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The Modern Guide to The Thing Before Preppy

Tuesday, September 13, 2022

Reader Question: Care Packages for College Students

 A Reader Question:

I also have a question for the SWNE Brain Trust (community). When I was in college my mother would send me care packages with snack food, latest copies of my local paper, and other fun things.  I have two nieces and a nephew at college right now, and with the Internet and Amazon, are care packages still a thing?  And if so, what should go in them?

 

     

18 comments:

  1. Funny someone should ask given that I just finished tracking a care package I sent to my daughter. In short, yes. It's a "care" package, first and foremost. Therefore, it serves as a physical reminder than I continue to care for my daughter. Inside the package? A mix of practical and fun. A spare umbrella together with food and snacks that you can only buy locally. With regard to the food and snacks, there are plenty of extras to share with roommates and friends. Finally, and something I still remember from my own college experience, the box weighs less than 10 pounds making it easy to lug back from the mail room to the dorm. I hope this encourages you to send a care package!

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    Replies
    1. Excellent advice.
      (1) Foods that remind the student of home.
      (2) Plenty to share with others.
      (3) Package not too heavy.
      And no mushy notes. Maybe just a note that simply says, "Enjoy!"

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  2. Amazon offers many things but none to rival home baked cookies.

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    Replies
    1. Agree. The NYT recipe for M&M Cookies is the favorite with my sons.

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  3. Ah, depends on a few things.
    The first is of course if they would appreciate it and wouldn't see it as 'old fashioned' (think home knit sweater when everyone is wearing some nylon designer crap).
    Then there is the 'growing wings' part where they want to sort out their own life and might perceive it as 'hand holding' or 'overbearing' if it's too frequent.
    Other than that I can see home made things like the baked goods, local things you can't get there and other smaller necessities that are used up over time.

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  4. 2022 care package: gummies

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    Replies
    1. Depends on the state, however.

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    2. No Ivies in Wyoming, Idaho, Kansas or South Carolina

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  5. Include any home baked goods, special treats only your student would know. As far as local news and messaging leave that to e-mail and the Internet.

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  6. Greatest care package is to listen

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  7. My sister is a pastry chef with a commercial bakery that has growing national distribution. Our kids grew up with her brownies, donut muffins, and cookies. She (and we) periodically sent her baked goods to our kids in college and still send them to the one child who hasn't yet graduated.

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  8. Always preferred good ol’ cash when I was in college. The snack bar on campus had an amazing bacon burger called a Wasp Burger. Plenty of money to get one of those on occasion was the best. JDV

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  9. An unforgettable care package I received in college (50 years ago!) came from the mother of one of my close friends. It was totally out of the blue. And she sent her famous “seven layer” cookies, too boot. Send care packages. Yes.
    Send one to someone who doesn’t expect one. They’ll never forget it.
    And they’ll never forget you! Send The Lakeville Journal too. If you’re fortunate to count it as your hometown paper.

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  10. A little taste of home goes a long way!

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  11. Yes care packages are a must. They make the college kid feel great and supported. They give them that extra special jolt they need while they are trying to navigate classes and the first time away from home on their own.
    Snacks, gift certificates, inspiring articles, gloves, warm hat. They are always much appreciated by the college student.

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  12. Chocolate chip cookies never go out of style. Gift cards are great. Frito Lay makes these cool boxes with snack sized bag assortments in them, I would have LOVED something like that back in the day. (Actually, we love them at our house now LOL).

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  13. I like to surprise my son with every once in a while with money through Venmo. He loves getting the text that he has money, usually I include a note that says have a nice dinner out or go buy something irresponsible.

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  14. My mom sent me soap made by our neighbor. A scent of home much appreciated... and my room mates liked them so much my mom sent a variety of them in different aromas. We each got a new one of our choice at the beginning of each semester. Some lasted all the way through, others didn't, depending on 'individual hygiene'. ;)

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