Open When Envelopes: An Easy Way to Let Kids Know You Care

The college experience has changed significantly from when I was a student and care packages were barely a thing. Some of it is over the top for me, but the trend of open when envelopes is one I can really get behind.

Open when envelopes are a thoughtful and creative way to send encouragement and support to a college student. They’re a great way to let kids know you’re thinking about them and to help provide a pick me up when they’re having a tough time.

Image shows 4 open when envelopes on a wood table.

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What Are Open When Envelopes?

Open when envelopes are a collection of envelopes, each labeled with a different prompt or occasion. They can also be boxes or packages when the items inside are larger. As with anything for your college student, do what works for you.

For example, one envelope might say “Open when you’re feeling homesick,” while another might say “Open when you need a laugh.” Inside each envelope or box, you can include a handwritten letter, a small gift, or a combination of both.

Where Do You Find Open When Envelopes?

While you can create your own open when envelopes using plain envelopes and markers, there are also pre-made options available. You can find both already made envelopes and cards that ship to you to fill, or you can purchase a printable and make your own.

I do this for my kids, and I expanded the ones I make for them with an Etsy listing that has 60 different open when envelopes plus a blank for you to write out yourself. I like being flexible, so there are three different files to allow you to print note cards, envelopes, and flat cards that you trim and that you can also use to attach to envelopes and boxes.

BONUS for those of you reading this article: If you use the coupon code CAREPACKAGELOVE, you get 40% off the listed price.

Image shows an Open When Envelope College from Etsy.

I’ve also seen people create boxes instead of open when envelopes. The ones that seem to fit the best are these small shipping boxes that measure 9x6x2 inches and come in a 25 pack, so there are plenty for your themes.

These allow you to put a few larger items into each box rather than a gift card or photo or note that can easily fit in an envelope. If you are doing these boxes, stack them in a tote and mark the edges of them with the theme like the spine of a book.

What Types of Things Do You Put in Open When Envelopes?

The contents of your open when envelopes can vary widely depending on the recipient’s personality and needs. College is expensive, so remember that you do not need to go over the top with these.

The goal is not to break the bank, nor is it to be the biggest and the best of everything. Know yourself and your situation and make your open when envelopes fit your and your student’s personality and life.

Some ideas of what to include are:

Encouraging messages: Write heartfelt words of support and encouragement.
Funny quotes or jokes: Add a touch of humor to lift their spirits.
Photos: Include pictures of family, friends, or pets.
Small gifts: Include treats, gift cards, or other small surprises.
Challenges or activities: Suggest fun or creative activities to try.
Reminders of home: Include items that remind them of home, such as favorite snacks or family recipes.

What Are Ideas for Open When Envelope Themes?

If you’re new to open when envelopes, it can be hard to come up with all the different ideas of what to use, which is where an already created printable comes in handy. It’s up to you how many different themes you use, but people often do 10 to 15 different envelopes, with the recognition that there are only 16 weeks in a typical semester.

Do they need something every single week? I think I mentioned not to stress about it, right? Sometimes things are more special when they’re less frequent and more unexpected.

Image shows Open when envelopes with gift ideas on a wooden table.

If you need some ideas on themes, these are some of the most common ones:

Open when you miss home
Open when you need a laugh
Open when you’re stressed
Open when you’re sick
Open when you run out of money
Open when you’re settled in
Open when you need a pick-me-up
Open when you’re having a bad day
Open when you need motivation
Open when you try something new

What Exactly Should I Put in Each Open When Envelope?

There are so many possible ideas that there’s no way to list them all. Again, you can go big or you can go small, and these are just a few ideas for a few of the themes I’ve shared and created for my own printable.

When I miss home – a letter saying how proud you are and how you also miss your kid with pictures that are happy ones from home
When you take your first test – a positive you’ve got it message with a little candy like Smarties or Nerds
When you have your first game – a rah rah letter with temporary tattoos the the mascot or logo, face paint in the school colors, or a t-shirt from the school
When you feel blue – a pick me up letter with blue candies and blue nail polish or anything blue
When you need a laugh – a letter with all sorts of “bad” jokes or a book of jokes or a hilarious photo of yourself or your child caught in a silly situation. I’ve also been known to include silly string or the flinging chickens that became a full dorm hit
When you’re sick – bags of tea, soup packets, or OTC meds – even a thermometer
When you need a pick me up – a letter of encouragement with a gift card for their favorite coffee place or a couple of cans of an energy drink. I also love this little motivational desk sign that works for this theme or another one easily
When you’re settled in – gift card to their favorite streaming service and some microwave popcorn
When you can’t sleep – eye mask, Calm Forte or something similar, suggested sleep hypnosis apps or meditations, or a gift subscription to the Calm app
When you need some advice – find some old funny Dear Abby columns and add them to an envelope, and be sure to include your phone number
When someone is a jerk – send a voodoo stick pin doll, a letter reminding them of their worth, a small heart necklace or bracelet or earrings or similar, beef jerky, swear word coloring book with pencils, or gummy hearts (or ummm male anatomy – they exist!)
When you’re hungry – gift cards to local favorite places or Grubhub or DoorDash or whatever they use
When you’re stressed – stress balls, bubble wrap, and my kids love these fidget rings and these small fidget toys that don’t make noise
When you run out of cash – cash, a Visa gift card, or a note to send you a request for a transfer of funds
When you feel lonely – include pic and letter, have a gift card for a local ice cream shop and a note to ask a roommate or classmate or friend to go
When you’re out of clean underwear – give them a Target gift card, some quarters, or have fun and include a new pair of underwear
When you need a hug – a letter of encouragement is always good, but have you seen the pocket hugs you can buy? I feel like those are ideal, and a mini Squishmallow is just fun. Don’t forget Hershey’s Hugs, too
When you want to celebrate – send a fun restaurant gift card for something local they love
When you need some caffeine – the easy answer is a Starbucks, Dunkin, or similar gift card, but you can also include K-Cups for a Keurig or instant coffee packets or an energy drink
When you’re feeling discouraged – college notes from friends back home and include them, or some bubbles or ballons that always cheer people up
When you miss your mom or dad – note from the parent and Starbucks gift card or something you do together, or have a note to make a date for Facetime to watch a movie together
When you try something new – include a brave necklace or have fun and just put in a ton of glitter and confetti and wait for the phone call
When you can’t sleep – send a book to read and a bookmark, eye mask, lavender sachet, and a list of sleep hypnosis apps
When you’re sick of cafeteria food – the easy answer is DoorDash or UberEats gift cards, but you can also send a recipe from home if your kid has access to a kitchen
When you need a treat – you can go the easy route and include a gift card to a bakery nearby, or send cookies from home. Just make sure you know how to ship cookies so they stay fresh and don’t break
When you miss your pets – send your kid a picture of the pet and maybe include a frame for it. Or get fancy and send socks with the pet’s picture on them that are surprisingly affordable or custom pet pillows
When you have to study late – include gift card for their favorite coffee spot and note of encouragement
When you’re feeling blue – share a page or two of really good jokes, and include a candy bar (because studies show that chocolate does help improve mood), and a suggestion to go outside for a walk with a roommate or a new friend. My other favorite is an emotional support taco, cucumber, or avocado
When you’re feeling bored – who doesn’t love a game of Uno or a Rubik’s Cube? If they’re into gaming, include a STEAM gift card. My kids always love to get and do a mini lego build or mini travel games book, too. You could include tiny toys like Match Box cars, superballs, fidget spinners, or small Slinky
When it’s cold – this one is the practical idea of hand warmers, hot chocolate, and gloves
When need to make a big decision – share a letter with them telling them you trust them and know they’ll make the right call, and for fun, include a Magic 8 Ball or Magic 8 Ball dice for something smaller
When your dorm smells – Send good scent products like Febreeze travel size or plug-ins, but make sure you know the dorm rules, as many don’t allow those. My favorite all natural scent absorber is Fresh Wave, which you can find anywhere
When you’re feeling lucky – scratch off cards are fun, and you only need a few low dollar ones. Just make sure you know the redemption rules if your student is out of state
When you need something fast – a small Amazon or Target or InstaCart gift card is perfect
When you miss home – If you’ve never heard of GoldBelly, this is my favorite way to send local foods to friend far away. They partner with local businesses and specialize in shipping them safely. A GoldBelly gift card for a favorite restaurant back home is the perfect treat

This is just a sampling, but hopefully it gives you a good idea of the kinds of things I put into my open when envelopes – and sometimes boxes. Choose the ones that work best for you, and don’t feel like you have to overdo it.

How Do You Get Open When Envelopes to Students?

Whether your student is flying to a far away school or attending just a half hour away from home, you have options for how and when to get the open when envelopes to your child. If you missed the start of the school year, don’t worry as they will be happy to receive something any time.

Many parents prep the open when envelopes prior to their kids heading to school. They then pack them into a box or tote or a larger envelope and gift them to the student as they finish the move in process.

Others hide them in their kids’ suitcases or bring them when they visit their kids at school. You can always mail them to your kids as part of a care package – and if you do, you know the secret to cheaper shipping using Pirate Ship, right?

Personally, I aim to bring them to my kids at the start of the year and present them to my kid. I use envelopes as I tend to not choose large items for the open when items, and then I get a small clear tote to store them in.

I know others have gotten the over the door shoe holders and put one item in each area. Others hide envelopes throughout the room for their child to find over the year, but just be aware that your child may not find them all or that someone else may find them if they share the room or have friends or guests.

Whatever You Do, Find Ways to Keep Connecting with Your Child

Creating open when envelopes is a thoughtful and personal way to show your love and support for a college student. By filling them with meaningful messages and small surprises, you can help them feel connected and encouraged during their time away from home.

I’ll say it again: the most important thing is to put your heart into it. Your student will appreciate the time and effort you put into creating these special envelopes and it doesn’t need to be expensive or over the top.

Image shows an Overhead of open when envelopes and gift cards with text how to make college open when envelopes.

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