<p>I was recalling with my D the excitement of getting mail at college back in the day. Also how the mailroom area was the gathering place.
I can see with the use of the computer IM, e-mail and text messaging and cell phones that the use of the old fashion mean of communication is probably rare and the mail box is little more then the place to pick up your internet ordered shopping. A friend was telling me that at her child’s school the parents were told if you are sending cookies make sure your child knows so they will check in and to mark the package as perishable.
Sort of sad, though I am thinking of sending my D some photos through Costco from this summer as a surprise to arrive a few days after we depart.</p>
<p>I’m not sure about how your daughters school works, but when you recieved a package at my school the school postal center would shoot you an e-mail saying to stop by and pick up the package… that way as long as you check your e-mail you’d know about it. they used to do it by putting a card in the mailbox, but many times people wouldn’t check the mailbox to even get the card.</p>
<p>I have to email mine to tell him to check for the occasional letter or box from home. They put a note in his box if he had a package but he never checked it unless I told him something was on the way. He did enjoy getting homemade cookies & fudge. I’d always stick in something fun such as a kite or a slinky or water balloons.</p>
<p>I sent my D. several little packages and she is only a 45 minute drive from home!
I also had drugstore.com ship her the things we didn’t think of like a brita water filter and I added some nice things she could use like burts bees lip balm.
Her dorm was a good hike (campus is huge) to the drugstore and it was easier just to ship her the stuff. And they ship in 3 days.
I have also send her Amazon.com packages.</p>
<p>Drugstore.com is an excellent option as they OFTEN have free shipping for purchases $25 and up. I’ve used it many times.</p>
<p>I agree that I needed to let D know something was coming because she didn’t get to the PO every day. However I do know she became the object of envy by her suitemates for all the little care packages she received. I loved doing it and they didn’t need to be extravagant.
Didn’t think of sending a slinky though :)</p>
<p>I already have a list of silly stuff to mail my D, just for fun, but dare not post it here, as she lurks :)</p>
<p>Water balloons sound terrific. But she’s going to Chicago so I better put that in the first package.</p>
<p>My son has a wish-list at amazon.com and some CD places. I think I’ll place an occasional “SURPRISE!” order from there…</p>
<p>I always shop at drugstore.com through ebates…which gives 5% cashback…is free to join and I have never gotten spam from them.
They also offer cash back at tons of other places.
I have gotten around $600 something back at places I was shopping at anyway. Its a good site to join. You just have to remember to go through them when you shop.</p>