College students always have needs, and when they’re far away from home, it becomes important to remind them that they’re always in your thoughts. Sending a Care Package that contains the essentials and actually provides value is a great way to show this.
Although it could be a bit challenging to decide on the right items to fill your care package with, it is much easier than it seems, as soon as you consider carefully what your college student usually likes or enjoys.
In this post, I’d be sharing 200+ of the most popular Care Package items that college students could always use!
How To Make A College Care Package
- Begin by drawing up a budget to determine how much you have to spend on the entire process (purchasing items, packaging, and shipping). It would also be helpful to remember that the heavier your Care Package is or, the farther you have to ship it, the more expensive it would be.
- Next, decide if you would be using the post office or a shipping company and obtain the important details such as the exact date when your package would be shipped and certain shipping regulations, such as prohibited items.
- To make your care package, start by getting the right box. This would be determined by what you plan on sending. Care package boxes can be purchased from a post office or a shipping company’s store.
- The next stage which involves packaging requires a lot of care. If you are sending fragile items (mugs, glass wares, frames, etc.) it is best to wrap them in newspapers to keep them safe.
- Arrange your care package items appropriately. For example, put toiletries (soap, surface cleansers, etc.) away from food items (scones, jam, etc.). Stuff any remaining space in your box with newspapers to make sure your items don’t move around. Tape your box properly and attach the shipping address to the side of the box.
- You can also decorate the box with colorful tissues, ribbons, and markers to give it an attractive look.
- If you would rather not bother with the hassles of designing and packaging your care box, websites such as CarePackages.com make the whole process easier.
- Before dropping your box off at the Post Office or the Shipping company, make sure to list the content of your box, fill a customs form if the box is going out of the country, double-check the mailing address and also include your own address.
- For most colleges, residence halls usually have their own mailing address different from the school’s mailing address, so make sure to find out first.
College Care Package Ideas For A New School Year
Is your college student starting their freshman year? Maybe a Sophomore? It’s easy to forget some of the essentials when packing for school, so here is a couple that fit into a care package box and that your young adult would definitely appreciate:
- Hand towel
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- Washcloth
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- Shower gel
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- Laundry detergent
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- Fabric softener
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- Extra tooth-brush
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- Flip-flops
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- Cold medicine
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- Dry Shampoo & Conditioner
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- Antibacterial surface cleanser
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- Deodorant & body sprays
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- Spray cleaner
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- Jewelry box
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- Toothbrush holder
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- Mini purse
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- Sweat-resistant Earbuds
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- Cough drops
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- Baby wipes
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- Electric toothbrush
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- Vests
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- Shaving cream
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- Bandages
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- Watch Winder
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- Notepads
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- Folders
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- Air fresheners
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- Rice Krispies
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- Whole grain crackers
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- Walnuts
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- Maple syrup
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- Nutella
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- Brown rice
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- Baked chips
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- Power Cords
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- Juice boxes
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- Pedicure and manicure set
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- Jewelry
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- Laptop accessory
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- Oreos
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- Ziplock bag
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- Cough drops
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- Thermometer
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- Nail clipper
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- Phone Cleaner and Charger
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- Mouthwash
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- Grocery gift cards
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- Fabric stain remover
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- Sugar scrubs
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- Laundry bag
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- Webcam for video calls
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College Care Package Ideas For The Homesick
Got a college student who misses home more than anything else? That’s bound to happen occasionally. Here are a couple of items to include in your next care package to make them feel better and navigate through college life:
- Voice recordable cards
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- Photo collage from home
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- Personalized throw blanket
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- Homemade quilts
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- Instant Soups
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- Homemade Scones
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- Chocolate brownies
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- Green tea
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- Essential Oils Diffuser
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- Homesick candles
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- Long Distance Touch Lamp
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- Digital Photo Frame
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- Homemade banana bread
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- Homemade cookies
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- Menthol ointment
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- Chicken soup
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- Colorful hand-knitted scarves
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- Gummy candies
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- Colorful socks
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- Cookbook
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- Photos of recent family events
- Hand-written notes from home
- Graduation cap confetti
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- Fill-in-the-blank journal
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- Customized stamp
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- Dual time zone wristwatch
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- “What I Love About You By Me” book
- Friendship/sisterhood bracelet
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- Compliment pencil set
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- “Open When” letters
- Stuffed mini bear
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- Mini wind chimes
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- Photo Album
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- Mp3 player with calming music
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- Silky pajamas
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- Gold love necklace
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- DIY beaded bracelet
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- Amazon Echo spot
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- Monogram ring
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- Pocket-sized Diary
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College Care Package Ideas During Finals
Got a senior in college who’s got their biggest exam coming up? Or maybe even a crucial test? Here are some great ideas that would help your college student study, prepare and perform as they should:
- DIY Good-luck card
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- Markers
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- Ramen noodles
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- Canned Tomato sauce
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- Whole wheat pasta
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- Homemade Biscotti
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- Veggie Straws
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- Flashlight
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- Energy bars
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- Painkillers
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- Energy drink
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- Instant coffee
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- Instant Oatmeal
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- Mug
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- Mints
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- Gum
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- KitKat
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- Oatmeal bars
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- Mini coffee grinder
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- Dried fruit
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- Noise canceling headphones
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- Sticky notes
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- Gel pens
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- USB drive
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- Binders
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- Mini stapler
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- Pack of highlighters
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- Countdown calendar
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- Stationery set
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- A pair of scissors
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- Paper tape
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- Power banks
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- Extra charger cord
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- Alarm clock
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- Box of envelopes
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- Ink Cartridge
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- Pencil case
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- Bath bombs
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- Colored sticky mini flags
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- Eye Masks
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- SmartWatch
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College Care Package Ideas During Holidays
Is your college student stuck in school during the holidays when their favorite people should surround them? Maybe even away on their birthday? Here are some sweet Care Package Ideas to make being far from home and their loved ones less difficult:
- Holiday greetings card
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- Plane tickets
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- Pocket-sized umbrella
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- Microwave popcorn
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- Holiday-themed tissue box
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- Guidebooks
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- Colorful aprons
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- Pumpkin bread
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- Apple pie
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- Chocolate covered raisins
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- Jelly beans
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- Powdered Cocoa
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- Canned sausage
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- Mini Carrot cake
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- Portable Bluetooth speakers
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- Passport holder
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- Christmas tree star
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- Plastic disposable party cups
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- String lights
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- Halloween candy
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- Tiny Christmas trees
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- Mini Menorah
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- Party Poppers
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- Confetti
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- Colorful candles
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- Balloons
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- Heart-shaped Chocolate
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- Colorful wall posters
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- Holiday-themed phone case
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- Disney’s Olaf Frozen mini-figure
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- Christmas tree ornaments
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- Pocket photo printer
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- Cash
College Care Package Ideas When Stressed
Is your college student having an exhausting time lately? Burnt out from all the activities and work they have to keep up with? Here are some Care Package Ideas to help them feel better while away at school:
- Flavored Lip balm
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- Eye drops
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- Massage oil
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- Mouldable Clay
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- Mini Frisbee
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- Sunglasses
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- iTunes gift cards
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- Sketch/coloring books
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- Magazines
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- Netflix gift cards
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- Calming Herbal Teas
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- Self-stirring mug
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- Mini tea infuser
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- Sleep mask
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- Scented candles
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- Lavender scented cream
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- Face Wash
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- Homemade body butter
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- Headache powder
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- Lozenges
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- Essential oils
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- Mini blanket
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- Sunscreen
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- Mini water bottle
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- Sports headband
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- Gym gift card
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- Mini rubber ball
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- Movie tickets
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- Vitamins
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- Stress ball
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- Stress-relief bubble wrap
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- Massage gift certificate
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- Spa bath pillow
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- Lavender room spray
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- Foot mask
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- Aromatherapy Stick
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- Honey tea bags
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- Face moisturizer
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- Mini board game
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Now, let’s hear from you – What’s the favorite thing your college student loves to receive in their Care Package from you? Do you prefer to make your Care Package items or buy them?