How to Build the Ultimate Care Package for Any Situation

This post is to explain how to build a care package and to give you over 100 awesome care package ideas.

Ever wanted to make a care package but weren’t sure how?

Let’s change that today, shall we?

Once you know how to make a care package that people can actually use (and appreciate), you’ll always have a quick and easy way to show thoughtfulness toward anyone and in any situation. 

What’s a Care Package?

A care package is a selection of gifts that you put together for a specific need, situation or individual. Care packages contain items that are useful, helpful, and/or comforting. 

It’s a fun way to let your friends and other loved ones know you care.

You can put together a gift box for just about any reason, but a few common reasons that people send care packages are:

• To care for someone suffering from an illness or injury
  (suitable for both one time treatments like wisdom teeth removal or a chronic ailment like endometriosis)
• To celebrate a special occasion like a birthday, anniversary, or graduation
• To cheer up a friend who is going through a hard time (sunshine boxes are perfect for this!)
• To show love and appreciation to someone you can’t see in person (like a long-distance relationship or military deployment)
• To show your support for someone going through IVF & other fertility treatments
• To care for the homeless
• To comfort someone who is grieving

And that’s just to name a few. The key to making a great care package is ensuring that every item has a purpose that is well thought out. 

Let’s take a closer look at how to accomplish that. 

How to Make a DIY Care Package for Your Loved Ones

As you’ll soon see, making a care package is super easy. It just takes some thought, a little planning, and some fun shopping!

It’s something we should all learn to do, especially in this age of globalization and social distancing. 

Now that friends and family members can live so far apart (sometimes on the other side of the world), we need more tools to show our fellow humans that we love and care for them. We need this now more than ever before.

I’ve broken down the “how to” into 4 simple steps. Use it as a guide to help you create that perfect care package for her or him. 

Step 1: Nail Down the Reason and Customize Accordingly

In most cases, the items you include will depend on why you’re sending the care package in the first place. 

For instance, if it’s a care package for her first period, you’ll want to include feminine products as well as self care items. 

If it’s a “get well soon” type of care package, then you may want to include recovery items like tissues, soup, a blanket, and other comforting products. 

Is it a homeless care package? Include socks, gloves, gift certificates to a grocery store, etc. The content of the package will vary, and that’s perfectly okay. In fact, that’s the point!

Step 2: Think About Their Interests and Hobbies

Consider what the recipient likes most. What would be truly useful for them in the situation they’re in? 

Here are a few things to consider to get your creative juices flowing:

• What are their favorite snacks?
• Do they have food intolerances like being gluten-free or dairy-free?
• What brings them comfort?
• What puts a smile on their face?
• What are her favorite beauty products?
• Does he use beard oil?
• What kind of perfume or cologne does this person wear?
• What types of items do they collect?
• Do they like video games?
• Where do they shop?
• What do they need but may not be able to get for themselves?

Before you know it, you’ll have a collection of unique care package ideas to fill your box. 

Step 3: Include a Handwritten Note

Write a handwritten note on a piece of paper with a pen. Include kind words and sweet details to make your loved one feel special. 

It might seem small, but this little personal touch goes a long way in communicating that this gift was tailor-made for them.

These days, there is something that feels extremely valuable about a handwritten letter. (This is especially true if you’re making a care package for an elderly loved one). 

Step 4: Choose Your Packaging and Decorations

Be as creative as you want here! One of my favorite ways to present a care box is to package all of the gifts into another useful item like a laundry basket or a personalized tote bag. 

If it’s a long-distance thing and you have to ship it, you can jazz up the shipping parcel by lining it with contact paper or decorating it with stickers.

Just remember, if your package includes food and needs to be shipped, don’t include anything too perishable or heat-sensitive. 

The Ultimate List of 101 Care Package Ideas

Not sure what to include in your care package for that special someone? I’ve put together a whopping list of 101 different items that can work for any occasion. 

Just remember to customize your choices to their likes and needs!

1. Comfy Flannel Pants
2. Coloring Book with Colored Pencils
3. Bath Salts
4. Candles
5. Mani/Pedi Gift Certificate
6. Body Wash/Shower Gel
7. Essential Oils
8. Mini Essential Oil Diffuser
9. Flowers
10. Chocolate
11. Fuzzy Socks
12. Body Lotion
13. Custom Reusable Water Bottle
14. Small Bags of Chips
15. Neck Pillow
16. Dish Towels
17. Face Mask
18. Eye Mask
19. Mini Massager Tool
20. Bracelet
21. Tea Bags
22. Coffee Beans
23. Cookies
24. Gummy Candies
25. Mini Alcohol Bottles
26. Comfortable Blanket
27. Beach Towel
28. Mini Champagne Glass
29. Fresh Fruit
30. Nuts
31. Dried Fruit
32. Bottle of Champagne
33. Bath Bombs
34. Word Search Book
35. Puzzles
36. Canned Soup
37. Crackers
38. Hair Mask
39. Stress Ball
40. Cough Drops
41. Bath Loofah
42. Artificial Mini Plant
43. Keychain
44. Journal with Gel Pens
45. Sleep Mask
46. Coffee Mug
47. Silk Pajamas
48. Good Book
49. Reusable Wine Cup
50. Gift Card
51. Lip Scrub
52. Mini Shampoo and Conditioner Bottles
53. Mascara
54. Eyeliner
55. Lip Mask
56. Photographs
57. Engraved Photo Frame
58. Homemade Body Soap
59. Bottle of Bubble Bath
60. Eyeshadow Palette
61. Nail Polish
62. Hair Scrunchies
63. Wallet
64. Men’s Shaving Cream
65. Beard Balm
66. Headwrap
67. Bronzer
68. Press-On Nails
69. Facial Serum
70. T-Shirt
71. Pencil Case
72. Pop Socket
73. Phone Case
74. Headphones
75. Video Game
76. DVD of a Good Movie
77. Mini Figure
78. Stuffed Animal
79. Portable Smoothie Maker
80. Perfume
81. Makeup Brush/Sponge
82. Makeup Wipes
83. Mighty Patch Pimple Patches
84. Tissues
85. Protein Powder
86. Cereal Bars
87. Flavored Sparkling Water 
88. Flushable Wipes
89. Earrings
90. Hat
91. Supplement Drops
92. Collagen Boost Powder
93. Nail Polish Remover
94. Card Game
95. Purse
96. Slippers
97. Mini Mirror
98. Stationery Set
99. Throw Pillow
100. Bed Sheets
101. Sunscreen

How to Wrap or Decorate a Care Package Box

I already shared my favorite way to present a care package (by making the packaging as another useful item like a laundry basket), but that’s not the only way.

You can get as creative as you like when decorating a care package gift. It can even be a cardboard box that you embellish with wrapping paper, special messages, and artwork. 

Some people like to wrap their care packages like the traditional gift baskets you might see in the store. You know the kind with clear gift wrap around the entire thing and a pretty ribbon to accent it? That’s another great option.

Overall, I think you can see that making a care package is so easy a child could do it (with Mom’s help, of course).

If you’re anything like me, once you make your first care package, you’ll be looking for any excuse to make another. They really are fun to make, so enjoy!