12 Custom Care Packs Your College Student Didn’t Know They Needed
Summer is long gone and winter is on its way. Your fledgling child has since ditched the realm of high-school and instead spread their wings at a university, and if they haven’t made it through midterms yet, they will soon. Whether your nest is now empty or not, keeping your flock soaring strong may seem like a daunting task. Just because your chick is flapping into adulthood doesn’t mean they don’t still need you, and these college years are the perfect chance to strengthen your bond and show your support for the person you watched grow from diapers to dorm room. Something as small as a care-package may not seem like much compared to all the worries you’re sitting on, but a little box sent at the right time can hatch into a strong reminder of love and family to that “college kid” who may be struggling. Custom-packed boxes sent out over the next long months can be a powerful way to stay connected, especially as the days grow shorter and the holidays grow near. Been awhile since college? No matter where you are in the year, it might help to take a peck at this care-package calendar for some feather-ruffling ideas, from September to May.
1: September
The year’s off to a great start, but there’s one thing they forgot: everything! No matter how well-planned, there’s always something important that gets left behind. This is advice you might find applies every time the season changes! Pack up all the little things they might have left behind: cleaning supplies (because you’re not there), niche hygiene products, school supplies, and the countless wardrobe items they skipped despite your best advice. Also consider items they might not have considered: dorm-safe aromatherapy (think diffusers and the like), wall-safe hanging products, wash cloths and small tools, too.
2. October, Part I:
Homesickness, here we come. Statistically, this is the time your college kid is going to miss home the most, so best to double up on the love. At the beginning of the month, send a box of home: pictures, a favorite homemade snack, letters from friends and family back home. Find something personal and small they can associate with the place they left and surprise them with it!
3. October, Part II:
Midterms are here! Right about now, the differences between college and high school are hitting hard, so don’t be surprised if your young adult starts calling you way more…or way less. Either way, there’s a good chance a pick-me-up from home will receive a warm welcome. Mid-month, send a package of supportive items to remind them why they’re there: tokens reflective of their field of study, like stats cards for nursing students or a desk plaque with a meaningful quote, can be inspiring. Don’t forget to encourage a little necessary break time, too, though. Favorite DVDs, music, or hobby items can bring a big smile to a weary student’s face. Oh, and more of Mom’s brownies couldn’t hurt.
4. November:
A few months in and the year will have found its rhythm, but the temperatures are dropping as the days are getting shorter, and chances are your college student is trekking through the frost as they head to their favorite study spot. Mugs, hot chocolate, scarves, gloves and all the essential winter gear could certainly come in handy. Consider also cozy scents for their room, or practical items like hand-warmers, lotion or lip balm. If your student is lucky enough to seek higher learning where the temperatures stay mild, reminders of fall back home could be a lovely gift. Likewise, if you’re sending items from a more tropical locale, reminders of warmer days could also cheer up a chilly kid.
5. December, Part I:
Holidays are practically here! If you were fortunate enough to see your college student for Thanksgiving, it’s a short turn around to the busy days of December, but that doesn’t mean they won’t be missing all the traditions you have in-between. Start the month off bright by sending decorations, treats and tokens of family traditions to keep that dorm room feeling the spirit of the season.
6. December, Part II:
As if holidays didn’t add enough excitement, finals are here, and they make midterms look like…well, high-school. December goes fast. It’s one of those months where the days feel like weeks and the weeks feel like days, and crunch time is here. Fend off burnout by sending plenty of snacks to keep those eyes sharp and on the books. Healthy treats and heat-and-eat meals can fill the gap when students are too busy studying to hit the dining hall, and caffeine is always a welcome boost. Soothing meditation aids, like music or ear plugs, can help fend off stress, too. (Seriously, though. Send caffeine.)
7. January:
It’s a new year and a new semester, but starting classes is old news. Starting the new semester on the right foot might come more easily. However, this means the habits of missing home-cooking might have led to a few unintentional consequences, and fending off the “freshman fifteen” is a real battle. Send a box loaded with healthy snacks, gym gear or even favorite work out DVDs to stay motivated to stay on track. Additionally, consider items your college student might use to start making their own meals, so they can skip delivery and the dining hall for something more nutritious. Recipe cards, cooking supplies and cook books will not only come in handy as they start dreaming of that green bean casserole you made for Christmas, they’ll be useful long beyond college life.
8. February, Part I:
There’s getting well, then there’s getting well. Health isn’t just about fitness, and even if your college student was lucky enough to miss out on a fall cold, flu season is particularly brutal for those living in dorms. Send a box packed with get-well gear as well as items to help prevent illness in the first place: hand sanitizer, vitamins, soup, thermomemter and medicine are all welcome items. Chances are, if your college student doesn’t need them, their roommate will, and you’ll both be the heroes of their floor.
9. February, Part II:
Time for something more than Valentines: fun with friends! With midterms arriving yet again and college sweethearts beginning to pluck at heart strings for Valentine’s Day, is there a better time to encourage a little fun with friends? Send themed items for a fun night in to take a break from the stress, like a movie and popcorn, video game binge or dorm-friendly dinner party.
10. March:
Spring fever begins sneaking up… And college students are beginning to feel the year wind down as summer starts to tantalize. Help manage restlessness and embrace March Madness by sending school-spirit themed sports items, like a jersey, ball or sunglasses. If your kid isn’t particularly into sports, consider items to embrace the coming of spring: air plants need little to survive and make great dorm pets, for example. Spring accessories and rain gear could come in handy right about now, when weather is most unpredictable, and a blanket or towel for studying outside would definitely be a bonus.
11. April, Part I:
Classes and finances are both starting to get a bit more demanding. This is around the time when college students begin to really start running low on funds, so send a box at the beginning of the month packed with things to get them through to May. Gift cards, laundry money and more snacks would certainly be welcome treats. This is another good time to send some encouragement via notes and pictures, because finals are just around the corner, and you can be sure that summer is already calling.
12. April, Part II:
Finish the year strong, because homecoming is just around the corner! Finals hit crunch time, but it’s also time for moving out! Caffeinated items and snacks, as always, will be a big boost this time. You may want to go light on anything they won’t eat through, though, because everything you send might be coming right back home, very soon! This is around the time when college students will need their cleaning supplies refreshed as they prepare to move out, so things like trash bags, disposable wipes and organizing materials will certainly come in handy. Of course, it can’t hurt to send one last bit of encouragement before they’re back home with you at long last…for the summer, at least!
Even after students have had a few years living away from home, custom care packages can still make those long semesters go so much faster, and BoxUp’s boxes make building the right box for your family that much easier. Birthdays and holidays are great excuses to send boxes of goodies, but as your college student grows their needs will change, and you can be the hero by swooping in to help (from a distance). Even if they don’t show it, your favorite young adults will always want your advice and to make you proud. Whether you’re gearing up for the holidays, helping with exam season or simply seeking a way to show you care, custom-shipped packages can be another tool you add to that ever-growing parental tool belt you’ve earned over the years.