Open when letters, also known as open when cards or open when labels, have become incredibly popular for parents to leave with their new college students on dorm move-in day. Filled with sweet sentiments and small gifts, open when cards are such a perfect way to be there for them just when they need you.
In our Dorm Shopping Recommendations Facebook group, we get hundreds of questions every summer with group members looking for open when letter ideas and suggestions for what to put inside.
At long last, we’ve collected so many of the great ideas, added some of our own and have come up with 54 Open When occasions and so many gift filler ideas to go with each one.
PLEASE NOTE: You don’t need to create 54 Open When envelopes or gifts! We tried to be comprehensive and include just about any occasion or situation your student may encounter, but please pick and choose the ones that fit your student best.
Open When Label Designs
The 54 Open When occasions are in the table below, each with corresponding ideas for what to send with each occasion (fillers).
You can handwrite and design your envelopes or labels for each of the Open When cards and gifts.
Or you can choose one of our designs to print at home – our sets of 54 labels correspond exactly to the list of filler ideas below. We prefer not to pre-print envelopes because many of these filler ideas will be better off in a box or a gift bag, so having the labels instead of envelopes gives you more flexibility.
Our Open When occasion labels are sized to print on 8.5″x11″ paper – there are 9 pages of 6 labels. You can cut them and affix to 4″x6″ or 5″x7″ envelopes or gifts.
Or, to make life easier, our Open When labels are also designed to print on Avery 58164 shipping labels. Just print directly on the label sheets in your home printer, then peel off and stick to your envelope, box, wrapped gift or gift bag. You can buy these specific Avery labels at any office supply store or online at Amazon or Walmart.
As mentioned above, no pressure to use all 54! We’ve tried to cover all of the bases, but just use the labels that are most relevant to your student.
Open When Label Printing Instructions
These instructions are specifically for those who purchased a 54 Open When Label Set from the Positively Squared Away shop.
After placing your order, you will receive an email with a link to download your high-resolution PDF with the 54 printable labels (9 pages of 6).
To print at home:
- Open the PDF on a computer with access to a printer.
- Load the printer with either regular printer paper or the Avery 58164 labels as described above.
- If using the labels, please run a test print to determine if you need to place the labels facing up or down in the printer feeder. I do this by marking a corner on a regular piece of printer paper, then printing one page to determine if it printed on the side facing up or side facing down.
- Once your paper or labels are loaded, print page 1 only. Labels can be printed in black and white or color. Be sure the results are as expected.
- Print pages 2-9 being careful not to choose print on both sides of the paper. My printer likes to default to that setting, so I have to change it to single-sided.
Once the labels have printed, give them a few minutes to dry.
- If using regular printer paper, cut 2 lines across the width of the paper. Then cut the 3 strips in half to separate your 6 Open When labels. You’ll need a glue stick or tape to affix the labels to envelopes or packages.
- If using Avery labels, you are ready to peel and stick onto envelopes, gift boxes or gift bags.
Suggestions for the appropriate-sized envelopes in many colors + gift bags and larger envelopes too.
Open When Envelope Options
If you need envelopes for your open when letters, cards, gifts, options from craft paper to colored envelopes are below. The labels are 3″x4″, so you’ll want envelopes at least 4″x6″.
- 4×6 Envelopes Only, Pack of 70. White or other colors available.
- 5×7 Envelopes Only, Pack of 50. Craft paper, white, red or green. Use red/green for Christmas labels.
- 5×7 Envelopes Only, Pack of 50 Multicolors.
- 5×7 Envelopes (Multicolors) with 24 Plain White Cards. 24 cards & multicolor envelopes
- Larger up to 9×12 Envelopes, Pack 20 multicolored envelopes.
Use gift bags for slightly larger items – staple or tape the top closed to keep your student in suspense!
- Colorful 8″x10″ Gift Bags. Set of 13.
- Craft Paper 8″x10″ Gift Bags. Set of 13.
- White 8″x10″ Gift Bags. Set of 13.
When you have all of your packages assembled, take them to college in a box or bin with lid. Try to keep this out of sight from your student until you arrive in the dorm. Have the OPEN NOW gift out and ready to go when you’re about to leave.
Open When Occasions + What To Put Inside (Open When Filler Ideas)
This is always the big question. “I have the Open When labels, now what do I put inside each of the Open When cards or gifts?!”
We have ideas below for all 54 of the occasion labels that we’ve designed.
Please Note: Unless you know the roommate is ok with scented items, do not include any scented items. The same goes for items with nuts. Too many people have migraine-inducing scent sensitivity or nut allergies that could be severe or anaphylactic.
As many of these are small and grocery type items, we’ve provided several options at Walmart. Just do one delivery order, and you’ll be all set for most of the occasions. Suggestions for non-grocery items are a mix of Amazon, Target and Walmart depending on who had the best selection at the best price at the time.
| Open When Occasion | Notes, Gift & Filler Ideas |
|---|---|
| Open Now* | * Include a note explaining Open When letters and gifts, and a reminder for no peeking! * A thoughtful sign, inspirational keychain, an everyday necklace. * This book? * For a more significant move-in gift, please see Sentimental Gift Ideas Perfect For College Move-In Day. |
| You Feel Homesick | * Notes from family members. * Family photo magnet for the fridge. * Uno is a great way to meet people – everyone already knows how to play! * A QR code that links to family picture album – maybe family members can hold We Miss You or You’ve Got This signs. |
| 1st Day Of Class | * Note with “1st day of school” sign so they can send you a picture! Some schools have backdrops out for this or there are templates on Canva to make your own. * Creative ways to continue first day of school traditions. Gift card for donuts or schedule a Facetime over breakfast. * Give them a little pep talk about checking email more than daily, getting to know their professors, and the importance of showing up! |
| You Miss Us | * A few notes from family, friends and even pets – include pictures or turn the pictures into memes. * A sweet reminder of something from home like favorite non-perishable snack (maybe one not allowed at home) or extra phone chargers if those were always hard to come by at home. * Ask them to text you with a code word (VISIT) to schedule their next visit home or your visit to school. |
| 1st College Party | * Uber gift card. * Night Cap drink cover scrunchie. * Hydration packets, Ibuprofen, condoms? |
| 1st Big Exam | * A pep-talk note and a reminder to put phone in Do Not Disturb mode while studying. * Smarties candies (and some to share with classmates) or bags of SmartFood popcorn. * Colorful index cards, a set of Post-It note pads and flags. |
| You Need Energy | * Portable charger. * Starbucks gift card. * Energy drink packets. * Energy bars. |
| You Are Up Late Studying | * Meal-like snacks (Mac & Cheese Cups, Chicken Noodle Soup Cups, Hormel Compleats, * Energy drink packets. |
| You Are Low On Cash | * Simple budget planner with expense tracker. Good life skill! * $100,000 bar. * Of course, some cash! |
| You Are Feeling Sick | * A sweet note with a feel better soon message and some reminders from home/childhood when you don’t feel well. * Permission to Instacart any OTC meds they may need. * Tissues, cough drops, Vicks VapoRub, thermometer, fluffy socks, a soft blanket, hydration packets, hot/cold packs, chicken noodle soup packets, tea bags. |
| You Are Stressed Out | * Smiley stress balls – enough to share with friends. * Calming essential oil roll on for wrist application. * Native body wash to help make the next shower feel a bit like a spa experience. * Stress relief tea. * Mindfulness book with stress-reducing exercises. |
| You Are Feeling Sad | * A funny card sure to bring a smile. * Suggested list of family/friends who would love to hear from you. * A Jellycat stuffed puppy or other animal * And try to open a package of any of these and not smile! – Haribou gummy bears – Funfetti Chex Mix – Baby Shark Fruit Snacks |
| You Need To Smile | * Write down a couple favorite or inside jokes on a note. * Print a couple of funny memes about college. * Recount a favorite embarrassing story about yourself or their sibling or pets. * These stretchy smiley face bracelets. * A bag of smiley potato snacks. |
| You Need Extra Motivation | * A note letting them know you believe in them and they can do it! * This little “I’ve Got This” notepad. * A gift card for a little sweet treat or caffeinated beverage. * A suggested playlist with motivating songs. Put it together ahead of time and ask them to text you for a Spotify link. |
| You Need A Confidence Boost | * A little ‘You Rock’ note with a suggestion to do what they’re good at (go exercise, go shopping, put on fave outfit). * Suggest some short-term easier to achieve goal setting. * A gift card to a local nail salon or hair salon. * Send a goal setting journal to help track accomplishments. |
| You Are Happy | * A note suggesting they write down what’s making them happy to refer to on a tough day. * A gift card for a treat for you & a friend – be thankful for your happiness and treat a friend that may be struggling. * Take a few minutes to document gratitude in your Five Minute Journal. * A request to Facetime mom or dad and let them know! |
| You Are Worried | * A note with this quote “Worry is like a rocking chair: it gives you something to do but never gets you anywhere.” – Erma Bombeck. You can find memes online you can print or just write it yourself. * A reminder that rather than worry, do something productive such as go for a walk, meditate or ask a friend to join you for a coffee. * Take a few minutes for mindfulness in your Five Minute Journal. * If academics are a concern, suggest they make an appointment with the professor or a teaching assistant for the class, or setup a study group session. |
| You Feel Like You Messed Up | * An encouraging note with a reminder that honesty is always the best policy and that taking accountability/apologizing is always the best first step. Include a reminder to forgive yourself and move on. * The game of Sorry! This one is in a 10″ square box. * A blank “Sorry” card to send to the person who may need to hear an apology. |
| You Need To Hear A Joke | * Write out a new joke in a card and also include “Text JOKE to Mom (or Dad)” for more. Be ready with a few silly jokes or links to comedian shorts or written jokes. Here’s a collection of jokes related to college. * How about a book of jokes that are also life lessons? |
| It Is Halloween Season | * A little orange gift bag with black tissue paper with their favorite Halloween candy, pics of them over the years in Halloween costumes, plastic spiders, orange and black crepe paper, and some other inexpensive decor for their dorm room. |
| You Need A Treat Or Pick Me Up | * A Crumbl or Insomnia Cookie gift card (see what is near their campus). * A Starbucks or coffee gift card. * A package of Mug Treats. |
| You Are Studying For Finals | * A note with encouragement and a reminder to put phone in Do Not Disturb mode while studying. 🙂 * Smarties candies (and some to share with classmates) or bags of SmartFood popcorn. * Colorful index cards, a set of Post-It note pads and flags. * An eye mask to help take a good daytime nap if they were up late studying. * Energy drink packets. |
| You Need A Hug | * A note that tells them to send you a text asking for a Virtual Hug. * Have a cute animated graphic or virtual hug video ready to send back when you receive it! * Include a few kisses (Hershey) and hugs (gummy bear hugs) with a warming neck wrap or other comfort item. |
| You are Feeling Lonely | * A sweet note or poem to let them know they will never be alone. * A list of family/family friends to text or call along with suggested topics (text Uncle Bob @ math or cousin Sue @ college football). * Cash or gift card to invite a friend to dinner. |
| You Are Angry & Frustrated | * A reminder that life will bring anger and frustration at times but to use those times as moments to learn and grow. * Include these perfect for college stress balls. * For a less physical (than stress balls) release, send a journal to give them a place to get the frustration off their chest. |
| You Are Hungover | * Send them a link to watch The Hangover movie on their streaming service. * Include a small box with Liquid IV or Gatorade packets, Tums, ibuprofen, cooling eye mask. * Consider a gift card for a greasy meal at locations such as Waffle House or McDonalds. |
| You Get Your First Snow | * This 6-pack of Starbucks double hot chocolate packets. Enough to share! * This 3-pack of hand warmers. * Fleece-lined headbands. * Fuzzy socks. |
| You Need A Movie Night | * A movie-night out: include gift cards for a local theater with enough for popcorn & a drink. * Or a movie-night in with microwave popcorn, movie theater candy, * If you want to really big, send one of these portable projectors to take to the lounge in the dorm or show on their dorm room ceiling! It looks big but is only 8″x6″x3″. |
| You Are Celebrating Something | * It is probably a good idea to skip the confetti, but metallic balloons are a good idea. Let the students blow them up. * Write out Congratulations! on this letter board (it includes emojis as well) and send the rest of the letters along for the roommates to use for future messages and events. * A small coffee shop gift card to go out for a treat. |
| You Are Having A Hard Time Holding It Together | * A ‘you’ll get through this note’ with encouragement and reminders of making through previous tough times. * Send a little something that holds things together – some drawer organizers, thin wallet, cute wristlet. * This cute desk organizer set with all the things to keep things together. |
| You Are Having A Dull & Cloudy Day | * Write a note on bright paper or a bright index card (I use these at home all the time). * Include some bright items like neon sticky notes, colorful goldfish crackers, colored pens. * If allowed, consider colorful LED fairy lights or LED strip lights (can go behind the TV, monitor or along the side of the bed). |
| You Are Ready To Give Up | * A note or card with encouraging phrases about never giving up such as “Believe you can, and you’re halfway there.” – Theodore Roosevelt. * An encouraging item for their room like this jewelry dish or this motivational Morse Code bracelet (good for guys). * An encouraging message on a keychain. |
| You Feel Like Crying | * A reminder that crying is a good way of releasing stress and emotion! * A pocket-sized Kleenex package. * Under-eye patches or depuffer stick. * Some of their favorite candy or snacks. |
| You Feel Creative | * If you can dream it, draw it! Blank sketch pad. * When ideas pop in your head, write them down! Brilliant Ideas Launch Pad Journal. * Need a few supplies to bring your creativity to life? Michaels or Hobby Lobby gift card. |
| You Are Bored | * Bored? Great, that means you have transitioned to college life and academic demands successfully! Here are some things to keep you busy when you do have time on your hands. * A Brain Health Puzzle Book. * Create a list of scavenger hunt items for them to go find around campus and take a picture. For each one, Venmo them $1 or $5 or vary it based on difficulty. * A Turkish towel/blanket to go sit outside and do some campus people watching. |
| You Need Retail Therapy | * A note reminding them about how little space there is in the dorm and to donate or recycle something to make room. * Cash or a gift card to their favorite local store. |
| You Need A Little Luck | * A note reminding them hard work can overcome tough luck. * Small Lucky Horseshoe necklace. * A small box of Lucky Charms cereal. * This sweet little “You’ll Ace It” clover sign. |
| You Are Really Tired | * A reminder that a good night’s sleep will help with memory recollection possibly even more than another hour of memorizing! * Pair of silk eye masks. * Relaxing roll-on essential oil. |
| You Need Caffeine | * A bright yellow rise and shine note! * Include gift card for favorite local coffee place or favorite Keurig pods. * Not a coffee drinker? Send tea bags or dark chocolate covered coffee or espresso beans. |
| You Need Gas Money | * A reminder to ask friends to contribute if you’re one of the few with a car. * Include a print out of this gas meme. * Include cash or a gas station gift card. |
| You Bombed A Test | * A note reminding them that this happens to everyone and that failure is how we learn! * Include hot chocolate bombs, bath bombs or coffee bombs. * A box of Airheads candy (if they can handle the joke!). |
| You Need Some Space | * A note reminding them that a good walk and fresh air can fix most anything. * Create a motivating Spotify playlist for them & share with a QR code. * Create a list of safe nearby parks or open spaces. |
| You Are Feeling Adventurous | * A list of new places to visit near the school and suggestions for how to get there. * An Uber gift card to take you and a friend somewhere new to explore. * Cash or Visa gift card to use for entry fees or supplies. |
| You Are Missing Your Pets | * A custom pet pillow. Visit the Dorm Shopping Group discounts post for the current 25% off code at All About Vibe – the absolute best manufacturer of custom pet pillows. * A note from their pets at home with printed pictures. * Have them text you “PETS” and have a video response ready with a cute video compilation of the pets. If you want to get creative, look at ways to add voice overs to the video in the voice of your pet. |
| You Miss Your Siblings | * Have each sibling write a special note to the new college student and include a few favorite pictures. * Have each sibling also pick out a special treat to include and write their own note with the reason they selected it. |
| You Need To See A Family Picture | * A sweet note along with a framed family picture for their desk or nightstand. * Include an IOU for a special outing you have planned for their next visit home (eg: trip to ice cream shop, family game night, etc). |
| It Is St. Patricks Day | * A green t-shirt to wear so they don’t get pinched! This is a mix of men’s & women’s with print, characters and solids. * Include a few limericks. Here some college-related limericks, high-brow academic limericks & 100 general funny limericks. * A bag of gold wrapped chocolate coins. Enough to share. * Some St. Patrick’s Day room decor (might be hard to find in advance though). |
| You Go On Spring Break | * A reminder about the importance of good decisions, the buddy system and always having a DD or Uber plan. * A small tube of sunscreen. * A beach towel or Turkish towel. * A simple, foldable beach bag. * A gift card to the school bookstore for a new hat. |
| It Is Valentine’s Day | * A note letting them know how much you love and miss them on this first Valentine’s away from home. * Any kind of candy or family gift traditions that you can wrap up ahead of time. * A bag of Valentine’s Hershey Kisses (or regular kisses if Valentine’s edition aren’t available). * Some Valentine’s Day room decor (if you can find it in advance). |
| It is the 1st Day Of Spring | * You’re only weeks away from finishing up your freshman year – keep up the hard work! * A small package of Kleenex tissues. * Allergy meds if they’re not already in their First Aid Kit. |
| You Want To Take A Trip Down Memory Lane | * A note describing a few happy memories from childhood with pics if possible. * A few favorite snacks or school supplies from childhood. * Pictures taken of key pages in their baby book, scrapbooks or yearbooks. You could even take a bunch of pictures and put them into an album that you can share with them when they text to ask (put that in your note). |
| You Need A Reminder That You Are Loved | * Obviously, a heartfelt note is perfect for this one. * Include special touches that are family traditions or sayings. * Include heart-shaped chocolate or a heart-shaped frame with a favorite picture. * Let them know you are counting down the days to Thanksgiving or Winter Break or whenever you will see them next. |
* If you’re looking for more significant gifts for move-in day, please see Sentimental Gift Ideas Perfect For College Move-In Day.
More Resources For Heading To College
Getting ready for college is all we do at Positively Squared Away!
If you love your Open When labels, be sure to check our printable dorm & college apartment wall art options. We’ve used all of the trending college decor colors, but let us know if you need something specific.
For a smooth move-in day, see our Packing & Move-In Day Plan that starts a few weeks out, provides a packing plan, an order to loading the car and the steps to take when you arrive at the dorm on move-in day. Step #1 – start your fan. Step #2 – a little light cleaning….
Dorm IQ is our educational series helping you learn about dorm essentials, layer your dorm bed, avoiding toxins and finding our tested and trusted recommendations.
Our Complete Dorm Essentials Guide provides all of our recommendations in one place, across 2 categories and several retailers in the hunt for the best products at the lowest prices.
If you have questions or want to learn from 100,000 other parents and students on the same journey, please join us in the Dorm Shopping Recommendations & Deal Alerts Facebook group.
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Be sure to share these resources with your friends and parents of friends heading to college soon too. Thank you!
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