This post: DIY college care packages from home: 25 genius ideas / Post updated August 2024
When you’re miles away from home at college, there’s absolutely nothing more special and meaningful than receiving a heartfelt care package from home.
Whether you want to lift your college student’s spirits when they’re blue, offer support during busy finals week or just let them know how much they’re loved and missed, sending them a care package is guaranteed to put a big smile on their face!
For a few DIY college care package ideas that are sure to spark plenty of inspiration, we’ve rounded up the cutest, most creative, (okay, borderline genius), care package ideas around! From full-blown snack attack care packages to adorably unique care packages they’ll never forget, you’ll find the best-of-the-best ideas here!
But first, download our FREE (totally adorable) College Care Package Gift Tags!
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I Miss U A Latte
Any coffee-lovin’ college student would flip over this fun (and, totally genius) DIY college care package idea. Simply fill with his or her favorite coffee, non-dairy creamer, a fun coffee mug or a travel coffee mug for an adorable care package they’ll never forget!
Source: Society 19
Sunshine in a Box
Whether your favorite college student is sailing through college life like a pro or they’re struggling just a bit (like many students) this “sunshine in a box” care package is sure to put a smile on their face. Fill with everything sunny and yellow or fill with everything they love.
Source: Creative Art Room
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Get Well Care Package
It’s inevitable. Every college student gets sick. And, there’s nothing worse than being far away from home when you’re feeling awful. This adorable care package idea is the next best thing to mom’s tender loving care. Fill with medicine, tissues, a warm blanket, fuzzy socks, their favorite movies or magazines or any other “get well” items that will bring them comfort.
Source: Modpodge Rocks
Miles Away Happy Birthday Care Package
Send them birthday wishes they’ll never forget with this fun birthday care package. Just line the inside of the box with birthday wrapping paper and fill with special birthday treats or gifts.
Source: Pinterest
We Miss You ALL ‘RED’ Y
What college student wouldn’t absolutely love to receive this “we miss you already” care package? Fill with everything red – from drinks and candy to silly trinkets and lottery tickets. Spend a little or spend a lot, it’s the thought that counts!
Source: Pinterest
To Some “BOO”tiful Ghouls
Our college students may act all grown up and too cool for Halloween, but be don’t be fooled! They still love Halloween, even if they don’t admit it! Send this “boo-tiful” care package to your favorite college student filled with their favorite Halloween candy and they just might howl with excitment!
Source: Pinterest (original source unknown)
It’s Ruff Without You Here
For the student who’s missing his favorite furry friend, this “it’s ruff without you” care package is as cute as it gets! Pack with “paw-some” snacks, a few pictures and a note from home!
Source: Lexie Beedle
Just Add Water
This “just add water” care package is the most clever we’ve seen! Fill with everything that just requires water to make – from Ramen Noodles to lemonade mix – or get creative and buy a few flower seeds so they can grow them in their dorm or apartment.
Source: Pinterest
Distance is a Beach
For coastal students who are attending college near a beach, this “distance is a beach” care package couldn’t be any cuter! Get creative and decorate the box “beach style” and fill the package with all their favorite “beachy” snacks!
Source: Pinterest
“It’s Crunch Time” Finals Week Survival Kit
No doubt finals week is stressful for college students. Fill this “crunch time” care package with everything crunchy and a few inspiring words to get your favorite student totally pumped for their exams.
Source: Bulpa
Midnight Munchies
Those midnight munchies strike when you least expect it! This easy to create care package is a fun way to let your favorite college student know you’re thinking of them and equip them with all their favorite midnight snacks.
Source: Creative Art Room
‘Tis The Season Care Package
Those days leading up to the holidays can be crazy for college kids as they wrap up finals and prepare for next semester. Show them you care with a “’tis the season” care package filled with hot cocoa, a warm blanket, fuzzy socks and their favorite holiday candy.
Source: Countdowns and Cupcakes
Movie Night in a Box
This “movie night in a box” care package is the perfect care package to send when the weather turns a little chilly and your student just wants to hunker down in their dorm or apartment. Fill with their favorite movies, popcorn, candy and snacks!
Source: Pinterest
Half-Way There! (Just Keep Swimming!)
When they have reached mid-year, it’s time to celebrate! Send them this “just keep swimming” you’re half-way there care package to show them your support and remind them how proud you are of them!
Source: Blupla
Get Your Snack On!
Every college student has snack attacks! This “get your snack on” care package is filled to the brim with their favorite snacks to keep them energized and motivated. Plus, it’s totally adorable!
Source: Pinterest
Me Want Cookies
DIY college care packages that remind your student of home are the best! Mom’s home-made cookies are always the perfect pick-me-up for students who might be feeling stressed, down, or who need to feel a little lovin’ from home. Decorate the box “cookie monster style” to put a smile on their face.
Source: Pinterest
I Miss You Snow Much
When that first snow hits and your college student is so far away from home, let them know how much you miss them with this “I miss you snow much” care package. Fill with all the fixings for s’mores (they can make in a microwave), hot chocolate or send them a few new fuzzy pairs of socks to keep their feet warm on those chilly nights.
Source: Pinterest
Fiesta in a Box
For your fiesta lovin’ college student who can’t go a day without chips and salsa, this fiesta care package is the best idea yet! Fill with all their favorite Mexican snacks for an adorable DIY college care package they’ll love.
Source: Countdowns and Cupcakes
I O”FISH”ALLY Miss you
You can’t get any more creative than this ” I O”FISH”ALLY Miss You” care package! Not only is it clever, it’s also totally inexpensive to create! Fill with everything “fish” from Swedish Fish and Goldfish snacks to a Go Fish deck of cards and a Nemo stuffed animal.
Source: By Sophia Lee
Something Out of the Blue for You
Perfect for guys, this “something out the blue” care package offers a little reminder how much they’re loved and missed. Fill with everything blue!
Source: Pinterest
Pumpkin Spice & Everything Nice
When fall is in the air, it’s time for a little pumpkin spice and everything nice. Fill this adorable care package with their favorite fall-inspired snacks and drinks.
Source: Instagram
Pink’n of You DIY College Care Package
When it comes to creating DIY college care packages your student will love, you have to get creative! This “pink’n of you” care package tops the list of cute, creative and fun! Fill with everything pink from nail polish and snacks to lip gloss and drinks.
Source: Countdowns and Cupcakes
Exams? No Prob Llama!
Final exams are a big stressor for college students, but this “no prob llama” care package is sure to lighten things up a bit and put a smile on your student’s face. Fill with their favorite tasty treats, home-made cookies or anything else that will bring them a little comfort from home.
Source: Pinterest
When College Stress Gives You the Blues
Every college student feels blue from time to time. When the blues hit, send your college student a “thinking of you” blues care package filled with lots of love and everything blue.
Source: Michelle Paige
Every Flake Needs a Break Finals Care Package
DIY college care packages don’t have to break the bank. This “every flake needs a break” care package is creative, simple and it won’t cost a fortune to re-create. Fill with all the fixings for hot cocoa or pile in their favorite snacks.
Source: Pinterest
Here are a few more posts you might enjoy reading!
15 Adorably Unique College Care Packages You Can Order on Etsy
DIY Finals Week College Care Packages: 12 Ideas to Take the Pressure Off