giftcards for particular stores are a PITA, because they may not carry anything you want. Packages are ok, if your hungry or want whats inside. Cash is king, can use it for whatever you want.
I don't know you or your kid, but I have worked around tons of 19-20 somethings. Sometimes, all they want is space. The kid may feel like the packages are a form of continued parenting.
A different perspective offered, but may not apply.
Thanks for the wonderful ideas! Many I had never even considered.
@crowbite: Gotcha! We also get, well, not complaints, but $$. These things clog up a septic tank filter like nobodies business. I guess they go out with the discharge water. Like those missing socks do.
underwear
If it is your son: Send him a bride
If it is your daughter: Send her a groom
...you will then be satisfied with their mate since you picked them out yourself!!!
Stats
- Asked
- 4 months ago
- Asked By
- mphdavid
- Answered
- 40 times
- Viewed
- 817 times
- Voted Against
- 0 times
- Voted For
- 55 times
40 Answers answer
Sort By: