Open When Letter Ideas For College Students
Son going to the college or daughter moving to university? Open When College letters for college freshman are perfect addition to their college care package and show them your love and support, no matter the distance!
When my niece moved to college, we were all a mix of excited and nervous. To make her feel connected and supported, I made her something special—along with a college gift card book, I created a bunch of “Open When” envelopes, and my sister filled them up with all the mom wisdom and love you can imagine.
And since then, these Open When envelopes have become a helpful resource for so many parents looking to give a piece of their heart to their kids heading off to college.
And that being said, I was asked multiple times on what to put inside these envelopes. I’ll explain everything in this post, how to create your open when envelopes and letter ideas.
If your kid is fresh out of high school and just starting their college journey, creating a set of these “Open When” envelopes is a fantastic way to keep that connection strong. It’s like sending a bit of home along with them.
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What’s an Open When letter?
Open when letters are typically part of a larger collection, to be opened by the recipient at a specific time or under particular circumstances- such as “Open When You Feel Sad,” “Open When You Need Motivation,” or “Open When It’s Your Birthday.”
The idea is to provide support, encouragement, laughter, and love when you can’t be there in person.
Each envelope can be a lifeline during those moments when they might feel overwhelmed, homesick, or just need some encouragement.
Why Open When Envelopes are the Coolest College Gift?
Picture this: it’s your first night in a new dorm, or maybe you’re stressing about exams. Wouldn’t it be awesome to pull out a letter from home just when you need it?
That’s the magic of “Open When” envelopes. They’re like little hugs from home, ready and waiting for whenever you need a pick-me-up.
And you can make an envelope for anything. Nailed an exam? There’s a congrats note waiting. Burnt your dinner? There’s probably a laugh (and some takeout suggestions) in there too.
How to DIY Open When Envelopes and Letters For College Freshman
Creating open when envelopes and letters is a thoughtful and personalized DIY project. Here’s how you can do it easily:
Materials Needed:
- Envelopes (pick different sizes) , I love these colored ones
- Blank Labels to make your own or get printable cards from here
- Paper or cards for letters
- Pens or markers
- Decorative items (stickers for teens, stamps, washi tape)
- Optional: small gifts, photos, or trinkets to include
Steps:
- Decide Open When Moments: Decide on the occasions for each envelope (e.g., “Open When You Feel Sad,” “Open When You Need a Laugh”). Aim for a variety of emotions and situations.
- Write the Letters: For each envelope, write a letter that matches the theme. You can include advice, jokes, memories, or motivational quotes. I’ve included some ideas at the end of this post.
- Decorate your Envelopes (optional): Personalize each envelope with decorations that fit the theme. Use stickers, drawings, or stamps to make each one unique.
- Add Extras: Include little gifts that fit the theme, like tea bags, medicine, a playlist, movie tickets, or a non-perishable small snack.
- Label Each Envelope: Clearly label each envelope with the “Open When” instruction, so the recipient knows when to open it.
- Package Everything Together: Once all your envelopes are ready, package them in a box or a larger envelope. You can decorate this too!
Open When Letter Ideas for College Kids
Here are some great ideas for open when letter ideas for kids going away to college.
Open When You Feel Sad
- Inside: A heartfelt letter, comforting words, a favorite funny photo, and a small packet of tissues.
Open When You Need Motivation
- Inside: An encouraging letter, motivational quotes, a small goal-setting worksheet, and a good luck charm.
Open When It’s Your Birthday
- Inside: A birthday card, a gift card, confetti, and a printable coupon for a treat like a free coffee or dessert.
Open When You Feel Homesick
- Inside: A comforting letter, family photos, a sachet of home-cooked meal spices, and a small souvenir from home.
Open When You Need to Laugh
- Inside: A joke book page, funny memes or comic strips, and a silly doodle or caricature.
Open When You Can’t Sleep
- Inside: A relaxing letter, a soothing tea bag, a lavender sachet, and a playlist of calming music.
Open When You’re Stressed About Exams
- Inside: A supportive letter, stress-relief tips, herbal tea bags, and a mini stress ball.
Open When You’ve Had a Great Day
- Inside: A congratulatory note, a small party popper, a “well done” sticker, and a packet of your favorite candy.
Open When You Miss Us
- Inside: A loving letter, a family picture, a recording of a family message, and a small keepsake.
Open When You Need a Break
- Inside: A “permission slip” to take a break, a crossword puzzle or sudoku, a calming face mask, and a coffee or tea gift card.
Open When You Feel Like Giving Up
- Inside: An inspirational letter, stories of overcoming challenges, a small inspirational book, and a “keep going” bracelet.
Open When You’re Celebrating an Achievement
- Inside: A celebratory note, a mini bottle of sparkling cider, a congratulatory banner, and a voucher for a celebration meal.
Open When You Need Advice
- Inside: A thoughtful letter with advice, an inspirational quote card, a list of helpful resources, and a “thinking of you” magnet.
Open When You Are Sick
Inside: Write a heartfelt note expressing your care and wishes for a speedy recovery. Add common OTC medicines with long expiry dates. A tiny, soft plush toy for extra comfort.
Open When Letter Envelope Cards Printable
I loved putting these together for my niece, and seeing her face light up knowing she had all these personal notes just made my day.
If you think this sounds like a sweet idea and you want to give it a go, I’ve got some easy-to-use printables over on my Etsy shop. They make the whole process super easy and fun.
Plus, I’ve recently updated the sets to make them even easier to use.
What You’ll Find in the Printable Set:
- 108 beautifully designed printable “Open When” envelopes, each tailored to a specific occasion.
- 27 pages to print – that’s 4 labels per page, perfect for variety.
- Printable blank template so you can craft your own personalized messages.
- What to put inside: A long list of ideas on what to put inside each envelope to inspire and guide you.
- Bonus materials:
- An editable letter template from parents or a parent using Canva, with instructions included for easy customization.
- Blank editable files to create your own unique cards using Canva.
