Crafting Thoughtful Care Packages for Friends

Sweet treats are always fun to send to friends, but there are many other gifts that work well for care packages.

Care packages are a great way to show that you are thinking about someone you love, whether they're away from home and at college, stationed in a far-away military base or across town. Care packages are generally filled with different types of treats you know the recipient will love, plus a special note or card and a few functional items. Learn how to create a care package for any occasion.

College Care Packages

For the child, grandchild or friend who is away from home for the first time, a care package will go a long way to help cure homesickness. Fill this type of package with non-perishable food that can be enjoyed with or without a refrigerator or microwave (not all dormitories have them), such as packaged cookies (like individually wrapped Oreos), snack or granola bars (include a variety if you are not sure what they like, including NutriGrain bars, Kudos bars or Kashi Chewy Granola bars) and chips. If you know that the student has access to a microwave, also consider throwing in a few bags of popcorn, hot chocolate mix and even microwavable cakes, such as Betty Crocker Warm Delights.

Don't forget the drinks, so throw in lunch-sized Capri-Sun Juice Drinks and Hi-C Juice boxes, plus bottled water (or a reusable water canister such as the Sigg water bottles).

Besides food, entertainment might also be appreciated. Books you know the coed might like, recently released DVDs and CDs or even small, travel-sized board games (to preserve space in a cramped dorm) are good items to throw in.

School supplies such as pencils, notebooks or fun desk accessories and a personal card will complete this package. Arrange the items artfully in a colorful basket, bucket or even a laundry bag or hamper before carefully placing it in a box and shipping to your student. Be sure to check with the student's dorm to find out if any special instructions are needed for it to reach the appropriate person.

Military Care Packages

Show your soldier you are thinking about him with a care package. Remember to think not just about your relative or friend, but also about the other men and women who are serving with her. Check with the soldier about what items can be sent before buying anything. Depending on the branch of military and the base, the items you send will vary greatly.

Favorite snacks from home are a great place to start. Candies (be sure to get the snack sizes rather than full-size bars; this is better for sharing), chips, cookies, dried fruits and popcorn are foods that most soldiers love.

The second component should be all about the comforts of home and might include a small space heater or fan (if they are allowed), an electric blanket, snuggly pajamas (perhaps with the local town or high school's mascot embroidered on them), a stuffed animal that got left behind and even recent photos of family members in attractive frames.

Personal-care products such as razors, hair conditioner, nail polish, shower gel and cologne will also go a long way if you are allowed to send them; check first.

Assemble these products in a plain box (other embellishments might be removed before they get to your relative or friend anyway). For a personal touch, have the whole family sign the outside of the box with personal notes before placing that box in a larger box and shipping.

Sick and Shut-In Care Packages

Although you'd love to be there for your friends and family who are under the weather, work and other commitments might prevent you from stopping in. A care package is a great substitute.

Don't fill this package with medicine (the person probably already took care of that), but with comforting items that will make her feel better. Different types of tea, lemons, honey, hot chocolate mix, orange juice and even a couple of new, fun mugs are sure to brighten that person's day. A new pair of warm pajamas, a heating pad or electric blanket, and even a thick pair of socks will help feverish loved ones who can never seem to maintain the right temperature.

Because your friend or relative will likely spend lots of time indoors, send him a fun new game that he can play alone (like a book of Sudoko puzzles) or a DVD of his favorite sitcom so he can have hours of fun.

To send, place in a decorative basket (one that she might be able to use later) and wrap in light cellophane paper. If the person is local, consider using a messenger service so that it can arrive on the same day. If not, send overnight mail.

References

• Sigg USA
• Hip Kits