S is studying in the US while we are in Britain. His birthday is coming up next month and I want to send him a ‘birthday treat’. I have found a couple of sites offering care packages but nothing ‘great’. He isn’t a big chocolate fan and while not allergic to nuts doesn’t like them. All the ones I have seen have a lot of chocolate and/or nuts.
His birthday falls in Spring break. The first time he will not have to go to school on his birthday, and he and a large group are heading to a beach so I’d like the package to have lots of things that can be ‘shared’. Cup cakes/birthday cake/cookies that sort of thing.
Does anyone have any ideas?
See what stores or restaurants are near where they are staying and if they would deliver. There may be a local supermarket that would put a package together and would deliver or recommend a way via Uber or a grubhub type company that would pick it up and deliver it to the hotel.
I made the mistake of sending my S shareables; he hated the attention it brought. Might I suggest that rather than a care package, you send him a gift certificate (online) for a restaurant in the vicinity of where he’ll be; it doesn’t have to be extravagant i.e $100 to a nearby bbq joint / sports bar etc., and have the restaurant bring a small cake to the table at the end of the meal.
I just sent my college son a birthday care package. I selected three gifts for him. Wrapped them and mailed them. It’s always easy to select gifts for him since I’ve known him for 19 years!!! He Face timed and we were “there” as he opened them.
If your son takes the package on his break with him, to open while there, his gift is going to be smashed, stolen, lost, or forgotten somewhere. I advise against anything valuable. You can get really good snack boxes with tons of chips, crackers, cookies, etc… from Amazon, sent right to his hotel. I order a snack box for my sis and her family every year for Xmas. Lots of price ranges. They eat up everything in about three days. I suggest that, because he will,probably think it’s cool and it will go nicely with their “beverages .”
https://www.amazon.com/Healthy-Snacks-Package-Variety-Count/dp/B01BNP3LBK?ref_=Oct_RAsinC_Ajax_2255582011_3&pf_rd_r=GVX1AV9ND0ZS2H7HTMR8&pf_rd_p=d309a158-8fd0-5bf3-803b-99177e657213&pf_rd_s=merchandised-search-6&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_i=2255582011&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER
https://www.amazon.com/Crunch-Munch-Ultimate-Package-Assortment/dp/B01MD0T3BX?ref_=fsclp_pl_dp_7
I like the amazon idea but another thought would be an Insomnia Cookie cake or Nothing Bundt Cake. Both are national chains and deliver yummy products.
Another idea is to send him something spring break related before he leaves that he can use on his trip - gift cards to restaurants or activities.
My kid’s favorite cake and they ship, https://shop.milkbarstore.com/collections/cakes/products/birthday-cake-six-inch
Insomnia cookies, Shari’s berries, cookies by design, Mrs. Field’s cookies, edible arrangements - there are lots of places that specialize in delivering treats!
Another nice idea is to just look at the map of the town your son is in, search for bakeries, find one that looks good and call and see if they can deliver something. You’ll get more for your money that way.
My daughter is a nursing student and I’ve sent her this big thing of cookies every year from Mrs Fields that she can share with the nurses/ aids on the floor where she was working. They are a BIG hit. https://www.mrsfields.com/gifts/cookie-tins/#ymal=1
Dancing Deer makes and ships tasty treats.
Be warned - sweets in the US are much sweeter than their U.K. counterparts.
I just had a thought - is there a place in the US or U.K. that ships British treats? Your kid would probably be happy to see something familiar, and I am sure his buddies would be fine with British treats. 
Thanks to everyone for their suggestions - lots to be getting on with.
Not being in the US it’s hard to fathom what is available and British university students don’t tend to have this service as most kids are not that far away from home. H and I reckon the furthest you could be away from home is about 700 miles - Falmouth, Cornwall to Aberdeen, Scotland and that would be rare. Scottish students get free education if they stay in Scotland and why would you move from the warmest place in the country to the coldest - Cornwall to Scotland?!
I will follow all your links and get back to you with what I decide.
Thanks again.
A few more ideas -
https://www.garrettpopcorn.com/
My daughter celebrates her birthday next Sunday, and is 7 hours from us.
I got her a tiny TV for her dorm ($80 on amazon). But I had difficulty finding a reasonably priced cake-- I really didn’t want to spend another $80 on a cake.
Some options: Teeny tiny little cupcakes at Baked By Melissa-- my daughter loves them, but they’re not cheap.
I got her a birthday box at Mrs. Fields https://www.mrsfields.com/gifts/Birthday-Bash-Combo/#p:null to share.
If your son will be at the beach, consider a beach box. You could put together stuff at amazon: sunblock (SPF 50 if he’s not used to the sun of southern US!!), a bathing suit, a beach towel, maybe a frisbee,
I’ve ordered from this store - they have loads of tea and tea accessories, but they also have a “British Food” section that has all sorts of treats.
https://www.englishteastore.com/
Just looked at some of the options, Lancashire Eccles cakes, McVitie’s digestives (no chocolate), Soreen malt loaf - it all sounds interesting!
I am a huge fan of Soreen, but that’s probably a trrrible thing to bring on a beach vacation. Definitely doesn’t go with the contents of a red Solo cup, unless the Solo cup contains hot PG Tips tea. ?
@greenwitch I looked up the link you posted - I would suggest Borders Dark Chocolate Gingers. My all time favourity biscuit!! At only 8 biscuits in a pack they come out expensive even in the UK but well worth the treat.
Shocked at the Robinson’s squash - I’d have sent him that - he loves it but I buy it for £1 here - $1.30 - so $4.00 is a bit steep. I’ll remember to pack some in my suitcase next time we’re visiting.
Not keen on Soreen loaf or Eccles cakes but to be honest if they were the only thing on offer I’d eat them. :))
@Whistlingal - did you see all 4 pages of treats? I’d be interested in your opinion. A can of spotted dick shows up somewhere, lol.
My husband is British and when I first met his very proper English mother, I was making small talk and asked about his favorite foods. The first thing she said was “spotted dick”. I struggled hard not to laugh but I’m pretty sure I turned bright red.
My D just celebrated her 19th bday at college. I ordered cupcakes from a highly rated local bakery that was delivered to her school. She loved them. She also took her friends out for brunch the Sunday before her bday and used the credit card I gave her to pay for the meal. Does your S have a CC he could use to treat everyone for a meal?