Care Packages Ireland: The Complete Guide to Thoughtful Gifting

Care Packages Ireland: The Complete Guide to Thoughtful Gifting

You know that feeling when you want to reach out and give someone a proper hug, but they're miles away? That's exactly what a care package does. It's a hug in a box, a tangible way of saying "I'm thinking of you" when you can't be there in person.

I'm Gail, and I started TLC Gifting because I believe in the power of thoughtful gestures. Every single day, I sit down and write cards for the packages going out, and honestly? It's hard not to get emotional sometimes. The messages people send to their loved ones, the love, the support, the "just thinking of you" notes, it's beautiful. And when I hear back from both the sender and the recipient about the joy it brought, well, that's what it's all about, isn't it? Bringing joy to the people we care about, our family, our friends, our work colleagues. That's what we're all here for.

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about care packages in Ireland, what they are, when to send them, and how to create one that'll make someone's day.

What is a Care Package?

A care package is more than just a collection of nice things in a box. It's intentional. It's personal. It's you saying, "I know what you need right now, and I want you to feel looked after."

It might be self-care bits for someone who's been running themselves ragged, treats and encouragement for a student facing exams, or just lovely little things to brighten someone's day. The magic is in knowing that every item was chosen with them in mind.

And I can tell you, when I'm packing up each order, I know the person who chose these items was thinking of someone specific. You can feel the care that goes into it. That's what makes this job so special.

Sending Care Packages to Ireland from Abroad

A huge part of what I do is helping Irish people living abroad send love back home. Whether you're in London, New York, Sydney, or anywhere else in the world, being away from Ireland doesn't mean you can't be there for the important moments.

I get orders every week from people who've emigrated but want to send something to their mam for her birthday, to a friend going through a tough time, or to family they're missing. And it works the other way too, people in Ireland sending care packages to loved ones who've moved here from other countries, making sure they feel welcomed and thought of.

There's something really special about being able to bridge that distance. You might be thousands of miles away, but you can still send a birthday surprise, a get well soon package, or just a reminder that you're thinking of them. I write the card in your words, pack it with care, and make sure it gets to them. It's the next best thing to being there yourself.

When to Send a Care Package

The lovely thing about care packages is there's never a wrong time. But here are some moments when they really mean the world:

Birthdays

Birthdays away from home can be tough. Whether it's a friend who's moved away, a student in college, family abroad, or you're the one living overseas and want to celebrate someone back in Ireland, a birthday care package brings the celebration to them. It's not just a card, it's a whole experience that says "we're celebrating you, even from here."

Have a look at our birthday gift options to find something that'll make their day feel special.

Just Because, Thinking of You Moments

These are my favorite, to be honest. No occasion needed, just "you've been on my mind and I wanted you to know." The cards I write for these packages are often the most touching. People reaching out to friends going through a hard time, sending love to someone who's lonely, or just reminding someone they're thought of.

Our Hug in a Box is brilliant for this. It's literally what it says on the tin. Comfort and love, delivered.

Perfect for:

  • A friend who's having a rough go of it
  • Someone you haven't seen in ages but miss
  • Long-distance relationships, whether that's romantic or friendship
  • New parents who need a bit of minding
  • Anyone who could do with knowing someone cares
  • Family back home when you're living abroad

Browse our thinking of you collection for more ideas.

Self-Care and Wellness

We're all guilty of putting ourselves last sometimes, aren't we? A self-care package is a gentle nudge to someone saying "take a minute for yourself." It's permission to slow down, have a cuppa, light a candle, and just breathe.

These are perfect for:

  • Students in the thick of exams
  • Friends who are burnt out or stressed
  • Anyone who needs reminding to mind themselves
  • People starting new jobs or facing big changes
  • Someone recovering and needing a bit of comfort

Our self-care packages are full of lovely bits for relaxation, natural skincare, candles, treats, all the good stuff.

Other Times When a Care Package Hits Different

  • Moving to a new place, scary and exciting
  • Get well soon wishes
  • Exam support, the pressure is real
  • Congratulations on big achievements
  • Sympathy and support when times are tough
  • Thank you gestures that go beyond words
  • Seasonal celebrations
  • Missing home when you're far away

Ready-Made or Build Your Own?

Ready-Made Care Packages

If you're short on time or just want something sorted quickly, our ready-made packages are grand. I've put these together with specific moments in mind, so you know they'll work.

Some favorites:

Build Your Own Gift Box, This is Where It Gets Personal

Right, this is where you can really make it your own. I've loads of care package items to choose from, and you can mix and match to create something that's absolutely perfect for your person.

When I'm packing these up, I can see the thought that's gone into each choice. Someone's picked the lavender candle because their friend loves lavender. They've added the chocolate because they know it's their favorite. They've included the journal because they know they like to write. It's all so intentional, and that's what makes it special.

Our Build Your Own option is perfect when:

  • You know exactly what they'd love
  • You want to combine different themes, birthday plus self-care, for example
  • They have specific tastes or needs
  • You're creating something for a very particular moment
  • You just want complete control over every detail
  • You're sending from abroad and want to include things that remind them of home

Choose from candles, skincare, treats, teas, journals, comfort items, honestly, there's so much. You can browse by occasion too, birthday, self-care, thinking of you, which makes it easier to see what works together.

My tip: Start with one or two items you know they'll love, then build around that. Trust your gut, you know them best.

What Makes a Care Package Special?

It's Personal

The best care packages feel like they were made just for that person. And when you build your own, they literally are. Even with ready-made packages, adding a handwritten note, which I'll write for you, makes all the difference.

It's Thoughtful

Every item should have a reason for being there. Not just "this is nice," but "they'll love this because..." That's what people notice. That's what makes them feel seen.

It's Quality

I only stock things I'd be happy to give to my own friends and family. Every product is chosen carefully, and a lot of them are from Irish makers and brands I trust. Quality over quantity, always.

It's an Experience

From the moment they open the box to the handwritten card to each item they unwrap, it's all part of it. I take care with how everything's packaged because that moment of opening it matters.

A Word from Me

I'll be honest with you, it's hard not to be emotionally involved in this work. Every day, I write cards with messages that would make you tear up. Declarations of love, words of support, "I'm so proud of you" notes, "thinking of you during this tough time" messages. So many of them are from people living abroad, sending love back to Ireland, or from people here reaching out to loved ones who've moved away. The amount of love out there for people is just... it's overwhelming in the best way.

And then when I get the feedback, from both the person who sent it and the person who received it, it's always the same. Joy. Pure joy. "It made their day." "They cried happy tears." "They said it was exactly what they needed." "It felt like home."

Isn't that what we all want? To bring joy to the people we care about? Our family, our friends, our work colleagues, the people who matter to us. That's what this is all about.

When I'm packing your order, I know you've chosen those items with someone specific in mind. I can feel the care in it. And I promise you, I'll treat it with the same care when I'm putting it together and writing your message.

The TLC Gifting Experience

Delivered Across Ireland

Wherever your person is in Ireland, we'll get it to them. Whether you're ordering from down the road or from the other side of the world, I know timing matters, especially for birthdays and special occasions, so I make sure everything goes out promptly.

Beautiful Packaging

The unboxing is part of the gift. Everything is wrapped and presented beautifully, whether it's a ready-made package or something you've built yourself. Tissue paper, ribbon, the works. It should feel special from the moment they see it.

Handwritten Notes

This is my favorite part. You tell me what you want to say, and I'll write it by hand. There's something about a handwritten note that just hits different, you know? It's personal. It's real. It shows you took the time. And for those of you sending from abroad, it means your words still reach them in a personal way, even if you can't be there to say them yourself.

Curated with Care

Every single product is here because I believe in it. I work with brands and makers I trust, many of them Irish, and I only stock things I'd genuinely want to give or receive myself.

How to Choose the Right Care Package

Ask yourself:

  • What's happening in their life right now? Are they stressed? Celebrating? Missing home? Needing comfort?
  • What would make them smile? Think about their personality, their likes, what brings them joy.
  • What do they need? Sometimes it's treats, sometimes it's self-care, sometimes it's just knowing someone's thinking of them.
  • How much time have you got? Ready-made is quick and sorted. Build your own takes a bit more time but lets you get really specific.

Still stuck? Have a browse through the collections. Often you'll see something and just know "that's the one."

Questions You Might Have

How long does delivery take?

Most orders arrive within 3 to 5 business days across Ireland. For birthdays or time-sensitive occasions, order a bit in advance to be safe.

Can you write a message for me?

Absolutely! Just tell me what you want to say at checkout, and I'll write it by hand and pop it in the box. This is what I do every day, and I love it.

I'm ordering from abroad, how does it work?

Exactly the same! You order online, tell me what message you'd like on the card, and I'll make sure it gets to your loved one in Ireland. Simple as that. No need to worry about international shipping or customs, I've got it sorted from here.

How does Build Your Own work?

Dead simple. Choose your box size, browse the items, add what you want to your cart, pop in your message, and I'll package it all up beautifully. Mix and match as much as you like, there's no rules.

Can I change what's in a ready-made package?

The ready-made ones are set as they are, but if you want to swap things around, just use the Build Your Own option instead. You'll have complete freedom.

What if they're not home?

The delivery company will leave a card with instructions for collection or redelivery. You can also add delivery notes at checkout if you know their schedule.

Do you ship outside Ireland?

Just within Ireland at the moment, but get in touch if you need something sent elsewhere and I'll see what I can do.

Ready to Send Some Love?

Whether it's a birthday, a thinking of you moment, or just because someone deserves a bit of joy, a care package is a lovely way to show you care. And if you're far from home, it's a beautiful way to stay connected to the people who matter most.

Here's where to start:

Popular ones to get you started:

Need help deciding? Drop me a message. I'm here to help you create something that'll bring someone joy. Because at the end of the day, that's what it's all about.

With love,
Gail x