20 Best Care Package Ideas That Can Be Delivered Right to Their Doorstep
Wine drinkers, book readers and coffee lovers will find these creative gifts to be fun and thoughtful.
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As much as we may try, there are times when we simply can't see the people we care about the most, whether they live far away or life just gets too busy. Luckily, there are other ways to express your love — like with thoughtful care packages and gift baskets. If you're looking for an easy way to brighten your loved one's day, we've rounded up the best care package ideas that can be delivered right to their doorstep.
Whether they're a college student, a long-distance friend or a member of the military, something as simple and sweet as a care package can help turn their day around in an instant, by showing them that they're on your mind. For the most thoughtful care package, start by thinking about their favorite hobbies and interests. For example, tea drinkers will appreciate a box full of tea bags, honey and other teatime accessories. Or, sign your favorite bookworm up for a Book of the Month club that allows them to choose among their favorite genres. And for those that are hard to shop for, you can't go wrong with a basket that includes personalized items, like tumblers, decorative trays and jewelry. The best part? With these creative pre-packaged options, you don't even have to deal with the hassle of gift-wrapping and delivery.
If you're on the search for more budget-friendly gifts for friends and family, check out our top picks for the best holiday gifts under $10, cute items under $20 and impressive present ideas under $30.
This box is sure to put a smile on the face of anyone who's a fan of drinking tea. It's filled with several flavors, including lavender vanilla honey, sunshine and spiced rose, plus a glass mug and confetti for a festive look. Don't forget to type in the message you want handwritten on the card!
RELATED: Gifts for Tea Lovers to Add a Moment of Calm to Their Day
NaturalSucculents Sending You Sunshine Gift Box
Get straight to the point with this happy-making care package. It comes with a pre-potted succulent, jar candle and matches, but you can add on small gifts like lip balm and bath bombs for an extra cost.
1-800-Flowers Home Luxury Spa Kit For Men
You can't forget about the special men in your life. Whether this is for your husband, boyfriend, father, grandfather or friend, an assortment of sandalwood and oak essential oils will upgrade their at-home spa experience.
RELATED: Best Gifts for Men No Matter What Type of Guy You're Shopping For
Harry & David Snack Box
Restock their pantry with all the makings for their next game night, happy hour or party of one. This Harry & David classic comes with a variety of salami, cheese, crackers, nuts and sauces, and can be shipped straight to their door.
LilSunshineDelivery Little Box of Sunshine Sunflower Package
Is yellow their favorite color? If so, gift them this sunflower care package full of yellow-colored snacks. You have classic Lay's, Sour Patch Kids, Lemonheads, Nerds and Golden Oreos. They'll also get a keychain, tea light candle and mug.
CharmedElementsShop Life Is Tough Care Package
This Etsy seller gives you four care package options to choose from: the Sweet & Simple Box, the Spa Box, the Charmed Box and the Deluxe Box. Items range depending on the box, with some including rose-scented bath bombs, vanilla candles, matches and bath salts. Note: They all come with a wine tumbler.
Once you put a virtual happy hour on the books, package up the essentials for a perfect cocktail — garnishes, mixers and bar tools — or just send 'em this travel-friendly tin, which comes with all the ingredients (minus the booze, of course).
Anime and snack lovers can indulge in delicious and authentic Japanese snacks, tea and candies. You can purchase a subscription for a new box every month (with the option to pause or cancel at any time).
Even if you can't get together for a brunch date, this care package lets them create their own brunch-worthy spread with an assortment of bagels, cream cheese flavors and lox. And if they're a New Yorker, the taste will bring 'em right back home.
This adorable and colorful tin contains a variety of Milk Bar's popular cookies. There's fruity, corny, crispy, fudge and salty-sweet options — all in pairs of two to enjoy.
Harry & David "Uncork and Unwind" Wine Gift Box
Mail them the two things they love most — wine and cheese — and plan your next virtual girls' night, stat. They can trade their cheap bottle for Harry & David's red blend, and then munch on crackers, cheese, dried fruit and mixed nuts while you Zoom the night away.
Moose Munch "Thinking of You" Popcorn Tin
Milk chocolate, classic caramel, dark chocolate and milk chocolate s'mores are the four popcorn flavors in this mix. Let whoever you send it to know just how much you've been thinking of them, even if it's been awhile since you last connected.
NaturalSucculents Sending Hugs Gift Box
If you can't hug them in person, send a package that'll showcase just how much you love and miss them. We deem this care package, "a hug in the box," where they'll find fuzzy socks, lip balm, matches and a soy candle to brighten their nights. You can even add items, ranging from chocolate orange slices to sheet masks.
Nurtured 9 The Peaceful Postpartum New Mom Gift Box
New mothers will appreciate this set of postpartum gifts that are calming and healing. Help them relax with warm tea, soft slippers, hand cream and a non-toxic candle (with matches) for a serene atmosphere.
Joygiftbox Mental Health Self Care Package
Self-care is always a good idea. Pick from three sets of calming goodies (body oil, bath salt and clay masks) and four scents (floral garden, lavender fields, oatmeal honey and sweet vanilla). Leave a personal message so they know exactly who their gift is from.
Book of the Month Club Book Subscription
While they may already have stacks of books and magazines to keep them entertained, there's nothing better than diving into a fresh read. Send them a three-month subscription, so they can pick from a selection of thrillers, romance novels, contemporary literature and historical fiction each month. Then pair it with other must-haves like fuzzy socks, chamomile tea and a DIY bookmark.
Ease their sweet tooth with a salted caramel marshmallow, confetti marshmallow or cookies ‘n’ cream marshmallow donut — all beautifully propped on lollipop sticks. The pack also comes with an insulated travel mug, making morning coffee and donuts a portable experience.
Made from all-natural goat's milk and essential oils, these lip balms are meant to moisturize your lips, while evoking peaceful scents you'll love. There's orange blossom, fig leaf and sweet grass.
With this four-piece sampler, they can finally perfect their at-home brew. But to really turn them into the barista they've always wanted to be, complete the package with a milk frother and mug from their favorite coffee shop.
Artifact Uprising Everyday Print Set
Generally speaking, care packages are more personal than ready-made options. Take it one step further by filling a box with prints of your highlights, along with a heartfelt note and sweet treats that'll remind them of past experiences you've shared.
Amanda Garrity is a lifestyle writer and editor with over seven years of experience, including five years on staff at Good Housekeeping, where she covered all things home and holiday, including the latest interior design trends, inspiring DIY ideas and gift guides for any (and every) occasion. She also has a soft spot for feel-good TV, so you can catch her writing about popular shows like Virgin River, Sweet Magnolias, Hallmark Channel’s When Calls the Heart and more.
Mariah Thomas (she/her) is an assistant editor for Good Housekeeping, where she covers home and lifestyle content. Mariah has more than four years of editorial experience, having written for TLC, Apartment Therapy, Women's Health and Avocado Magazine. She received her master's degree in journalism at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism and published her first book, Heart and Soul: Poems of Thoughts and Emotions, in 2019. She's also the founder of RTF Community, a platform for creatives of color to connect, learn and showcase their work.
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