College Care Packages~ UPDATE

[Chicklogic]

My Son is at MSU (Freshman) ~ we live in Florida but we have family that live in Michigan.

I am missing him SO MUCH and want to send him a care package!

I need IDEAS!

He is a 6'6 guys guy that isn't above gettng down right siilly with the dudes

He loves sports (hockey,ftball mostly)

he lives for food but is in a dorm with only a micro and has UNLIMITED DINING PLAN (that so far...he LOVES the food)

I am already including silly string,an airhorn, razors,nail clippers,q-tips & cotton balls, gym shorts, individual brownie mixes, popcorn,ziplock baggies,a brita pitcher and crystal lite mix!

he likes *limited* sweets....has a car off campus and a bike on campus.....maybe a webcam? (not all in THIS box.....maybe for the next one too ).....

I even included a baggie full of rubber bands and a pack of aaa batteries (ya never know )

so come on! If anyone can help me be the best Mom in the Dorms ~ the DISers can!!

 

[lovemygoofy]

I would include some lysol wipes or individual hand wipes. Boys are gross

too bad you couldn't send him a sled or something like that in the upcoming months when winter really hits up there. Maybe order him one

If he does have a great sense of humor, I'd send a silly hat and gloves when it gets colder.

I would send several of the small portable memory sticks. I usually stock up after Thanksgiving. My niece keeps one for each class. She has them color coded but that might be a bit much

What about some coffee mugs/travel mugs and packets of hot chocolate or instant coffee and other portable breakfast goodies for when it starts getting too cold to trek across campus to eat?

 

[mayjay]

I am already including silly string,an airhorn, razors,nail clippers,q-tips & cotton balls, gym shorts, individual brownie mixes, popcorn,ziplock baggies,a brita pitcher and crystal lite mix!

OK...I spent too much time in the dorm...I read crystal meth and wondered about the ziplock baggies?!?!?!

Homemade cookies, homemade anything really. Quick ship it. GC for the movies, FF restaurants etc. It's fun to get off campus and not have to pay for the activity. CASH!

You sound like a great Mom.

 

[smidgen21]

Go Green! I graduated from MSU. FF restaurants close to campus:

McDonalds
Subway
Taco Bell
Burger King

Of course just about every chain pizza place but I specifically remember Papa Johns and Dominios

FYI Homecoming is Oct 4th. Maybe a green and white care package that week?

What about an iTunes card?

a mini stapler with staples
a small notebook sized 3 hole puncher
a wireless mouse for his laptop
a wireless internet card so he can use his laptop all over (when I lived on campus we had ethernet cables...maybe they've gone wireless since then)

Quarters! Vending machines, laundry, parking meters, parking lots they all take quarters!

 

[jacobsmom]

Make sure you send warm clothes---sweaters, fleece, gloves, boots, socks... I know how tough guys are. (My brother and cousins love to goof off and are tough wisconsin big guys, but the warm stuff is smart) Maybe add in water guns (always good) or a marshmallow gun. Don't forget a deck of cards, and ice scraper for his windshield, possibly a remote starter (something I really want in the winter), fleece blankets, some chicken noodle soop might be in order (just in case he gets sick, most do during the winter), movie cards (for rentals or going to a theater... it gets cold up here and those are activities he can go out a little and do).... A phone card so he can call home and say thanks.

 

[ptmmg]

we just sent our oldest to DC. a few weeks ago. I have already sent her a couple of packages she says she loves getting the mail!! I Have a package going ot this week and so far in is
a couple of magazines
100 cal chocolate covered pretzels
razors
reeses cups
makeup removal wipes
gum
mints
nail polish
propel drink mix
next month a group of 10 of us is getting together all have kids in college we all bring 10 of one thing then we are making up packages for each kid I have already stocked up on the bags of lifesavers that were on sale at cvs a couple weeks ago.
I will keep a close eye on this thread, as I am always looking for different thing to include I plan on trying to send her out a least a couple packages a month as I said she loves the mail.
o yea the gift card to starbucks went over very well!!

 

[An_Island_Girl]

My Mom used to send us "party packages" every few weeks. She would pick a theme (luau, halloween, any holiday coming up!) and would fill a box with decorations, part favor type things etc. Our large quad was always known as party central, and those small little things really brightened our day!

Everyone loves a Mom that sends anything at all though!!!

 

[Chicklogic]

Go Green! I graduated from MSU. FF restaurants close to campus:

McDonalds
Subway
Taco Bell
Burger King

Of course just about every chain pizza place but I specifically remember Papa Johns and Dominios

FYI Homecoming is Oct 4th. Maybe a green and white care package that week?

What about an iTunes card?




a mini stapler with staples
a small notebook sized 3 hole puncher
a wireless mouse for his laptop
a wireless internet card so he can use his laptop all over (when I lived on campus we had ethernet cables...maybe they've gone wireless since then)

Quarters! Vending machines, laundry, parking meters, parking lots they all take quarters!

Thanks for the heads up an homecoming I was thnking about small giftcards to a bunch of restaurants (like $5-$10each X 10 restaurants) for the next box.

Good to know about quarters too. I was wondering about that one

 

[Chicklogic]

OK...I spent too much time in the dorm...I read crystal meth and wondered about the ziplock baggies?!?!?!

Homemade cookies, homemade anything really. Quick ship it. GC for the movies, FF restaurants etc. It's fun to get off campus and not have to pay for the activity. CASH!

You sound like a great Mom.

- I'm not a great enough Mom to send crystal meth!


How well do cookies pack n ship?

 

[smidgen21]

my mom always sent carepackages during finals too. Even though I would be home by the end of the week, it's a stressful week. Nerf balls are fun to throw around while you study. Gum. Cup of soup so you don't have to stop studying to eat. GC for pizza. Hot cocoa. Chocolate chip cookies (she stacked the cookies in a ziploc tight...so they couldn't wiggle and then rolled it in bubble wrap and put it in an empty coffee can, stuffed with tissue paper...sounds like a lot of work, but the cookies always arrived in one piece).

I second the warm stuff. A very warm winter jacket (think Columbia Thinsolate). Hat, gloves, boots. Also a waterproof type coat for rainy fall days (and again in the spring). Warm socks. Flanel pj pants. An electric blanket.

 

[dismom24]

I feel your pain. Mine (2 DS's) just came home for the weekend (after their first month away at different schools). Their favorite things seem to be itunes and food. They both have unlimited food, but still seem to enjoy their favorites from home. I found that cookies don't travel great, but cookie bars do. I have been able to do this to all my cookie recipes and just bake them in bar form and wrap tightly. We did also buy them webcams while they were home. The kind we bought, tells them when one of us in online and we can go face to face with a click. I have also sent pics and some local newspaper articles I thought they would enjoy. It's weird, I miss them terribly but i feel like we have become closer with them away because we seem to have so much to catch up on when we do get to talk to them.

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

I send a few different types of care packages to my older DD who is a sophomore in college. There's a local cookie bakery and I have them send a few pounds of cookies. She and the roommates love those!

Also, I do a Costco run several times a year and send a huge box with:

Microwave popcorn, multipacks of gum, giant rubber band ball, ink cartridges for her printer, socks, nutrition bars, candied nuts, granola bars, gummi bear vitamins, toothpaste, tothbrushes, giant tubs of bicotti and pretzels, movie passes, etc.

She especially loves the ink cartridges.... go figure!

 

[jltwdw]

Check out Restaurant dot com the next time they have a sale. Trippers Sports Bar is a fun place and not far from campus (Frandor area). You can get some great deals on GC to pass along. There are a few other places too, but Trippers is my favorite!

 

[DisneeMommee]

Some things I have done
Stick to your Studies - anything sticky - post it notes, suckers on a stick, pixie stix, tape, silly putty
Keep It Clean - all sorts of cleaning supplies (mine has an apartment), or shower supplies (shampoo, razors, soap, etc.)
Dirty Laundry - detergent, dryer sheets, roll of quarters, stain stick, sew kit, woolite
Exam Cram - coffee, energy drink, stress relief ball, inspirational quotes, granola bars, popcorn, pencils, highlighters, post it note flags
Sealed With A Kiss - chocolate kisses (lots of varieties) lip print kleenex, fireballs
We love you from Head to Toe - A two parter - box 1 with things for their head (shampoo, comb, toothpaste, tylenol, etc.) Box 2 with things for their feet (foot spray, socks, shoe laces, candy gummy feet, etc.)
I am currently putting together her Halloween one - candy, glow stix, eyeball gum, holiday pen, glow in the dark stuff, a toy skeleton
I just did a Goodluck at Your First Friday Night Solo Game (She is an athletic trainer in grad school, working at a high school)
Gobstoppers - to stop all the blood
Band Aids - for all those little owies
Some tape - to stick them back together
Post It notes - to post all the injuries when you get back to your office)


I also saw some dessert kits that you make in the microwave. The pan and all is included. There was Reese bars, Almond Joy bars, etc. Anything they can make in the microwave usually works.

I usually include any newspaper clippings about her high school classmates (weddings, engagements, babies, etc.) Her brothers burn her Cd's and we send pictures of things the family is doing and our pets.

It is pretty easy to come up with things our daughter likes and then make it all fit some crazy theme. She gets a kick out of our crazy ones and the silly ways we try to let her know we are thinking of her. Anything is better than nothing. I also send her tons of freebies from the freebie board. I spell her name wrong so that she knows each time something comes we are thinking of her. The crazier the freebie, the more she laughs.

Goodluck, these years will go quickly.

 

[prncess674]

Quarters! Vending machines, laundry, parking meters, parking lots they all take quarters!

Might want to ask him if the laundry is coin operated or not. Many have gone to a card system, even the vending machines took our student ID.

Another idea if he pledged a fraternity is to get things in the fraternity colors. This idea works especially well for sorority girls. Once you pledge all of sudden you want everything in the sorority/fraternity colors. Sorority girls also love art supplies to decorate their doors, party cups, picture frames, etc.

Mom also would send me plastic utensils, paper plates and cups to eliminate the need to do dishes in the bathroom sink.

Boys can never have enough clean socks and underwear so sending some extra to help extend between laundry days is always a lifesaver!

The other thing is, JUST ASK him what he misses or needs. You may be suprised by his response!

PS to the OP: If I was the RA on your son's floor and that airhorn ever went off in the dorm, I guarantee I would confiscate it. ;-)

 

[Chicklogic]

my mom always sent carepackages during finals too. Even though I would be home by the end of the week, it's a stressful week. Nerf balls are fun to throw around while you study. Gum. Cup of soup so you don't have to stop studying to eat. GC for pizza. Hot cocoa. Chocolate chip cookies (she stacked the cookies in a ziploc tight...so they couldn't wiggle and then rolled it in bubble wrap and put it in an empty coffee can, stuffed with tissue paper...sounds like a lot of work, but the cookies always arrived in one piece).

I second the warm stuff. A very warm winter jacket (think Columbia Thinsolate). Hat, gloves, boots. Also a waterproof type coat for rainy fall days (and again in the spring). Warm socks. Flanel pj pants. An electric blanket.

all GREAT ideas....thanks! I'll try the cookie thing in the coffee can and if that doesn't work 'll try bar cookies like Dismom24 suggested

Are flat-rate boxes the best way to go? A 12x12 box is $12 NO MATTER HOW HEAVY....seems like the way to go if all of the items are within those dimentions
.....

 

[Chicklogic]

Check out Restaurant dot com the next time they have a sale. Trippers Sports Bar is a fun place and not far from campus (Frandor area). You can get some great deals on GC to pass along. There are a few other places too, but Trippers is my favorite!

Thanks for the heads up on Tripper's. I'll check it out and add it to my growing...thanks to you guys .......list for the coming year

He does have a car off campus - is Tripper's on restaurants.com do you know?

 

[lntsmom]

I say:

Quarters so he can do his laundry...and if you don't mind paying the shipping and handling, some detergent and fabric softener.

Anything microwavable that can be mailed. Dry soup-in-a-cup, mac and cheese, etc. Those packets of tuna that come with the mix-in. Crackers-a variety of kinds.

Condiments...a small bottle of katsup, mustard, etc. Disposable salt and peper shakers.

Individual drink packets...and disposable cups.

The newspaper from home...so he can catch up on what's going on there.

Personal hygiene items, if you think he'd take it the right way. Especially cold meds, etc...things that kids away from home the first time won't think of until they're sick.

 

[MrsPete]

Some things I have done
Stick to your Studies - anything sticky - post it notes, suckers on a stick, pixie stix, tape, silly putty
Keep It Clean - all sorts of cleaning supplies (mine has an apartment), or shower supplies (shampoo, razors, soap, etc.)
Dirty Laundry - detergent, dryer sheets, roll of quarters, stain stick, sew kit, woolite
Exam Cram - coffee, energy drink, stress relief ball, inspirational quotes, granola bars, popcorn, pencils, highlighters, post it note flags
Sealed With A Kiss - chocolate kisses (lots of varieties) lip print kleenex, fireballs
We love you from Head to Toe - A two parter - box 1 with things for their head (shampoo, comb, toothpaste, tylenol, etc.) Box 2 with things for their feet (foot spray, socks, shoe laces, candy gummy feet, etc.)
I am currently putting together her Halloween one - candy, glow stix, eyeball gum, holiday pen, glow in the dark stuff, a toy skeleton
I just did a Goodluck at Your First Friday Night Solo Game (She is an athletic trainer in grad school, working at a high school)
Gobstoppers - to stop all the blood
Band Aids - for all those little owies
Some tape - to stick them back together
Post It notes - to post all the injuries when you get back to your office)

My daughters aren't in college yet, but I love putting together summer camp packages, so I'm sure I'll do this kind of thing when they're older. I LOVE the theme idea!

Completely changing the subject, socks and underwear couldn't hurt -- no one ever has quite enough, do they? And you can't go wrong with snacks.

 

[clh2]

Sorry to be the spoiled sport about the air horn. Too many people have such different hours in a dorm. Many are working jobs, doing homework at all hours of the day, and slleping all different types of hours. PLEASE DO NOT SEND THIS. Even if he blows this off outside, it is still bound to disturb someone.

Now...cookies on the other hand - we send some to our nieces in college just about every year. A big batch of cookies will be a great ice breaker for anybody in close proximity of the dorm room! And...the worst that will happen is you get cookie crumbs, although our always arrive intact. We take two or three, and wrap them together in wax paper, and then pack a bunch of the mini-packs in a ziploc container with a lid. If it is perishable, we alsways send priority. Never had a problem with cookies. Brownies also travel well!