Packaged with Love for Your College Student

When my daughter went away to college I sent he 'care packages' at different holidays, before tests, etc. It's always fun to get something in the mail these days, and especially fun when your roommates are envious!

Care boxes can go a long way toward smoothing and soothing the ups and downs of college life.

By CHANTAL LAMERS
The Orange County Register

Nothing evokes envy among college students like a care package sent from home.
But not every care package is created equal. Although you can satisfy a poor, homesick college student with just about any handouts, there are essential components to putting together the perfect college survival kit. Here's what we're talking about: College students love free food, so supplementing your package with a dozen of mom's homemade chocolate chip cookies can help soothe an ache for home.

We put together a list of items to help keep students healthy, organized and entertained while they're away from the nest. (Not to mention make them appreciate you a little more.)

Biodegradable cornstarch utensils are $2.75 for a package of 50 at www.WorldCentric.com Keep your college students in clean underwear by providing a roll of quarters for the Laundromat.
A first aid mini-kit is small enough to be dorm-friendly yet full enough to soothe a finger cut (from writing all those term papers) or toe blister (from trudging about the sprawling campus). Include Airborne, which is said to help ward off the flu, and tiny packages of tissues and pain reliever in case it doesn't.

With roommates coming and going at all hours, a sleep mask and ear plugs will help boost quality REM time.

Provide blank cards and stamps with a note listing upcoming birthdays and anniversaries.
Keep your students prepped for anything by including travel sizes of Oxi Clean, Downy Wrinkle Releaser, Krazy Glue and a set of pre-threaded sewing needles.

Stock them with necessities such as face wash, lip balm, mascara, razors and at least one new toothbrush.

You can dissuade your college students from staying out by giving them a reason to stay in: UNO, DVDs and popcorn.

Students will have extra incentive to stay organized with a flash drive, funny magnets and extra print cartridges.
 posted by Jane