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College Care Packages: How to Get CreativeApr 22 '02 Write an essay on this topic.The Bottom Line Care packages can be fun if you use some creativity. My oldest child officially started college last September. I say officially, because he actually completed almost his first two years of college while he was finishing his last two years of high school (through a program called Running Start here in Washington State). The opportunity to send him a care package came a little while ago, during spring break. He didn't want to have to pack up all of his stuff and fly home (he is on the other side of the state at the University of Washington) but a dilemma presented itself; the cafeteria was closed during spring break and that is where he eats the vast majority of his meals. He told me of his dilemma, and I decided we would send him a care package to ensure that he had adequate nourishment during the week the cafeteria was closed. The challenge: he had access to a microwave and a stove but no refrigerator. So how to feed a child in a reasonably healthy manner without access to refrigeration? And also considering that the package had to be mailed to him. Off to the store we went, in search of food items that would keep his stomach full and not spoil. At first we wandered through the store not finding much of anything, and I was beginning to worry that I would have to send him only cash and he would have to live on fast food the entire week. (Granted, microwaveable meals are not exactly like Mom's home cooking, but they are a bit healthier than a steady diet of hamburgers and french fries). After one trip through the store, the only things in the cart were a package of crackers and some non-refrigerated pudding. Knowing this would never work, I got serious and figured out which aisles to go down. Eventually we ended up with a cart full of foods that could be microwaved but were packaged in single-serving portions; stews, soups, rice dishes. I also threw in a couple boxes of high-protein granola type bars, figuring that would be good for breakfast. My daughters helped pack the box, and with a little ingenuity we fit everything inside. I also added some cash for that occasional fast-food excursion and some cards from relatives. In the end, I was actually amazed at how much food we managed to find that would fit the bill. The care package arrived in good condition, and my son was pleased with what we sent. He did make a quizzical comment about how surprised he was that non-refrigerated pudding existed; guess he never realized that I bought it occasionally and put it in the fridge but the refrigeration was not necessary! I did learn a few things from this experience. First, don't wait for the need to arise to send a care package. My daughters and I had a lot of fun preparing this package for my son, and he enjoyed receiving it. Care packages should be sent on a regular basis; it helps keep the college child feeling part of the family and a piece of home is always nice! I plan to start sending care packages on a regular basis; they will create a nice change of pace for my son and it will be fun for the girls and I to try to figure out new and unusual things to send him. I did not put a phone card in the care package because we have almost daily contact with my son via the internet, but if you don't have that luxury a phone card is a nice addition as it will let the child call home whenever he or she wants. Be sure to throw in some fun things as well! The next one we send will have a crossword puzzle book, maybe a game, and some letters and pictures from his sisters. Being away at school can be tedious and lonely, and something as simple as a hand-drawn picture can be a little piece of heaven for a homesick kid. Above all, have fun and be creative! Thank you for celebrating my 400th review with me. :-)  |
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