<p>DD (a freshman) emailed this morning wondering if I could send one of her English books she had from last year. I found the book and am preparing to send it to her - and I’d like to make it into an early care package. But - I know she has been stressing about avoiding the Freshman 15, so I’d prefer not to send loads of Snacks. Maybe a batch of Cookies, but that’s it.</p>
<p>Any ideas on other stuff to pack in a “care package”?</p>
<p>I just sent off a Brita pitcher and a couple water bottles.</p>
<p>My son would love getting a variety package of teas (no calories in that). How about some cute pics (do you have a pet), or would that make her feel homesick? </p>
<p>How about her a copy of her favorite magazine, or some of her favorite make up?</p>
<p>perhaps a starbucks gift card or some spending money?</p>
<p>Stuff box with dollar bills instead of plastic peanuts. That’ll get a reaction!</p>
<p>Magazines and homemade cookies or brownies are great if she’s having any problems meeting people or making friends. Magazines (Glamour, Cosmo) end up being very social because whole groups of girls and guys gather to look through them, laugh, and have a good time. And, of course, everyone gravitates toward the person with food.</p>
<p>Other suggestions: granola bars, 100 calorie snack packs, lip gloss, chapstick, money, quarters for laundry, small/silly toys or gifts, gum.</p>
<p>Don’t you think it would take a lot of dollar bills stuff a box?!! And we just paid tuition! I picked up some little trinkets from the bookstore before leaving. How about a poster, air freshener, stationery and stamps (would be wasted on my son, but may work with others), interesting magazine or newspaper articles, a cute keychain, cedar chips or sachets for drawers, a talking photo cube, or a first aid kit?</p>
<p>Fingernail files, lip gloss, hand lotion, band aids, bobby pins, mechanical pencils, gum, breath freshener, throat lozenges, vitamins, cute notepad …</p>
<p>I am a big fan of sending vintage movies. Costco is great for those.</p>
<p>I packed 2 small boxes for each D last night. For the 1st yr, dried fruit from Trader Joe’s, her favorite tea, chewy bars, dark choc mints, and some spicy cup of noodles. For the grad student, some Korean barbecue sauce, sesame oil, her favorite ramen style noodles, and green tea.</p>
<p>Send something to wear.</p>
<p>I just sent mine the usual care box with 100 calorie packs, her favorite lipglosses/blush (which she didn’t have time to buy before she left), footie socks, etc. But I also stuffed in some resistance bands I picked up at REI for some in-room exercise. She had been complaining she was losing tone in her arms, so I know she’ll be happy to get them.</p>
<p>[Gaiam</a> Resistance Cord Workout Kit - Medium from REI.com](<a href=“http://www.rei.com/product/751178]Gaiam”>http://www.rei.com/product/751178)</p>
<p>Also, sent along some velcro utility straps (from REI as well). She uses them to strap groceries down on the back of her scooter…great for bicycles as well.</p>
<p>The box I’m prepping to send later this week to my younger son includes:</p>
<p>– microwave singles of Annie’s organic mac-and-cheese
– a bag of locally grown dried apricots from the farmer’s market
– a set of microwaveable bowl and plate, with matching cup and silverware (his suitemates last year stole everything he took with him except one plate)
– Spray-n-Wash StainStick for laundry pre-treating
– Shout ColorCatcher sheets to keep mixed loads from turning pink
– a multi-pack of small tissue packs
– a deck of playing cards
– a favorite decorative huggable op-art bed pillow (vacuum-sealed down in size)
– a jar of Vanilla-scented “odor absorbing gel” (no candles allowed)
– a small pair of headphones (he broke his on the plane over, apparently)
– a framed family photo from a roller coaster ride last month
– his voter registration application (with stamped addressed envelope so all he needs to do is sign it)</p>
<p>And I’m going to sign him up for a Fruit of the Month Club membership for a birthday present next month.</p>
<p>I just sent foam earplugs (among other things). Hoping it helps a bit with a noisy roommate!</p>
<p>I’ve sent a tshirt from a restaurant she likes, cookies, and the local newspaper with pictures of a bunch of her friends. I also have sticky notes, chapstick, and other little things to put in a future package.</p>
<p>DVDs, PJs, socks and slippers, note pads, refrigerator magnets, and anything from the birthday party aisle. During freshman year, I sent a box about every 6 to 8 weeks, usually holiday themed, with little things to decorate her room. The biggest hit, though, is in the birthday aisle - little soldier guys with attached parachutes. The soldier guys got names, and took headers down many stairways and almost every building on campus, including the top of the library - she still remembers the paratroopers.</p>
<p>Timely thread. Son’s girlfriend just went away to college and I was trying to assemble a care package. Not surprisingly, Son has no idea what to send. We finally had the prom pix printed, so I’ll send those, plus I bought a cube of bright sticky notes, some peanut butter chocolate granola bars (son knows she likes these) and a “grow your own pony” just for fun.</p>
<p>My daughters love Bath and Body Works. They have lots of relatively inexpensive treats like little hand sanitizers and such. The spa roller ball back massager thingee might be a well-appreciated stress reliever.</p>
<p>I loved getting shareables that I could offer to my hallmates. A tin of Chicago caramel corn was a major hit. So was a large box of peaches from Harry & David.</p>
<p>Good idea. The girl friend is in a little suite of 4 girls.</p>