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There are sites with every kind of care package imaginable. What do kids really appreciate getting?

By Elleneast (Elleneast) on Friday, September 10, 2004 - 04:30 pm: Edit

Once or twice a year I send a tin of my cookies and a classic movie on DVD.....I pick the movies up at Costco. There is also a local company called Hope's Cookies (they have a web site) that makes great cookies and will ship. When one of my daughter's friends contracted mono at school and was pretty depressed about it, I sent her a box from there. She seemed to really appreciate the gesture and loved the cookies.

My sister sent my D a box of candy from the Old Time Candy Co. (also online) which was nice surprise and a big hit.

BTW, are we allowed to put company links on this website?

By Bigdaddy (Bigdaddy) on Friday, September 10, 2004 - 05:08 pm: Edit

Food is always a winner! Bigmamma makes killer brownies that DD loves.

Plus we will send just goofy little items because she has a goofy sense of humor. Last year we sent her a Pig Fling game that involved winging tiny plastic pigs around the dorm suite. This year I sent her a couple of little plastic cars that you wind up and they race around the floor. Nothing serious, just yucks!

The women's auxiliary of the Catholic church in her college town have a fund raiser in which parents can order cookies, cakes, etc. made by church ladies and delivered to the college. We order some to arrive around fall finals time.

Mostly, we just want to let her know that she is still a part of our lives.

By Demingy (Demingy) on Friday, September 10, 2004 - 05:17 pm: Edit

I have to agree on the food front. I think another big hit would be "movie night in a box". A movie or two, a box of candy, microwave popcorn, etc....

By Momstheword (Momstheword) on Friday, September 10, 2004 - 05:37 pm: Edit

I sent my Cali D nice fruit packages when she was at a prep school back East--fat peaches, juicy pears and apples with caramel dip, and the like. I don't know if lots of kids would like this, but she did. Since she's now in college and still back East, I'll do the same.

By Elleneast (Elleneast) on Friday, September 10, 2004 - 05:43 pm: Edit

Momstheword,

Did you use a particular vendor like Harry and David's or put the fruit packages together yourself?

By Emeraldkity4 (Emeraldkity4) on Friday, September 10, 2004 - 06:04 pm: Edit

Harry and David is hilariously expensive.
My daughters bookstore had a selection of care packages. I just did it the easy way and picked one. THey have movies, snacks of all sorts , odwalla juice, as well as frisbees, thermal cups etc. Pretty creative care packages. I have also sent things, like when I knew she wasn't feeling well, teas, vitamins magazines, a few new sweaters, halloween candy to share...
Plastic gift cards are also useful, Target, Nordstroms, Trader Joes, they all have them.
Check school calendar for finals dates, midterms to get idea when you will make most impact with a little surprise.

By Rhonda63 (Rhonda63) on Friday, September 10, 2004 - 06:15 pm: Edit

I wouldn't bother with the "care package" sites. Easier, cheaper, and maybe nicer to make your own.

I've sent homemade brownies, which were VERY well received (by the whole unit, I understand!). I packed them in a small, sturdy cardboard box, with layers of paper towels on the bottom and in between each layer of brownies -- they arrived in very good shape.

I've also sent a manila envelope full of Hershey bars, which D loves. That went over very well, too. I've also sent articles clipped from the newspaper occasionally -- that way you get real mail, rather than an e-mailed article. I did send medicinal herb tea when she was complaining about a sore throat that wouldn't go away last winter. I sent a small box of those "message heart" candies at Valentine's Day.

The one thing I sent from a company (c.c. cookies) she actually did NOT like that much!

I think almost ANYTHING is welcome. Doesn't have to be big or expensive or even have a theme. You know what your kids liked when they were at home, right? They seem to appreciate it that much more when they're away!

By Amethyst213 (Amethyst213) on Friday, September 10, 2004 - 06:23 pm: Edit

I try to send a card, note, newspaper clipping,or something else once a week. I remember how I hated having an empty mailbox at college! I've even sent a few small tokens - a cd she was thinking about buying before she left, a cute t shirt on a clearance rack at her favorite store at the mall,a lip gloss compact, and an adorable stuffed teddy bear on sale at Starbucks. My son really liked the care packages his school bookstore sent out. I've also sent from the popcorn factory - you can get good assortments in reusable tins for under $20.

By Mini (Mini) on Friday, September 10, 2004 - 06:41 pm: Edit

I have been sending little cutout pictures of beluga sturgeon (it's an inside joke - you'd have to be there....)

By Sokkermom (Sokkermom) on Friday, September 10, 2004 - 07:27 pm: Edit

$$$

By Thumper1 (Thumper1) on Friday, September 10, 2004 - 07:55 pm: Edit

DS is in a big city. We send him gift cards (to Barnes and Noble, Shaws..the grocery store, Starbucks, etc). He really appreciates these. We tuck them into a card and he can buy whatever he wants or needs...his choice. Since he frequents these places anyway, he really likes these cards.

By Lamom (Lamom) on Friday, September 10, 2004 - 08:28 pm: Edit

Sent him a roll of quarters with taped reminder to use the pine sol on stains. Also cookies, eye glasses wipes and few t-shirts used for packing to fill the box. Son has never done laundry. Rec'd response today, "washed clothes today, all came out same color they went in, even got some stains out" I am very happy. I enjoy baking and too cheap to spend $35 for mail order cookies. Did spend $40 for lap top sleeve which should arrive later this month.

By Tabby (Tabby) on Friday, September 10, 2004 - 08:42 pm: Edit

When you send a care package, stick in Dilbert or whatever newspaper comics your S or D likes! This has been a favorite and costs nothing.

By Momstheword (Momstheword) on Friday, September 10, 2004 - 09:40 pm: Edit

Elleneast--I suppose you could put together your own fruit package (though i don't know what agriculture regulations to ship fruit across state lines are) if you had access to great fruit that could withstand the shipping time and conditions. But for me, since I did it only two or three times/year, it worked for me to economize elsewhere, go with a commercial co., and pay extra for the tasty fruit that could withstand the trip as well as the protected packing box so it didn't arrive bruised. I know I tend to do things that are hilariously counter to what a lot of people do, though...

By Momrath (Momrath) on Friday, September 10, 2004 - 10:20 pm: Edit

I like to send little somethings from internet retailers like a warm hat(which was appreciated but promptly lost) or a tie (which was roundly distained until a girl complimented it). I also like to send an occasional book like an art history picture book that complements something he's studying or an Eyewitness Travel Guide for an impending destination.

By Thoughtfulmom (Thoughtfulmom) on Friday, September 10, 2004 - 10:28 pm: Edit

Younger daughter and I were planning to go apple picking in an orchard near us (upstate NY) in a few weeks so we could mail our fresh-picked apples to our daughter at college in MA. We live in apple country so I thought it would be a nice touch of home to send our own local fruit.

I hadn't thought about possible issues of laws about "shipping fruit across state lines" until Momstheword mentioned it. I know California is sticky about that sort of thing, but don't know about Mass. I went to the Massachusetts government website and tried searching it on things like "shipping fruit" and "across state lines" but didn't come up with anything. There are commercial companies that ship fruit to all 50 states, so it must be possible--though perhaps it requires some sort of special licence.

I thought UPS site might be able to help, but couldn't find anything there. So then I checked USPS and discovered they have a free 800 number to call to find out about stuff like shipping fresh fruit and vegetables, live animals, and plants. 1-800-ASK-USPS. So I guess I'll call them Monday.

By Momof2inca (Momof2inca) on Saturday, September 11, 2004 - 12:36 am: Edit

Mini--
I had to laugh about the beluga sturgeon. My dad and I had a running inside joke all through college that had to do with carp. He would send me the Far Side cartoons whenever they had carp in them, probably four or five times a year well into my 20s. I still have them somewhere. I loved getting those, along with his letters (back before email).

Momof2 in CA

By Mini (Mini) on Saturday, September 11, 2004 - 12:36 am: Edit

I just sent some instant Thai soups in a package of books that D requested. She thought that was strange, but she likes the soups and I was mailing the box from a local grocery store with a post office. I think she liked the fancy chocolate bar and jar of homemade crabapple jam that was in our first package better. I am not sure what to send next, but I figure I can come up with something unusual.
Ellen (the other parent at the mini address)

By Archermom (Archermom) on Saturday, September 11, 2004 - 02:27 am: Edit

Hmmm...D mentioned that she had to do more frequent washes than her classmates---since she had attended a single gender secondary school with uniforms! So D #2 and I had fun at Old Navy and other stores and bought her 7 shirts plus a pair of shorts---all on sale!!!---and shipped it off to her earlier this week. We also included a roll of quarters and an Ernie Peds candy dispenser---she loves Ernie from Sesame Street! I just finished sewing a pair of cute flannel PJ bottoms for her as well---that goes in the next care package! I'm sure we will find more things to add...

By Bettina (Bettina) on Saturday, September 11, 2004 - 05:07 am: Edit

From a HS mom: I send homemade cookies that keep well. Molasses cookies with the crinkle top keep well. You can get the recipe at epicurious.com. They have been a favorite and a bestseller in our house for years.

By Bettina (Bettina) on Saturday, September 11, 2004 - 05:23 am: Edit

I forgot to mention that I fill the freezer with Trader Joe stuff for emergency fixes. And this is HS and she is an athete so eating a lot.

By Debelli (Debelli) on Sunday, September 12, 2004 - 12:48 am: Edit

Here's something a little different that I just started doing for my son who just went off to college a couple weeks ago...

I found a few sites that advertise FREE items, it could be samples of foods, personal items, magazines subscriptions, etc. It's nothing big or extravagant of course, but just something that will pop in to his mailbox from time to time and, at the same time, costs me no money - which is good because all I have has all gone to send him to college!!!!!!

By Sac (Sac) on Sunday, September 12, 2004 - 01:37 am: Edit

I just sent chocolate cookies to the East Coast from the West, with the idea that chocolate usually gets better over and few days, and my son could knock on some doors and introduce himself. I have no idea if he did, but he said people thought the cookies were "awesome" and wouldn't believe him when he said they were even better fresh. (Is that a backhanded compliment, or what?

I once sent my daughter a whole care package for a cold. Herbal teas. Vitamins. Cough drops. Sudafed. Instant miso soup. Instant chicken soup. Ginger root and honey to make herself some tea. Etc. She seemed to really appreciate it, a lot more than the cookies we ordered from one of these college sites that deliver during finals. So many parents sent sweets at exam time that the dorm was really overwhelmed by sugar.

By Encomium (Encomium) on Sunday, September 12, 2004 - 10:20 am: Edit

wow you parents are nice

i always thought people sent stuff like this to soldiers in Iraq

By Emeraldkity4 (Emeraldkity4) on Sunday, September 12, 2004 - 10:25 am: Edit

well ya we do
I sent homemade cookies to a unit that was in training in georgia, I hardly ever even make cookies for my family!

By Angstridden (Angstridden) on Sunday, September 12, 2004 - 11:37 am: Edit

The care packages at D.'s school were atrocious. Fill of candy crapola like laffy taffy and Mike and Ikes..She rarely eats candy or cookies. I was thinking of sending a fruit basket.

By Aparent4 (Aparent4) on Sunday, September 12, 2004 - 11:43 am: Edit

I saw the prices of the care packages at school and thought I could do better. But the price of shipping my own was astronomical. I think it's worth it to send homemade goodies yourself, but not snack foods.

By Momofthree (Momofthree) on Sunday, September 12, 2004 - 12:05 pm: Edit

I try to think about what my kids would not want to buy for themselves. I sent homemade things to D, along with toiletry items, contact solution, stockings, school supplies like white out, tape, post it notes, etc, cough drops, coffee, pez and jelly bellies. Now she is in grad school !! and I still send stuff! I think it is easier to find non-food items for girls than guys. When my S goes next year, I'll send food and razor blades. LOL Those things are expensive!

By Bookiemom (Bookiemom) on Sunday, September 12, 2004 - 10:20 pm: Edit

My D was very homesick her first semester in college. I sent her several care packages with snack foods and treats.

I sent a cold care package when she was sick, including the items previously mentioned plus the kind of tissues that are extra-soft for colds. She did not have a drugstore within walking distance. I would suggest that everyone send their child a package like this, because they will all get a cold at school, and who wants to have to go out and get cold supplies when you're sick?

At Halloween I sent a yellow or orange coffee mug filled with special Halloween candies and all yellow and orange items: lip gloss, highlighters, Post-its. She liked that.

Also lots of cards and notes and occasionally something special, such as the DVD of Finding Nemo when it first came out.

All of those efforts helped her get through her first year in the dorm, and this year she is much happier in a house off-campus and with her own car there so she can get to stores easily.

By Parentofteen (Parentofteen) on Sunday, September 12, 2004 - 10:50 pm: Edit

I just sent my daughter a package with Swiffer wet and dry floor wipes for her dorm room's hardwood floors, some fancy tea bags, a facial scrubbing brush, a Disney video, several magazines that we have received recently at home,
microwave popcorn, Lorna Doone cookies, Fig Newtons, multiple packs of sugar free gum, mints, an UNO card game, newspaper clippings, and a wallpaper sample from her sister's recently redecorated bedroom. She was absolutely thrilled by all of it. She is only two hours from home, yet her weekends are so full of extra-curricular events that she will be coming home very infrequently this semester. Her sister and I plan on sending her regular surprise boxes this year.

By Elleneast (Elleneast) on Sunday, September 12, 2004 - 11:16 pm: Edit

I had never been to epicurious.com. What a great site. Thank you Bettina!

By Rhonda63 (Rhonda63) on Monday, September 13, 2004 - 08:37 am: Edit

I never bought or ordered clothes and sent them, unless it was something I knew she specifically wanted. Otherwise, too much risk she would not like it!

epicurious is GREAT -- set up a recipe box, so you won't have to re-search for things. I love it!!!

By Angstridden (Angstridden) on Monday, September 13, 2004 - 11:32 am: Edit

drugstore.com is another good one..free shipping with orders of a certain amount (varies..usually $25 -$49)
I just sent D. a water pitcher with filter and a lint brush, 2 burts bees lip balms and some paper towels! She is hard to send food for as she eats very very clean..very little processed food so cookies and candy that dont spoil are out.

By Achat (Achat) on Monday, September 13, 2004 - 11:48 am: Edit

I looked at epicurean.com and they do have spicy snacks that I can mail..thanks!

By Kissy (Kissy) on Monday, September 13, 2004 - 04:19 pm: Edit

My goddaughter loves fruit baskets, so I found a supermarket near her school that accepts credit card orders over the phone and delivers for $3. It's been a lot less expensive than ordering from Harry and Davids and can be done on a moment's notice.

By 1moremom (1moremom) on Tuesday, September 14, 2004 - 09:20 am: Edit

I used my son's monthly magazines as a reminder last summer. When they arrived I threw them in a padded envelope with a card, occasional clippings from the local paper and a few treats. (We would both recommend Trader Joe's gummy ginger bears.) I'll probably do the same when he's at college; timing those address changes is such a nuisance.

By Pokey318 (Pokey318) on Tuesday, September 14, 2004 - 09:34 am: Edit

When my cousin was in college, his dad use to tuck a $10 bill in with a magazine, newspaper clipping, or just a note. My husband thought that was such a neat idea, that he now does that with my son; only the $10 has grown to $20!! He doesn't do it that often, just if we need to send him mail; I don't do it with the packages I send. I get to sent the forgotten items left at home-a special tie, dress shoes, his tux for a rush party, a new cell phone when the other took a swim, etc.. As a junior now I haven't had to send anything this year, but the year is young:-)

By Eadad (Eadad) on Tuesday, September 14, 2004 - 11:00 pm: Edit

great Ideas everyone..This is actually EAMOM using EaDAD's name. I just sent my S a box of cutout cookies--- we're from Texas so I wanted to send a "piece of home" . I made Texas shaped cutout cookies with our city marked with a red heart. That and Gold stars and green cacti. Yes, I have no life, as my D says.
Anyway, he really thought it was sweet- and his non texas friends thought it was utterly amazing that there is such a thing as a Texas shaped cookie cutter. Typical Texans!. So my S only let his friends from Texas eat the texas shaped cookies and everyone else had to eat the other shapes. I guess it was a hit!

By Jenniferelaine (Jenniferelaine) on Wednesday, September 15, 2004 - 12:06 am: Edit

One word: Money.

By Over30 (Over30) on Wednesday, September 15, 2004 - 12:54 am: Edit

Two batches of homemade chocolate chip cookies, various newspaper articles, a picture of the girlfriend on a roll of film I just got back, small boxes of raisins, dried apples (I worry about fruits & veggies), altoids, and a computer book he forgot, all wrapped up in the comics from the daily paper. I also sent $5 for him to buy milk for the cookies.

I don't know about all boys, but mine are decidedly hard to buy for. I guess he'll get a lot of cookies.

By Judy (Judy) on Wednesday, September 15, 2004 - 07:50 am: Edit

Since this is the first year my son will not be home for the Jewish Holidays (Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur), I sent out a care package. I included brownies, pecan pie squares and rugelah that I baked for the holiday.I put paper on the outside that I wrote the words on " Mom's Holiday Treats." Also included cough drops and Cold -Eaze for his cold. He just got a call back for an A Capella group he auditioned for on Monday and is concerned about clearing up the cold.Sent him mail we have received, some articles from the local paper and a few bags of honey wheat pretzel twists that he loves.

By Dmd77 (Dmd77) on Wednesday, September 15, 2004 - 08:33 am: Edit

EADad--Please inform EAMom that I have USA, Massachusetts, California, and Washington cookie cutters, as well as about 200 other strange shapes. The collection started with about 10 cookie cutters of my grandmother's and it's taken on a life of its own. I only use them during the pre-Christmas season, though, when I often throw an enormous cookie-making party.

I like to send my DD those tiny bottles of aromatherapy scents. Recently I sent her "Revive." I have no idea if they work, but they do smell nice, and she doesn't want me to send her candy.

I just got an email from Mrs. Field's cookies (whom, I'm embarassed to say, I used to send cookies to DS) with a 10% off code for "student care packages". The email doesn't say I can't share the code: CCP4. (www.mrsfields.com)