Thoughtful Thanksgiving Care Package Ideas

Do you have a college student who can’t come home for the holidays? How about sending them a Thanksgiving care package so they can enjoy the holidays where they are? Sending a holiday gift is a great way to help your college student feel included in the holiday season. These Thanksgiving care package ideas will put a smile on your loved one’s face and help them have a Thanksgiving to remember, even though they cannot be with you.

You may not be able to send a full Thanksgiving dinner to your family member, but you can send some savory snacks, sweet treats, and other special surprises to create one of the best Thanksgiving gifts. Creating the perfect care package doesn’t have to be complicated. Besides, it’s the thought that counts, right? And sending a holiday-themed care package will send a positive message to the recipient.

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Thanksgiving care package ideas pinterest pin.

What should I put in my college child’s fall holiday care package?

Including your personal touch is the key to making the perfect care package for your loved one. You know best exactly what your child’s Thanksgiving day favorites are. So, try your best to include the things that you know would make a great care package. Great Thanksgiving gift ideas are only great if the person receiving them will absolutely love them, so make sure you’re choosing items with the receiver in mind.

Customizing the package with special treats is a festive way to help your college students celebrate the holidays right in their dorm room.

College student receiving a care package.

What are some thoughtful Thanksgiving care package ideas?

Need some ideas of items to include in your Thanksgiving care package? I’ve got you covered. Use this list for some inspiration as you decide what to include in the package you’ll send to your loved one.

Lip Balm

It’s hard to avoid dry, chapped lips in the fall. Adding lip balm in fall scents to the care package adds a little bit of practicality to the gift. You can’t go wrong with useful gifts and this great filler is perfect for any care kit. Etsy.com has a great selection of unique fall lip balms.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Fresh-baked cookies are always a good idea to add to a gift you send to your college kids. Holiday gatherings usually include sweet treats and cookies are an easy way to send a sweet treat to a loved one.

Pumpkin Pie

If pumpkin pie is a staple on your holiday table, you can bake a pie and add it to your care package. Or, if your student loves to bake, package and send all of the ingredients needed to make the pie. If neither of these ideas sounds enticing to you, call a local bakery or food delivery service and see if they can deliver a pie for you. (Make sure you check delivery dates to get your sweet treat delivered on time.)

Microwave Popcorn

A fun movie night isn’t complete without some popcorn. Stock up your student’s dorm room with some microwave popcorn for those nights when they’re taking a break from all those long nights of studying. Popcorn is also the perfect gift for passing the time while they’re at school if they cannot travel home for Thanksgiving break.

Apple Cider

Apple cider is an excellent option for fall care kits. Not only can you add cider to the package, but you can also add a cute message mug to let your college student know how much they will be missed during the holidays. For added effect, you could even schedule a facetime call to share a cup of apple cider together.

Candy Corn

If you’re sending a turkey day care package to someone with a sweet tooth, add some candy corn to the package. It’s a great addition to make the package a little more festive. There are event Thanksgiving-themed flavors of candy corn that might make this an extra special gift for someone who loves this seasonal candy.

Fresh Fruit

Fresh fruit is always a great idea for a care package. Take advantage of any time you can to encourage healthy eating habits. There are many ways to incorporate fresh fruit into an adorable care package. Plus, the fruit can serve as an easy snack for several days after turkey day.

Happy Fall Sign

Nothing will remind your child of home more than a sign with a message on it. Add a “Happy Fall” sign to the Thanksgiving care kit for an added touch of home. I bet it will get you a smile and maybe even a phone call.

Potato Chips

After the turkey and dressing, your kid will be ready to get back to the ultimate study food: potato chips. Add some fan-favorite chips to the package as an added touch. Your package will be the gift that keeps on giving.

Pancake Mix

If your son or daughter isn’t much of a Thanksgiving dinner eater, how about sending pancake mix so they can make breakfast? You can include fun fall flavors like pumpkin or apple to make breakfast more festive.

Scented Candle

Adding a candle to a care package is fun and it also provides some self-care benefits that your college students can use throughout the semester. In addition to the great smell, they’ll also experience some of the calming properties associated with burning candles.

Thanksgiving Centerpieces

If you’re sending a gift to someone who can’t be home for the Thanksgiving gathering, don’t forget to include a cute centerpiece. Chances are, they haven’t thought about purchasing festive decor to get them in the holiday spirit, so your centerpiece might be just the thing to give their room a little holiday pizzazz.

Canned side dish options

Canned side dish options are easy to pack and they are simple for your student to prepare for their holiday meal. Some ideas for canned items might be green beans, corn, sweet potatoes and cranberry sauce. If you know a simple way to spice up these side dishes, send along a note with instructions to make it easy for your student to make their meal taste like it came from home.

What are some other ideas for a turkey day care package?

Festive Thanksgiving decor

Picture frame

Pre-cooked Thanksgiving meal kit

Handwritten letters

Gifts cards

As you gather items, don’t forget to grab bubble wrap, boxes, tape, and any other items you may need to ship your care package. Before you send your gift, make sure that you’ve checked to see if there are any restrictions so that your package doesn’t get held up or discarded. If you’re shipping delicious treats, do a little research so that your treat arrives in the best shape possible.

woman with a smile on her face opening a care package.

Who can I send a care package to other than my college student?

While care packages are a great idea for college students, they are also great for military service members, your best friend, or anyone else you want to send some holiday love to. A fun care package is a perfect way to show someone you’re thinking about them or appreciate them.

Just think about it. Wouldn’t it be great to get together as a family and create a package of Thanksgiving treats for a family in need? Someone in the hospital or nursing home? A veteran in a retirement home? There are many ways to spread holiday cheer this time of year.

What are some ideas for premade Thanksgiving gift baskets?

If you don’t have a lot of time or if making a customized care package isn’t really your thing, there are several options for premade gift packages that you can send to celebrate the holidays. Even though these are premade, they will still be a huge hit, so go ahead and browse this list of great packages.

Thanksgiving Care Package Ideas

Are you looking for the perfect care package to send for Thanksgiving? Here are some ideas that will bring a smile to your friend or loved one's face. They'll know that you're thinking of them and sending them love this fall holiday season.