Cash n’ Candy College Care Package (Easy Craft Idea)

I remember my college days as my favorite school experience. It’s where I met Bryan, made tons of new friends, celebrated freedom and ate bad cafeteria food. This year, when my son went five hours away to college, I made sure we purchased him the large meal plan so he could eat in the evenings, on weekends, or whenever he needed a snack. I also knew he’d need something to break the monotony of cafeteria food, because it isn’t as good as mom’s home cooking.  (Actually, they do have a new cafeteria  I have eaten at twice and it might be as good as my cooking, but  he still likes something different on occasion.) I had been packing a small tote filled with supplies I thought he would need, mostly snack food, when I remembered he might like to purchase food. Hmmm. That’s when I had an idea for a Cash n’ Candy College Care Package.  Because who doesn’t love surprises, especially cash surprises?
cash n candy gift pack

The care package is simple to make. You’ll need a pint jar with a lid (use plastic if you think it will get broken), round candy like M&Ms or Reeses Pieces, an empty paper towel holder cut to fit inside the jar and cash.
ingredients for cash n candy

Place the paper towel holder into the middle of the jar. Fold the cash and place it in the center of the paper towel holder. Fill around the paper towel holder with the round candies. Seal the lid on the jar and boom! Automatic treat.  You can substitute gift cards or whatever you prefer for the cash or add a roll of quarters into the center to help pay for their laundry.
cash

And, while you’re sending the kids off to college, don’t forget to give them their own Netflix subscription. They all need some down time! If you don’t have kids going away to college, spend a family evening relaxing and catching up on a movie, like Arthur, Curious George, or my favorite, The Magic School Bus.
cash n candy jar

23 Comments

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  2. I wish my parents would of done something like this when I was going to college! I needed cash more than the candy…but its true college kids are broke so sometimes you might need that candy to survive too lol!

  3. What a cute idea. Cash and candy were both big hits when I was in college.

  4. I haven’t seen The Magic School Bus in such a long time! I wonder if my granddaughter is old enough to like it.

  5. I don’t have netflix, but you can send me jars of candy anytime! This would also be a fun ‘just because’ gift for clients, I’m totally borrowing this idea! 🙂

  6. What an awesome idea! My cousin just went away to college I think he would LOVE this!

  7. What an awesome idea. I have seriously never thought about putting gift cards or money inside of a gift jar like this. I am going to keep this in mind for Christmas as we make homemade pumpkin seed in the fall and can them so they are ready for gift giving. I give a few to my father-in-law every year. It would be fun to put a surprise inside for him. he loves gift cards.

  8. I don’t know a better combo than cash and M&M’s! I’d certainly be thrilled with that surprise!

  9. We love our Netflix. My Daughter is off to college for her first year. I will have to get her a subscription so she can keep watching all her favorite shows.

  10. This is such a fantastic idea! I love this. I don’t know anyone who doesn’t love m&ms and cash! So great!

  11. I’m rewatching How I Met Your Mother for probably the zillionth time. It is still my favorite!

  12. M & Ms make anything awesome. Such a great idea for my little sister heading to college.

  13. This is a great idea. I would’ve loved this when I was younger.

  14. What a fun surprise gift idea. My boys would love to find a surprise of money in the middle.

  15. That is a nice idea. Real cool and simple.

  16. This is such a smart idea! And Netflix is definitely the best thing to give a college student!

  17. That is a really neat idea. Whoever receives it would be super surprised when they open it up!

  18. Sounds like a perfect way to send a smile to your college student! What a nice surprise to find a little extra money for college expenses too

  19. What an adorable idea! You can always use more cash as a college student, and sometimes that candy is necessary to comfort you away from home!

  20. What a little surprise! We just watched Arrested Development on Netflix for the first time and it was really funny.

  21. This is the cutest idea ever! I’m definitely bookmarking it. We watch Netflix all there time whether catching up on a series or movies. We love Netflix! Their original series are really great too.

  22. This is a great idea, and it’s so cute! You can always use more cash and more candy when you’re at college.

  23. Robin (Masshole Mommy)

    That is a great idea and who doesn’t love M&M’s? I think I will do this for my stepson who is leaving for college next week.