The 9 Best Ready-Made Care Packages for College Kids of 2020

Why pack your own when these sites will do it for you?

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Updated on May 13, 2020

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The transition from high school to college can be difficult for young adults. For many, with college comes the first time living away from home, the opportunity to navigate a new social culture and make new friends, and the newfound independence and responsibility—all of which can be great, but don't come without their challenges.

One way to support your college student is to stay connected without being overbearing. Most college kids enjoy hearing from family and friends back home, and they're often short on cash and a little bit hungry making care packages a great way to say, "We're thinking about you."

But assembling, packaging, and sending a care package can be time-consuming and costly. Take the stress out of brightening your college student's day by sending a ready-made care package that can be ordered online.

Here are 10 sites that make sending a care package to your college student easier.

Our Top Picks

Smiles From Home

Who can resist a smiley face? Smiles From Home sends large care packages or sweet and simple smiley face mugs with a few special treats to your college student for a fun pick-me-up. With a variety of gift cards, snacks, and other items, their packages will brighten any day.

Man Crates

A huge variety of gifts for the young man at college is available at Man Crates. The website has several categories of gift packages, each with distinct packaging. The wooden crate comes with a mini crowbar for (not so) easy opening, which only adds to the fun. Available gifts include the bacon crate, the "cowpocalypse" crate, and many more. While some are suitable only for ages 21 and older, there are lots to choose from for younger men.

Tastefully Simple

Many dorm rooms and apartments have microwaves, and Tastefully Simple has the perfect surprise for your favorite student with a sweet tooth. The Brown Sugar Caramel Mug Cake is a cake that's baked in a mug, ready in minutes for a yummy treat. Send a few extra to share with roommates, dormmates, and friends.

Gourmet Gift Baskets

Do you need a gift sent right away? Maybe your young adult is under the weather, has a rough weekend of studying ahead, or just broke up with their significant other. Gourmet Gift Baskets can help with same-day delivery of abundant and delicious gift packages that will cheer anyone up. While these are on the more expensive side, the quick response and delivery time can be worth it.

Gifty Baskets

Not all gift baskets have to be about food. The Love of Learning gift basket from Gifty Baskets includes a figurine of a student, a notebook and a pen. There are a few yummy treats, too.

Our Campus Market

For all things collegiate, head to Our Campus Market. Send your student a package that's already curated or make your own custom care package.

Hip Kits

Hip Kits offers dozens of fun care packages, including college survival kits.

TetherBox

TetherBox goes straight to the source when it comes to picking out care packages for college students; they tap other college students. You decide whether to do a monthly, semester, or annual plan and on your schedule, a package handpicked by your college student's peers is shipped out. No more worrying about ordering something special for a regular bit of love. TetherBox does it for you.