There are many reasons that a student receives a package. Whether it is just their usual Amazon delivery, a care package for midterms or because your student is under the weather; there are a few things that will make package delivery simpler. If your student lives on campus you should be happy to learn that Upark has a central mailing system. The process is as follows: The mail goes to the leasing office in the lobby. They should then receive an email letting them know they have a package. The email will contain a verification code which they will need to retrieve the package.

The student mailroom department is open Monday through Friday from 9-6 pm and Saturdays from 11-3 pm. Times vary in the summertime. USPS deliveries are accepted Monday through Saturday.

Should you need to reach the mailroom to check on a package,  the number and extensions are: Central Mail Room extension: 561-297-3172

Local Mail Room extensions:

IVA EXT 75741

HPT EXT 75205

PH EXT 75790

You will need the tracking number of the package(s) that you are trying to locate.

All FedEx, UPS, DHL packages are delivered straight to the residence halls. The central mailroom receives and processes USPS packages and letters. We actually recommend using UPS (or FedEx) in comparison to USPS as it is just timelier, especially for in-state shipping. Typically, if you are sending packages from one Florida location to another, it arrives in one day at no additional fee.

Packages are delivered as listed below:

IVA holds packages for:

980 N University Dr

990 N University Dr

PAR holds packages for:

1700 St Lucie Ave S

1880 E University Dr

HPT holds packages for:

815 Indian River St

921 Indian River St

1800 Brevard Ct

1900 Dade Ave

For more information about FAU mail and packages, click here.

Students must use the assigned address to their dorm. The only variable number is the box. This is the correct format to be used for student mail is

Student Name

Box #

Street Number, Street Name

City, State, Zipcode

Below are the dorm addresses:

GPT – 921 Indian River St, Boca Raton, FL 33431

IRT 815 – Indian River St, Boca Raton, FL 33431

HPT – 1800 Brevard Ct, Boca Raton, FL 33431

UVA – 1880 E University Dr, Boca Raton, FL 33431

IVA SOUTH- 990 S University Dr, Boca Raton, FL 33431

IVA NORTH- 980 N University Dr, Boca Raton, FL 33431

PH – 1700 St Lucie Ave S, Boca Raton, FL 33431

ALGOQUIN RESIDENTS – 1900 Dade Ave, Boca Raton, FL 33431

If you are sending packages through Amazon, you might want to consider having them sent directly to the Amazon Locker that is located at University Commons, 1400 Glades Rd, at Whole Foods. Sometimes picking it up from Amazon is easier than having to navigate the package delivery to dorms or even apartments.

Adding another level of convenience, CVS is now an Access Point Location for UPS.  Find your UPS Access Point Location here. Just click on the link for some great suggestions.

The hall receptionist will accept delivery on the student’s behalf and will email residents through their FAU email address when deliveries arrive. For food orders (i.e. pizza), students should provide the name of their residence hall. Food delivery drivers should be able to get to the main door of the residence hall where vendors have access to the outside phone. Students must come downstairs to pay for and pick up their orders. For local food deliveries, each dorm has a specific address to provide to restaurants.

You may find those addresses here. You may want to take a look at some of our Care Package blogs for ideas on what to send and when.

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The start of college is right around the corner and many of you might be envisioning your student’s diet as burgers and pizzas and fries, oh my? Sure, we have been making meals for our kids for as long as we can remember. Before you get ready to go on a cooking frenzy, packaging and labeling items to send with them, stop. Because we assure you, college food choices have changed since many of us went to college. Today’s college campuses, in addition to offering burgers, pizza and fries, offer many healthy alternatives as well as meal plan options.

Freshman The Easy Way

For an incoming freshman who is living in the on-campus residence halls, meal plans are a requirement. My daughter lived on campus so she did sign up for the meal plan. It was a great way to meet other freshmen and learn to make healthy choices. She also had a declining balance card that gave her other meal options. With their meal plans, they can get flex bucks, which is money that they can use for on-campus restaurants. The best meal plan for on-campus residents varies per student. If they plan on eating a lot at the dining hall, there is a plan with 19 swipes per week. It does not include flex bucks and students must eat each meal in the Atlantic Dining hall. If they plan on eating outside of the dining hall for most meals, there is a plan for 7 swipes per week and 550 flex bucks. They also have a couple of meal plans between the two. Here is the link for the meal plans at FAU.

There are various meal plans available that give your student meals in the Atlantic Dining hall or Flex Bucks. Flex Bucks work like a debit account, they are loaded onto your students Owl ID card, your student can then swipe their ID card at any of the dining locations across campus other than the main Atlantic dining hall. Each Meal Plan comes with a varying amount of Flex Bucks. Flex Bucks must be used in the semester the meal plan is purchased.

The meal plans are purchased on a one-semester basis and cannot be transferred to another students. Meal plans swipes and flex bucks expire at the end of each semester.

If your student is an upperclassman or a commuter student, Owl Bucks are a great option. Owl Bucks work like a debit card, it is a declining balance, and is tied to your student’s Owl ID card. This is perhaps the most flexible account for dining as you may deposit funds at any time, it is accepted at various places around campus, there is no minimum balance to maintain and the balance carries forward until you graduate or leave school. Owl Bucks can be used at any of these on-campus locations: Starbucks, the Atlantic dining hall, FAU pharmacy, Campus Bookstore, Outtakes Convenience store, Chick-Fil-a, Dunkin’s Donuts, Pollo Tropical, Subway,Pop-up Food Truck, and all restaurants in the Breezeway Café (Pizza Hut, Einstein Bagels, Wendy’s, and Jow jing. Coming soon.. Panda Express and Maoz Vegetarian). Commuter students can also choose to purchase a meal plan that may be used in the Atlantic Dining Hall cafeteria. Check out their specials here. The least expensive plan is 30 meals (swipes) for $247.27 (that is about $8.24 per swipe). The larger the meal plan you purchase, the lower the per swipe cost is.

Before you buy gift cards to individual restaurants on campus, be aware that they do not accept them on campus.

The choice you make should entail a conversation between you and your student. We would recommend you familiarize yourself with how each program works.  Go to FAU dining services to learn more and make certain you read the contract terms and conditions.

More Options

If your student is adamantly opposed to signing up for a meal plan, they can head to any of the grocery stores by bus or car to purchase the food they need/want (see our blog on grocery stores) or choose amongst the many, many restaurants around town.

If cooking on their own works best for your student, rest assured most dorms have room for a small refrigerator and some do allow for microwaves (under 1500 watts). Many of the dorms also have a communal kitchen- but you will have to bring your own pots and pans.

If the meal plan or cooking for themselves is not working for them, while maybe not the healthiest option, students today can get almost any type of meal delivered directly to their dorms. Check out our Delivery blog to see all the companies that deliver food.

If your student happens to keep kosher, Hillel and Chabad do not offer a Kosher meal plan but there are a few restaurants in town that are Kosher (as well several kosher markets including Grove Kosher Market, Aroma Market, and Winn Dixie). The kosher restaurants are:

Mozart Cafe: located 7300 W Camino Real, Boca Raton FL. This restaurant offers small bites and kosher breakfast food with outside seating that is great for students who want to grab a bite to eat and study at the same time.

Boca Grill: located 8903 Glades road G9, Boca Raton FL. Super close to campus especially since it is located on Glades. It has great reviews for the food and the service.

Chill & Grill Pita: located 7158 N Beracasa Way, Boca Raton, FL 33433. This place is great because it’s almost like a chipotle for kosher food. It is not expensive and the service is great as well. It’s a good place for quick kosher food on the go.

Ditmas Kitchen & Sushi: 21077 Powerline Road, Boca Raton, FL 33433 Talk about a wide variety! This restaurant is sure to be a crowd pleaser, their menu has something for everyone.

Pita ‘N Go: located 22767 SR 7, Boca Raton, FL 33428. This place has a similar vibe as chill and grill pita, it’s quick kosher food on the go. This place has great reviews talking about the quality of the meat and the quickness of the service. On the flip side, some say their prices are a little high.

A Different Type of University Meal Plan

There is a whole new type of meal service that is becoming popular with students who can’t cook, don’t want to cook, don’t want to buy groceries and are looking for an easier, and healthier meal plan.  Known as the meal kit industry, the premise is that they deliver pre-portioned, packaged meals delivered weekly right to your student’s door. Make sure you check out our blog on A College Student’s Guide to Meal Kits. Our interns tested out Blue Apron, Plated, Chef’d (Spoon University) and Hello Fresh.

Of course, you can always send them some of your home-cooked meals!

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Apps, The Easiest Way.

Remember when you were in college and everything was easily accessible via apps on your phone? No? Well, me either. Our kids, however, do live in this world and there are literally apps that provide things like food delivery, tutoring services, how to create a budget or the perfect bibliography. Below is a list of the apps I thought most useful.

FAU and College Studying Apps

• MyFAU gives students access to FAU resources, including campus maps, Web courses, FAU Email, the library, news, sports schedules, class schedules, emergency information, and more.
• FAU Guardian: because the first thing on my list is always my child’s safety.  With FAU Guardian, students can report a problem silently via text. It sort of empowers students to prevent assaults before they get out of hand. View crime around the FAU Campus, trigger Mobile Blue Light to send your location and call FAU PD, a toolbox that contains a flashlight, a safety timer, and the ability to send your location. The app also allows students to enter their own medical information and emergency contacts, in case of an emergency.
• Audible: College can be very busy and many students don’t have time to sit down and read a book for pleasure. Audible allows students to listen to audiobooks on the go. It has entertainment, information, and educational programming. Students can join Audible for a discounted price of $9.95 a month when they verify their student status. They will get three titles every month as well as audio-guided workouts and the opportunity to exchange an audiobook for free.
• CamScanner – as its name implies, this allows you to scan docs and save it as .jpeg or PDF. Great if you need to email or fax an important document.
• Canvas – Just like the website, students can instantly access their Canvas courses for free without having to lug around a laptop to keep up with your homework. You can see your grades, submit assignments, send and receive messages, view content, and modules, watch videos, take quizzes, and more.
• Chegg – Highly recommended. Oftentimes you can rent a book for more than half the price that a bookstore is renting it out. Students can rent, buy, and sell their books. They also offer assistance with completing homework and gives access to tutors, at a cost.
• Coursicle – Need to get into a class? Coursicle will notify you as soon as it has an open seat. $4.99 for premium per semester or free if you refer three friends.
• EasyBib by Chegg – With EasyBib Plus, students can use the plagiarism checker to find missing citations, and fix them before submitting their paper. Also, easily catch writing style and grammar errors with easy-to-understand explanations on how to improve their writing for next time. No matter what citation style (APA, MLA, Chicago etc.), EasyBib Plus will help create the right bibliography. Right now, students get a 3-day free trial of the product.
• Evernote – is a free app that takes note-taking to the next level. Students can brainstorm ideas, make to-do lists, take pictures of pages and sketches, organize everything into a notebook format, and share with others or collaborate as a group. The app even has the ability to search handwritten content; so finding your past notes is easy.
• Fandango Now – Another streaming service offering movie rentals
• Google Drive – Allows students to collaborate with other students as well as share documents, slides, sheets, and other files for class-wide projects and group study sessions. This is interchangeable with Microsoft’s OneDrive app.
• GroupMe – At some point in their college career they will have to participate in a group project, which means the fate of their grade, depends on working together. While GroupMe can’t force the group slacker, should there be one, to pull their fair share; it can facilitate easier communication. It works like a group chat, but, because you don’t have to meet up anywhere, everyone in the group saves time and money by making plans and discussing problems on their phones.
• Grammarly’s mobile keyboard is the personal editor you can take with you wherever you go. Best plagiarism checker & proofreader.
• iHomework 2 – If your student is really organized then skip this one, but I know a few that could definitely benefit from it. This free app can keep track of their assignments, deadlines, and tasks, and plan them out over a certain time period so they’re not left cramming at the last minute.
• iTunes U- if you use Apple devices, this app is a great study tool. iTunes U gives students access to text and course materials from universities across the world.
• LitCharts – is great for English majors. This free app helps understand literature. Find reviews, summaries, themes, and quotes for hundreds of titles without any in-app ads. Think of it as a portable Cliff Notes.
• Mathway – This app is great for college math. It guides students step-by-step to get the solution or check your work to see if it matches up to theirs. One of my daughter’s well-loved apps
• Offtime – This app costs $2.99 and is worth it if you’re looking to disconnect and avoid distractions in order to focus on homework, or studying. It blocks websites, apps, text messages, phone calls, and other notifications for a set period of time so you don’t get off-topic.
• OneDrive – A Microsoft app that allows students to get and share documents, photos, and other files from your Android device, computer (PC or Mac). It allows you to open and save files in Office apps (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote).
• Outlook – allows students to easily access their school email on their phone.
• PhotoMath- Another great app for college math courses. Students can take a picture of the equation and Photomath shows step-by-step directions to solve the equation.
• Quizlet – Quizlet is a free study app that allows the user to take other people’s quizzes or create their own. A user can create multiple-choice, matching, true/false, and open-ended questions and use these in various ways, such as flashcards and games. Students can share their “study sets” with others in their class and even encourage a professor to create one.
• RealCalc Scientific Calculator- Although I would never have used it, my son, economics, and business major, may find this one useful. RealCalc Scientific Calculator means students don’t have to lug around that fancy scientific calculator because this free app allows them to complete all of your computing right from your mobile device.
• Scholly – One of the fastest-growing apps after appearing on Shark Tank in 2015. This app matches students with scholarships using specific parameters and customized data. The app can even spot scams and weed out scholarships that require you to give your social security number (did we mention, don’t ever do this).
• Scribd- Scribd complies with all the important files and information to the topic a student may be searching for in one place. Students can create a library on the app and compile the notes, documents, and books that correspond to the topic of their research.
• Student Beans– Instant access to discounts, all you need your student ID.
• Wolfram/Alpha is actually a fancy search engine that can answer questions, perform computations, conduct analysis, and prepare reports. You can get help with complicated algebra and calculus equations or find chemistry, engineering, or physics formulas. This app is $2.99.

Restaurants & Entertainment Apps

• Fandango– A streaming service that offers movie rentals.
• EatStreet – online and mobile food ordering and delivery service provider
• GrubHub – Simply browse menus, pick what you want, and submit your order.  Local suggestions are great and most deliveries are around $3. They run specials if you sign up for their emails, so get that setup.
• Ibotta – is another cash back app that is simple and convenient for students. By taking a photo of your receipts and they will match items you bought to offers that are available for points on the app and give you cashback.
• Insomnia Cookies – As though being able to order and have cookies delivered until 3 am is not enough; they can also earn loyalty points when they order through the app (even if they plan to pick the cookies up). The only glitch may be that sometimes they may be short a driver, so be sure to check first if delivery is what you were hoping for.
• Instacart – For faster shopping and easier checkout, get the app and have groceries, etc. delivered from most of the same places as Shipt, but also includes CVS and Whole Foods.
• Pocket Points – I love this one. It literally incentivizes students to keep their phones out of sight during class. They just open the app, lock their phone, and earn points for the time it is off. Later they can trade the points for discounts at certain restaurants
• Postmates – Another great food-related app like UberEATS. This allows students to deliver food and goods similar to Ubereats. Postmates also has the option for students to have items such as groceries delivered from places such as Winn-Dixie and CVS.
• Shipt – Get 2 weeks free and $15 off your first order on deliveries from stores like Publix, Costco, Target, and ABC Fine Wines & Spirits. Let their shoppers do what your student doesn’t have time to.
• UConnection – A food and drink app with exclusive deals, daily specials and more from restaurants and bars
• Yelp – Always students to find the best places to eat, drink, shop, and have fun. You can also read reviews that other people have written as well as write your own review.
• Zupp (formerly Party Tutor – Allows students to explore local specials and deals for nearby restaurants, apartments, bars, and local businesses. My daughter is a big fan of this one. You can enjoy exclusive rewards at everyone’s favorite bars and restaurants; it’s just $4.99/mo. Download it on your mobile device.
• GoPuff – A convenience store delivery app. Delivery is $1.95. Order anytime; delivery is very fast.
• DoorDash – This is the same concept as UberEats.  They have an easy app that guides you through your order.  They have also launched Project Dash. This initiative helps tackle food waste and hunger in the local communities that they serve.
• Groupon: This is a great app that provides discounts for various things in the area for students to do when they are not studying or going to class. Some examples of what you can find on the app include, escape rooms, shows, fitness classes, and even nightclubs for older students.
• Many restaurants have their own rewards programs so if students go to those restaurants, they can save money. These include Dunkin Donuts, Starbucks, Panera, Blaze Pizza, Chipotle, Smoothie King, and Chick Fil A.
• For music, many students recommend Spotify and Pandora.

Money, Finances & Getting Around

• Venmo – I am mentioning this because I think it is so easy to use, but your students probably have it already. My kids are the ones that introduced me to it. Venmo allows students to pay each other back for anything their friends may have paid for them; their share of the electric bill, half the groceries, half the Uber ride…and so on. It is also a great app for parents to use to send their students money while they are away at college.
• Uber app (and an account) is a must. Uber allows your students to request rides easily and quickly from their phones.
• Mint – Mint is a budgeting app that helps students keep track of their finances, as well as help them understand where they can make some budget cuts of their own.
• Unidays- Unidays allows for students to easily find out which of their favorite brands or stores offers student discounts.
• Come to think of it, your students should also have the Uber app (and an account) so they never get stuck walking home late at night alone. If they prefer, they can also use Lyft which works the same way as Uber…
• Student Beans will give them discounts for food & drink, fashion, tech and mobile, health & beauty, travel, study, and more.
• Rakuten (formerly known as Ebates) – If you like to online shop, but hate spending money then you may get hooked to this app. I use it more on my desktop, but you can make an account to get cashback on so many online stores! I simply look up any store and it will give me a notification if I get cash back and how much I may get back. I personally have received almost $1000 back over the last few years! It is also accepted with Amazon so if students purchase any textbooks or school supplies on Amazon then this app is highly recommended. And when you need coffee, download Dunkin Donuts or Starbucks to pay for your purchase and earn rewards.
• Lyft works the same way as Uber.

Health, Wellness & Fitness Apps

• Calm – a great source to learn to meditate, techniques for sleep, and stress reduction. (There is presently a Groupon for a discount on this app.)
• Headspace – For students who want to improve their mental health, not just maintain it, the Headspace app is the perfect place to start. They offer a ten-day trial. If nothing else, the app is a daily reminder that for ten minutes a day, we all should calm down, breathe, dislocate from any stresses and surroundings, and try to focus on how we feeling on a deeper level.
• MyFitnessPal – tracks diet and exercise to determine optimal caloric intake and nutrients for the users’ goals. Calorie charts, nutrition facts, exercise, and more.  Sponsored by UnderArmour.
• Sworkit – Personalized video workouts that are easy for students to do in their dorm. Also have the ability to choose from pre-built workouts for specific types of exercise such as strength training, yoga, and Pilates. Students can keep track of their progress as they go.
• Wholesome –  Students can find ratings for healthy recipes to make on their own depending on their living situation. They can also obtain personalized nutrition information which helps identify personal nutrition gaps and make suggestions for the best foods to eat. Perfect for students who want to make sure they are staying healthy and eating the right foods while away at college.

These apps are useful and fun too…

• Duolingo – Great app for language-learning.
• ParkByApp – An app that allows you to upload a debit or credit card and pay for metered parking. It also allows you to extend your parking time from your phone without having to revisit the meter. This app is applicable in College Town metered parking and additional metered parking on campus.
• Wag – A Dog-Walking app. Think “Uber” but for Dog services. Affordable and the walkers are all thoroughly vetted. Upon signing up, Wag will send you a free lockbox for your key to leaving for walkers. Wag offers dog-walking, dog-sitting, and dog boarding.
• Rover – This dog sitting service is great when you have class and need someone to walk your fur baby. They also hire dog walkers.
• Target – The Target (Cartwheel) app has saved me so much money. I do not need to buy anything through the app, I simply click “cartwheel offers” and it shows me every coupon that is currently available. I can save as many coupons as I want and when I am ready to go to the store and buy my products, I show them the app barcode and it takes all the coupons at once.
• It’s a wonder we ever made it through school without some of these. There are even more; fitness apps, language translators, and so on, but at the risk of overwhelming you (scroll back to Headspace if I have); I tried to keep my list to only my favorites.

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Easier Than ToGo, It Comes To the Door!

Taking time away from studying can be the difference between dinner or a bag of chips and a soda.  Sometimes it pays to turn to delivery services. Here are some of the ones we found and what they deliver and/or how they work. Delivery equals easy!

Delivery:

• Amazon – Seriously, what can’t you get from Amazon. By signing up for Amazon Prime as a student, the first 6 months are free and then there is a discounted membership fee for the next 4 years until graduation. Prime membership includes free 2-day delivery, among many other perks.
• DoorDash – More food delivery at your fingertips. Some say it is more efficient than UberEats too. Use the app or the website.
• Eat Street – Delivery and takeout options available. There are delivery fees and a minimum amount that has to be purchased for certain restaurants. They offer features to filter your restaurant results such as order ahead, restaurant-rewards, specials, fast delivery, or try something new – all on the website.
• Eat24– is actually powered by GrubHub. It is super easy to navigate, you type your address in the search they will show you restaurants currently delivering to your area, as well as places that offer pick up. There can be a minimum amount spent, depending on the restaurant. Just enter your address into the website or app and before you know it you’ll have dinner.
• GrubHub – Sign up for their emails and get $7 off your first order of $15+. As well, for each friend you get to sign up you get $7.
• Instacart – For faster shopping and easier checkout, get the app and have groceries, etc. delivered from most of the same places as Shipt, but also includes CVS and Whole Foods.
• Just Baked -This Cookie and Candy shop lets you create the cookie of your dreams. With several options on the menu and additions that can make it your own. The best part is that they deliver to FAU.
• Krave Kitchen– Specific to Boca Raton, Krave Kitchen delivers vegan meals ready to go. All your student has to do is heat it up.
• Postmates – Another app that delivers food, drinks, and groceries. You can choose delivery or pickup. Check their daily deals from your favorite restaurants.
• Seamless – Online ordering and Delivery from your favorite local eateries and chains, powered by GrubHub. Users can earn rewards and coupons for their favorite restaurants.
• Shipt – Get 2 weeks free and $15 off your first order on deliveries from stores like Publix, Costco, Target, and ABC Fine Wines & Spirits. Let their shoppers do what your student doesn’t have time to.
• Uber Eats – The same concept as Uber, but they deliver food. You can track, via the app, when the restaurant is preparing food; your driver is picking up and when they are in route to you. The fee may be a little pricier than most delivery places.

Particularly when they have been studying for hours on end or they aren’t feeling well; it’s good to know that food can be delivered right to their dorm or apartment. My favorite delivery option is probably chicken soup from the Hillel. Just call and give them the name of your sick student and a quart will be delivered, usually within a few hours.

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We know you really care, you care a lot about your student and want them to be happy. Whether it is for a birthday, a little something to ease the stress of midterms or finals, a pick me up when they are feeling sick, holiday treats, or congratulations on a job well done; there are many options that will surely bring a smile to your student’s face. Sometimes it is nice to go with the local shops; most all deliver. Then again, there are some excellent national choices too. We have given you plenty to choose from– all of which our kids, interns, or we like. All you have to do now is decide what to send. There is variety there too. For instance; if you are looking for sweets (and who isn’t?) for a birthday, pick me up, Halloween, Valentine’s Day, religious holidays, or just because…

If I couldn’t celebrate with them, at least they knew I was thinking of them. And, don’t forget the decorations… we love this Birthday in a Bag filled with confetti, card, balloons, candles, and a party horn. Where to start? A great parting care package gift that you can leave in their room or send as a package is this package of Open When College Pack envelopes. We suggest filling them with either a message, picture, or gift cards purchased in advance but we love the messages. When you take your first big test when you’re sick when you’re tired of dorm food, and more.The perfect way to express that you care.

Locally we recommend

Note: GF or V indicates gluten-free and vegan are available.

• Candy’s Cake Pops – Makes cake pops for various Holidays and occasions as well as custom cake pops. They deliver.
• J&D Cakes – Offers 10% off to FAU students. It is a specialty bakeshop that makes custom cakes (Birthday cakes as well as other novelty cakes) Also offers a range of baked goods.
• Jodi’s Cupcakes & More – Bakery near FAU that delivers cupcakes and cakes. Does various holiday-themed ones as well such as Valentine’s Day, Christmas, Halloween, etc.
• Just Baked will deliver warm, homemade cookies or brownies (one dozen cookies for 11.99) You can even customize what type of toppings goes into each cookie. Who wouldn’t appreciate a dozen brownies or cookies on their birthday?
• You can also have a cake, cookies, or cupcakes delivered by Publix through Instacart or Shipt. Read our blog on delivery companies here to see what else you can have sent because you care.
• Two Fat Cookies – You can order online, they deliver cookies, cakes, and cupcakes. It is a family-run bakery. They will even do custom cakes as long as they are booked 4-6 weeks in advance.

National and delicious options include

• Bake Me A Wish. If you’re looking for a full catalog of desserts to choose from, this is where you should start! Bake Me a Wish has cakes, cupcakes, cheesecakes, cookies, and more – all for a reasonable price! Plus, you can personalize your selection with any message you wish (see what we did there)? GF
• Baked by Melissa – If you’ve ever been to New York, you know the name Baked by Melissa. These are tiny cupcakes that come in assorted flavors including cookie dough, red velvet, brownie, and more! You can get a box of 25 or up to 100 and send it directly to your student for any occasion! These are available for purchase through their website or on Amazon. Trust us, these are always a hit and they taste delicious! GF, V
• Debbie’s Doodle’s Cookie Company – They ship from South Florida right to your student and offer delicious, homemade chocolate-chip and brown sugar butter cookies. They come delivered in dry ice and then a birthday box with a card. From the presentation to the cake itself, it was seamless and delicious.
• Milk Bar Store – Don’t be fooled by the company name – Milk Bar offers some of the best cakes we’ve ever tasted! Think a Funfetti boxed cake that your student likely baked from time to time, but SO much better! They also have cookies, truffles, and pies – and anything you choose is going to have you eating the whole thing, it’s THAT good!
• The Dirty Cookie – Have you seen the famous cookie shots? If not, think of a cookie, but shaped in the form of a shot glass. You can fill it with milk, coffee, ice cream, or alcohol (21+), and you can pick a cookie shot in several different flavors! Is there a better way to celebrate your birthday, the end of an exam, or just making it through another week of quarantine? The answer is, OF COURSE NOT! Use code HUH15 for 15% off your purchase and enjoy it!
• Wicked Good Cupcakes – GF Our personal favorite is the Wicked Good Cupcakes Birthday Box. I sent these to my daughter last year and she loved them. Just make sure you get enough for their roommates. If we’re going by the name, you know these are going to be wicked good! These desserts come in a festive box filled with cupcakes in a small jar, plus birthday décor and candles if they’re celebrating a birthday. You can pick different sized boxes based on your budget. Plus, these last for at least 10 days without being refrigerated or your student can freeze them for up to 6 months (even though we know they’ll be devoured as soon as they open the box).

Still sweet…

• Edible Arrangements If you are thinking something more along the lines of fresh fruit (and because, who doesn’t like sweets said, no one ever), then Edible Arrangements is the way to go. From their traditional fruit bouquets to their fruit platters, the best gifts are Edible.® They even have strawberries dipped in cake batter and rolled in mini sequin sprinkles, miniature cakes made with fresh pineapple and dipped in white chocolate or you can create your own box.

They will think this is sweet too…

• Drizly – For students who are 21+ then parents can order any type of alcohol, mixer, and even energy drinks

Flowers and Plants

Maybe flowers (or a cool plant) are something your Birthday Owl would prefer. Even better, combine balloons with flowers! Many florists – like most of these – deliver balloons as well. Locally we like:

• Boca Raton Florist – 301 S Federal Hwy, Boca Raton, FL 33432. Closes at 5 pm. 561-395-1943.  Recommended for its floral arrangements and the convenience of being so close to campus
• Exceptional Flowers & Gifts – 2800 N Federal Hwy Ste 600-700, Boca Raton, FL 33431. Closes at 5:30 pm. 561-353-4720. Also can do balloons and decorations
• Petals of Boca – Offers same-day delivery which is convenient – It is a local flower shop. They offer many different types of flowers and have a large selection. They also do flower arrangements for occasions as well.
• Publix has a floral department AND they will deliver. You can order flowers and balloons delivered by Instacart or Shipt.

Nationally, here are some of our tried and true Care Favorites

• Bouqs – These beautiful flowers come from eco-friendly farms that use sustainable growing practices, which means longer lasting flowers and no middlemen. You can buy individually or start a subscription.

Balloons are always fun. Many florists will attach balloons to an arrangement or send a bouquet of balloons separately. Locally you can get them from…

• Go Far Balloons
• Party City

Nationally these places send great balloons too:

• GiftBlooms.com

Yes, Soup For You!

Soup can be nice when they’re feeling under the weather. Locally, you can get soup sent from:

• TooJays – Located on Glades Road right near FAU – has many soup options such as chicken noodle soup, Matzo ball soup, and French onion soup. Utilizes Delivery Dudes which makes it easy to have food delivered.
• Panera – Offers delivery, close to FAU. Has soup options as well such as chicken noodle soup, broccoli cheddar soup, baked potato soup, etc.
• PF Changs – Located right across from FAU in the University plaza. Offers various soups for pick up or delivery such as Wonton soup, Hot & Sour Soup, Etc.
• Mario’s Osteria – also located right across from FAU. Offers delivery through Delivery Dudes. They have soups such as chicken vegetable soup and soup of the day.

And then there are Whole Foods, Publix, and Panera too.

National Options

• GrandmasChickenSoup
• Spoonful of Comfort
• Challah Connection

If there is a favorite restaurant or grocery store that your student would be oh-so-happy to receive a special delivery from, you should check out our Deliveries blog. You’ll find some great local places and delivery options.

More Care Gift Ideas

We understand that there are other things that are nice to receive other than food and flowers. One of my daughter’s favorites was when I sent her the comfiest sweats she ever owned. (Yes, I too now have a set or two.)

• Have you ever slipped into a Lou & Gray sweatsuit? It’s perfect study-for-exams attire. Here are some other national companies that have some great options to bring a smile to your student’s face.
• Darden Restaurant e-gift card or a physical card – Olive Garden, Yard House, Cheddar’s, Bahama Breeze, Longhorn Steakhouse, and Red Lobster.
• Greetabl – this is great when you want to send something small, thoughtful, and personalized.
• Knackshops– They offer some great college care packages or you can make your own.
• Lovepop – don’t forget the card. They have some really fun cards for birthdays, Halloween, Get Well, Graduation, and Just Because. They even have sticker pops and gift tag pops.
• Mouth – great for care packages for birthdays, wellness in a box, get better, exams.
• Cameo – This is a really fun way to indulge your celebrity-obsessed friends. Arrange for a personalized message from their favorite celebrity, whether it’s an actor, athlete, musician, reality tv star, or creator. You can arrange for them to get a personalized message from their favorite person. Depending on the person, prices vary.
• Our Campus Market – choose from healthy to gourmet for birthdays, move-in, Trick or Treat, Just Because, and more. Kosher, gluten-free, and vegan packages available – You can even include a gift card to one of their favorite places.
• Perhaps they want to take some friends to dinner to celebrate, or just want a good meal. Darden gift cards can be sent as e-gift cards or physical gift cards. They have cards for Yard House, Olive Garden, Cheddar’s, Bahama Breeze, Longhorn Steakhouse, and Red Lobster.

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