Maroon and Gold Care Package: Snacks, Candy and Gift Ideas

I still can’t believe that two of my “babies” are heading back to college. I’m so proud of them, but they’re both over 10 hours away from home. Ten long hours. Since I can’t go visit them as often as I’d like, I choose to send college gift packages to remind my babies that we miss them and love them.  To add to the excitement of receiving an unexpected care package from home, I like to send themed packages. This time I decided to send a maroon and gold college care package to celebrate.

At a glance: A color-themed college care package built around maroon and gold school colors. Includes where to look for maroon and gold snacks and candy, plus non-food items to fill out the box. Gold tissue paper and a maroon note finish the theme. For parents and family sending love to a student whose school colors are maroon and gold.

To add to the excitement of an unexpected care package from home, I like to send themed packages. This time I put together a maroon and gold college care package filled with snacks, candy, and little extras in their school colors. It makes a cheerful surprise any time of year, including during finals week, when a college finals care package is especially welcome.

I’ve created other color-themed college gift packages in the past. I’ve made a red college care package and a green college care package. It’s fun to celebrate your student’s university by sending a care package centered around the school colors. 

Where to Find Maroon and Gold Snacks and Candy

Food is the foundation of any college care package. Snacks, candy and homemade baked goods are always a hit. Look for items that are easy to store in a dorm room. Individual serving packages or items that are easy to reseal are the best choices.

Since maroon and gold is not as common in packaging as other primary colors, you’ll want to look in several different stores. Where to look for maroon and gold food:

• Grocery Store
• Drug Store
• Dollar Store
• Amazon
• Craft Stores
• College Store

I wanted actual maroon and gold colors on packaging rather than red and yellow. Once I started looking, there were more options for maroon and gold than I thought there would be. 

If you have difficulty finding food items with maroon and gold packaging, you can simply wrap them in maroon and gold paper. But it really isn’t too difficult to find them. 

A quick trip to the dollar store or discount store will yield even more non-food maroon and gold items for your care package.

I picked up university pens and pencils at orientation. I held onto them until I was ready to send the college color themed care package.  You can often find other giveaway items at orientation in college colors. If you do, collect them and you’ll be ready to include them in your care package later.

How to Decorate a Maroon and Gold Box

You don’t need fancy supplies to make the box feel special. Most of these ideas use things from the dollar store, the craft store, or what you already have at home. Pick one or two that fit your time and energy.

Start with the outside. Wrap a plain shipping box in maroon kraft paper and tie it with gold twine or ribbon. If you’d rather skip the wrapping, paint the box maroon and add gold stripes, polka dots, or your student’s school initials with a gold paint pen. Gold and maroon washi tape is another easy option. Run stripes across the lid or tape a border around the edges, with no painting or drying time needed. Address the box with a maroon label or gold ink so the theme starts before it’s even opened.

Make the lid a surprise. Tape a note on maroon cardstock, written in gold gel pen, inside the lid so it’s the first thing your student sees. You can also glue in a few printed family photos and frame them with gold washi tape. For game day or homecoming, spell out the team name or mascot in gold letter stickers.

Layer the lining. Gold tissue paper layered with maroon tissue gives the box depth and color. Crinkle paper shred in both colors works well too, and party supply aisles often carry gold and burgundy. For a lining that doubles as a gift, use a maroon tea towel, bandana, or fleece throw.

Add the finishing touches. Tuck gold foil wrapped candy into the corners to fill any gaps. Group small items in cellophane bags tied with maroon ribbon, so unpacking feels like opening several little gifts. Label a few items with gold paint pen tags, like “Study Snacks” or “Finals Fuel.” If you saved a pennant or giveaway items from orientation, set them right on top.

Try an upcycled version. Cover a cereal box or shoebox with maroon fabric scraps or leftover gift wrap for a smaller package. After-Christmas sales are a great time to stock up on gold ribbon and burgundy wrapping paper at a discount, so you’ll be ready for next year’s boxes.

If you’re short on time, start with gold tissue paper, a maroon note, and gold twine around the outside. Those three touches alone make the whole box feel themed and festive.

How to Pack Your Maroon and Gold Box

Use gold tissue paper or wrapping paper to line the box. This simple step makes it festive when your student opens the care package. Add a maroon colored note to complete the maroon and gold theme.

At first I thought it was going to be difficult to create maroon and gold college gift packages for my babies. With just a little bit of effort, I was able to find many different items that fit with the maroon and gold theme. It was fun to create and I know my baby will be thrilled to open it. 

Maroon and Gold Care Package FAQ

More of My Creative Care Package Ideas

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