And just like that, another school year is quickly coming to a close. Whether it’s your student’s first year of college or their last, receiving a college care package for finals always is a welcome surprise. While sending a care package to your college student might seem like fluff to some — which I guess it is — it still remains a relatively simple gesture that holds big impact.
Although my daughter has completed her undergraduate studies, I sent her a care package this fall. To her, it was unexpected and kind of out of the blue. And it made her cry…in a good way. Why? Because care packages remind people that they are loved, that someone is thinking of them. So as your college student heads into finals, here are some ideas for creating a college care package for finals he/she will love!
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What should be included in a finals care package?
Knowing what to include in a college care package for finals, particularly during the spring, always is the overwhelming part (at least for me). Pinterest can send you down a rabbit hole in no time at all, and when you emerge hours later, you have an awesome board built but still no definite ideas.
Probably the best thing you can do is not overthink it! Of course, I offer this advice as someone who often overthinks the unimportant! I don’t mean that college care packages, or really care packages in general, are insignificant. However, the bar really isn’t that high when it comes to what you send.
Because I’m willing to bet that whatever it is — a single gift card, an assortment of snacks, or a colorful assortment of Sharpies or highlighters — will be appreciated.
College finals care package ideas for spring
As you begin thinking about sending your college student a care package for spring finals, here are some ideas from Marian at HowClever! to help simplify the process for you.
Remember, though, that if your student is in a dorm or will be moving somewhere new after the school year, the things you send need to be usable or consumable. There is no sense in adding something to a college care package that will then have to be packed up and moved a few weeks later.
If you need some simple steps for how to create a care package, or perhaps just some additional inspiration, our post, “DIY Care Packages: Simple Steps to Cute & Clever,” breaks it down by box size, so be sure to check it out if you haven’t already!
Ok…so let’s get to it, and let’s start with our boys.
Spring finals: College care packages for guys
Snacks. Snacks. And more snacks!
It really is as simple as that, particularly for boys. If that’s as far as you want to take it, then grab a flat-rate shipping box from your local post office and fill it with their favorite goodies. Hands down, your son (and probably his roommates and/or friends) will greatly appreciate your thoughtful gesture.
However, you also can take it one step further with a little scrapbook paper, a “punny” phrase, and a simple theme like this one:
“Good luck with finals! Orange you glad you’ll see me soon?”
Sticking with our orange theme, we covered the inside flaps of this medium-sized flat-rate shipping box from the post office with scrapbook paper and then layered that with a printed copy of our theme.
Next, we loaded this finals college care package for boys with orange-colored snacks. All are treats we know they’ll like, but nothing made the cut unless it came in the appropriately colored packaging!
Spring finals: College care package for girls
When creating a finals care package for girls, we took a similar approach — useful and consumable — but expanded the type of things we sent because, well, girls are just easier like that!
However, sticking with a color scheme, we filled the box with fun items a college girl might like for studying AND study breaks. But just like we did with the boys (although not to the same degree), we let coloring be our guide.
Here’s what we came up with and how Marian pulled it all together:
“How To Make Finals Fun!”
Again, the first steps are the same. Cover the inside flaps with scrapbook paper of your choosing (Note: you’ll want to use the large 12×12 sheets of paper).
But after that, all the items included in this college care package were simple items we bought at Target, including the super cute paper shred we found in their party section.
Here’s what we included, along with the tags and puns we tied to several of the gifts:
- De-feet finals! – plastic Birkenstock-type sandals (the ones pictured are no longer available) or the real EVA deal, if that’s what you prefer. These cloud slippers also are similar, affordable, bestsellers on Amazon, and come in a variety of fun colors.
- Note to Self…You Rock! – notebook, notepad or journal
- Final Day, Fav Day! – favorite day peanut butter monster trail mix (Have you tried this stuff? It’s so yummy!)
- Let’s face it…You Got This! – face mask
- You are Stu-PEN-dous! – pastel pens or highlighters
You don’t have to add a punny phrase to each item, but a few here and there are so cute (and guaranteed to bring a smile).
A few of the items we also added to the care package include a hair clip and some pastel sticky notes.
And of course, you will never go wrong with tucking a gift card, perhaps to their favorite coffee shop, into their care package.
Finals is a stressful time, so whatever you send to brighten their day and break the monotony of long study hours will be much appreciated. Have fun!
