Spryte Posted August 29, 2023 Share Posted August 29, 2023 Please share your ideas! I have three college kids to whom I’d like to send occasional packages. They are like extra family members. One boy, two not-girly girls. Easy to mail, fun or practical ideas? Thanks! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ali in OR Posted August 29, 2023 Share Posted August 29, 2023 I do/did one a week or so before Halloween, one a week or so before Valentines Day, one near Easter. Candy/chocolate is always involved, maybe fun socks, new shorts or summery shirt in the Easter one (because both girls are in CA and the weather there is nice enough for that). There might be mac 'n cheese, favorite treats from Trader Joe's, etc. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kareni Posted August 29, 2023 Share Posted August 29, 2023 Looking back at old posts, here are some things that went into care packages sent to my daughter plus a few more ideas: items inadvertently left at home bag clips a package of stickers some humorous comic strips/articles Command brand picture hanging widgets a set of juggling balls postage stamps and labels with their address if they like to send mail A magazine Fun socks And chocolate! (One must always send something chocolate.) Regards, Kareni 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kbutton Posted August 29, 2023 Share Posted August 29, 2023 Fun food. Reminders of home—fall leaves or whatever will do it. Something they won’t mind sharing with a roommate or friends. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TechWife Posted August 29, 2023 Share Posted August 29, 2023 Hometown newspaper favorite cookies - homemade or otherwise Socks gift card for fast food highlighters - sharpie has pretty pastels post it flags basic first aid supplies - band aids, Tylenol, neosporin hobby magazine soap & hand lotion favorite candy You could do a theme - movie night, game night (board & card games), seasonal, game day (for college sports) Stress relief/sensory package Stress balls crazy Aaron’s thinking putty Air wick scented oil room freshener plug in pop its Chewing gum heavy blanket (weight wise, but not necessarily a weighted blanket soft socks Apple gift certificate w/ list of ambient sound pieces (rainfall, ocean, symphony, acoustic guitar) Example of items for Winter Theme basket- throw blanket Cozy socks w/grippers hot chocolate mix or coffee mugs Uno card game book or magazine for light reading Chap stick hand warmers wool socks 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bambam Posted August 29, 2023 Share Posted August 29, 2023 I cheated and signed up for Munchpak. Fortunately for me, both of mine were living together at that time. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirstenhill Posted August 29, 2023 Share Posted August 29, 2023 I did holiday packages last year with treats themed to each holiday (enough to share), and fun stickers for DD. She really didn't want any more "stuff" in her small dorm room so I was trying to focus on consumables. We did send her a fun hat after DH and DS16 took a trip together, since they brought souvenirs home for everyone and that was a hit. So I could imagine other wearable items for future packages. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kassia Posted August 29, 2023 Share Posted August 29, 2023 8 hours ago, Kareni said: And chocolate! (One must always send something chocolate.) Unless the weather is very hot where the student lives because the chocolate will melt. We always sent dd in TX her Easter basket in February to be safe. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ksr5377 Posted August 29, 2023 Share Posted August 29, 2023 At the beginning of November my aunt always sent me a 'sick' box, just in case. Unfortunately, it was always used up! Cold medicine, cough drops, vitamins etc. as well as a few fun snacks. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vonfirmath Posted August 29, 2023 Share Posted August 29, 2023 One of my favorite care packages items as a college student was a holiday pair of fun socks my mom sent me. I wore those to death until I eventually had to get rid of them in my 20s 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScoutTN Posted August 29, 2023 Share Posted August 29, 2023 (edited) Starbucks card Microwave popcorn Water bottle stickers Family photo Fruit snacks Trail mix Gum/mints T shirt/socks/hat Card game Frisbee Edited August 29, 2023 by ScoutTN 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TexasProud Posted August 29, 2023 Share Posted August 29, 2023 Ok, maybe because my daughter is artsy with artsy friends, but... I find fun children crafts for the holiday and she and her roommates have a blast putting them together. They always send me pictures of the cute craft. ( Now, I myself hate anything arts and crafts because I am so bad at it, but they love it.) 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SHP Posted August 29, 2023 Share Posted August 29, 2023 I would send fun unique stickers that are designed and by artists and bought directly from the artist. Maybe a yo-yo. Mostly, I would focus on consumable treats with a few extra fun things and use $1 bills as packing material. Since Halloween is quickly approaching I would buy a bag of their favorite candy from the Halloween aisle, maybe grab some small goofy treat toy, like vampire teeth. I would reach out to the local artists I follow and support and see what stickers they have in stock and buy one or two. I would find a box that will barely hold the above and open the candy and treat toys and mix it together with the stickers and individual $1 bills I would probably make that box easy to access and put it in a slightly larger box with air pillows to keep it from moving around too much and so if they use a sharp knife they will not damage the inside package. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carol in Cal. Posted August 29, 2023 Share Posted August 29, 2023 Good suggestions so far, and also, basics that are a pain to buy: Stamps Sudafed (the real kind) Bandaids Aspirin Also, I often sent holiday themed paper napkins or a dishtowel. We happened to have trees that bore hardy fruit so I sent some of that (Fuyu persimmons, for example, but not apricots). Favorite cookies or crackers, sometimes with a holiday theme. I wanted to make things more festive without an over abundance of ‘stuff’, and also to make it easier to entertain (lightly). 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tenaj Posted August 29, 2023 Share Posted August 29, 2023 My freshman year at college when everything was still new and strange, my aunt sent me a really nice pair of PJs . I'll never forget the delight and happiness I felt when I opened that package. I wore them out but always felt hugged by home when I wore them. So I would vote comfy lounge clothes 🙂 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
athena1277 Posted August 29, 2023 Share Posted August 29, 2023 (edited) Shipping anything is so $$ anymore, that if I send anything to my college dd, I send if from Amazon. It’s easy to send their favorite snacks and many of the other things mentioned. Bonus is I don’t have to find a box or go to the post office. Edited to add: Her school added the Amazon lockers on campus over the summer, so secure and easy for her to pick up. Edited August 29, 2023 by athena1277 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kassia Posted August 29, 2023 Share Posted August 29, 2023 23 minutes ago, athena1277 said: Shipping anything is so $$ anymore, that if I send anything to my college dd, I send if from Amazon. It’s easy to send their favorite snacks and many of the other things mentioned. Bonus is I don’t have to find a box or go to the post office. Edited to add: Her school added the Amazon lockers on campus over the summer, so secure and easy for her to pick up. I do this too - it's cheaper to have something shipped free from Target, Amazon, Walmart... The only exception is once a year when I make her an Easter basket. The shipping costs as much as the contents and I don't send much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ikslo Posted August 30, 2023 Share Posted August 30, 2023 When my sister and I were both in college/uni at the same time, my dad sent us both unexpected care packages. The things we remember still? The Coke branded polar bear stuffed animal (he got them free from a vendor at work) and the Pringles. We loved those bears, despite being all grown up and in college. They were so “dad.” I think what you send means nothing compared to the fact that you send it. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vasha Posted August 30, 2023 Share Posted August 30, 2023 Great ideas! I sent my son a wellness package this week: Vitamin D3, Elderberry/Zinc gummies, probiotic. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lilaclady Posted August 30, 2023 Share Posted August 30, 2023 3 hours ago, athena1277 said: Shipping anything is so $$ anymore, that if I send anything to my college dd, I send if from Amazon. It’s easy to send their favorite snacks and many of the other things mentioned. Bonus is I don’t have to find a box or go to the post office. Edited to add: Her school added the Amazon lockers on campus over the summer, so secure and easy for her to pick up. You can try using the usps flat rate cardboards boxes. I read somewhere that some moms will put a baked tin of muffin and ship. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faith-manor Posted September 22, 2023 Share Posted September 22, 2023 The most popular care package I ever sent had just two things in it. Gift cards to Taco Bell, and two cans of silly string for each person, college student plus his 4 friends. Ya. Back then, silly string was like $1.50 a can. They had a silly string fight and then loaded up on cheap tacos. Apparently this made me "Da Bomb" on his dorm floor. I lost that title to my won mother who sent him for Finals week, a bunch of packets of Swiss Miss, package of marshmallows, and 5 dozen homemade chocolate chip cookies wrapped in bubble wrap so they would not get broken or crushed. He shared with everyone, and my fame sank into oblivion until next semester. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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