- A care package can contain just about anything and can fit almost any budget. Broadly speaking, a care package is a shippable box that contains items that the recipient might find useful, comforting or simply entertaining.
- Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Food. Obviously, non-perishable items are ideal here but if you can ship your package quickly, options like home-baked goods are often very appreciated. A simple grocery gift card can also work here.
- Staples (instant oatmeal, Kraft Dinner, noodles, travel size cereal boxes, herbs/spices…)
- Snacks & treats (popcorn, nuts, granola bars, cookies, chocolate, s’mores fixings…)
- Beverages.
- Hot chocolate, tea, Kool-Aid, coffee, wine, beer, mini alcohol bottles, bottle opener/corkscrew…
- Toiletries/essentials
- Toothpaste, soap, razors, shaving cream, sunscreen, nail clippers, deodorant, bandages, ibuprofen, hair products, stress ball, hand sanitizer, vitamins, mints, gum, lip balm…
- Clothing
- Household items
- Kitchen related: travel mug, water bottle, trash bags
- Bed & bath related: alarm clock, bedding…
- Garden related: seeds, gardening tools,
- Miscellaneous: Stain remover, air freshener, candles/matches, mini sewing kit, tools, detergent, pet supplies…
- School/office supplies
- Paper, pens, highlighters, sticky notes,
- Luxury/stress relief items
- Nail polish, bubble bath, face mask, foot soak, sleep mask, manicure/pedicure products, bubbles, travel pillow, jewelry…
- Entertainment
- Books, magazines, puzzles (or puzzle book), journals, art supplies, comic books, cards, crossword, events (eg: concert tickets), frisbee, board games…
- Electronics
- Batteries, phone accessories, chargers,
- Sentimental
- Miscellaneous
- Gift cards, (grocery, music, coffee, restaurant…), envelopes/stamps, cash, concert tickets,
- Food. Obviously, non-perishable items are ideal here but if you can ship your package quickly, options like home-baked goods are often very appreciated. A simple grocery gift card can also work here.
- Obviously, a care package can be used for occasions like birthdays, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Housewarming, Graduation, new parents and Valentine’s Day (for long-distance partners) but you can also easily incorporate most themes into a care package. For instance:
- Senses: taste: home-baked cookies, hearing: earbuds, smell: air freshener or a scented candle, touch: hand cream or spa treatments, vision: a flashlight or an eye mask.
- Seasons: spring: flower seeds, summer: sunscreen, autumn: apple cider or a gift card for a pumpkin spice latte, winter: warm socks, hot chocolate.
- Types of Therapy: aromatherapy: air freshener or a scented candle, art therapy: art supplies, chocolate therapy: hot chocolate or chocolate chip cookies, music therapy: gift card for Google play or iTunes, retail therapy: any gift card, touch therapy: any spa product like manicure/pedicure items.
- Add some personality to your care package:
- Individually wrap each gift and let them know when they should open it. Eg:
- “Open when stressed” for bubble bath, candles, etc
- “Open when hungry” for food items
- “Open right away” for baked goods
- “Open when you need a night out” for a restaurant gift card
- “Open on ____ (a specific date)” for time-related activities like concert tickets
- Individually wrap each gift and let them know when they should open it. Eg:
- Too busy to put together a care package? There are many monthly gift subscription options online:
- Please keep in mind that international shipping will likely involve rules about what you can and cannot ship. Your local post office can usually provide guidance if you have questions or concerns.
