nevergiveup Posted January 29, 2014 Share Posted January 29, 2014 I have a couple of friends who have kids in college and since it has been such a cold and snowy month, I thought I'd send them a care package. I kind of have a theme (cold weather survival) and have things like: hand warmer packs, kleenex, snacks, cocoa mix and marshmallows, ibuprofen, cough drops,lip balm and hand lotion, and some small containers of V8 juice. I have some home made cookies I will include. Anything else I should tuck in there? What is the best way to ship it--it is not going really far (in state)? USPS, UPS, FedEx? I don't ship things very much and have no idea. Thanks for any ideas! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itsheresomewhere Posted January 29, 2014 Share Posted January 29, 2014 I wouldn't do the juice. They can freeze and ruin a package. Cough drops are hit or miss especially with flavors/scents. What about some lollipops with vitamin C instead? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dirty ethel rackham Posted January 29, 2014 Share Posted January 29, 2014 I would weigh the package and look at online calculators. We almost always use the "If it fits, it ships" priority mail box from USPS. It is usually cheaper than UPS (which has cheap rates for merchants, but is expensive for everyone else) and because I can usually get it tracked better through the campus post office. How about adding packets of EmergenC. Do they have mugs for making the hot beverages? How about some packages of Traditional Medicinals Cold Care tea with some honey. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kareni Posted January 29, 2014 Share Posted January 29, 2014 What a fun idea! I'd recommend a flat rate priority box if you can find the appropriate size. Other possibilities: socks a magazine a deck of cards a yo yo Regards, Kareni Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happi duck Posted January 29, 2014 Share Posted January 29, 2014 I agree with not including liquids. My mom used to send me inexpensive holiday decorations...it isn't too early include stuff for valentine's day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seasider Posted January 29, 2014 Share Posted January 29, 2014 I almost dropped from sticker shock when I went to mail the first college care package! What I have started doing is stocking up on the priority mail boxes that are a flat rate for whatever you can stick in the box, regardless of weight. Priority mail is a bit more expensive than first class or parcel post, but I am more confident of timely delivery. Regarding contents, I'd skip the V8 and include a couple of packets of Airborne powder or something similar (orangey vitamin C immune booster stuff). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5of5 Posted January 29, 2014 Share Posted January 29, 2014 This is slightly off-topic, but if you have Amazon Prime, you can specify a different than home delivery address. The trick regarding a care package would be in ordering stuff that would naturally ship together. It’s obviously not as nice, but would save a ton of money on shipping. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThatHomeschoolDad Posted January 29, 2014 Share Posted January 29, 2014 I always wanted things I couldn't get at the local 7-11, like good cookies, or a bigger bottle of Tylenol, or a brand of peanut butter, etc. Ditch the liquids and send drink powder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in VA Posted January 29, 2014 Share Posted January 29, 2014 A Starbucks card for $5 would be extra-nice. Fleecy blanket (about $5 from Wally World) Bunny slippers? lol Oh--canned chicken noodle soup! Maybe something like Amy's that's a little healthier than Campbell's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmyontheFarm Posted January 29, 2014 Share Posted January 29, 2014 Too bad you couldn't ship Chicken Noodle Soup and warm bread, they'd really like that I'd bet! I'd like that shipped to me. Tylenol or something like Advil cold & sinus would be good. If you don't want to ship med's you could include a gift card to a drug store near-by. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starr Posted January 29, 2014 Share Posted January 29, 2014 College care package = Happiness Whatever you send will be appreciated. I would decide on the cost of shipping and size of box and then fill it up. This is so nice of you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jane Elliot Posted January 29, 2014 Share Posted January 29, 2014 You are so sweet to do that for your friends! DS (at school in Indiana) emailed this yesterday: "My favorite part of the day is sitting down to eat my gummy vitamin and drink the tea you sent me. Thanks." We then had a funny exchange in which I told him that it gets even better: the gummy vitamins have a serving size of *two* per day. Do your friends have mugs in their rooms for the hot chocolate? Maybe some paper cups or a mug for the hot chocolate would be nice. I always use the flat rate USPS priority boxes, but all my care packages have to travel halfway across the country, so that's usually the most economical. I also like it because then I don't have to worry about weight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
busymama7 Posted January 29, 2014 Share Posted January 29, 2014 They have the dried Lipton soup mixes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annie G Posted January 29, 2014 Share Posted January 29, 2014 They have the dried Lipton soup mixes. My college kid LOVES that with some crackers. I save the little packs of crackers I get with soup at Subway or other places where I order soup. She loves the small packages of crackers because then she doesn't have a big sleeve of them opened and going stale. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nevergiveup Posted January 29, 2014 Author Share Posted January 29, 2014 Thank you everyone! I have read through all of the replies and appreciate all the responses. I will ditch the liquid, look for some EmergenC or Vitamin C drops or suckers and Lipton dried soups and crackers. I also think the magazines and decorations sound fun (I totally forgot that Valentine's Day is coming!). I thought about socks, but the one boy wears size 15 or something and I have no idea where to even look for socks that large. I will pop into the post office tomorrow and find out about their flat rate boxes, but with all these good ideas, I might need to send more than one each! Thanks again!! I think I am having more fun with this than they will. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kerileanne99 Posted January 29, 2014 Share Posted January 29, 2014 Powdered Laundry detergent:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HollyDay Posted January 29, 2014 Share Posted January 29, 2014 I would skip the juice. That could be a real mess. Chocolate! Cocoa mix, M&Ms, bars, brownies, etc. EmergenC packs socks!!! mittens if they drink tea, then tea bags Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lavender's green Posted January 29, 2014 Share Posted January 29, 2014 I liked getting powdered soup/ramen mixes. So nice when your dorm is really far from any place to eat and you're too sick to catch the bus or walk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susann Posted January 29, 2014 Share Posted January 29, 2014 Something my dds loved (and weas cheap!) were glow in the dark braclets/necklaces, balloons that I got a Wally. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
history_junkie Posted January 30, 2014 Share Posted January 30, 2014 I am putting together care packages for my bother and sister right now. They include: homemade cookies and granola bars, pony tail holders, hand lotion, hand sanitizer, little mini applesauce, pencils, hot chocolate, marshmallows, cheezits, and crackers. I'm also throwing in a pretty scarf for my sister because I have it left over from Christmas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HollyDay Posted January 30, 2014 Share Posted January 30, 2014 Another thought.....I always like gift cards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retiredHSmom Posted January 30, 2014 Share Posted January 30, 2014 as a note, if you are sending the packages in the same state be careful of those flat rate boxes. They have to be really heavy to be worth it. I just mailed my daughter 4 pounds of clothing shoes, cookies etc. It cost me $7.35. The same size flat rate box was $11.10. USPS.com allows you to calculate a shipping price. You enter the weight and zip coded and it shows rates for priority mail as well as flat rate priority mail. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barbara H Posted January 30, 2014 Share Posted January 30, 2014 Silly Putty! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kerileanne99 Posted January 30, 2014 Share Posted January 30, 2014 I posted above that laundry detergent is always nice, but should also say a roll of quarters too! Hubby teaches at Uni and we give all of the students who SI for him or those we have hired to help with our dd a big gift basket full of stuff. The hands down favorites are the gift cards, chocolate, caffeine (we also give chocolate covered coffee beans!), laundry supplies...and a roll of quarters. They can be used on campus for laundry, as well as soda and snack machines. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gaillardia Posted January 30, 2014 Share Posted January 30, 2014 That is just so nice of you! I sent the same sorts of things to my dd 19 last year and she shared, loved it all. I sent Throat Coat too. I took everything out of the boxes to save space and money. Tissues, yes! Maybe even a dvd for friday nights. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nevergiveup Posted January 30, 2014 Author Share Posted January 30, 2014 I think I 'liked' all the responses :001_smile:. Great idea about the quarters for laundry and other machines. Great idea about taking stuff out of the packages to save room. Wonderful that I can check shipping online. Now I just have to get it out before the next storm! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kareni Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 At my daughter's college, the cost of running the washing machines was included as part of the general fees. I have no doubt she would have found some use for a roll of quarters had one shown up in a package. I think your young friends are fortunate to have you in their lives! Regards, Kareni Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
history_junkie Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 as a note, if you are sending the packages in the same state be careful of those flat rate boxes. They have to be really heavy to be worth it. I just mailed my daughter 4 pounds of clothing shoes, cookies etc. It cost me $7.35. The same size flat rate box was $11.10. USPS.com allows you to calculate a shipping price. You enter the weight and zip coded and it shows rates for priority mail as well as flat rate priority mail. I learned this the hard way today. I would have saved at least $3 on each package, but I didn't have time to redo it and the other box was slightly smaller. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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