Finals are officially over! All the hard work and studying has paid off and now it’s time for students to say good-bye to friends for a couple of weeks as they come home for the holiday season. Chances are they might be a little exhausted, and are looking forward to some rest and relaxation at home before they embark on their spring semester. Did you know that even when finals are over, you can still send students a care package to help them get off on the right foot for next semester? Check out these ideas of things every college student could use to help them unwind during break and hit the ground running when classes start again.

Heating Pads

After a long week(s) of final exams, presentations, and group projects, it’s time for your student to take a step back and reenergize themselves. Finals week can be very stressful, but it’s good to know that they made it through! If you’re considering sending them a care package, what student wouldn’t appreciate a nice, warm pad to wrap around themselves while relaxing at home? These aren’t the heating pads you remember from childhood, that plug in and just don’t seem to do anything but lay-- these heating pads are warmed up in the microwave and draped anywhere there is need for some stress relief. There are warming neck and shoulders pads, a face pad, and even a larger blanket for hard to reach areas like the back.

They also come in a bunch of patterns that are sure to please any college student. If you want to go all out, consider adding in some aromatherapy spritzer or hydrosols that can be sprayed on the warm pad. Pick up relaxing scents like lavender, camomille, or rose to really help your student get a deep relax.

Tea and Healthy Snacks

One of the best go-to college care package ideas to give a student over holiday break is a wide selection of tea. It’s always nice to have some staples such as mint, lemon, or Earl Grey, but for this care package, consider switching it up. After a stressful week, you’re going to want to make sure that your student’s immune system is up to par, so there’s less risk of them getting sick while home on break. Add herbal powerhouse teas such as dandelion, blueberry, or Kava stress relief tea, in addition to any of their favorite flavors.

A popular choice among college students is matcha tea, but it can sometimes be difficult to make at home. Consider picking up matcha sticks, which have the amount needed already measured out.

Along with tea, include some snacks as well! Fruit and nuts can go a long way in ensuring they’re getting the right nutrients to stay healthy and recover from stress. If your student likes chocolate, this is also another great option, just make sure to include it in small amounts, and the darker the better for them.

Weighted Blanket

These blankets have been popping up on everyone’s social media for a while, claiming to help people sleep better and relax quicker. If you know that your student might have a had a couple of all nighters-- or at the very least some restless nights of sleep-- why not try sending them a weighted blanket for break? Studies have shown that the weight simulates a hug, which is a very relaxing stimulus. Not only are these blankets a great idea for assisting with a good night’s sleep while they’re at home, they’re also a nice way to make sure they’re decompressing from a stressful end of the semester. Maybe they want to relax for a while on the couch-- having a weighted blanket might give them that extra bit of comfort needed to stop worrying about grades and classes over break.

The best part is that after winter break, they can bring this blanket back with them to keep on their dorm room bed. Anytime they need the stress-relieving vibes of the blanket, they can just snuggle up underneath it-- problem solved!

White Noise Sound Machine

Most college students have a roomate(s) which means they might not be getting the best possible sleep due to snoring or late night studying with the lights on. If this seems to be the case with your college student, pick them up a white noise sound machine so they can get back to restorative sleep over the break. This is a proven way to help people fall asleep and stay asleep, no matter where they are. It’s a good idea to pick up a portable version, so they can easily transport it between home and school-- or on any upcoming trips that might be in the works.

These machines are designed to mimic the sounds of static white noise, but you could also choose to hear thunder, rain, or even a flowing brook. Whatever sound helps your student fall asleep fast. What’s also great about this item is that it isn’t too invasive of other students in their dorm room. If their roomate needs to study, white noise can actually help them focus!

Bath Bombs and Bath Salts

Most dorms are shower-only, so a great way to get some peak relaxation in at home is to take a nice hot bath! If your student is into this, then a great care package idea would be some bath bombs, bath salts, or some very nice body wash. There’s nothing quite like the relaxing aroma of lemongrass, mint, or grapefruit to really make for a revitalizing bath. While they may not be able to take bath bombs or bath salts back to school with them, they will definitely be able to take their luxurious body wash or even a great set of shampoo and conditioner and add it to their shower caddy.

If your student really likes bath bombs, then consider sending them back to school with a shower bomb! It works the same way as the bath bomb, just put on the shower floor and once the water hits it, it will release a wonderful and relaxing fragrance for the shower.

Coloring Book

Who said coloring is just for kids? Coloring books for adults has proven to be a great way to de-stress from school or work. Coloring is said to relieve stress because it forces the mind to focus on one task at hand, coloring in between the lines. Not only does coloring reduce stress, but it also can boost your mood and creativity. If your student is at home and it’s cold and snowy outside, this is the perfect indoor activity they’re sure to love.

There are all kinds of options available, from mandalas, animals, flowers, and intricate abstract designs you’re going to find something perfect for your student. After a couple of weeks creating some works of art, they’ll be well rested and ready to take on the next semester. This exercise is great to do a couple of times a week as well, to continue to relieve stress or improve mood.

Aromatherapy

Although candles are not allowed in the dorms, you can always include some wonderful candles for their time spent at home. Pair some relaxing candles in lavender or eucalyptus with a package of amazing bath salts, and you have a fantastic way to ensure your student will be able to unwind after their finals week. A great way to make the gift even more personal is to create one yourself at place like the Candle Lab, or go to a local store and pick some up where the fragrances have been hand chosen and hand poured.

If they don’t already have a diffuser for their dorm, this is also an easy item to include that is permitted on campus. It will ensure they have fragrances to promote concentration when they have to start the new semester.

Hulu/Netflix Gift Cards

If you know your student will be home for a couple of weeks, why not include a gift card for Hulu or Netflix? Sometimes you just want to stay in and relax on the couch with a great show or movie. There are literally thousands of choices on both streaming sites, so they’re sure to find something they can binge watch while at home over break. It’s an easy way to ensure they slow down and relax for a bit after their hectic last week of the semester!

You can always send care packages to a student you know, even if they’re home for winter break! By ensuring they’re well-rested and revived, they’ll be sure to start the spring semester off on the right foot.

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