You can use a kit BoM.  This doesn't require any manufacturing orders, and instead when you confirm the Sales Order, the Delivery Order will list the components

You could enable the package’s functionality 

settings>inventory

Is there a way to do it simply in inventory? I do not plan on using the manufacturing app. I am only using this platform to track swag inventory (gifting) for a virtual company. One location, one user, 50ish individual products, with several packages (gift boxes) with different combinations of several of these 50 products. We aren't selling anything or making anything. Just tracking inventory. 

you can make it from the  Bill of Materials