As a military spouse, I have become pretty skilled at putting together a good care package and being away from loved ones.

With that in mind, I thought the idea of a friendship care package would be a fun way to let your friends know that they are totally missed, and that you haven’t forgotten about them.

Know that putting a care package together doesn’t have to be expensive, but it does have to be thoughtful. Customizing it to your friend’s likes with the things that bring them joy will make it even more special.

Check out some of my favorite things you could send to your long-distance friend!

6 MUST-HAVE ITEMS FOR YOUR FRIENDSHIP CARE PACKAGE

1| A DRINKING VESSEL

This is a must! Who doesn’t love a great cup?!? The possibilities are endless, but check out a few options below.

If your friend enjoys…

…Coffee or tea -> a cozy mug

…A cute cocktail or mocktail -> a martini or margarita glass

….Lemonade, sweet tea, or homemade juice -> mason jars with straws and handles

…A sweet red or dry white -> a classy set of wine glasses

…Bubbly mimosas -> sassy champagne flutes

…A good brew -> beer mug or pint glasses

…The hard stuff -> a set of shot glasses or a flash

….Water -> leakproof water bottle or a cute tumbler with a straw

2| SOMETHING TO WRITE IN

Even if you have a friend who thinks they have bad handwriting, or they are more into technology, having something to write in can still be a great addition to your care package.

Simple Notebooks

if your friend likes to keep it simple, blank notebooks are great for doodling or jotting down quick notes. Other options include lined notebooks, which are good for more diary-like entries, meal planning, or grocery lists.

Bullet Journals

The next step up from those humble notebooks are bullet journals. Bullet journaling has become wildly popular over the past few years, merging the concept of writing with doodling, and creating aesthetically pleasing pages.

It’s a great way to get your friend excited about implementing useful organization methods like creating to-do lists, tracking habits, or setting reminders.

Planners

Of course, the #1 go-to for planning and organizing someone’s day is the almighty planner! Nowadays you can find some that are unique or customized with quotes or fun themes.

Special Journals

Then you have the special journals that come with writing prompts on a variety of topics like self-care, bible scriptures, marriage, and self-discovery.

3| SOMETHING THOUGHTFUL

Here is where you get to show your friend how much you pay attention to them.

What is something super unique about them or something they enjoy doing as a favorite hobby?

Below are some items to consider.

Does your friend…

…Travel? -> a toiletry bag or a passport holder

…Bullet journal? -> a new set of highlighters or pens

…Crochet? -> a spool of yarn or new crochet hooks

…Workout? -> a yoga mat or resistance bands

…Enjoy self-care? a cozy pair of socks or bath bombs

…Paint their nails? -> a bottle of nail polish or nail kit

…Create art? -> a new canvas or paint brushes

…Love scents? -> a candle or an oil diffuser

You get the idea! If you find yourself kind of puzzled, do some research. Check out their social media and see if you notice anything new on their pages. Or if they have a significant other, reach out and ask them.

4| SNACKS, DUH!

Food is just good for the soul, so I just love to put a non-perishable food item inside the care packages (sadly, chocolates are not ideal for shipping).

Thankfully, there are plenty of other goodies you can include, here you’ll find some options:

Sour candies
Gummies
Hard candy
Cookies
Box of brownie or cake mix
Popcorn
Chips
Mixed nuts
Pretzels
Crackers
Granola
A gift card to their favorite restaurant if you’re feeling nice!

Whether it be sweet or salty, your friend will be in for a real treat!

5| SOMETHING FUN OR CREATIVE

Sending something fun or creative to do is a sweet gesture that adds some enjoyment to their lives.

I am a huge fan of DIY (Do-It-Yourself) activities. Not only can they be cost-effective, but you get to personalize them to match your friend’s interests, making the activity that more engaging.

But I am not totally against store-bought items either, as they can be just as entertaining and save you time.

Here are some ideas:

Scrapbook
Crossword puzzle or word search (either a store-bought book or one made with an online generator and printed out)
Book (fiction or non-fiction)
Puzzle (Also can be customized online with Shutterfly)
‘Open When’ cards
Game for one (like a mini bop-it)
Soap-making kit

6| A LETTER OR CARD

In a world of technology, it’s easy to send your friend a quick text, but sometimes those can be done mindlessly.

I’m not discrediting that effort, I’m simply suggesting another way to convey how much your friend means to you.

If you take the time to write (or even type and print if you don’t love your handwriting) a letter or a note, either on paper or in a card, make sure to be still.

Sit in silence and reflect on the memories you share with this friend and the value they’ve added to your life, and then put it in words.

DON’T SKIP THE DECORATIONS

It may seem silly to decorate the inside of a box, but you’ve already put so much effort into gathering the perfect items for your friend, you might as well make it look good too!

Below you’ll find some items and themes that can bring your vision to life.

Supplies:

Colorful paper shred
Wrapping paper
Gift tissue paper
Confetti
Ribbons
Glitter
Bows

Themes:

Her favorite color
Polka Dots
Stripes
Seasons
Countries
Sports
Holidays

To me, putting together a gift for anyone is fun and exciting, because it gives us a chance to reflect on that loved one and all the wonderful things that make them who they are!

Have you ever made a care package for your friends? If so, what did you include that your friend absolutely loved? Share in the comments below!