College Care Packages – A Prized Present From Home!

With your college students are now comfortably settled in their dorms or off campus housing, you can breathe a sigh of relief. The move-in trauma of what to buy and what to bring is now a distant memory. As you sit back and enjoy the quiet, surely you will miss the fun and laughter that comes with kids in the house. On the other hand, while they may not be quick to admit it, your student will be missing home cooked meals, the privacy of their own room and yes, even Mom and Dad ! So when you have a few spare hours, use them to send some fun and laughter to your college student. There is no better way to do this than a home-made Care Package. Care Packages are one of the most prized possessions on campus.

There are many websites that offer "pre-packaged" care boxes for college students. While easy to order, these can be very expensive. They also tend to be very generic in nature with items like cookies, popcorn, candy or coffee. As a mom of four, all past and present college students, I can tell you from experience that a "home made" care package will be the biggest hit.

So what do you put into this creative concoction? First of all, start with a theme. Are they planning a winter or spring break trip? Is there a funny story they related about something that recently happened to them at school? Are they homesick? Are they complaining about the college food? Are they stressed out with studies? Any of these make a perfect starting point for a great college care package. One of the all time favorite care packages went to my son out at University of Michigan. He and his 13 roommates pooled their funds for a Big Screen television for their off campus house. It lasted about 10 days. Someone left the door unlocked and sure enough.. it was halfway to Detroit by the time they noticed it gone. Their quest and ultimate success at replacing their Big Screen became a "Big Screen Party In A Box" care package. In went movies, homemade t-shirts with a picture of their house and a tag line "Home of the Big Men with the Big Screen". Yes, sounds corny and a bit hokey, but this crew loved them!

In addition, I baked cookies. Home-made cookies may be the nicest thing you can put into any care package. They are truly appreciated. If you want to make from scratch, that is great but I have found the best shortcut. Betty Crocker cookie mix in a pouch. You add butter, an egg, mix and bake for 18 minutes. There are all kinds of varieties available including chocolate chip, sugar, peanut butter and oatmeal. I would offer two pieces of advice: bake on parchment paper and once cooled individually wrap cookie. Then put them in a disposable plastic container and mail. Compare mailing costs before you send. I usually use Fed Ex Ground or single rate boxes from the post office.

So get ready and plan a care package to your college kid. They will appreciate and enjoy it. Carol shares some other fun and funny college care packages ideas that her own four enjoyed at Celebration Ideas Online.