Care-Package Tips from a College Student

Good Housekeeping

When I was younger and attending sleep-a-way camp, my mother used to send the best care packages. My friends and I would spend our downtime playing the games and eating the snacks she always included. Somehow my mom always managed to strike a balance between things that I coveted and things she thought I should have.

Related: Gifts for College Kids

Now that I'm in college, here is what would be in my dream care package - a gift bundle that I think a lot of young folks away from home would be happy to open.

  • 100 Calorie Packs. A care package without sweets would be like college without the Freshman 15. I wish my mom would whip up some of Good Housekeeping's healthy cookie recipes and pack them in 100 calories or less bags. Then I wouldn't have to choose between my figure and my sweet tooth.

  • Chain Restaurant Gift Cards. I've many fond memories of eating at T.G.I. Friday's and Applebee's on Friday and Saturday nights in high school. While I generally find it more convenient to order take-out or visit the dining hall, it would be a nice treat to eat out once in a while without worrying about paying the bill. Gift certificates from Restaurants.com or Groupon would also be very welcome.

  • Tea and Coffee. Freshman year, I went through a cube of 100 bags of Mango Green Tea from TJ Maxx. All of my roommate's meal plan flex points go to the campus Starbucks. It would really help us out if mom would send a GHRI-tested coffeemaker and/or electric kettle.

  • Small Games. No television, no problem! It's surprising how much time I've passed in the past year playing Bananagrams and Uno. Another good idea: Apples to Apples.

Related: Send Your Kid to College Without Going Broke

  • Socks. I suspect that my dorm's washing machine and dryer might be powered by missing socks instead of electricity.

  • Magazines or Subscriptions. Back in my summer camp days, Seventeen was a real hit. In fact, I still read it and when I'm home I spend hours catching up on my mom's magazines. Yet even though 45 minutes of flipping through a magazine is my idea of the ultimate study break. After I drop big bucks on textbooks, I'm never quite willing to shell out money for mags. I'm hoping one of my treats will be Good Housekeeping.

What do you consider care-package essentials? Let me know in the comments!

-By Danielle Gold

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