College care packages have officially become personal for me. With a new freshman away at school, I'm figuring out what he'll actually want me to send — from the practical stuff he needs to the fun surprises that make a box from home feel extra special.

Sending your guy off to college? We’ve rounded up the best dorm room essentials, storage hacks, and decor ideas to help him actually love his space. Click here for mom-approved ideas that make dorm life easier.

Sending my son to college this year meant researching the best vacuum for dorms, too. Here's what I found—and the picks I'd actually buy for move-in day.