First College Care Package of the Year
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I dropped my oldest “baby” off at her first year of college last week and it’s taken me this long to recover. Enough or I’ll start tearing up again. Putting her first college care package of the year together kicked me back into blogger mom mode and I thought I’d share some of my college care package ideas with you.
Sending college care packages to my babies in college is how I remind that that we love them and miss them. A fun and loving concrete reminder that although they may be far away from home, they’re always a part of the family.
First College Care Package of the Year
Homemade Treats
Of course, the most important thing to include in your first care package is homemade cookies. My daughter is already missing homemade treats. I made sure to send enough cookies that she can share with roommates and friends. And I sent her two favorite kinds of cookies so she knows how much she’s loved. My secret to mailing cookies is to package them in a seal top bag and then pack them into a repurposed plastic salad box, the kind store-bought lettuce comes in. I like to decorate the top of the box to make the treat even more festive. I used craft paper and stickers on my daughter’s package…
…and a more subdued paper on the package I sent to my friend’s son.
My tried and true care package cookies are:
- Almond Cookies – You can make the icing in your baby’s school colors simply by changing the color of the food coloring.
- Rolo Pretzel Surprise Cookies
- Oreo Surprise Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Pecan Tassie Cookies
I also send brownies and bar cookies. I have an easy tutorial on how to package brownies for shipping. My favorite bar cookie recipes are:
Something from Each Family Member
Each family member wrote my baby a note and her siblings included some of my daughter’s favorite candy.
Notes from Family and Friends
I’d requested guests at my baby’s graduation party write her cards, so I included a couple. I’ll include more of these cards from her family and friends in future care packages. You can see how this graduation party idea works to collect cards for care packages.
(Ho’omaika’i means congratulations in Hawaiian.)
Mom Things
When I dropped my baby off at college she mentioned that she’d forgotten envelopes and that she couldn’t find her favorite moisturizer at her local store, so I included these. I had to add a bag of her favorite candy (yes, she has several “favorite” candies) just because I miss her.
The second day she was at college, I received a message nicely asking me to send her a bag she’d forgotten to pack. It works perfectly as additional cushioning n the box.
Happy Memories
I made sure to include the container she’d made with her younger brother this summer during one of our memory making activities. When she sees this container she’ll remember the day we spent crafting and being together.
I’ve Been Listening to You Items
My daughter also mentioned that she wished she’d brought more things to hang on the walls. We’d made this easy art together this summer (tutorial to come soon), so I included it in her care package. It’ll be simple to hang on the wall with poster fun tack.
Packing
I picked up several Priority Mail boxes a couple of weeks ago so I’d be ready to put care packages together whenever I wanted. I like to use plastic shopping bags as packing material because
- It’s a great way to recycle
- They’re lightweight
- My baby can use them as trash bags and save on buying trash bags.
Since I’d pick extra boxes up, I thought I’d go ahead and send my friend’s son a care package at the same time. I’d given him an IOU for 2 care packages as his graduation gift. In addition to cookies, I sent drink mix. Since it’s a liquid, I put it in a seal top bag before I put it in the box.
I added some basic office supplies that any college student will need.
I added the practical mom items. (Sometimes I just can’t help myself.)
I included a magnetic dry erase board and cute cool sunglasses magnets. Of course, I added treats, candy and a note.
I’ve updated my care package ideas for the first college care package of the year ideas after sending two of my babies off to college for a combined total of six years.
Now that this first college care package of the year is in the mail. I already have plans for my daughter’s next college care package. What was your favorite care package item?
For more care package ideas:
I’m a mom of 3, a veteran and military spouse. I’ve moved into 20+ homes all around the world. My passion is helping busy people make the space and time for what’s really important to them.
Hi Susan,
What wonderful way to say I love you. I feel your pain…it’s been three weeks since I dropped my baby off and I still tear up. Of course I had to pick her up for the Labor Day weekend. So, this was like starting the process all over again. I haven’t prepared a care package yet…but it is definitely coming. Thanks for sharing this special moment.
Trish, I’m so happy you were able to see your baby over Labor Day (but can’t imagine having to say good bye again so soon!). My baby is too far way, so I won’t see her again until Thanksgiving (forcing myself not to count the days).
Hi Susan – I would love to be the recipient of this care package! My favorite were always homemade chocolate chip cookies from Mom! Hugs, Holly
I want to cry. This is so full of love, care and kindness. I loved the homemade cookies most because it shows how much you love her and how long time you spend thinking about her. The craft box she made is also adorable. She absolutely will be happy when she sees this package. You are a great mom.
Thanks, Sweet, for the kind encouragement. I’m already thinking about the next kind of cookies I’ll be sending.