College Care Packages~ UPDATE

[sherry7]

....How well do cookies pack n ship?

Try packing the cookies in an empty Pringles can...just make sure they're small enough to fit.

My son is a senior this year, so college is just around the corner. Lots of good ideas here. I'm not sure if these have been mentioned yet, but here's a few ideas:

beef jerky
Slim Jims
candy
gum
microwave popcorn
gift cards
hat, scarf, and gloves (it's cold in Michigan!)
razors
Tylenol, cold medicine, Pepto Bismol pills, cough drops, etc

 

[MiaSRN62]

We live in PA but dd is a freshman in FL.

I've packed many of the things already mentioned here. In fact, since she started on Aug 18, I've shipped like 3 care packages. Namely because Faye hit and she went through her "hurricane pack" of non perishable food (campus was closed for 3 days).

Things I've shipped :
subscription to Netflix
*snacks : cookies, microwave popcorn, soups, breakfast items
*Halloween is around the corner and I shipped her some decorations for her dorm (she actually is in an apt style suite with three other girls). Sent purple lights, halloween paper plates, a decoration to hang on their door & candy etc.
*a magazine subscription (she loves Seventeen and Cosmo Girl).
*someone already mentioned this, but I'll second it.....quarters for doing wash
*solid air fresheners for room
*and then some of her favs : herbal tea, granola bars, a jar of Nutella (she LOVES this stuff)

Also, check with your son/daughter's school. The school itself often offers care package options. I know my ds and dd's schools both do. You can send birthday cakes or holiday suprise packages etc.

And I know what you mean about missing them terribly !

 

[Chicklogic]

I lived in Shaw but our mail came right to the front desk of our dorm. Every dorm I was ever in had a front desk in the lobby. I can't recall being in Emmons specifically...but assuming it's just like all the others he should only have to carry it upstairs to his room. If it's that big they do have cargo elevators

after looking at a campus map, he lives in Brody Complex. I was never in those dorms. They share a cafeteria, so I am not sure if they share a front desk. http://maps.msu.edu/interactive/

Also, he lives about 1.5 blocks from one of my favorite off campus restaurants...Harrison Roadhouse. It is great for before/after football games etc. http://www.harrisonroadhouse.com/

BTW I thought of something else today. My DH played HS sports and continues to follow the his HS team. His mom would save and send the papers with local HS sports reports in them (ie Saturday's paper had all the Friday night football scores etc).

Thanks so much! A lot of very helpful information!!!

I think I may have seen harrison roadhouse on restaurant.com as well!

 

[floridafam]

This thread is making me homesick

I love the party box idea. I also like the sled idea. That is so cute. My kids used to go sledding all the time at Mickey Mouse hill which sits by the middle school a few blocks from campus.

Best of luck to him this year and go Spartans!

 

[Chicklogic]

This thread is making me homesick

I love the party box idea. I also like the sled idea. That is so cute. My kids used to go sledding all the time at Mickey Mouse hill which sits by the middle school a few blocks from campus.

Best of luck to him this year and go Spartans!

Did they sled on cafeteria trays???

Go GREEN!

 

[Chicklogic]

I found a cute idea for "cake in a mug" ~ basically they bake (or we bake and send....) a personal sized cake in a coffee mug (I think its 4 cakes per boxed mix)

Does this sound coed friendly or not worth the effort in a Frosh's eyes

Still wondering about the best way to ship. Do you think the fixed price usps boxs are cheapest

 

[mjhd]

How about water balloons??? Sounds like a fun activity for fall if he is a bit mischievious. I also second Harrison Roadhouse - terrific food, but a bit more expensive than "college" food. Just skimmed the suggestions, but how about some MSU winter stuff for the football games coming up? Earband, gloves, scarf, etc. Also, it would be fun to compile a variety of great weekend escapes if he has a car...one that comes to mind and perfect for fall is Uncle Johns Cider Mill in St. Johns (about 30 or so if I remember right from Lansing). They have some fun stuff to do and YUMMY apple cider & donuts. Also, Halloween candy & decorations would be fun. We didn't go to MSU but really enjoyed living in Lansing. I'm sure your ds will like anything you send!

 

[mjhd]

Regarding how to ship...I would box it up and take it to Office Max - you can ship DHL ground for a VERY fair price - MUCH less than USPS.

 

[Chicklogic]

Regarding how to ship...I would box it up and take it to Office Max - you can ship DHL ground for a VERY fair price - MUCH less than USPS.

My thought on USPS is they have a series of boxes that are flat rate postage. The largest is approx 12x12 and costs $12 and change. I had heard if the package weight is over 5lbs (and it will fit in the box....) this is the "weigh" to go

 

[mjhd]

My thought on USPS is they have a series of boxes that are flat rate postage. The largest is approx 12x12 and costs $12 and change. I had heard if the package weight is over 5lbs (and it will fit in the box....) this is the "weigh" to go

That is an okay deal but if you have more than will fit in there, I would go the other route. Speaking from lots of ebay experience

 

[Chicklogic]

That is an okay deal but if you have more than will fit in there, I would go the other route. Speaking from lots of ebay experience

Thanks for that info! I "DO" have more than that but I was gonna pair down if I could

 

[Chicklogic]

I'm bumping cuz I need more help!

DS told me today to "remove the I love you " from my sig on texts cuz it was stressing him out

Guess he's adjusting a little harder than I thought........

 

[hinodis]

I sometimes call the local Pizza place and have them deliver a pizza to my son. He loves it when I do that! I even put the tip in. (use a CC). I also shop for him at American Eagle, his favorite store and have the clothes sent to him. I have sent the usual goodies, snacks and candy. I also took a picture of his girl friend and put it in a frame that you can record on and had his GF leave a message. (She lives near us). Gift cards including gas cards so he can come home for a visit!

 

[disneyorvegas]

I haven't read all of the ideas, but one thing my dbf (now hubby of 13 years!) did when I was in college was send me a "thursday present." Every Thursday there would be a greeting card or two in my mailbox. My dad would also send little notes here and there. Just getting mail was a treat!

 

[smidgen21]

I remember the 1st semester being very tough. I called home almost once a week saying I was dropping out and moving home. My mom (who was having as hard of time as I was, only she wouldn't let on) would listen and tell me she would support whatever decision I made (although she would have loved having me back home). Usually by the end of the call I had talked myself into staying "1 more week". Before I knew it exams were over and I was home for Christmas and actually couldn't wait to get back in January.

Is he is your oldest? Do you have any kids at home still?

I'm bumping cuz I need more help!

DS told me today to "remove the I love you " from my sig on texts cuz it was stressing him out

Guess he's adjusting a little harder than I thought........

 

[Disneylush]

I haven't read all the posts so I am sorry if these are doubles. My grandma use to send me homemade cookies all the time and they came perfectly. She went to the meat store and got those foamy trays and laided the cookies out, put clear wrap over them and then one piece of bubble wrap. Lastly she slid the tray in a padded mailer...perfect cookies everytime!

another "warm" idea are the handwarmer packets
fun stress reliever is pay doh
holiday door decor is always fun

St. Nick's day...like dec. 5 was always my favorite package becuase it was right before finals and my mom sent big movie boxes of candy, mirco popcorn, movie store gift cards and easy mac which was for finals study breaks and brain food. I also got not cards, new #2 pencils, highlighters and I can't remember everything else for studying.

 

[chrisann]

either an NFL or NHL game when they're playing the Florida team. He'd probably get a kick out of that!!

 

[bzkds]

I just sent off my eldest also! Here are a few care packages I have sent so far..

Amazon.com I shipped him a case of individual cookie packs and a case of dried peach slices (like those apple chips.. if you've seen them) and a book. He was VERY surprised and happy!

Another care package contained his favorite granola bars, small fruit cups/applesauce, Root Beer barrels, Pockey (cookies), another book in the same series as the other one above. He eats in the cafeteria so doesn't really have those little snack items to munch on when he's studying.

This coming Friday is "Talk Like a Pirate Day", one of those silly made-up holidays. So last week I sent a box full of pirate themed things. A pirate play set from the dollar store, pirate candy (bones and skulls), chocolate coins, a Jack Sparrow Pez, eye patches for him and his 2 room mates, a CD of "pirate" music, and a wig/hat and some pirate banners to decorate the room. I wanted to include the DVDs of the Pirates of the Caribbean movies, but ran out of time and money, lol. He told me they all thought it was hilarious. Even if they don't do up the room, he can use that stuff for Halloween as well.

I'll probably also send a Halloween box, I already got him a bag of Jelly Belly "Belly Flops" from the outlet store. I'll include other candy and a string of orange lights, orange and black crepe paper, etc.

Oh and I use the flat-rate Priority Mail boxes as well.

Beth

 

[eatatmidnight]

My mom would send packages to me when in college. In the warm months, she would air pop popcorn to use as filler. In the cold months, she would make caramel corn. It did a good job of protecting things and my friends and I loved to eat the caramel corn.

HTH

 

[Chicklogic]

I remember the 1st semester being very tough. I called home almost once a week saying I was dropping out and moving home. My mom (who was having as hard of time as I was, only she wouldn't let on) would listen and tell me she would support whatever decision I made (although she would have loved having me back home). Usually by the end of the call I had talked myself into staying "1 more week". Before I knew it exams were over and I was home for Christmas and actually couldn't wait to get back in January.

Is he is your oldest? Do you have any kids at home still?

Yes...he's the oldest. I have a 15 year old daughter still at home who is having a VERY hard time ~ they were really close and still talk several times a day.