<p>I got a cute spider web bowl for $1 at Target. Bought some Halloween candy and filled it up. Then my younger daughter and I drew Halloween-y pictures all over a piece of foil that we put over the top of the bowl so it stays together during shipping. I also got her a big bottle of Airborne. She’s sick now but hopefully this will help prevent future colds. </p>
<p>Thanks, a lot of great non food ideas which I need for a friends son that has an ulcer… need to send him other items :)</p>
<p>We’ve got a group of mom’s getting together soon to put together care packages for our kids. Everyone is bringing two items which will give all the kids (boys and girls) lots of variety! A good amount of food, both homemade and purchased. But also Halloween decorations, hand warmers, group pictures and one mom is even picking up a bunch of absentee ballots to send to them all! Oh, and cards for all the mom’s to sign. I know my DD will especially love the messages from her friends’ moms even more than mine. And I’m so looking forward to getting together will all the moms!</p>
<p>Wow, these sound like such fun ideas! I used to also send our D her favorite beverages–coconut water and sometimes island juices that weren’t readily available elsewhere. Also send her small packages of local UNHEALTHY snacks as well as trail mix, granola or similar bars, dental picks, and whatever else reminds me of her. S is pretty self-sufficient, so we tend not to send him much, as he travels so much and drives around a lot. He’s also a minimalist and doesn’t appreciate having a lot of clutter sent to him. 
Have also sent D some cans of soup and soup mixes. D doesn’t shop as much, so she appreciates whatever we send.</p>
<p>My son is angling for a new cell phone. I know it’s really ridiculous, but wouldn’t it be fun to find that at in a care package? Sets a really high bar though… Maybe not. :(<br>
It appears my kids are both picking up healthier eating habits during college, so I’m looking for some healthy snacks this week. I am TRYING not to buy things that won’t get used much, given I am FINALLY throwing away tons of JUNK we collected from parties and other random places while kids were in school. It is making it harder to think of things to include. </p>
<p>My mom and dad (mostly my mom with my dad’s name signed on it lol!) always made the best care packages. Snacks of course, but what made it special was that my mom would pick up an item here or there that reminded her of me and add it in. Nail polish in a color I like, a cheap piece of jewelry she knew I would like, a body lotion in my favorite scent, etc. Bath and Body works always has cheap little things to throw in- lotion, soap, candles, hand sanitizer, aloe-filled socks. My parents also included their magazines when they were done reading them. They didn’t have to spend extra money which is great, and I loved having a few People magazines to flip through. I agree with everyone about the Target dollar spot- Halloween, Thanksgiving & Christmas decorations for the dorm were always found there! </p>
<p>loved the Page a Day calendar idea 
Throwing in some magazines, a little pumpkin, and window clings! </p>
<p>For those of you who have kids going to school in cold-weather climates, these are really great additions to the November care package: [Hand</a> Warmers](<a href=“http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/heatmax-hothands-hand-warmers-40-pairs/ID=prod6008113-product]Hand”>http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/heatmax-hothands-hand-warmers-40-pairs/ID=prod6008113-product). My D would pop them into her slippers when she got home from class, and they’d keep her warm all afternoon and evening.</p>
<p>great idea Las Ma!!</p>
<p>I always send “decoration” packages before each holiday as DS likes to have a festive room. Freshman year, we sent a small tabletop Christmas tree with strings of tiny lights and ornaments to hang. He keeps that in storage at school and brings it out each year; we send him little presents to put under it. In between holidays, he gets homemade baked goods from me. Last week, I sent him and his roommate a large fruit arrangement from Edible Arrangements that he told me did not last past study hours.</p>
<p>Oh, and last year I sent him a “toy” box with silly string and packages of army men. The ten cans of silly string were a big hit with everyone but the dorm parent. (I was on the naughty list last year.) He kept the army men, and they are keeping his bookshelves safe for Democracy this year.</p>
<p>There is a Cheryl’s cookies Groupon today - excellent for a care package - their frosted cookies are delicious!
<a href=“http://www.groupon.com/deals/cheryl-s-1-10-toledo?p=1&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&sid=2094da4a-4164-4452-8c76-44c8c2ba5b9c&division=toledo&user=55c9f3aa5c1f2073298f0df0de0e2983d1ed1ef5a2c0762f88059b251976084d&date=20141007&s=body&c=link&d=deal-page&utm_campaign=2094da4a-4164-4452-8c76-44c8c2ba5b9c”>http://www.groupon.com/deals/cheryl-s-1-10-toledo?p=1&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&sid=2094da4a-4164-4452-8c76-44c8c2ba5b9c&division=toledo&user=55c9f3aa5c1f2073298f0df0de0e2983d1ed1ef5a2c0762f88059b251976084d&date=20141007&s=body&c=link&d=deal-page&utm_campaign=2094da4a-4164-4452-8c76-44c8c2ba5b9c</a></p>
<p>What a great idea abasket! Just bought 2, thanks!!</p>
<p>Based on feedback, the most appreciated thing is a card, either funny or supportive, with five or ten bucks in it. It lets them get a fancy coffee or treat that they won’t usually have because of cost. Some kids may like the extra snack foods but if yours are really trying to watch their weight it can be problematic. It depends on your kid. </p>
<p>Thanks for all of the great ideas! My care packages this Fall have been a hit!</p>
<p>These are all good ideas. I don’t send much to my son because he can buy almost anything on his urban campus, but he does like vast quantities of my homemade granola. He also likes the packets of instant McCann’s Irish oatmeal, which is hard to find.</p>
<p>My niece recently joined the navy, and she’s stationed far from home on a base where there is not much shopping nearby. I’ve been sending her elaborate boxes - the last one had pajamas, fancy socks, lots of chocolate and other snacks. She also put in a request for feminine hygiene products and toiletries. I’m working on her next box now, so these suggestions have been very helpful.</p>
<p>the one gift that D really liked was when I sent apple slicer, some apples and the individual caramel apple dip cups to share with pals…</p>
<p>Most recent package for son included his dress shoes (which he needed for his Halloween costume), beef jerky, weird ginger cookies, granola bars, and the hit - two packets of flavored pancake mix (lilikoi and chocolate macadamia) and a bottle of real maple syrup. He loved those pancakes so much that he even told me so.</p>
<p>dress shoes for Halloween… that made me chuckle. Prob. the only use they’ll get for awhile!</p>