A DIY “Something Out of the BLUE” winter college care package for a loved one who is far away to tell them you are “Blue Without You”!
When our first-born daughter went to college a few months ago, I knew a winter care package was something I would do because I really wanted her to know how much we miss her, and I knew the winter months would be the time she starts missing home!
Luckily I love the “cheesy mom” stuff, so this is not a difficult task for me…as a matter of fact, I look forward to planning and shopping for a new one each month! #momnerd
It’s an easy and fun way to show how much our family cares and how much we miss her!
For September I sent a “Get Well” Package filled with all sorts of cold/flu remedies in case she or any of her dorm mates get any of those nasty seasonal “bugs” that seem to run rampant around college campuses, especially after party nights!
A little something for her to share with her dorm friends and community in case anyone starts feeling under the weather!
In October, I sent a Halloween-themed care package that definitely brought her an extra dose of joy and happiness! She thought it was simply spook-tacular!
And this month for November since it’s starting to get a bit chilly in Ann Arbor, Michigan where my daughter is attending school, I thought a blue-themed winter college care package would be super fun to put together! (think snowy winter vibes or maybe blue from just being SO.DANG.COLD)
So if you have a loved one that is far from home too, feel free to steal my idea and make a blue care package too!
Life is crazy busy for almost everyone so let me save you the leg work, and I’ll share all my most helpful tips to making a winter care package!
If you are new to the care package-making world and haven’t got a “BLUE” how to make one, let me help you with the basic steps of putting one together!
STEP #1 – GET THE WINTER COLLEGE CARE PACKAGE GOODIES
After you’ve decided on your theme, you then need to start to shop and gather the goodies for your care package.
This BLUE care package was SOOO easy cause I literally just looked for BLUE items wherever I ran my errands…in particular, I shop at the Dollar Tree, Target, Wal-Mart, and the grocery store.
I did not have to search too hard to find so many amazing things!
I actually couldn’t believe how many products I was able to find…this is the fullest care package I’ve sent so far! It was literally filled to the brim.
*Insider Tip #1* – I try not to send any liquids because spills happen and that can cause a mess in your package.
Here’s a List of THE GOODIES I found for this particular care package!
- Blue Mentos
- Cool Ranch Doritos
- Lay’s Stax Salt & Vinegar Chips
- Planters Peanuts
- Trail Mix
- Air Heads
- Chips Ahoy Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Rice Krispy Treat
- Blue Shower Poof
- Blue Body Scrubber
- Blue Vaseline Lip Balm
- Mini M&M’s
- Hand Sanitizing Wipes
- Grandma’s Mini Cookies
- Life Saver Mints
- Jolly Rancher Candy
- Welch’s Fruits Snacks
- Flipz Chocolate Covered Pretzels
- Chocolate Chip Clif Granola Bars
- Better Made Potato Stix
- Red Vine Licorice
For this package, I probably spent more like $25, which is a bit on the higher side for my care packages, but I just went a bit cray cray with all the blue things I was able to find!
If you are having trouble finding enough things you can also add some “cold weather season items” like:
- Socks
- Scarves
- Tea
- Gloves
- Hats
- Hand Warmers
- Holiday Food Items
*Insider Tip #2* – Customize your contents to the recipient…I added a silly little cheap nightlight gift I found in the Dollar Spot of Target of the “Frozen” characters.
My daughter had been Anna for Halloween, and I thought she would think it was funny!
Use your own creativity to add something that is special to the person receiving your package.
Yes, I know that’s A LOT of packaged food in this care package…and my daughter is not much of a junk food eater, but I know she has lots of friends in her dorm that will help her with that.
Honestly, I know it sounds cliche, but it’s more the thought that counts for any of the packages I send…she just loves getting a box full of goodies regardless of what’s inside!
STEP #2 – BOX UP THE WINTER COLLEGE CARE PACKAGE
Since I know I am going to be sending college care packages all year, and quite possibly for YEARS to come (since I have 2 other kids still at home), I save any empty boxes and other packing materials I receive to reuse for future packages.
To pack this particular care package, I placed a few sheets of blue tissue paper inside the bottom of the box, loaded it up with THE GOODIES, and then placed a few sheets of tissue paper on top to finish off the look.
STEP #3 – MAKE THE WINTER COLLEGE CARE PACKAGE “BLUE-TIFUL”
Please take my advice on this one…before you send your care package, decorate that box!!
I guarantee the recipient will be doubly excited to receive it with a little extra love put into it!
Don’t know how to do that?
Well, you are in luck, friends, cause I have a free printable for you!!
You simply need to download it, print it out (I opt for tagboard/white cardstock), and glue it to the inside of the flaps with a glue stick.
From start to finish it will probably take you an extra 10 minutes…so get going, mama!
If you want the printable box tags for the inside click link below!
Blue Without You Care Package Download
STEP #4 – SIGN, “TEAL”, & DELIVER THE WINTER COLLEGE CARE PACKAGE
Once you’ve got the goodies in the box and you’ve made the box “Blue-tiful”, it’s time to tape it up, slap on the mailing address, and ship that baby out to your loved one! I have no doubt they will be head over TEALs in love with it!
There you have it, friends…4 easy steps to send your loved one a little reminder that you are “Blue without them”…and be rest AZUREd they will say “Thank BLUE…it was a dream come BLUE”.
Okay, I know, enough of the BLUE puns…it’s a done TEAL…oh shoot, I just can’t help myself!
What do you think?
Got other fun and creative ideas for winter college care packages?
I’ve already got a Christmas care package for December ready if you need another one for the Holidays!
I’ve also been adding to my Pinterest idea board here if you need some more inspiration!
Until next time, cheers to saying I love “BLUE” through the mail, and cheers to you!
XOXO,
Magan
Psst!! – Want to see more care packages? You can find all the care packages I’ve made here!
