DIY Halloween Care Packages & Boo Boxes for College Students
Halloween in a dorm doesn’t have to mean missing out on fun. One of the cutest (and easiest!) ways to send a little spooky cheer is with a Halloween care package aka a boo box! Whether you’re sending it to a college student, a roommate, or a friend across the country, it’s the perfect way to add some treats (and maybe a few tricks).
These themed boxes are affordable, customizable, and super Insta-worthy. Here’s everything you need to know to make one than will surely bring a smile to your teen’s face.
Step One: Pick Your Boo Box Base
You can use:
- A flat-rate USPS box (free at most post offices!)
- Amazon shipping box you already have
- Decorative Halloween bucket
Pro tip: Line the flaps with orange or black construction paper, Halloween wrapping paper, or printed scrapbook paper.
Here are a few ideas on how you can decorate your Box:
Use these stickers to decorate the inside flaps of your box. You can send the remaining in their care package so they can decorate their window.
Same as above…Decorate their box with it and send the rest to them…trust me, they’ll have a blast decorating their dorm room. Most kids just decorate their doors.
If you are making a Boo basket instead of a box then check out these cute personalized baskets
Candy & Treats (The Main Event!)
No Halloween box is complete without snacks! Mix full-size treats with minis based on your budget.
Popular picks:
Fun-size Twix, Snickers, Reese’s, Kit-Kat
Mix pack of Twizzlers and gummies
Fall-flavored cookies (pumpkin spice anyone?)
Hot Chocolate that feels like a hug
Non-Candy Add-Ins
Not everyone wants 3 pounds of sugar…balance the box with practical or cozy items shared below:
Silly Halloween socks are always appreciated !
Fuzzy Socks are a must!
Face masks or mini self-care items are popular with the girls.
A set of comfy pajamas are always a hit.
If you have a tumbler fan get them a
Reusable tumbler or a Halloween mug
Cute, warm and cuddly throw blankets are fun…and this one glows in the dark!
Cute Halloween Ghost Figurine…It comes in other styles as well so do check out this one.
A little extra love goes a long way!
Spooky Decorations
Small touches can make the whole box feel festive. Students love to decorate their dorm doors according to different holidays.
Fake spider webs or cobweb netting to decorate their door.
Plastic bats or mini skeletons to scatter around in the room.
Flameless LED candles set the Vibe.
Have you ever cuddled a skeleton?
Mini Activities & Filler Ideas
If you’re sending this to a student far from home, a little entertainment goes a long way.
Try adding:
Halloween themed activity book or a word search
Spooky boardgames or trivia
Halloween slime
Halloween Lego for Lego lovers
You can’t carve a pumpkin in a dorm so let’s paint on instead!
Budget-Friendly Boo Box Tips
- Buy in bulk and divide items for multiple boxes
- Use dollar store fillers to stretch the budget
- Add tissue paper, crinkle paper, or shredded paper for padding
- Reuse Amazon boxes and dress them up with stickers/markers
Themes to Try
If you want to make your box extra cute, pick a theme like:
1. All Candy Everything Woohoo Box
Loaded with sweets, sour candies, and chocolate.
2. Cozy Fall Night In
Hot cocoa, fuzzy socks, snacks, and a cute mug.
3. Spooky Snack + Study Kit
Microwavable foods, snacks, pens, sticky notes, tea bags.
4. Mini Decor Drop
Spider webs, pumpkins, string lights, window clings.
Final Touches Before You Ship or Gift
- Cover the inside lid with “BOO!”, “Trick or Treat” or doodles
- Tape the bottom well if shipping
- Use festive tissue paper on top
- Add a little spider or ghost on the final layer for a surprise!
Ready to Make Yours?
I’ve link my favorite candy bundles, dorm-safe gifts, and decorations throughout this post so you can shop easily and stay on budget. Feel free to grab ideas and mix & match!
When yours is done, post it in the Dorm Life on a Budget community…I’d love to see how it turned out!
All links shared here are affiliate links.
Photo credits- Pinterest
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