5 Cheap(ish) Things to Send in a Care Package

Sending cut flowers is always a lovely gesture (we recommend The Bouqs Company for this). A Lego bouquet, though, makes for a dual-purpose present: It’s a fun activity your gift recipient can play with at their own pace to take their mind off any stress, and it will brighten up their space without ever wilting. The Lego Flower Bouquet 10280—which we’ve previously praised for its “big, beautiful payoff”—features 15 individual stems, including three pale-pink roses, two small bunches of daisies, greenery, and more.

In lieu of an in-person hug, sending something cozy is a good alternative. Because your giftee likely already has plenty of throw blankets, you can opt for comfy, supportive slippers like the L.L.Bean Sweater Fleece Slipper Scuffs, available in men’s or women’s sizes.

These backless scuffs have an indoor-outdoor rubber sole, so they’re suitable around the house and out and about. Although their synthetic fleece is less breathable than wool, our testers still found these slippers plenty comfortable.

If you don’t know your recipient’s shoe size and want to play it safe, gifts editor Hannah Morrill recommended sending Bombas’s fun-colored, grippy socks instead.

Scientific evidence shows that engaging in creative arts such as coloring can reduce anxiety—among freestyle artists or coloring book creatives. Young or old, your gift recipient may be delighted to receive our top-pick colored pencils set, the 24-count Prismacolor Scholar Colored Pencils. Pair them with a coloring book for self-care, and your loved one has everything they need for a meditative coloring session.

For those more into hands-on crafting, consider a fiber craft kit instead.

We like the lavender and eucalyptus Target Project 62 Matte Ceramic Candle because the 9-ounce size had about 37 hours of burn time during our testing. It has a faint, neutral scent and comes in an attractive unbranded container (so you can reuse it).

You can’t mail a hot meal, but sending some easy-to-make instant noodle packets may be the next best option.

NongShim Shin Black Noodle Soup isn’t your college roomie’s ramen. Our taste testers gave it top marks for its meaty broth, hot (but not overpowering) chili kick, pungent notes of garlic and mushroom, and satisfyingly thick noodles.

If your care package recipient isn’t into spicy noodles, you can opt to send them snacks, chips, instant coffee or another easy, mailable food or beverage you know they’ll love.

This article was edited by Rose Lorre and Alex Aciman.