Find ideas to create and send a winter care package to your loved ones who are away from home.

The perfect care package is one where the recipient feels loved.

So add your own personal touches and add your loved ones favorite things and don't worry too much about it being aesthetically perfect.

The most important part is sharing your love.

The winter season can be dreary and long. So send a little extra love with a care package.

WINTER CARE PACKAGE IDEAS (PERFECT FOR MISSIONARIES)

My son left home in early November to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

I love to send him packages filled with his favorite treats and other things he needs.

Since missionaries are moving often (every 6-12 weeks!), I mostly send him consumables, things he can eat or use up.

I don't want him to have to worry about packing around a lot of stuff that he doesn't need or use. So if I do send other items, I try think about the purpose of it. Try to consider if it will be useful and used often. Or if it will just go in the pile of stuff he either transports from place to place, or leaves behind because it's a hassle.

I will send small things like small pictures of Jesus to hang on the wall, or a new tie or tie pin. Or clothing items as he wears things out.

But mostly, so far, I've sent him food. And he loves it!

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winter care package box with text overlay

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WHAT TO PUT IN A WINTER CARE PACAKGE

Use these ideas to create a missionary, military or college care package.

A random winter package is the perfect gift. It reminds the person you don't need a special holiday or occasion to show you care.

TREAT IDEAS

The best treats are the ones that your loved one enjoys. If they're not too far away, you can whip up a batch of their favorite homemade treat.

I'll be honest - my treat box wasn't super "wintery". I didn't even include the hot chocolate because he's in a warmer climate. But here's a list of ideas of food items to send your loved one.

I love to shop for food and treats to send, but I also raid our pantry for more things to send.

A mug, some hot cocoa mix and mini marshmallows
Instant oatmeal
Soup Mix
cans of soup
mac & cheese
sunflower seeds
gum
goldfish crackers
granola bars
fruit and cereal bars
chocolate sandwich cookies
pretzels
microwave popcorn
trail mix

WINTER GIFT IDEAS

Adding a few things to help them get through the cold winter months is a good idea.

(My son is in California, so he's loving the weather compared to the cold Utah winters he's used to. So I didn't include any of these.)

Winter Hat / Beanie
Gloves / Mittens
Hand warmers
Scarf
Warm Blanket
Thermal socks or other warm socks

STAY WELL ITEMS

Winter can be a time when illness spreads easily. Help them stay healthy, or feel better if they get sick with some of these essential items.

over-the-counter medicines (things like ibuprofen, Tylenol)
vitamin C to help prevent sickness
cough drops for sore throats
tissue for runny noses
cough/cold medicine
hand sanitizer

NON FOOD ITEMS TO INCLUDE

I try to include a few non-food items that he might need. I know he'd much rather spend his small allowance on food than on basic needs. Here are a few non-food ideas to send.

toothpaste
toothbrush
deodorant
cotton swabs
shampoo (double bag this to prevent spills from contaminating the food)
shoelaces (My son has only been out 3 months and he's already worn out two shoelaces, I think this will be a regular addition in his boxes!)
reusable water bottle
gift cards are always welcome!

In this box, I included a cookbook that I created. If you think this would be helpful, I am sharing the pdf files for free! Details below the picture.

This cookbook is designed specifically with missionaries in mind. But can be used for college students or anyone else living away from home.

It's full of EASY meals perfect for beginner cooks. It's full of QUICK meals they can make in a hurry.

Find the FREE cookbook here. You can print it out if you want to add it to your box of goodies.

WAYS TO DECORATE YOUR WINTER GIFT BOX

Decorating the package is definitely not required. It's something fun I like to do. And there are a lot of fun ways to decorate your box.

For our winter package I got my family members involved. We cut out snowflakes and taped them to the inside of the box. It's simple, easy and inexpensive.

I used scrapbook tape to adhere the snowflakes. I was surprised at how well it held up. He ended up sending some things home in this same box and all the snowflakes were still intact, not ripped or falling off.

There are lots of fun package stickers you can purchase.

I'll list a few below.

Snowman Box Stickers by Paper Paisley

Make the box fun with this cute little snowman.

Yeti for you to come home box stickers by Paper Paisley

This is a cute one! It would be fun for a missionary nearing the end of his service.

If Kisses were Snowflakes by Paper Paisley

I really love this sentiment. Isn't that the whole purpose of sending a care package? To let them know how much we love them and make them feel extra special.

MORE CARE PACKAGE IDEAS

Don't forget to pin it!!