10 Sweet Care Package Ideas For When You Can’t Be With The Ones You Love

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It can be so hard to be away from the people we love. Maybe they’re far away, sick, or you just aren’t able to see them as much as you would like. Sending a care package is a great way to reach out and let others know that you’re thinking of them. Whether you choose a pre-assembled package that gets shipped directly to your recipient or you take the time to assemble a DIY care box using some of our great care package ideas, your friend or loved one is sure to feel special when they receive it.

Even for people you do see often, like your partner or child, you can still put together a great gift basket to make them smile. Everyone loves to get special packages!

No matter who you’re putting a care package together for, we have you covered with the ideas below.

Care Package Ideas for Friends and Loved Ones

1. College Student Care Package

Going off to college can be hard. You have to leave so many things behind. We have a few care package ideas to help ease the transition.

At first, your kid may have a difficult time adjusting, especially if they had to leave behind a beloved family pet. Creating a custom art piece featuring your pet may just be the homey touch that your college kid needs.

College dorms can get loud, and it can be super distracting when trying to study or sleep. The popular noise reducing loop earplugs are discrete and comfortable. When your kid does go out, they’re also great for preventing headaches and preserving hearing at loud concerts!

College students love to be pampered too! It can be hard to be away from home, and shower dorms are not the most luxurious spaces to unwind. If your college student enjoys bath bombs but can’t use them at the dorm since there are only shower stalls, check out this delightful shower bomb. It smells great and may even help wake them up. With those 8 am lectures, they need all the help they can get.

When you send your kid off to college, you may worry about them getting enough food. While college cafeteria food is fine, your kid may miss some of the snacks they’re used to at home. A good water bottle is a must for all college students. Hydroflask is a huge brand on college campuses right now, and your kid will love that the insulated bottle keeps their coffee or tea warm for up to 12 hours.

Throw in a sweet card to let them you know miss them, and you have a college care package they will be proud to show off!

2. Get Well Package

For someone who isn’t feeling well due to illness or injury, a get well soon care package could be just the thing to help them feel a little better.

A cozy blanket can do wonders for making someone who feels yucky feel more comfy. Speaking of comfort, a stuffed plush can be nice to snuggle with when you’re under the weather. These hilarious plush organs are cuddly and sure to bring them some smiles. Laughter is really the best medicine.

If your friend or family member is in the hospital for a while, they may be getting tired of hospital-issued socks. Instead, look for some cozy slipper socks to make them more comfortable.

Being stuck in bed can get seriously boring, and a person can only watch so much TV. A gift card for a good book could be a great way to help distract them and keep their mind engaged.

It is important for someone to have the right nutrition when they are recovering, but everyone needs a treat once in a while. The great thing about these wellness lollipops is that they’re all natural, so they can enjoy these instead of eating traditional candy. You could also consider a tea sampler to soothe them with warm herbal infusions and comforting blends.

If you’re looking for some more comforting gift ideas, check out our collections of get well gifts for men and women. Regardless of what you choose to include in your get well care package, be sure to add a thoughtful greeting card to share your get well wishes.

3. Care Package for Deployed Soldier

When putting together a care package for a deployed soldier, keep in mind that there are some restrictions on things that can be sent. Because of this, it is best to keep it simple, but you can still send some things that will bring the comfort of home.

(Note: one of our staffers here a L&L is an Army brat who consulted her dad for these care package ideas, so they are based on actual items sent during deployments. Consider them soldier-approved!)

Sending a snack basket that will keep for a while is a great gift for those who are deployed. These products will help bring them the comfort of home and enjoy some things that they may not be able to get where they are.

If you want to include some individual snack foods, consider sending jerky, nuts, dried fruit, peanut butter, packaged cookies, powdered drink mixes, and other shelf-stable items they’ll love that won’t get ruined along the way.

For their days off, you could send some fun socks to bring a smile to his face. On cold nights, high-quality warm socks are a great gift to keep those feet warm.

When they have downtime, a (durable, waterproof) deck of cards or a good book (or audiobook) can be great gifts to help them pass the time. Video games and small board games are always popular, too!

Another great thing to include in this care package is letters from their loved ones. Have multiple people in the family write specifically to the soldier to help them feel loved while they are away from home. Letters and pictures are easy to stash in a pocket or wallet so they can keep you close every day.

4. Care Package for Friend

Whether you see your close friend often or not, you can let her know you’re thinking of her with these gift ideas.

Best friend bracelets aren’t just for little girls. Check out these gorgeous ones that feature a pinky swear and your initials.

Another great way to let her know that you’re thinking of her is by sending her a sentimental picture frame and including a picture of you two in it! She can bring it to work or display it in her home and brag about her best friend to everyone who sees it.

These punny socks are a lot of fun too, and are sure to be a hit in a care package.

Having somewhere to write down your thoughts and feelings is so helpful. This notebook has a fun cover, and is a great addition to a care package for a friend.

Bundle it up, head to the post office, and your care package will be on its way!

5. Care Package for Child

Kids love getting care packages, too! Take it from someone who always ran to check the mailbox every day after school, hoping there would be a surprise for me. (Full disclosure, I still totally do this as an adult. But now the only care packages I get are from Amazon.)

When you’re creating a care package for a child, a stuffed animal is always a good choice. You could consider a Build-a-Bear gift card, so the child could create their own, or an infamous squishmallow, which come in a variety of colors and animals.

Giving a child a fun activity is another great idea when you’re putting together a care package for a kid. This Lego Dinosaur set is awesome because they can choose from a T-Rex, Triceratops, or a Pterodactyl, creating plenty of opportunities to play.

Another gift option to keep their hands busy is this fidget toy that not only serves its purpose but also features an awesome design featuring Yoda.

It is no secret that kids love to play with messy stuff. Check out this slime that is even scented in a pleasant way and should provide many hours of fun.

What kind of kid’s care package would this be if we didn’t throw in some candy?. Not only is this candy set from Dylan’s Candy Bar delicious, but it also comes in this cool paint can style which is great for using afterward to store all sorts of things or just for kids to play with.

I think any kid would be overjoyed to receive such a special package, all for them.

6. Care Package for Significant Other

Long-distance relationships can be so tough! If you are looking to create a care package for your significant other, there are some fun things you can include to keep your connection alive.

Check out this fill in the love book that you can fill in ahead of time to tell your partner exactly what you love about them.

For something spicy or sweet, get some hot sauce for your hot stuff or this tackle box filled with candy.

These spa bath bombs or manly bath bombs are good for when your partner just needs to relax but may not want to admit it.

If you like high-quality underwear and matching with your partner, check these out! These comfy undies from MeUndies will keep you connected in many ways.

Spending time away from each other can be rough. Every time you think of each other, you can tap these bracelets to send a message to each other. The bracelet lights up to help you feel the love from no matter where your partner is.

While nothing can replace the feeling of being reunited with your loved one, a care package can’t hurt.

7. Care Package for New Parent

Being a new parent can be rough, but you can make things a bit easier or at least give that new parent a smile with a thoughtful care package.

These fun coffee tumblers are great for both mom and dad. The best thing about these is that they seal- because we all know open coffee mugs and kids don’t mix. Don’t forget this coffee sampler for all those early mornings!

Looking to include a couple things for the baby? They’ll love this adorable onesie, and one of these swaddle blankets to keep the little one cozy.

With a new baby, it can be hard to make it to the grocery store. In those cases, give them this HelloFresh gift card to take some of the work out of making meals. With easy to follow recipes and simple ingredients, they’ll be able to throw dinner together even in their state of sleep deprivation.

Since mom will be hurting, this postpartum package will give her some extra mesh underwear, nipple balm, and nursing pads to ease the pain. These are items that she may not have thought of before giving birth. Plus, the mesh underwear is sure to be more comfortable than the ones she gets from the hospital.

This bundle of gifts will be perfect for parents who are adjusting to their new bundle of joy.

8. New Homeowner Care Package

Buying a new house is such an exciting experience, and there are plenty of things that your friend may need for her new home.

Plants are always great for housewarming parties. If she has a green thumb, get her a live plant. If not, a fake one. To commemorate the occasion, this personalized key holder is also a wonderful, practical gift!

To create a great homey feel, this candle or wine glasses set with decanter and openers will be fun for the new homeowners. Maybe they’ll even invite you over to enjoy!

9. Self-Care Package

It is so important to take care of yourself. Whether it’s a simple thing or some official self-care time, it’s important to remember to take some time for yourself to recharge.

For a fun at-home spa experience, add in a bath bomb, cozy robe, aromatherapy candles, and fuzzy socks to your care package. This mindfulness card set will also help the recipient be more in the moment as they sip some tea out of their new mug from this delicious tea sampler!

Sounds like a very relaxing time.

10. Box of Sunshine

If you’ve never heard of a Box of Sunshine before – now you have! The idea is to fill the care package with all yellow items to bring some sunshiny happiness to the recipient’s day.

Need some ideas? Check out this yellow stoneware mug and combine it with some delicious treats like lemonade, lemon cookies, or smiley face cookies!

Speaking of smiley faces, this stress ball is a great thing to add in. No products found. is another great (yellow!) product for self-care. Complete the package with something pretty, like this sunbeam necklace.

Pre-Made Care Packages You Can Order Online!

If putting your own care package together sounds like a lot or you’d rather have it done for you, there are plenty of options! All of these care packages can be ordered online and shipped directly to your friend or loved one.

This Peace and Pampering Care Package from Spoonful of Comfort focuses on self-care, with a comfy throw, calming coloring book, hand cream, tea, and more.

For those who need to get well soon, check out the Feel Better Gift Basket from Harry & David and Warm + Cozy Care Package from Etsy: UnBoxMeGifts. Both gift packages include warming tea and other treats to bring some comfort.

For college students, significant others, or really just anyone, this Snack Box Variety Pack from Amazon is a stellar choice.

Still on the hunt for something just right? You can also build a Custom Care Package from Etsy: UnBoxMeGifts filled with items they are sure to love!

What Not To Put in a Care Package

There are certain things that you can’t send through the mail, but it depends if you’re mailing them internationally or domestically.

These items are either prohibited or restricted in certain instances, so it is easiest to just avoid most of the following.

Aerosols
Alcohol (only in limited circumstances)
Cigarettes and smokeless tobacco (only in limited circumstances)
Cigars (only domestically)
Lithium batteries (only domestically)
Most matches
Flammable nail polishes (only domestically)
Perfume that contains alcohol (only shipped with ground transportation in the United States)

Show You Care with Personalized Care Packages

Whether you know someone going through a difficult time or just want to make them smile, sending a care package is a super thoughtful way to show them you care.

There are so many options that can make a big difference to someone, whether they are a new parent, newly injured or sick, or just overwhelmed. These care package ideas are wonderful options to let someone know you’re thinking of them.