If you’ve got kids off to college, or grads who have set off in search of their careers, they might be missing their hometown about now. A great cure for homesickness is a care package so here are a few Lake Oswego themed gift ideas for what to include. (Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase)

Lake Oswego t-shirt. Let them wear their hometown with pride with one of these 100% cotton t-shirts. I am the proud owner of one and gifted a couple this past summer to my son and my daughter’s boyfriend. Cost: $15.50.

Vintage Style Light Up Lake Oswego sign. This will be a welcome addition to any dorm room or apartment. $124. Custom made for City Home, 120 A Avenue, 503.888.8717.

Homesick Candle. Flood their senses with the smell of Oregon forests as they breathe in scents of fir needles, pine, hazelnut and pear. $28. City Home,  120 A Avenue, 503.888.8717.

Lake Oswego themed keychains. If your college student still cheers for the home team, then one of these keychains should find its way into your CARE package. Or include a reminder of that zip code they hail from. $7. Wishbone Home & Design, 385 First Street, Suite 121, 503.636.1229.

Lake Oswego greeting cards. Maybe they’ll actually write home once in a while if inspired by these colorful cards created by a young Portland artist. $3.75 each. Wishbone Home & Design, 385 First Street, Suite 121, 503.636.1229.

Lake Oswego Coordinate Book Set. This is the perfect home decor gift for that young adult in his/her first post-graduation apartment. Says, “I’m a grownup” without opening a page. $75.00. Wishbone Home & Design, 385 First Street, Suite 121, 503.636.1229.

Zip Code bottle bag. They’ll get a kick out of whatever you stash inside these 97034 and 97035 bottle bags. Cost: $8. Available at The Grove, 4473 Lakeview Blvd., 503.635.3023.

No Call Too Small. This book will make them the life of the party as they read aloud some of the more entertaining calls our police department receives from reporting baby ducks stuck in a drain hole to a girl who refused to return a borrowed sweater. Cost: $14.95 on Amazon.

Zip Code Pillow. If their dorm room needs a little extra décor, send them one of these pillows letting all their visitors know the zip code they hail from. Cost: $32. Available at The Grove, 4473 Lakeview Blvd., 503.635.3023.

Lake Oswego zippered sweatshirt. Features small lettered Lake Oswego Oregon on the front, with larger branding on the back. $49.95. Lucky Me, 385 1^st Street, 503.636.9595.

Salt & Straw. Ok, I’m not suggesting you ship ice cream but how about storing a pint of a regional flavor in your freezer for when they come home and sending them a coupon for retrieving it? Sure they may have a Salt & Straw in their college town, but they may not have the Portland flavors. Since the company uses local ingredients, some of the seasonal flavors vary from region to region. So check out the flavors where your child is and compare them to the flavors in the Lake Oswego store. Then buy a pint of whatever is unique to LO, and let them know it’s waiting for them when they come home. (You might want to buy two pints if you can’t be trusted to wait until they get home!). Right now we have a pint of “I Oat You One,” and “Cray Cray Caramel Confetti” waiting for our son when he visits in September. They were two of Portland’s September Student Inventor Series. 100 A Avenue, 503.305.8267.

Lake Oswego Review. A subscription to our local newspaper can help former Pacer and Laker fans keep up with their alma maters as well as get current updates on the goings on via The Police Blotter. Cost: $33/year for digital access. $43/year for print and digital in-state; $80/year for out-of-state.

Bottle of bubbles. What better way to remind them of the bubble they couldn’t wait to get out of but that now they may find themselves missing? Send them a 12-pack and they can share the fun with friends!

Lake Oswego license plate. This 6″ x 12″ automotive metal license plate comes with pre-drilled holes for quick and easy mounting on a wall or door. $14.95 on Etsy with free shipping in the United States.

Oregon rain. Pick up an inexpensive jar with a lid at Michael’s and set it outside during our next rainfall. Collect an inch or two and then label it and include your package. If nothing else, it will bring a smile to your child’s face and remind them of one of the things they may or may NOT miss about Lake Oswego.

Gift card to one of their favorite Lake Oswego restaurants. Give them something to look forward to when they get home. Include a gift card to one of their favorite spots from Bamboo Sushi to Señor Taco—gives them one more excuse to come home!

If you want to keep up-to-date on all things Lake Oswego, then subscribe to my blog. Just click the “Sign me up” button in the top right hand column and you (and your kids) will receive weekly updates. AND if you’re in the market for a new home, be sure to check out my website and/or give me a call at 503.939.9801. I’ve been a Realtor in Lake Oswego for over 30 years and would love to put my experience to work for you.