50+ Missionary Care Package Ideas for Every Occasion

This is your go-to list: more than 50 ideas for your missionary at the Provo MTC, grouped by occasion and theme. A few mailroom rules shape everything below: there's no refrigeration, so skip anything perishable, frozen, or cold, and keep packages small and shareable since companions are close and not everyone gets mail. When in doubt, the official MTC package guidelines are the final word.

The thing your missionary loves most

Ask any returned missionary what meant the most, and you'll hear the same answer: handwritten notes. Start every package with one.

• A handwritten letter from each family member

• A photo of home, the dog, or a recent gathering

• A favorite scripture or quote written on a card

• A list of "50 reasons we're proud of you"

• A laminated photo small enough for a planner

Shelf-stable treats

• Individually wrapped candy and chocolate (cooler months are kinder to chocolate)

• Trail mix, dried fruit, or jerky

• Granola or protein bars

• Crackers, pretzels, or popcorn

• Beef sticks and shelf-stable snacks

• Drink mix packets and hot cocoa

For more on what's allowed, see can you send food to the MTC.

Practical small items

• Lip balm and travel lotion

• Quality pens and highlighters

• Sticky notes and a small notebook

• Stamps and pre-addressed envelopes (a gentle nudge to write home)

• Hand sanitizer and tissues

• A small sewing kit or shoe-shine sponge

• Cough drops and basic first-aid items

Ideas by occasion

First week at the MTC

Lead with comfort and encouragement. See our full guide to the best first care package.

• An encouraging note for "day one nerves"

• Familiar comfort snacks

• A photo collage of home

• A small token from a hobby they love

Birthdays

• A non-melty treat to share with the district

• Birthday cards from extended family

• Small festive decorations like a paper banner

• A homemade coupon book of things waiting for them at home

Holidays and Christmas

• Shelf-stable holiday treats

• A small ornament or seasonal note

• Hot cocoa packets for cold MTC mornings

• Photos from the family gathering they are missing

Hard weeks and encouragement

• A "you've got this" note

• A favorite candy that tastes like home

• A short stack of family photos

• A printed list of answered prayers

Pre-departure

Right before they leave for the field, switch to travel-friendly and lightweight. See what to put in a pre-departure MTC package.

• Travel snacks for the trip

• A new pen and journal for the field

• A heartfelt send-off letter

• Stamps for writing during travel

Ideas by theme

Taste of home

• Their go-to candy bar

• A regional snack they can't get anywhere else

• A favorite drink mix

Study boost

• Colorful pens and highlighters

• Sticky tabs for scriptures

• A fresh notebook

Self-care

• Lip balm, lotion, and hand sanitizer

• Quality socks (always appreciated)

• A small stress-relief item

For tailored lists, browse care package ideas for sister missionaries and care package ideas for elders.

Make it personal

The difference between a forgettable package and one your missionary keeps comes down to personal touches. The items tied to a memory or an inside joke are the ones that get mentioned in letters home for weeks.

• Reference something specific from their last letter

• Include a snack tied to a family tradition

• Add a photo from an event they're sad to miss

• Write about the small, ordinary things at home they'd love to hear

Pick one idea from this list, add a handwritten note, and you have a package your missionary will remember.