If this is your first time putting together a DIY care package for college finals week, we’ll show you step by step how we organized and decorated a college care package in school colors.
A homemade gift box from home is such a nice way to show your family member, your boyfriend, or for a friend during their finals week, A Finals care package is the perfect DIY project.
This is super easy and cheap to put together and makes for a fun and cute activity that will make you and whomever you’re gifting, feel good! We all know finals week is a stressful time, so what better way to reduce some of that stress, bring the positive energy, and goodies to their week?
They’ll love this college finals care package box!
Being that my brother is away at college and had finals week, I thought it was only necessary to create a Finals care package as a surprise for him. I made this in hopes of making his finals week a little easier, reducing the stress, having a little fun, and being in the right mindset for his week.
Getting a special homemade something from home can give you the fuel and motivation to get through the week and hopefully ace your tests! Also, it’s just the perfect opportunity to send a little love and let whomever the package is for, know that you’re thinking of them and wishing them the best!
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What to Put in a Finals Week Care Package
A color themed care package is always a fun and easy idea. We went with my bro’s school colors which are purple and gold but mostly ended up with yummy purple snacks, treats, and other things.
Whatever color you decide to go with for a care package box, have items in the box that correlate with the theme!
It’s actually super fun to go shopping and see how many items you can find in the same color and the variety of items you can come up with!
What we used:
- vitamin water
- kind bars
- chocolate covered almonds
- bunny fruit snacks
- chips
- macaroni and cheese
- twisted fruit
- sleep gummies
- trail mix
- chewy candy
- kettle corn
- ice breaker mints
- tissues – to wipe away the tears
- smart sweets red twists
- energy drink
How to make a college care package
Assembling a finals care package box is as simple as decorating the box, cushioning the bottom and sides, and then filling it with the goodies.
Cover the Box
Start by measuring the sides of the top of the box flaps and cutting out four rectangular pieces of paper that align with the flaps on the box. This can be a simple color or a school color that goes with the items.
It doesn’t have to be perfectly cut out to match the size, but you’ll want it as fitting as possible so that when you close the box no paper is sticking out or in the way.
Cushion the Items
A nice way to cushion all the items going in the box is by using tissue paper. Simply take a couple of sheets of tissue paper in a similar color as the paper on the box and press it down so it’s covering the entire bottom of the box. The more tissue the more cushion, but you won’t need much! Have the tissue sticking out a little past the box or however you feel looks best.
Decorate
Find some cute, funny, or inspiring words that you can print out and relates to the care package. Cut those out and paste them right on top of each flap. The goal is to have something showing on each side so that when they open the box, they instantly see the words with the items in the package! Whatever the mascot is, it’s fun to add a little symbol or picture of that if you end up with a spare side!
Fill the Box
There is no wrong or right way to fill the box, it’s whatever you think looks best and makes sense so that everything can fit accordingly. Two things to think about:
If you have larger items, it might be best to place those in the box first and have the smaller items on top.
If there is a certain order you’re going in for placing items in the box, play around with where the items might fit best before placing them in “permanent” spots. I don’t recommend just throwing items in the box and seeing what fits- take a few tries if needed to make sure it’s the assortment look you want when the box is opened!
Project Tips
- Shopping at the Dollar Store or from your house helps to keep costs down but still find cute items
- Going with a theme whether it be university colors for a self-care basket or snack basket
- To make sure the care box arrives in one piece, don’t add anything breakable.
- Make sure to put the heaviest items on the bottom so that light or fragile items don’t get squished
- To make shipping even easier, you can print a label off at home and have USPS pick up at the box when they deliver your mail
More college student care box ideas!
While we went with school colors, there’s so many other ideas you could do! Here’s a few more of our favorite ideas.
- Snacks Galore
- Comfort Foods
- Health & Wellness Kit
- Study Supplies
- Personal Care Items
- Home Baked Goods
- Gift Cards
- Puzzle or Game
- Motivational Notes
- Seasonal Items
Save to Pinterest for later!
More Care Package Ideas
- 24 Friend care package ideas
- 15 Christmas care package ideas
- 21 care package for college students
- 15 Christmas baskets for boyfriend
DIY Finals Care Package
A Finals care package is perfect, easy, and cheap to put together for a friend, spouse, or family member to make their finals week a little easier! This is a fun way to reduce stress, send positive energy and goodies to the week, and let someone know you're thinking of them!
Materials
- vitamin water
- kind bars
- chocolate covered almonds
- bunny fruit snacks
- chips
- macaroni and cheese
- twisted fruit
- sleep gummies
- trail mix
- chewy candy
- kettle corn
- ice breaker mints
- tissues
- smart sweets red twists
- mountain dew beverage
Tools
- cardboard box
- ruler
- colored paper
- tissue paper
- scissors
- glue
- printable words
Instructions
1. Take a cardboard box and open it so all flaps are showing
2. Measure the flaps and cut out colored paper to fit dimensions
3. Glue the paper down (or tape if you prefer)
4. Print out and add words or symbols to flaps
5. Fill the box with tissue for extra cushion
6. Arrange items in the box to fit accordingly and however looks best
Notes
- Shopping at the Dollar Store or from your house helps to keep costs down but still find cute items
- Going with a theme whether it be university colors for your Finals care package or a self-care basket or snack basket
- To make sure your Finals care package arrives in one piece, don't add anything breakable
- Make sure to put the heaviest items on the bottom so that light or fragile items don't get squished
- To make shipping even easier, you can print a label off at home and have USPS pick up at the box when they deliver your mail
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