Sure, you could send your college kid a care package for finals week. But a much more fun idea is to treat them to an advent calendar that will not only provide a treat on each day during final classes and exams, it will get them pumped for the holiday break to follow. All of these can be mailed straight to their college address and enjoyed right after the Thanksgiving break.
Our top picks:
- Two Sour Patch Kids a Day: Sour Patch Kids Advent Calendar
- 12 Days of Lip Balm: Burt's Bees Holiday Lip Balm Gift Set
- 24 Days of Bath Treats: The Body Shop Classic Advent Calendar
- 96 International Candies, Four Each Day: Candy of the World Advent Calendar
They’ll get 48 pieces of candy over 24 days, and that sugar rush they need to finish a final essay or two before they travel home. Because there’s two candies a day they could also (potentially) share with a friend or roommate.
These balms are appreciated as students head into the dry winter months, and the set of 12 includes the exclusive Peppermint Bark balm. It’s a 12-day advent calendar, so they can use it to count down to the day that the term is over and they get to head home.
Treat them to 24 trial-size bottles of necessities including shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, and lotion so they don’t have to make a run to the store. It includes three beauty-break face masks, too.
First of all: Four pieces of candy a day. But also, if your student fantasizes about world travel, this includes different candy from around the world. It comes with a booklet of background and—so fun!—a scoreboard so your kid can rank their favorites. It includes chocolates, fudge, candies, nuts, caramels and more.
This is the best little distraction I’ve seen: Twelve days of 80-piece mini puzzles that your college student can knock out during a study break. They’re all gorgeous, and all different! One features cats, one is a dog with a ribbon on its head, and three feature buffets of holiday desserts, but many are just soothing scenes to help them de-stress.
Send the good chocolates with this advent calendar from Williams-Sonoma. There are 24 doors and a rotation of five favorite chocolates: peanut butter cups, milk chocolate caramels, dark chocolate caramels, Sticky Paw Squares (almonds, caramel, and chocolate), and peppermint truffles.
This is less of a treat and more main-gift energy, if you want to really make a jewelry-loving young adult squeal with happiness. Coveted brand Kendra Scott says this is an $840 value spread over 12 days including bracelets, necklaces, and earrings.
Marvel fans know: This may look like it’s for kids but it’s for-real fantastic for Marvel movie fans of all ages. Over 24 days they’ll get six iconic characters plus 24 small builds. Arranging them on their desk is great for stress relief!
There are 12 varieties of salty-sweet popcorn spread over 24 days in this Popcorn Shed countdown calendar. The popcorn is packaged in individual bags in flavors such as pecan pie, peanut butter, pumpkin spice, and classic caramel.
They can host their own episode of “Hot Ones” in the dining hall with 12 days of hilariously spicy sauce. The mini bottles range from mild (Oh My Garlic) to wild (Zombie Apocalypse) and promise to bring some heat to the final days of the semester.
If you just wanna provide some laughs, and remind them what they’re in for when they get home to the parents, this has one long dad joke and five short jokes each day for 24 days, plus a special joke book for Christmas. At only $10, it’s practically the cost of a “good luck” card for their final exam period, but a lot more fun.
I know college kids who relate to Stitch. The Funko minifigures in this 24-day advent calendar come in blind boxes for a sweet surprise each day. They can keep or share the high-personality collectibles.
Got an artsy kid? They can make a dozen individual cute crafts with the materials in this advent calendar, then use them to decorate their dorm room for Christmas.
Is your college kid more of a cookie monster? This has a cookie a day for 24 days, all Italian favorites like amaretti, shortbread, and biscotti.
Send them positive energy with this 24-day countdown that includes a different stone or gemstone each day. Even if my college guy doesn’t completely buy that a stone will help heal his chakras, he likes to carry one in his pocket for luck—and it works as a nature-made fidget toy.
If they’ve got a slim wrist, then they can wear this gorgeous charm bracelet made over the course of 24 days. It’s a Liberty of London collab with Meri Meri, and sold for ages 8+. Charms include flowers, hearts, candies, tassels, and more.
Jessica (she/her) is a contributor with several decades of experience writing lifestyle content and evaluating home, pet, and parenting products for families. A mom of two young adults and a cat, she was previously the Entertainment Editor at Parents and the Senior Lifestyle Editor at American Baby. When not testing toys, subtly starting at people's strollers, or taking meetings to learn about new car seats, she likes to travel. In 2026, she's made it to every continent except Antarctica.
