{"id":4186,"date":"2015-03-06T07:00:32","date_gmt":"2015-03-06T13:00:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.senioradvisor.com\/blog\/?p=4186"},"modified":"2016-09-07T10:09:49","modified_gmt":"2016-09-07T15:09:49","slug":"care-package-ideas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/d30braiqprupoq.cloudfront.net\/blog\/2015\/03\/care-package-ideas\/","title":{"rendered":"Care Package Ideas"},"content":{"rendered":"

Care Package Ideas\"Care<\/h1>\n

Everyone likes to be surprised by an unexpected gift, especially<\/span> grandchildren in college or serving in the military. Or perhaps you have an older relative who’s settling in to an assisted living community<\/a>. You can show your love by sending them a \u201ccare package\u201d filled with goodies that are chosen specifically for them. You can spend a little or a lo<\/span>t.<\/span><\/p>\n

The key to making a care package really special is the thoughtfulness you put into it. Think about the recipient\u2019s likes and dislikes. Co<\/span>nsider their hobbies and interests. Do they like jigsaw puzzles? Are their favorite snacks salty or sweet? Do they h<\/span>ave lots of free time or none? Part of the fun is digging through the packing and finding different surprises.<\/span><\/p>\n

How to Ship a Care Package<\/h2>\n

Shipping can cost more than the contents, so you want to choose your container carefully. The priority boxes and envelopes from the postal servic<\/span>e are free and the postage <\/span>is fairly reasonable <\/span>in the USA. Or just find a sturdy cardboard box the right size for your gifts and use packing tape to seal it. Also, it\u2019s important to use packing material and send things that are not too fragile. It\u2019s sad if yo<\/span>u bake a dozen cookies and they receive a pound of cookie crumbs.<\/span><\/p>\n

Speaking of cookies,\u00a0soft<\/span>\u00a0ones like brownies, bar cookies, peanut butter cookies seem to ship better. Be sure t<\/span>o pack them to completely fill a rigid plastic container and seal them tightly to preserve freshness and shape.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

What to Include in your Care Package<\/span><\/h2>\n

Now that you have the shipping container, you can use your imagination and thoughtfulness to fill it with goodies. Shop the dollar stores, drug store, and the grocery store for ideas.<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  • an<\/span> inexpe<\/span>nsive scarf or a colorful baseball cap<\/span><\/li>\n
  • a<\/span> book of crossword puzzles, word search or other puzzles (large print, if necessary) at the correct level of difficulty with a fun pencil<\/span><\/li>\n
  • teabags<\/span> of exotic blends with packets of sugar or sweetener<\/span><\/li>\n
  • sticky<\/span> notepads, c<\/span>olorful paper clips, rubber bands, stickers<\/span><\/li>\n
  • a<\/span> string of lollipops<\/span><\/li>\n
  • a<\/span> small sewing kit<\/span><\/li>\n
  • toiletries<\/span>: disposable razors, a comb, flavored lip balm<\/span><\/li>\n
  • microwave<\/span> popcorn or candy that will hold up in shipping like jelly beans, gummy bears, malted milk balls or boxed<\/span> candy like they have at the movies<\/span><\/li>\n
  • a<\/span> DVD of a favorite movie or a CD of their kind of music<\/span><\/li>\n
  • a<\/span> gift card to a favorite store or restaurant (these can be as little as $5.00)<\/span><\/li>\n
  • baked goods<\/li>\n
  • a<\/span> small seasonal decoration to hang in the window or on the doorknob, or a refrigerator magnet<\/span><\/li>\n
  • small<\/span> hand sanitizer gel, small scented soaps<\/span><\/li>\n
  • tho<\/span>ng<\/span> sandals or flip flops<\/span><\/li>\n
  • a<\/span> hand towel<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Don\u2019t forget the priceless things that cost you nothing:<\/span><\/p>\n

      \n
    • a<\/span> photo<\/span><\/li>\n
    • a<\/span> picture drawn by your grandkids<\/span><\/li>\n
    • a<\/span> recipe <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Watch out for some things that seem like a good idea but can really add to the weight of the package. Any liquid, gel or paste that is more than four ounces will be costly to send. If your postage budget is tight, you probably won\u2019t want to send these thin<\/span>gs:<\/span><\/p>\n

        \n
      • shampoo<\/span><\/li>\n
      • mouthwash<\/span><\/li>\n
      • large<\/span> tubes of toothpaste<\/span><\/li>\n
      • large<\/span> bars of soap<\/span><\/li>\n
      • large<\/span> bottles of multi-vitamins<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        Examples of some inexpensive but fun care packages<\/span><\/h2>\n

        I sent <\/span>one of my best friends<\/span> a padded flat-rate envelope containing a DVD of \u201cBreakfast at Tiffany\u2019<\/span>s,\u201d microwave popcorn, a box of cinnamon red <\/span>hots<\/span>, a long scarf that looked like a feather boa, and a cigarette holder to complete the Audrey Hepburn look. <\/span>I could picture her watching our favorite movie with the scarf around her neck and her sunglasses on<\/span> her head.<\/span><\/p>\n

        My <\/span>mother<\/span> loves crossword puzzles and she is good at them, so I keep an eye out for crossword books. I include a few fresh pencils with erasers. She doesn\u2019t like sweets, but some pretzels are welcome. I put in a lip balm and a seasonal decor<\/span>ation. I round out the package with some tea bags and envelopes of C<\/span>rystal Light<\/span>. I pack this in a box using empty, used plastic bags as packing material<\/span>;<\/span> they are lightweight and I always have plenty on hand.<\/span><\/p>\n

        Use your imagination and c<\/span>reate a care package personalized for someone you love. It will make you both feel good.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

        Care Package Ideas Everyone likes to be surprised by an unexpected gift, especially grandchildren in college or serving in the military. Or perhaps you have an older relative who’s settling in to an assisted living community. You can show your love by sending them a \u201ccare package\u201d filled with goodies that are chosen specifically for them. You can spend a […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2267,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[200,29,2],"tags":[14,30,327],"class_list":{"0":"post-4186","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-families-caregivers","7":"category-caregiving","8":"category-senior-living","9":"tag-assisted-living-2","10":"tag-caregiving-2","11":"tag-gift-ideas"},"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nCare Package Ideas<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The key to making a care package really special is the thoughtfulness you put into it. 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