First, in the kit shown above, is the health/beauty kit. It includes Crest, Secret, Pantene, and more, all packaged in a carry tote, which all students need! You’ll want to customize your health/beauty kit to your student’s favorite products.

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. Boxed.com is also great for sending must-have snacks and more.

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. Boxed.com is also great for sending must-have snacks and more.

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TOY/HOBBY KIT:

Pack up fun board games and cards, and they’ll be the life of the party at their dorm.

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.

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.

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GET WELL/ FIRST AID KIT:

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

Band-aids
Antibiotic ointment
Advil
Gas X {dorm food makes this one essential}
Benadryl
Thermometer
Covid test kits
Instant ice pack
Pulse ox
Pepto
Throat lozenges
Cold medicine
Q-Tips
Nail clippers
Hydrogen Peroxide
An ace bandage
Cotton balls
Small pair scissors
Small pair of tweezers

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CLEANING KIT:

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

Plus, here are more ideas!