going off to college package idea?
August 14, 2015 8:14 AM Subscribe
2 kids; one senior, one fresh; neither too far away. What would make a nice, practical and non, simple package of things? (besides money!)
My parents used to mail me foods that I probably wouldn't have bought for myself out of my own food budget, like fancy (hard) cheeses and high-end chocolate. I really appreciated that.
posted by terretu at 8:23 AM on August 14, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by terretu at 8:23 AM on August 14, 2015 [1 favorite]
Earbuds or headphones would be practical, potentially useful for studying in the library, and easily mailable.
posted by gemutlichkeit at 8:24 AM on August 14, 2015
posted by gemutlichkeit at 8:24 AM on August 14, 2015
Some things that come to mind from care packages I got in college...
- fun socks
- slippers (or flip flops for the shower)
- rolls of quarters for the laundry (if applicable)
- non-perishable snacks - Reese's minis, slim jims, protein bars, peanuts, chocolate covered espresso beans, anything fancy from Trader Joe's, Cup Noodles/Easy Mac (if they have access to a microwave or kettle)
- pens
- extra phone chargers
- fancy toiletries
posted by saturngirl at 8:26 AM on August 14, 2015 [1 favorite]
- fun socks
- slippers (or flip flops for the shower)
- rolls of quarters for the laundry (if applicable)
- non-perishable snacks - Reese's minis, slim jims, protein bars, peanuts, chocolate covered espresso beans, anything fancy from Trader Joe's, Cup Noodles/Easy Mac (if they have access to a microwave or kettle)
- pens
- extra phone chargers
- fancy toiletries
posted by saturngirl at 8:26 AM on August 14, 2015 [1 favorite]
Snacks, especially instant whatevers, like oatmeal, soups, etc.
If they're coffee drinkers, then a coffee maker, coffee, nice mug
Command strips
First aid kit with bandaids, stuff for blisters if they'll be walking a lot
Kindle and Kindle Unlimited subscription
Some quarters for laundry (My daughter swiped her student ID for the washer/dryer, so maybe using quarters isn't a thing anymore?)
Grandma set this up for my kid: Graze
posted by SuperSquirrel at 8:26 AM on August 14, 2015
If they're coffee drinkers, then a coffee maker, coffee, nice mug
Command strips
First aid kit with bandaids, stuff for blisters if they'll be walking a lot
Kindle and Kindle Unlimited subscription
Some quarters for laundry (My daughter swiped her student ID for the washer/dryer, so maybe using quarters isn't a thing anymore?)
Grandma set this up for my kid: Graze
posted by SuperSquirrel at 8:26 AM on August 14, 2015
[Before anyone says condoms, unless they're going to an extremely conservative and religious school, they're going to be drowning in free condoms.]
Things that would have been most helpful to me:
-stuff like robitussin/nyquil and advil, because that's the kind of thing kids don't think to keep around and end up needing at 2am when the only place open wants to sell them the world's smallest bottle for nine bucks
-snacks that are easy to share and promote hanging out (popcorn, movie candy, weird stuff from your hometown if they have a local Thing)
-you showing that you miss them without being all gooshy about it (my dad drew silly pictures all over envelopes when he'd send me stuff)
-a mini (16oz) nalgene bottle
posted by phunniemee at 8:27 AM on August 14, 2015 [7 favorites]
Things that would have been most helpful to me:
-stuff like robitussin/nyquil and advil, because that's the kind of thing kids don't think to keep around and end up needing at 2am when the only place open wants to sell them the world's smallest bottle for nine bucks
-snacks that are easy to share and promote hanging out (popcorn, movie candy, weird stuff from your hometown if they have a local Thing)
-you showing that you miss them without being all gooshy about it (my dad drew silly pictures all over envelopes when he'd send me stuff)
-a mini (16oz) nalgene bottle
posted by phunniemee at 8:27 AM on August 14, 2015 [7 favorites]
How about a Dorm Safe?
http://amzn.to/1J4IWMe
posted by Mac-Expert at 8:28 AM on August 14, 2015 [1 favorite]
http://amzn.to/1J4IWMe
posted by Mac-Expert at 8:28 AM on August 14, 2015 [1 favorite]
If they don't already have them:
First aid kit
Toolkit
Useful basic kitchen things: silverware, plates/bowls/cups, hot water kettle
Iron or portable steamer
Command hooks
Agree with fancy food. Also, gummy vitamins - strange gift, but I was gifted it once and never thought to buy them myself but they really did help supplement my poor collegiate nutrition
Small notebook, like a moleskine
posted by R a c h e l at 8:28 AM on August 14, 2015
First aid kit
Toolkit
Useful basic kitchen things: silverware, plates/bowls/cups, hot water kettle
Iron or portable steamer
Command hooks
Agree with fancy food. Also, gummy vitamins - strange gift, but I was gifted it once and never thought to buy them myself but they really did help supplement my poor collegiate nutrition
Small notebook, like a moleskine
posted by R a c h e l at 8:28 AM on August 14, 2015
Wel, it was for my kids, but I made each one of them a Mom Box. It had in it those little things that they would ask me for, if they were at home. Safety pins, tape, extra staples, basic medicines, bandaids anti biotic cream, cough medicine, Benadryl. Then, once or twice, when they called home with a problem, I could say, look in your mom box and try blah blah blah.
It got them through a few little problems and made me feel useful from far away, and helped them transition into proper, capable adults.
posted by SLC Mom at 8:28 AM on August 14, 2015 [22 favorites]
It got them through a few little problems and made me feel useful from far away, and helped them transition into proper, capable adults.
posted by SLC Mom at 8:28 AM on August 14, 2015 [22 favorites]
Maybe nicer toiletries, like deodorant, fancy shampoos and shower gels (Things they might normally skimp on.)
Hand sanitizer, especially small ones to carry in backpack
SLC Mom, you are brilliant! Going to set up a Mom Box right now.
posted by SuperSquirrel at 8:32 AM on August 14, 2015 [1 favorite]
Hand sanitizer, especially small ones to carry in backpack
SLC Mom, you are brilliant! Going to set up a Mom Box right now.
posted by SuperSquirrel at 8:32 AM on August 14, 2015 [1 favorite]
Gas card if they have a car
Maybe too expensive for your purpose, but Grandpa got my kid a jump starter for her car. He's worried she won't be driving the car often enough, and her battery will die in the middle of winter.
Also, an emergency kit for the car.
posted by SuperSquirrel at 8:37 AM on August 14, 2015
Maybe too expensive for your purpose, but Grandpa got my kid a jump starter for her car. He's worried she won't be driving the car often enough, and her battery will die in the middle of winter.
Also, an emergency kit for the car.
posted by SuperSquirrel at 8:37 AM on August 14, 2015
Possibly a solid, general purpose cookbook (particularly for the senior), such as How to Cook Everything.
posted by veggieboy at 8:40 AM on August 14, 2015
posted by veggieboy at 8:40 AM on August 14, 2015
Flash drive, or a portable hard drive if your budget allows it. Surge protector. Carabiner.
Yes to nice toiletries. A nice razor if they don't have one. A nice doorstop for the freshman.
Easy to prepare foods - like the microwavable macaroni and cheese or soup. Selection of teas and a microwavable mug.
posted by umwhat at 8:45 AM on August 14, 2015
Yes to nice toiletries. A nice razor if they don't have one. A nice doorstop for the freshman.
Easy to prepare foods - like the microwavable macaroni and cheese or soup. Selection of teas and a microwavable mug.
posted by umwhat at 8:45 AM on August 14, 2015
If they have an old hand-me-down car (Hello 1986 Olds Calais!) a AAA membership can be a godsend. It's a "boring" gift until you get a free tow from the middle of nowhere once.
posted by craven_morhead at 8:52 AM on August 14, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by craven_morhead at 8:52 AM on August 14, 2015 [1 favorite]
Since an actual filing cabinet is probably too cumbersome, maybe something like this expanding organizer is a good start.
My mom had the same thought when I was in college, and sent me lots of organization stuff. I didn't really have room for it in my dorm room and had to give most of it away. Same with pillows and blankets.
Things I really liked: handwritten letters from my parents about what they were up to. Nonperishable food that I could easily prepare in my dorm with access to just a microwave - Cup Noodle, popcorn, Easy Mac, etc. Microwave-safe, plastic dishware to eat it out of. Mugs and drinking cups. Mittens, earmuffs, fuzzy socks, winter hats, since I moved to a much colder city than where I grew up. Silly/fun books for them to read, like the sort of thing you get at the front of the bookstore. Goofy little toys (like ThinkGeek stuff). As a senior, I was trying to get out in the city a little more, so even though you said "no money", maybe $5-15 gift cards for local stuff: theater, symphony/opera, fun classes like yoga or cooking, restaurants, movies, etc.
posted by capricorn at 9:06 AM on August 14, 2015
My mom had the same thought when I was in college, and sent me lots of organization stuff. I didn't really have room for it in my dorm room and had to give most of it away. Same with pillows and blankets.
Things I really liked: handwritten letters from my parents about what they were up to. Nonperishable food that I could easily prepare in my dorm with access to just a microwave - Cup Noodle, popcorn, Easy Mac, etc. Microwave-safe, plastic dishware to eat it out of. Mugs and drinking cups. Mittens, earmuffs, fuzzy socks, winter hats, since I moved to a much colder city than where I grew up. Silly/fun books for them to read, like the sort of thing you get at the front of the bookstore. Goofy little toys (like ThinkGeek stuff). As a senior, I was trying to get out in the city a little more, so even though you said "no money", maybe $5-15 gift cards for local stuff: theater, symphony/opera, fun classes like yoga or cooking, restaurants, movies, etc.
posted by capricorn at 9:06 AM on August 14, 2015
My goto present for Freshpeople living in dorms is a toolkit with an electric drill/screwdriver setup. Because then during that first, really weird, "Oh my god I don't know any of these people, how do I meet new people, I'll never have friends again" week or so, they're "the one with the tools!" that everyone wants to borrow. And, you know, tools are good things to have forever.
posted by macfly at 9:27 AM on August 14, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by macfly at 9:27 AM on August 14, 2015 [1 favorite]
I always get minimus.biz's Cold and Flu Care Package, which includes mini-sized packages of a bunch of sick-person stuff, like medicine and tea and soup and I always get e-mails in December going "MAN THANKS FOR THE FLU THINGIE I THOUGHT I MIGHT DIE." Their condiment package has also been popular with college kids I've sent them to. They also have laundry sets, snack packs, all kind of things.
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 10:23 AM on August 14, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 10:23 AM on August 14, 2015 [2 favorites]
Do they have external battery packs for their phones and devices? That's my new go-to.
posted by deludingmyself at 10:33 AM on August 14, 2015
posted by deludingmyself at 10:33 AM on August 14, 2015
The hands down most useful thing I got from my parents the week before college was a hand tool set. Hammer, a couple screwdrivers, a hex wrench with a handle, hefty scissors, a little level, tape measure, wrench, utility knife/box cutter... I'm trying to remember what else was in there and I think they tossed in a few packages of the good stickytack and some of those tiny wood dowels that go in flatpack furniture and rolls of duct tape and masking tape. The first couple weeks of school, I was the person in the dorm who had the tool if you needed a tool to make/put up/fix the thing, but also, wow, I still have all of those tools and I can't tell you how often they've been used.
posted by Mizu at 10:44 AM on August 14, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by Mizu at 10:44 AM on August 14, 2015 [1 favorite]
My kids are the same years and we have gathered a lot of the things mentioned so far. What I have that I don't think I read above are:
sleeping mask and ear plugs
phone holder (if they loft beds or have a top bunk, no nightstand/desk to put it on for the alarm/music close by and I hate them having it in bed with them)
posted by maxg94 at 10:59 AM on August 14, 2015
sleeping mask and ear plugs
phone holder (if they loft beds or have a top bunk, no nightstand/desk to put it on for the alarm/music close by and I hate them having it in bed with them)
posted by maxg94 at 10:59 AM on August 14, 2015
For the freshman, a swiss army knife with a corkscrew and a bottle opener. They'll get to save the party at least once.
posted by vogon_poet at 12:44 PM on August 14, 2015
posted by vogon_poet at 12:44 PM on August 14, 2015
Seconding AAA membership. I broke down in the middle of nowhere on my way back to school after Christmas break when I was a freshman, and my membership covered a tow the whole 100 miles home!
posted by marmago at 6:51 PM on August 14, 2015
posted by marmago at 6:51 PM on August 14, 2015
My older sister sent me college packages. There was always food that was easy to eat in a dorm (which people have covered well already) but also fun stuff. Silly putty. Slinkies. Mini/travel games. She also made a CD for me of what she was listening to at the time.
Then she'd throw in some bizarre food item (like spotted dick in a can) from World Market or foreign food stores.
It was very popular with my friends too. I still have a lot of the little stuff she included.
posted by guster4lovers at 2:26 PM on August 15, 2015
Then she'd throw in some bizarre food item (like spotted dick in a can) from World Market or foreign food stores.
It was very popular with my friends too. I still have a lot of the little stuff she included.
posted by guster4lovers at 2:26 PM on August 15, 2015
This thread is closed to new comments.
Since an actual filing cabinet is probably too cumbersome, maybe something like this expanding organizer is a good start.
posted by The Deej at 8:19 AM on August 14, 2015 [5 favorites]