Anatomy of a College Care Package

College, sigh. Oh sure, I’m not in college anymore, but I am getting an education. Did you know they share a lot of things in college? Did you further know that there are things such as community water bottles that everyone drinks out of in the dorm? No matter how many hygiene lessons you’ve given your children, over the years when they go to college it all goes out the window. That’s why, now more than ever, teach your children how to stay healthy while you have them under your roof. Since she isn’t under my roof anymore, I can send care packages that help encourage healthy habits, like blowing your nose with a tissue and not your sweatshirt. Or sending LOTS AND LOTS of bottled water, so they don’t have a community water bottle in the first place. As well as sending supplements to help support her immune system.

 

 

By the way, don’t order the college care packages that the school sends you information for when you can make one yourself – it’s a lot less inexpensive and more creative! I love picking out items that Anna will love from home, as well as necessities that she has run out of. I also have a list on the notes section of my phone with all of her favorite foods and items she told me she would love to receive.

 

 

All you need are the following:

-cardboard box (I get mine at Wal-Mart for under two dollars!)

-packing tape (available in the same aisle as the boxes)

-permanent marker

-scissors

-lots of fun things to put inside the box

 

 

The first care package I mailed to her, I just wanted to get it into the mail fast! It had some clothing and her favorite stuffed animal, who she forgot at home, in it. So, I wasn’t really creative, but I will get better and better at creating fun care packages for her.

 

 

Apparently, a lot of people are decorating the insides of the box. Normally, I wouldn’t do that, but Pinterest and blogs everywhere take advantage of new college parents and I was all ‘I NEED TO DO THAT FOR MY BABYYYYYYYY. SHE WANTS STICKERSSSSS. I NEED TO BUY THEM FOR HERRRRR’. When in reality, the box will be crammed into the hall trash compactor and when I talk to her she will be all, “umm, there was something on the lid of the box??” Ah, parenting.

 

 

I created a fun, healthy theme for her and her roommates’ care package. Let’s be honest, with three other roommates, they are ALL getting this care package. I’m also adding reusable water bottles in different colors too, so they won’t have a community water bottle.

 

 

In addition to the reusable water bottles, I included things like a fun mug, some packets of soup (microwaveable, of course), packages of tissues, and Nature Made® Adult Melatonin Gummies and Nature Made® Vitamin D3 Adult Gummies. I included Nature Made® Melatonin Adult Gummies because she’s probably not getting enough sleep like she usually does at home. These melatonin gummies are great-tasting and an easy way to help support sleep.†

 

I made sure to also include Nature Made® Vitamin D3 Adult Gummies in her care package to help support bone, teeth, muscle, and immune health.† It also contains 2000 IU of vitamin D3 per serving and fun fact, D3 is the body’s preferred form of vitamin D!* Nature Made® Vitamin D3 Adult Gummies have been certified by USP for purity and potency, so I know she’s getting the right nutrients.

 

 

Look for Nature Made® products in the supplement aisle at your local Wal-Mart, and don’t forget to get boxes and tape while you’re there!

 

 

Have a child in college? What do you include in their care packages?

 

† These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

*Vitamin D3 is more effective than vitamin D2 at raising and maintaining adequate levels of circulating vitamin D in the body.†