GiftCrowd has grouped college care-package ideas into four categories: clothing, dorm-room essentials, study supplies and food. Its November 2023 guide focuses on gifts that students can adapt to their own needs during the academic year.

For clothing and room furnishings, the company suggests offering shopping choice rather than selecting every item in advance. Its examples include retailers selling apparel, bedding, storage, lighting and other home accessories.

The study-supplies section covers both technology and traditional stationery. GiftCrowd cites Deloitte’s 2022 research finding that 53% of parents were buying fewer traditional college supplies as their children used more digital technology, compared with 45% in 2021.

Dining gift cards are proposed as a change from a campus meal plan. The guide recommends considering restaurants near the student or offering a choice through participating restaurant and delivery brands.

GiftCrowd presents its platform as a way to leave those decisions with the recipient. The giver contributes a gift amount, and the student selects from available brands according to what would be most useful.