What To Send Your College Student?

Small reminders that you're thinking of them

When my kids left for college, I was so excited and proud of them. I was also sad. I missed them.

Times have certainly changed since my kids first left home, but I don’t think that part has changed at all. Whether they are 30 minutes away or several states away, there is something about sending your college student a little surprise that says, “I’m thinking about you.”

And it really can be little.

I remember the joy in my kids’ voices when they received even the smallest thing from home. It didn’t need to be an elaborate care package filled with $100 worth of stuff. Sometimes the smallest, most personal item was the biggest hit.

That’s really the point of this entire post: Keep it simple. Don’t overthink it, and definitely don’t spend just to spend.

We’re not trying to keep up with the Joneses. We’re just sending a little love to our kids.

Think Small, Especially in a Dorm Room

College students generally don’t have a lot of extra space. Add in the cost of postage these days, and I don’t think there is any reason to fill a giant box just for the sake of filling it.

One or two thoughtful things can be more than enough.

I’m a minimalist, so I may feel particularly strongly about this. I grew up with a mother who bought a LOT of stuff. Much of it wasn’t particularly meaningful, and when you have so much, nothing feels especially special.

That experience has stuck with me.

Before you buy something for your college student, ask yourself: Will they actually enjoy this, use it or get a kick out of receiving it?

Also remember that what you think is adorable may not be remotely adorable to your 19-year-old. Know your audience!

Send Something That Says, “I Know You”

Some of my favorite things to send were incredibly simple.

My daughter and I both love lemon drops, so every now and then I would include a box for her. My son loves candy corn, so that was an obvious choice for him.

Neither is expensive. Neither is particularly exciting on its own.

But that's the point.

It isn't really about the candy. It's about opening the package and thinking, “She remembered.”

Think about the little things that are unique to your relationship. A favorite treat, an inside joke, something you always do together or something that immediately reminds them of home can mean far more than an expensive gift.

Don't Underestimate an Actual Printed Photo

We take more photos than ever, yet most of them live on our phones.

Print one.

Years ago, of course, we actually developed our rolls of film. You often received two copies of every picture, which meant I accumulated boxes and boxes of photos of my kids.

When I was getting ready to move, I finally went through them. I divided the photos among my kids and gave each of them a box.

I was amazed by how much they loved them.

Now they are having children of their own, and they still go back to those boxes to compare pictures of themselves at different ages with their kids.

That really stayed with me.

A photograph doesn't need a frame. You don't need to create a scrapbook. Find a funny old picture, a family favorite, a picture of the dog or even a photo that will make them say, “Why would you send me THIS?”

Stick it in the package.

It might end up being the best thing in there.

Practical College Care Package Ideas

Not everything needs to be sentimental. Something useful can still say, “I was thinking about you.”

A few inexpensive ideas:

• Gift cards for their favorite coffee shop, fast-food restaurant or gas station
• A baseball hat
• Electrolyte drink packets or individual water flavor packets
• Colored pens or markers
• Reusable beeswax food bags for an apartment or dorm
• A fun binder or small school supply
• A hair clip or other small accessory
• Makeup sponges or another inexpensive beauty item they regularly use
• A small trinket dish for jewelry, keys or other little necessities

A gift card is also nothing to apologize for. College students generally appreciate money they can actually use. Add a handwritten note or tuck a $10 coffee gift card into a funny card, and suddenly something very practical feels personal

Send Something Just Because It's Fun

Not everything has to serve a purpose.

In fact, I think a little unexpected fun is sometimes exactly what they need.

Consider:

• Cards or compact board game
• A funny greeting card
• Whimsical magnets for a mini fridge or magnetic board
• A colorful or unusual tumbler
• Fun ice cubes or beverage accessories
• An adult coloring book
• A small seasonal decoration
• A tiny holiday item
• A little heart-shaped trinket dish
• Something completely random that made you think of them

Our family has always loved games, so a game would have made sense for my kids. Your family may have something completely different.

And don't be afraid to take a chance on a slightly weird choice.

I remember sending things that I wasn't sure would be a hit at all, only to discover that the random item was the thing they really liked.

Sometimes you just have to send it and see what happens.

A Little Bit of Home for the Holidays

College is often the first time our kids aren't home for every little family tradition or holiday.

Small seasonal items can be especially fun because they give them a little piece of home without taking over their dorm or apartment.

Halloween, Valentine's Day, Easter, Christmas or even the first day of fall can be an excuse to send a tiny surprise.

Again, think small.

A cute magnet, a tiny decoration, a favorite seasonal candy or a funny photo from a past family holiday is enough.

They don't need an entire box of decorations. Chances are they'll have to figure out how to get everything home at the end of the school year anyway!

Go Easy on the Junk Food

The traditional college care package seems to involve filling every available inch of a box with candy, chips and cookies.

I would rethink that today.

I've noticed that so many younger people are much more conscious of what they eat than we were at their age. Unless you know your student wants a box overflowing with snacks, don't assume they do.

Send their absolute favorite treat occasionally, especially if there's a memory attached to it. But you can also include things like electrolyte packets, drink mixes or other small consumables you know they actually use.

Once again: know your kid.

You Don't Need a Pinterest-Worthy Care Package

This may be my strongest opinion on the subject.

You do not need matching tissue paper, themed labels, 14 individually wrapped gifts and a perfectly decorated box.

If doing all of that brings you joy, absolutely do it.

But don't feel like you have to.

The person receiving it isn't grading your presentation.

A small padded envelope containing a funny photo, their favorite candy and a handwritten note can accomplish exactly what you wanted.

It says:

Mom knows me.

This reminds me of home.

This made me laugh.

I can't believe she remembered that.

Or, most importantly:

Someone was thinking about me today.

The Best College Care Package Is Personal

There isn't one perfect list of things every college student wants.

That's actually what makes these little packages special.

Think about your student.

What do the two of you laugh about? What do they always steal from your house? What's their favorite treat? Is there a family game everyone loves? What would make them roll their eyes and laugh at the same time? What tiny thing would immediately remind them of home?

Start there.

Send one or two things. Add a note. Mail it.

Don't overthink it.

And please don't spend money simply because you think a college care package is supposed to be extravagant. They may actually prefer that you send the extra money to them instead!

The gift isn't really what's in the package.

It's that for a few minutes, when they open it, home doesn't feel quite so far away.