question for college freshman girls -- what would you like?

[Grumpy's Gal]

Ladies, I am looking to be "the best auntie ever" for my niece who has just moved away to college. Can you help me?

I am thinking of sending her a Care package every month or every other month. Is that something that would be "cool" or is that too lame? Also, would it be better to get a moderate package every month or a bigger package every other month?

And finally, I am thinking of what I could/should stick in the box. Please tell me things that would be great to receive since she lives in a dorm.

I think cash is already on my list. This will be one of those flat rate priority boxes from the post office so it's about 11.75 x3.5 x 13.75 inches. I should be able to get a lot of things in it if they aren't huge.

So can you tell me ......if your aunt were to send you a box, what are great things you'd like to receive?

Thanks so much for your time.

 

[NotAmused]

I think that is a very cool idea.
Would you like to be my aunt, too?

Hmmm, I think getting a bigger care package every other month would be nice. It would give her something to look forward to.

I just moved away to college on Saturday, but I am a junior. That is a really good idea for a care package. I know my Grandma just made me one and she put lots of little things in it: a little first aid kit, small sewing starter kit, pens, pencils, scissors, bottles of water, and a bunch of little study snacks (breakfast bars, bags of chips, popcorn, gum, candy, fruit cups, etc).


I loved that stuff. Some other possibilities are maybe magazines, a CD, shampoo, soap, toothbrush, makeup, school supplies, gas station gift card, computer paper, dorm room decor, and any other everyday stuff she might use that you can think of. I know I'm not used to buying all that stuff cause my parents always did so now I'm spending all this money and I think many college students would appreciate getting any of that stuff. Oh, and of course, a little letter. =]

 

[sandybobandy]

It's only been a few years since college for me, so I'd like to try to help!

* Cash (you already mentioned this)
* Gift certificates for gas
* Gift certificates for best buy
* Gift certificates for movie theatres
* People or US Weekly magazine
* Recent pictures from family at home
* Pre paid phone card if she doesn't have a cell phone

Basically, you could never go wrong with gift certificates or cash.

You're so thoughtful-such a nice Auntie!

Sandy

 

[Grumpy's Gal]

great answers. Keep the ideas coming....I'm making a list........

 

[Loves Disney]

I am a college freshman this year and I don't think care packages are at all lame lol. Maybe smaller packages every month? I think it depends on how often she'll be home from college.

Things like microwavable popcorn is something I wouldn't mind finding in a care package lol. Also, I think notes/letters/cards are good to put in there - really personalizes it.

 

[tiff13]

Im a freshman this year, and care packages are great! Her friends will be bugging her to share

Our food sucks, so my mom was great enough to send microwavable items: soup, chefboyrd, easymac . And then there was chocolate .
If she has a vehicle with her, gas cards are great.

I also got a tshirt, shampoo, soap, pictures, and some shoes I thought I wouldn't need.

 

[mandy200587]

3rd year college student here:

chocolate, great cure for when you get stressed especially at finals time
maybe stuff to pamper herself with like the face masks
magazines

 

[ComplicatedPink]

That is such a thoughtful idea! I know last year one of my roommates recieved care packages from her mom and occasionally her grandma and it was a big hit! They also sent along halloween and x-mas cards for myself and the other two roommates for those holidays. It's such a nice surprise to come back from classes and find a care package waiting for you from someone who was thinking of you!
::Awards a gold star to you for being an awesome aunt::

 

[Girldreamer02]

I graduated college this past spring...quarters and the little things of tide you can find in the travel section at stores so she can do her laundry...or maybe you could send a little big bigger version of the laundry soap.
magazines
if she has long hair maybe some head bands or hair elastics...those things always seem to dissapear
cards and letters are always nice
a little halloween candy basket might go over well
gossip magazines
gift cards to itunes if she has an ipod so she can buy more music
thats pretty nice of you hope this helps

 

[pigletgirl]

It depends on the time of the year, but really anything is good!!! The package itself is such a wonderful surprise.

 

[epfootballcutie04]

That is so sweet of you!!!

I go to a commuity college, and live at home, but i visit my dorm-staying friends every now and then.

Somethings that they said they could really use:

Bottles of water. They have those single serve watter flavored add-ins too, so maybe send her a couple boxes of those?

I know one of my friends requested that i make her a picture board for her dorm, so i did that, with llittle notes or sayings on them.

does she have itunes on her computer? I would personally prefer that rather than a cd. one, cd's are cheaper on itunes, and two, if i changed my mind/didnt want a certain song, i can pick and choose.

Any and all gift cards: target/walmart, gas, movies, college bookstore (maybe able to get online...), gift cards to amazon.com or something?!?,

Was she big into school spirit in high school? Because maybe you could get her something from there... so she could have a bit of home with her.

Hand lotion/travel size tylenol... basically anything from the travel size section of stores you can't go wrong with.

rolls of quarters.

school supplies: highlighters, computer paper, blank cds, pens, notebook paper...

is there a movie out that she would like to have? I know i would be THRILLED if my parents surprised me with the new pirates movie when it comes out in december!!!!

maybe a cute picture frame?

deck of playing cards?

microwave food/snacks/candy

letters, cards...

was she involved in anything in high school? I know i was a student manager for my schools varsity football team, and knew quite a bit of the younger classmen and would like updates/articles on how the team was doing.

those are just some little ideas.

If I had an auntie like you, i'd know she was heaven sent

 

[futreWDI]

food... food... food... food

you can never go wrong with food!

quarters (if she has to pay for her laundry)
--- sending money is great but if i received cash i wouldn't wan to use it on laundry but if you just throw a couple quarter rolls i there as well, she can have clean clothes

 

[disneyofcourse]

Wow, Will you be my aunt ?

Heres a few things I wish someone would have sent me during college:

-Target gift cards to buy groceries
-Deoderant(sp?)
-Body sprays & Lotions
-Razors
-A roll of TP (Seriously if someone sent one roll of TP each month it would make me happy for some reason.) I seem to remember the TP at school being very harsh. lol
-Tiny packs of tissues

 

[wishspirit]

i am a university fresher (uk), and i would LOVE a carepackage! Food that she can share would be good, its easier to share food if someone gives it to you rather than buying it yourself.
So Cookies are good
As are candy!
Sationary is always good
As are things like TP and cosmetics.

You seem like the best aunt in the world!

 

[orangekid13]

FOOD! food just makes you happy to get, anything to get a break from dorm food, bags of candy (like the variety packs out now for halloween) are good to eat or share. Cookies never mail well, even when my dad sends me cookies in double layer ziplocks they're excessively dry by the time I get them... maybe if you cleaned out a big empty costco sized mayonase jar and put bubble wrap in the top to keep them from getting bashed to crumbs it would work.

This time of year is when everyone is sharing colds, so sudafed, airborne, zicam, afrin and salene nasal spray, maybe some nyquil caplets, and advil/tylenol are great. Oh, and excedrine for midterms and finals

 

[wishspirit]

Yes! Stuff for cold and flu would be a godsend! I have had a cold and a sore throat already, and i have only been here a month!
Magazines are good, cause then she can pass them round her girlfriends!