topic Re: COLLEGE CARE PACKAGE in Community Chat

COLLEGE CARE PACKAGE

reiki604 — Fri, 01 Sep 2017 14:09:30 GMT

My 18 year old nephew has just started college and I would like to send hiim a care package. I asked him what he would like and he didn't give me any specific requests. I would appreciate suggestions. He lives in a dorm in a NE school. Thanks in advance!

Re: COLLEGE CARE PACKAGE

Bri36 — Fri, 01 Sep 2017 14:16:19 GMT

Healthy snacks, homemade snacks, money/gift cards, a letter or a card, quarters for the washer and dryer, laundry soap, coffee or k cups - I don't know if your nephew has a printer in his room, but printer ink would be another suggestion.

That's so nice of you to do. I'm sure he'll love whatever you send him.

Re: COLLEGE CARE PACKAGE

Ruby Laine — Fri, 01 Sep 2017 14:18:36 GMT

I had girls, but they liked shower gels, pens, Kleenex, packets of hot chocolate, soup, and noodles, stamps (this was 20 years ago), ibuprofen, gum, and of course, home made cookies. I'd be sending them iTunes cards if they were in school now. I'm sure you'll get lots of great ideas. Oh, a gift card to the campus bookstore is good, too.

Re: COLLEGE CARE PACKAGE

LindaSal — Fri, 01 Sep 2017 14:19:32 GMT

When my son was away at school I would send him toiletries such as toothpaste, floss, mouthwash, shampoo.........etc. You know these things are expennsive and it is tough for the college kids to have enough money to buy what they need. Also assuming "NE" means the northeast which is where I live, an extra warm blanket is always nice as the dorms can be chilly in the winter. You are a nice aunt!

Re: COLLEGE CARE PACKAGE

Daisy Sunflower — Fri, 01 Sep 2017 14:31:40 GMT

I'd include some cash along with all the other goodies.

Re: COLLEGE CARE PACKAGE

Lilysmom — Fri, 01 Sep 2017 14:38:20 GMT

@Daisy Sunflower, I agree, think of a Visa gift card. What a nice aunt you are! LM

Re: COLLEGE CARE PACKAGE

Snowpuppy — Fri, 01 Sep 2017 14:48:17 GMT

Agree with others and esp the Visa gift card as he can use it at the college bookstore. Profs are notorious for their "suggested" reading list which supplements required reading.

Forget quarters for laundry, most schools now have prepaid laundry cards so machines aren't pilfered.

Same with printing services, usually a prepaid card there, to use at the library.

Re: COLLEGE CARE PACKAGE

nunya — Fri, 01 Sep 2017 14:48:47 GMT

include a small sewing kit, stamps and envelopes too

Re: COLLEGE CARE PACKAGE

dex — Fri, 01 Sep 2017 14:50:58 GMT

That is really sweet of you.When my son was away at college he eagerly awaited mail of any kind.I usually put in new socks,Starbucks cards,cookies,toiletries,and always a note about how much I love him, how proud I am of him and how much I miss him.He loved the Starbucks cards to get a quick breakfast sandwich or a lunch but really didn't drink coffee.He always needed socks...they usually didn't get washed or went missing.

Re: COLLEGE CARE PACKAGE

just bee — Fri, 01 Sep 2017 15:12:41 GMT

I attended a small university on the coast of California. Every now and then I'd get out of class, go home and check my mailbox and I'd discover I'd missed a delivery. When I'd walk into the Post Office, the guy behind the counter would greet me. He knew what I had coming.

My parents would always send me a box of See's strawberry creams.

I can't describe what this little luxury meant to me.

Re: COLLEGE CARE PACKAGE

Noel7 — Fri, 01 Sep 2017 18:05:36 GMT

I have a girl so I'll have to put my mind on reset, but first and foremost were homemade chocolate chip cookies.

Ask his mom what his favorite snacks are and if he likes Ramen noodles, Ramen has saved many a student from starvation, lol. You could send a few or get a larger selection from Costco.

His mom will know, have fun!

Re: COLLEGE CARE PACKAGE

Starpolisher — Fri, 01 Sep 2017 17:24:00 GMT

@Noel7 wrote:
I have a girl so I'll have to pur my mind on reset, but first and foremost were homemade chocolate chip cookies.

Ask his mom what his favorite snacks are and if he likes Ramen noodles, Ramen has saved many a student from starvation, lol. You could send a few or get a larger selection from Costco.

His mom will know, have fun!

@Noel7
That's so true! I'd never heard of Ramen noodles until my sons went away to college. Even though they had a meal plan and a weekly allowance they mostly ate these! My oldest, now 36, still loves the stuff! he recently ordered a case from Amazon...lol!
. Indome instant noodles

Re: COLLEGE CARE PACKAGE

Noel7 — Fri, 01 Sep 2017 18:09:03 GMT

@Starpolisher wrote:

@Noel7 wrote:
I have a girl so I'll have to pur my mind on reset, but first and foremost were homemade chocolate chip cookies.

Ask his mom what his favorite snacks are and if he likes Ramen noodles, Ramen has saved many a student from starvation, lol. You could send a few or get a larger selection from Costco.

His mom will know, have fun!

@Noel7
That's so true! I'd never heard of Ramen noodles until my sons went away to college. Even though they had a meal plan and a weekly allowance they mostly ate these! My oldest, now 36, still loves the stuff! he recently ordered a case from Amazon...lol!
. Indome instant noodles

@Starpolisher

Every kid in college lives off of Ramen noodles at some point from what I hear

I like them too but I haven't had them in years. I used to add pieces of roast chicken and sliced green onions for a ready-in-two-minutes meal.

Re: COLLEGE CARE PACKAGE

lovemybichonfrise — Sat, 02 Sep 2017 01:55:01 GMT

If the OP is referencing a state, then NE is Nebraska.

Re: COLLEGE CARE PACKAGE

beach-mom — Sat, 02 Sep 2017 02:16:36 GMT

@reiki604 - That is so sweet! I have fond memories of my aunt's homemade peanut brittle, which landed once in a while at my college all those years ago - and fudge on Valentine's Day!

If this is a one-time thing I second what others have said - gift cards, snacks, etc. They like Amazon and iTunes. Some plain note cards and stamps are nice too. They don't send much (at least my son doesn't), but when they HAVE to, it's there and they don't have to hunt down stationary at the bookstore (or maybe off campus), then stamps at the post office (DS' is closed on the weekends.)

So my DS goes to college on the other side of the country. We don't get to see him much. When he started, and to this day, I send homemade cookies or brownies every two weeks. I send them so they will arrive on Friday to last through the weekend. He does share them, and they're usually gone by Saturday afternoon! So I will say the kids like ANYTHING they can eat!

Re: COLLEGE CARE PACKAGE

sunshine45 — Sat, 02 Sep 2017 02:35:04 GMT

junk food......chips, popcorn, crackers, candy, etc....

gift cards to any coffee shop, grocery store, or convenience store in the area.

huggable hangers

breakfast stuff like granola bars, cereal, muffins (packaged in individual serving sizes.)

6 months of hulu or netflix if he doesnt already subscribe.

gift card to a video game store.

if he is into healthier snacks, a subscription to GRAZE.

the suggestions are endless!

Re: COLLEGE CARE PACKAGE

sunshine45 — Sat, 02 Sep 2017 02:37:10 GMT

@Noel7 wrote:
@Starpolisher wrote:

@Noel7 wrote:
I have a girl so I'll have to pur my mind on reset, but first and foremost were homemade chocolate chip cookies.

Ask his mom what his favorite snacks are and if he likes Ramen noodles, Ramen has saved many a student from starvation, lol. You could send a few or get a larger selection from Costco.

His mom will know, have fun!

@Noel7
That's so true! I'd never heard of Ramen noodles until my sons went away to college. Even though they had a meal plan and a weekly allowance they mostly ate these! My oldest, now 36, still loves the stuff! he recently ordered a case from Amazon...lol!
. Indome instant noodles

@Starpolisher

Every kid in college lives off of Ramen noodles at some point from what I hear

I like them too but I haven't had them in years. I used to add pieces of roast chicken and sliced green onions for a ready-in-two-minutes meal.

i still enjoy ramen every once in a while.....the ones in a cup.

easy macs are good also!

Re: COLLEGE CARE PACKAGE

september — Sat, 02 Sep 2017 02:59:25 GMT

If he hasn't given you ideas, then chances are, he already has everything he needs at this time.

Why not send him an Amazon gift card, that he can use when there is something he needs.

I say "no" to all the suggestions of sweets and unhealthy foods, especially ramen noodles. At most colleges, freshmen are required to buy a meal plan, and the food in the dining halls is very good and overall, healthy, these days. Most freshmen gain weight during this first year at school, when they're no longer as active as they were in HS, and mom and dad are no longer in charge of what they eat. They just don't need empty calories.

Re: COLLEGE CARE PACKAGE

Noel7 — Sat, 02 Sep 2017 03:26:29 GMT

@sunshine45 wrote:
@Noel7 wrote:
@Starpolisher wrote:

@Noel7 wrote:
I have a girl so I'll have to pur my mind on reset, but first and foremost were homemade chocolate chip cookies.

Ask his mom what his favorite snacks are and if he likes Ramen noodles, Ramen has saved many a student from starvation, lol. You could send a few or get a larger selection from Costco.

His mom will know, have fun!

@Noel7
That's so true! I'd never heard of Ramen noodles until my sons went away to college. Even though they had a meal plan and a weekly allowance they mostly ate these! My oldest, now 36, still loves the stuff! he recently ordered a case from Amazon...lol!
. Indome instant noodles

@Starpolisher

Every kid in college lives off of Ramen noodles at some point from what I hear

I like them too but I haven't had them in years. I used to add pieces of roast chicken and sliced green onions for a ready-in-two-minutes meal.

i still enjoy ramen every once in a while.....the ones in a cup.
easy macs are good also!

I'd forgotten about the cup noodles @sunshine45. Yes, there are meal plans for students but I've never met one who enjoyed college food. And when push comes to shove, cramming for a test doesn't include a run to the cafeteria.

IMO, Moms make sure they get necessary things, aunts send the fun stuff

Re: COLLEGE CARE PACKAGE

Starpolisher — Sat, 02 Sep 2017 03:30:03 GMT

@september wrote:
If he hasn't given you ideas, then chances are, he already has everything he needs at this time.

Why not send him an Amazon gift card, that he can use when there is something he needs.

I say "no" to all the suggestions of sweets and unhealthy foods, especially ramen noodles. At most colleges, freshmen are required to buy a meal plan, and the food in the dining halls is very good and overall, healthy, these days. Most freshmen gain weight during this first year at school, when they're no longer as active as they were in HS, and mom and dad are no longer in charge of what they eat. They just don't need empty calories.

@september

ITA! But even with a meal plan, my ds's were still eating a lot of junk food as were their friends. The meal plan allowed them to buy foods on campus at various cafes. They rarely went to the main dining hall due to the meal time restrictions, their schedules and social lives. After the first year I didn't bother to buy the meal plans anymore. It was a total waste of money, at least for them anyway.