Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with carepackage

In an aeroplane over the sea

bibliophibianj — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 19:30:20 -0800

My boyfriend has always been a bit apprehensive about flying before, but he's taking his first flight (transatlantic) to see me in a little over a month. Yay! I want to send him a care package full of things that will keep him comfortable and relaxed (especially the latter) during the flight. I have a few ideas for keeping him comfortable (but would like more) and virtually none for keeping him relaxed. What should I include? I'll definitely include hard candy or gum to ease the takeoff and landing, snacks, and socks ('cause it's important to have comfy feet on transatlantic flights). I'll probably include a book, too, though he is afraid he won't be able to read in the air. (He can't read on the bus, train, etc.) What else should I put in to keep him comfy & entertained? He likes music, football, film, and all things 80s.

I am more concerned about him staying calm. He has had one or two panic attacks in the past, and he has no idea how flying will affect him. I can't send drugs, but I can pass names on to him (in England). However, I think we'd both prefer to avoid them anyway. What else can he do to keep his cool while in the air? For what it's worth, I don't think he has a full-blown phobia, and the rational approach may be worth a try.

What savory homemade goods survive the mail well?

eleanna — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 16:49:39 -0800

I want to send a homemade gift package to a friend. The wrinkle: He doesn't eat sweets. (more inside) I've searched for this without a lot of luck. I want to send a homemade gift package to a friend (as in I make the contents of the package). Normally, I'd bake cookies or brownies, but sugar in that quantity makes my friend sick (trace amounts, as in homemade bread, are fine). Artificial sweeteners also make him ill.

Last time I tried, I made homemade bread which got moldy in transit (Priority Mail, Chicago to DC), spiced nuts (which went over well), and cheddar/jalapeno muffins (arrived safely and still tasted good).

Other possibly relevant details:

* Friend is male, late 20s
* Friend really likes breads, muffins (not too sweet), ethnic, and spicy food (including very spicy)
* Friend does not like dried fruit

I'd like to find stuff that is interesting, different, tasty, and mails well.

What to put in a care package to Australia, from America?

Xere — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 15:31:50 -0800

My Australian friend sent me a lovely package of Australian goods (Marmite, Vegemite, Aero, Tim Tams, Jaffa, Violet Crumble, Chokito...), and I'd like to reciprocate. But I'm clueless as to what American things are rarities in Australia. Any suggestions of what I can send? FWIW, my friend is in Newcastle, I'm in Los Angeles.

Her life is over as we know it.

nataliedanger — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 08:39:27 -0800

What should I put in a care package for a friend who is starting law school in the fall? One of my closest friends is starting law school next semester. The school emailed her and said to have fun this summer, cause it's the last chance at a social life she'll have for the next 8-10 years. So I am presuming she'll not really have a life... and I want to make the transition easier! I'm thinking standard care-package things... like cookies and chocolate and idk... booze or something. But I want more specific, law-schooley things. What do you think?

Custody Battle Care Package?

tabubilgirl — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 16:57:35 -0800

What moral-support gifts can I send a friend fighting for access to her daughter? A good friend has developed the courage to escape from an emotionally abusive marriage. She lives in a country with some rather knee-jerk patriarchal attitudes about child custody and is currently fighting for access to her daughter. I live on the other side of the world and feel helpless. Moral support is all I can offer from here. That I can offer and do. But beyond words, what can I physically send without it coming across as trivial as the whole concept of a "custody battle care package" sounds?
In the past I have always sent gifts of books for her daughter, but that feels incredibly insensitive right now.

Gifts for Peace Corps Volunteer?

radiomayonnaise — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 07:46:46 -0800

[giftfilter] It's that time of year again. I want to send a Christmas care package to a friend who is volunteering with the Peace Corps in the Philippines. What's good to send? She's teaching English language fluency to students in a fairly developed area - she has regular internet access and such. I saw this post and I plan on sending her some nice soaps and stuff, magazines, and some tasty (gluten-free) American food. But I want some more ideas. Things she may not be able to get in the Philippines? Or things you would have appreciated while traveling/living in Southeast Asia?

She's a big reader so I think I might send her an amazon.com giftcard but it seems she'll have to spend a lot on shipping the books. I know she's been enjoying reading free books from Project Gutenberg. Would a gift certificate to something like eBooks.com be better?

Also, anything I should know about shipping internationally?

Thanks!

slow boat to china.

hydrate — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 06:49:55 -0800

What should NOT go in a care package to China? Have a friend who recently moved to Beijing for an extended gig as an architect. Sounds like he's got access to most of the basics, but I'd still like to send him a care package of awesomeness every now and again. Just got some good ideas from browsing similar questions here but any additional (and China-specific) ideas would be most appreciated. Also, is there anything I should definitely NOT try to send? Anything that definitely will NOT make it through customs and thus compromise the entire package?

What to send to a friend in Thailand, from the US?

Xere — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 21:13:50 -0800

Putting together a fun-filled mail package for my friend. He is currently studying abroad in Thailand. What things are unobtainable, nearly unobtainable, or coveted, that I can send him? I'm in the US. Help me be awesome.

Gifts for new NYC-er and future journalist

greta simone — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 11:22:24 -0800

Care package ideas for a new journalism grad student and New Yorker- A good friend of mine is starting the Journalism graduate program at NYU this fall and has just moved to Astoria, Queens. I was hoping to send him some fun items to ease his transition, but mostly just for fun. He's not a candy or gadgets kind of guy, and I don't have a lot of money to spend, so I was thinking more along the lines of things he can use and/or read to enhance this new leg of his life.

The only thing I know I am going to get is one of those city-specific Moleskins for New York. He's been reading up on the history of the city (mostly via internet research) and reading some book of interviews of prominent journalists (not sure what it's called). I would like to try to find a book or two in the same vein of these topics to send- any recommendations? He's really interested in learning about his new neighborhood as well.

Lastly, any other suggestions of the non-book variety are welcome. Thanks!

What goes in a care package to Kyrgyzstan?

emyd — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 20:18:47 -0800

Ideas for a care package for a Peace Corps volunteer in Kyrgyzstan? I'd like to keep it open for many different types of suggestions, but perhaps the fact that he is 24 year old male from Northern California is relevant. Anyone know what kinds of things he'll be missing while he's stuck there for two years?

Big-city livin'

showbiz_liz — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 10:03:31 -0800

My boyfriend is moving to Chicago from NC. I want to put together a kickass care package for him. We both go to school in Chapel Hill, and have lived in North Carolina our whole lives. He's moving to Chicago at the end of July to pursue improv, and I plan to move up there as well when I finish school in a year and a half.

I want to put together an awesome gift box for him, which would ideally include things that:

Would be useful in a big city (we've both only lived in semi-small cities)
Would be useful in a northern winter (it rarely gets below 40 degrees here)
Would be generally useful for starting 'real life' after college
Would remind him of NC
Would remind him of me (obviously this is more personal)

Some ideas so far:

Really nice gloves/scarf
T-shirts from our favorite places around Chapel Hill
Framed photo of us (obv)
Possibly two sets of the first season of a TV show we haven't seen, so that we can watch it 'together'- this is probably too expensive though
In the same vein, two copies of Guide to Getting It On
Nice pillows for his bed
Gift card for some neat Chicago/Midwest-only chain store

So, that's a start, but I could use more ideas, especially in the big-city and northern-winter areas.

I was thinking of spending $75-$125 on this. Gotta save up for plane tickets to visit him...

Additional stuff about him- he'll be living with two female friends (so he won't need dishes or throw pillows or things like that), and he's very into video games, comic books, and of course improv. And he'll be living in Wrigleyville.

Help me support my friend during a scary time

_Mona_ — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 08:46:55 -0800

My good friend's young son will be having heart surgery in a few weeks. It's expected to go well, but it's still terrifying for everyone. I want to do something for her to let her know I care, but I'm coming up blank. She and her husband have plenty of family in the area so I'm sure they'll be handling meals, etc. The children's hospital is nearby so they won't be staying in a hotel or anything. Have any of you been through something like this? What helped you out during hours in the waiting room? (The irony is, I have young sons myself so I should be able to put myself in her place, but the whole idea of being in her place scares me so much I can hardly think about it.)

What to send to a person who has everything (within walking distance)

LittleMissCranky — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 19:36:20 -0800

Manhattan care package? My brother (single, late 20s) just moved to Manhattan a couple of weeks ago. I want to send him a care package. Anyone have any good ideas of what should go in it? I'll be sending baked goods, but any other ideas would be appreciated.

What should I put in an exam care package?

solipsophistocracy — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 12:49:51 -0800

What should I put in an exam care package for a law student? My girlfriend is in her second year of law school, and she's in the midst of studying for her grueling exams. I'd like to send her a care package (we live in different cities). What should I put in there?

Help me pamper my big sister

owhydididoit — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 10:51:50 -0800

My sister is having ACDF surgery on Monday, and I'm putting together a care package for her recovery. Any suggestions? I've read a number of AskMe surgery recovery threads, and this one has some interesting stuff.

My sister likes knitting, but I don't know if she'll be able to knit. I know she's supposed to avoid driving for a week, and limit her exercise to walking for the next ten weeks. She's taking two weeks off work and expects to be feeling pretty good by the second week.

I realize this is a subjective question. There's nothing terribly odd about my sister. She has good taste, but not uncommon. I want to pamper her a bit, and I am looking for perspectives other than my own.

Special thanks if you've had this surgery and have a specific recommendation.

What to give a soldier

Northwest — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 16:14:24 -0800

What to give a new soldier about to deploy? Our nephew has finished basic training and will soon deploy to Iraq as a Calvary Scout. I have seen lists of what soldiers already in Iraq request, but what can we give him for Christmas (prior to his deployment) that he will find useful?

I'd rather avoid those seasickness wristbands.

you're a kitty! — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 22:31:00 -0800

What should I give my mother for her upcoming trip around the world? My unbelievably cool mother will be attending the Scholar Ship program this spring, starting in Hong Kong in January and travelling west from there (itenerary here - how seriously cool is that?). I want to make her a care package or get her something wonderful as a send-off/Christmas gift, and since a lot of you are well-travelled I figured I'd come here for advice. She'll be living on the ship, so she shouldn't have too much trouble with weight; she'll also have a computer with (I assume) internet access. I'll obviously want to include some reminders of home and other personalized things you can't suggest, but what else would be useful, comforting, or especially cool to send off with her? What would you want to have with you if you were spending four months on a cruise ship, finishing your bachelor's while traversing the globe?

Incidentally - anything I should ask her to bring back for me?

Appropriate gifts to include in a care package for a homebound friend?

librarianamy — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 09:57:29 -0800

Please help me distract, amuse, and pamper my sick friend. A friend of mine recently began chemotherapy, and will be housebound for six months. At the end of this first month, his wife has reported that he's upbeat, occasionally tired with a short attention span, and bored out of his skull. She has put out a request for funny books to keep him distracted. I would like to put together a care package for them both.

I've decided to send him a copy of "Good Omens" (for the funny) and a copy of "On Food and Cooking" (since he's a foodie). A mutual friend has already hooked him up with the entire Bill Bryson collection. I would like to include other amusing, but not crass, distractions - but am having a hard time coming up with anything. He's a very dapper, smart man, with a good sense of humor, and a positive outlook on his illness. He's a foodie, and a business librarian. He is also the first person close to me that has ever had cancer - Yes, I've been lucky, but this is new ground for me. Ideally, they'd be items I can pick up while running errands this weekend, but am not adverse to ordering something online and sending a second box in a few months. Hit me with your amusing, smart, toys and distractions that won't tire him out or can be put down and picked back up.

Bonus points if you can recommend something small to include for his wife as well - she's still working full time and his caregiver. I was thinking a teacup with good tea and chocolates, but am open to other fabulous alternatives.

Thank you in advance for your advice. I look forward to your suggestions.

What to put in a small care package?

philad — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 23:00:25 -0800

My wife and I are looking to pack a carry-on care package for a friend who is flying to China soon. He will be staying there for a month on business. What kinds of things should I send on the plane with him? Just small things that would fit in say a quart size ziplock (or maybe something more creative than a ziplock). Perhaps stuff to do on the plane or maybe something useful once he gets to China? Just plain fun, stupid stuff is good too. My own personal idea was to put a small, red usb drive in the package since he'll have his laptop on the plane, but I'm at a loss as to what to put on the drive. He's in his 30's, into fitness, motorcycles, and he's gay. Thanks in advance.

Sick kit delivery in NYC?

mjbraun — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 10:04:18 -0800

Much like this question, I want to deliver a care package to a family member who is ill. However, I'm in Chicago, and she's in New York (Brooklyn, to be precise). I'd love to send her some matzoh ball soup, decongestants, tea, and other goodies for the infirm. Any suggestions? (My yahoo search inadvertently went to the web as a whole an I found this and I was all "Sweet!" until I realized it was just an idea.)

Looking for a pastime paradise

msali — Sun, 29 Apr 2007 09:10:44 -0800

What can I give my sister in law to keep her busy while recovering from surgery? My 38 year old sister in law had surgery on Friday, nothing too serious, but she is laid up at home for the next three to four weeks. She is a hyper-girl by nature, and I expect her to be going batty by about day three of her enforced recovery period. My husband and I would like to send her a "get well soon" care package, but what do we put in it? What are some good games/activities/pastimes that will keep my poor sister in law occupied?

Care for soldiers

Heatwole — Fri, 17 Nov 2006 07:12:31 -0800

Does anyone have a source for care-package type needs for American infantry soldiers in Iraq, as written by soldiers in Iraq?

Yours is the only grub what satisfies my gut-worm

dong_resin — Thu, 05 Oct 2006 04:33:21 -0800

Brits: is there any American junk food which you covet? I realize this is sort of like calling Switzerland from a Wal-Mart and asking if I can pick them up a clock, but I'm trying to get a care package together for a person in Scotland, and I want to include some American junk food which isn't readily available across the pond. Anything from The States which you enjoy is welcome as a suggestion.

So rare, much care, package!

cior — Mon, 11 Sep 2006 14:02:27 -0800

Composing a care package for friend in Sudan -- what to include? A friend is working in Sudan for the next year. What sort of things should I start collecting for inclusion in care packages?

What sort of things should I avoid sending?