<p>We haven’t had a thread like this for a while and I saw a good quick/easy/cheap care package idea today. Netgrocer.com is having a sale on a few items college kids might like. (Sale ends October 4th)</p>
<p>There are Herrs potato chips for $2 or Herrs oil and vinegar potato chips for $2.33
Keebler chips deluxe cookies for $2.50
Drakes (Cinnamon Streusel) Coffee Cake (cupcakes) for $1.88
Thomas’ English Muffins 12-pack for $1.99
Pepperidge Farm Cheese Crisps crackers – 4 Cheese- for $1.99
and - ta-da! - Aqua fresh toothpaste, 5 cents with a ten dollar purchase.</p>
<p>Put about five of the treats together to make it a ten dollar purchase so you can add the nickel toothpaste. </p>
<p>Netgrocer.com uses second day saver rate Fed Ex shipping. If your order is under $25, shipping is $6.99 for most states east of the Mississippi and $9.99 everywhere else in the lower 48 states. A fairly substantial care package in the $17 to $22 range, just a few mouse clicks away. :)</p>
<p>Any other ideas? Mid-terms will be coming up; care packages may be in order.</p>
<p>I stopped at JCPenney’s and bought my dd some new socks - now i know that is not exciting, but I wrote a note that said when she didn’t have to do laundry for a long time she would really appreciate my gift. </p>
<p>I also stuffed in a bottle of her favorite vitamins - they are kid’s chewables. I know she likes them and as long as she doubles up - it is better than not taking any vitamins at all.</p>
<p>I also send her whatever is on special from Hale’s (fruit) - tangerines can be pre-ordered now.</p>
<p>I have sent things from Hickory Farms, Harry and David, and AllPosters in the past that my kids have enjoyed. I don’t see any spectacular deals there right now.</p>
<p>I will add Hales and Netgrocer to my “watch” list.</p>
<p>I stopped at Target after work to get some things for my sons’ Halloween care package. Neat battery operated lit jack 'o lanterns, ghosts, and goblins. Perfect for dorms where candles aren’t allowed.</p>
<p>A box of satsumas or apples from Costco (wrapped in tissue paper) fills a large flat-rate Priority USPS box quite nicely. Whatever space is left gets filled with gum, chocolate bars, microvawable popcorn packs. I even shipped kiwis across the country :)</p>
<p>Try filling the “holes” in the package with trial/purse size lotions and things from Bath and Body Works. Last year I sent D1 some lotions from the “aroma therapy” section – lavender for calming, something else for focus. They have little bottles of hand sanitizer in different scents…I picked some up for $1 each.</p>
<p>Bought D some protein bars (they were $23 for 72 rather than $1-2 apiece. Will be sending it with “prune mui,” which is seasoned dried plums mixed with apricots, lemon juice, dark brown sugar, etc. It’s tasty and nutritous–she loves it!
Am also going to buy puffed rice cakes (that are tastier & less sweet than marshmellow treats) to send with them. It should give her more leverage to get S to deliver her couch back to her!</p>
<p>Last year someone sent some apples, an apple corer/divider (you can find these for $1), and caramel dipping sauce. I thought that was also a great idea for the fall (nice ideas listed above too). I would wrap that caramel sauce in a couple of extra plastic bags just in case it leaks!!</p>
<p>We save the comics from the Sunday paper and send them in a manilla envelope when we have 3 or 4 sets. Free except for postage and Son loves to receive them.</p>
<p>homemade caramel corn ships great and is perfect for sharing. once in a while i pick up a copy of the paper from his old hometown and send that to him for some entertainment. the small town police blotter can be tremendously funny to the big-city kids!</p>
<p>apples from the local orchard, mini whoopie pies, California suncakes (all natural, buy and ship online) nuts, trail mix, Annie’s easy mac and cheese, sox, tissues, hand gel, Sudafed, copies of the county newspaper, candy…gift card to Whole Foods…it definitely is fun to make up but I am sometimes a bit surprised at the shipping price!!!</p>
<p>What is a California suncake? Never heard of one.</p>
<p>The trick to having no surprises on postal rates is using the flat rate boxes. It is amazing how much heavy stuff you can get into one of those boxes. We have shipped S an entire suit in one. Plan to ship D a nice care package & I guess I’ll send S one as well (he’s not as good about acknowledging these gifts). May send it to D because S had a harder time getting to his housing office before it closed last year. Not sure whether it still holds this year since he is under different management.</p>
<p>One of my favorite things that my mother has sent me (either for Valentine’s Day or my birthday, I can’t remember which) was a bunch of undecorated homemade sugar cookies, a can of frosting, and a container of sprinkles. Not only were they delicious, but they provided entertainment, too!</p>