Creating the Best Care Package for College Students

It's that time of year again!

Parents and family members always want to send their students something while they're away at school but a lot of people don't know what to send. This article is going to give you five helpful tips on what college students really want!

ONE:  Make your care package practical.  Although we're usually looking for Easy Mac and candy, we college students are also on a tight budget and because we're constantly economizing, we don't want to use our final two dollars for the week, buying some necessary item like toothpaste or soap. We're the ones that are using everything to the last drop before we buy another! With that being said, it's a very good idea to throw in a bottle of shampoo, along with all the other fun stuff we're also looking for.

TWO:  Make the care package festive.  Care packages are appreciated at any time of the year but if you send it around a holiday or event show your student that it's for that reason! Last year, my aunt sent my cousin and me Halloween care packages. They were filled with Halloween candy, complete with orange and black wrapping. She even threw in plastic spiders for fun! It was so cool to open the box, and see that she put in much thought, even though the object was to simply send us candy. Decorating the care package is definitely the way to go!

THREE:  Remind your college student of home.  I personally like it when my family sends things that remind me of home... but are unavailable locally. For example, my grandmother is a great baker, and because I don't have her with me on campus, my mom includes some of grandma's homemade cookies when she sends packages. It's a great way to feel at home, even when you're away at a school. This can also help the students that get more homesick than others.

FOUR:  Include a letter.  As cliché as it may sound, include a letter to your student. It doesn't need to be anything too mushy. You can simply catch them up on the happenings at home and anything else you may want to say. A hand written note means more than any E-mail ever will.

FIVE:  Don't over think it!  Sending a care package to your college student is fun and an easy thing to do. Send them what you think they want (and need) and they'll love it.

This is coming from a college student herself: So trust me!