It’s hard to stay in the same place as all of the people you love, because everyone’s lives are constantly moving and changing. Of course, there is a great way to show you still care about the people you miss by simply working up a care package and sending it their way. This concept is especially popular when it comes to new college students or family members who serve in the military and have been deployed. The only problem with care packages is they can quickly add up in price. Luckily, there’s a few ways you can avoid some of the high prices so you can put even more love into every package you send.
1. Shop Bulk
When it comes to care packages, one of the best things you can do is shop in bulk. Your favorite bulk store is sure to help you find just what you need for your care package. The best things to buy here are snack items, especially if they come in individual wrappers. If you can find all of the recipient’s favorite snacks, then you will have a great care package in the making. The best thing is, you can always put in just a few of the items, so you can send more later on without having to spend any extra money. You might want to look at shipping supplies, like packing popcorn or bubble wrap. This will help keep everything secure, so delicate snacks will make it in one piece. You may even be able to find the recipients favorite hygiene products in bulk, so you can save some of the items to send at a later date. These bulk buys are sure to save a small fortune, while making your care package hobby a little easier to keep track of.
2. Utilize USPS
Believe it or not, but you do have an ally on your side when it comes to sending care packages, especially if they are going to deployed service members. USPS has made it simple to get your package out at a price that won’t leave you hurting for money. One of the best things to utilize is the flat rate boxes that the post office offers at no extra crate. No matter how many heavy items you stuff into the box, you’re going to end up paying the flat rate for it, so enjoy having the consistent price when it comes to shipping. If you plan on sending to a family member that is deployed then you can call a special hotline to request a military care-kit, which will provide you with everything you need to send items abroad without ever having to leave your home. These kits are even free and will make your service member feel special when they receive it.
3. Pack Carefully
One of the worst things to hear when you send a care package is that items just didn’t make it. Thus, packing carefully is essential when it comes to sending out a care package. It’s pretty hard to work around items like chips and other delicate snacks, but if you can pack these items with bubble wrap or around clothing items. This should help keep them in one place without ending up with too much damage. Glass items are also a tricky item to pack, but again you should always try to wrap with bubble wrap or around soft items. Also, make sure to pack the glass in a bag so that if it does break the contents then glass won’t ruin everything else in the package. Items like personal hygiene products or chocolate should always be packed in a ziplock bag to prevent spilling or melting on other items. Last but not least, if you have notes or cards you should also pack these in a ziplock bag, just to add an extra layer of protection. If you follow basic packing rules you should be set for a successful package.
4. Letters/Drawings
One of the most important things to add to a care package are letters, drawings, special notes and anything that adds a personal touch to the package. This is especially important for family members who have children they may not get to see while they are away. You can pack lots of these items without having to worry about weighing down your box too much, which is always a plus when it comes to sending things off. Letters are great because you can always write several to suit any occasion. For instance, you can label letters with themes, like mood booster, laugh-worthy, big achievements and so on. This will help the recipient find even more comfort in the box you carefully packed for them. Drawings don’t have to be too intricate either, as long as it is obvious that the child took some time to sit down and draw something special. Many service members love to keep this close by to look at when they are feeling homesick.
5. Home Touches
If the family member has been away from home for a while, then it may be wise to pack something that feels a little like home. For service members, it can be as simple as a freshly washed t-shirt or one of their child’s outfits. If you can’t send clothing items, then packing the items with dryer sheets will create the same affect and can help make the homesick feelings subside for a little while. Some college students crave the same kind of items and many won’t be embarrassed if you send one of their favorite stuffed animals fresh from the wash. However, some students you will have to be sneakier with by simply washing a t-shirt you feel they may be missing. Another option is to send small books of photos to remind the recipient of home, or even a local item that can’t be purchased in their current region. This is actually fairly easy to accomplish and will allow you to really get creative.
6. Organize
When it comes to keeping your package efficient, it’s best to try to organize as best as you can. Organization is key in packages, so you can fit in the most items for your money, especially if you’re sticking with flat rate shipping boxes. You should always look for items that can easily be stacked on top of other items or even inside other items. For instance, if your student needs a storage box for school then you can always place some of the snacks inside of it to make even more space for other items. You should also look at packing the box like a game of tetras, so you can maximize the area you have to work with, while ensuring your care package brings plenty of joy to the recipient.
7. Gift Cards
Sometimes sending money to college students can be a bad idea, especially if you know it is going to go towards unnecessary items, like new wardrobes or videogames. So, sending a couple of gift cards can really make a huge difference in a student’s care package. You don’t have to spend a whole lot of money either. For instance, you can buy a small gift card for a little treat at a restaurant or some new music from their favorite online store. Another option is to load a grocery gift card, so your student can get more food for the month or the snack they need for exams, if they’re living in the dorms. The best thing about gift cards is they take up such a small amount of space that you won’t have to get rid of some of the desired items to make room for them. Of course, if you are sending gift cards, you might want to make sure your care package has insurance on it, so you don’t lose the money if the package goes missing.
8. Personal Care
It’s hard for some students and service members to get the hygiene products that they need, which makes these items a great option to toss into a care package. It may not be efficient to pack up large items like bulk shampoo and other soaps, but there are some items that are pretty efficient. Bar soap is easy to pack up and can be used for long periods of time, which comes in handy for those on a budget or not near a store. Toothbrushes, toothpaste and floss are also pretty easy to send and will help you feel reassured that your loved one is taking care of their oral hygiene. Feminine products and other random toiletries are easy items to pack too. You might also consider the season. If it’s cold and flu season it may be wise to pack cough drops, cold relief medicines and vapo-rub to help your family member get over potential colds.
9. Know What Can Be Packed
No matter what company you’re shipping with, there are some things that can and can’t be shipped. It’s always wise to know these restrictions before you pack everything up and go to send off the package. One of the main restrictions has to do with food and drinks, so make sure you aren’t breaking a rule here. It wouldn’t be very frugal to have to repack everything at the post office and lose out on the items you spent money on. Plus, getting a fine for packing something you shouldn’t have also won’t help your budget in the slightest bit. Luckily, you can go online to find out if the items on your mailing list are okay to send, which should help you choose wisely when it comes to planning out your package.
10. Skip Pre-Packaged Kits
If you’re new to making care packages then it may be tempting to grab a pre-packaged kit to send to a loved one. Although this is more convenient when it comes to time, it won’t really do you any favors. For starters, you can easily pack all of the items in a prepackaged kit for less, so you won’t be doing your budget any favors when it comes to this purchase. You will also miss out on all of the personal touches that you can put into a homemade care package. So, rather than buying one of the kits to send off, you may want to just observe what is in it and use it as a guide to help you create your own amazing care package.
Sending some love to friends and family that aren’t close by can be a great way to keep the bond going. However, care packages aren’t exactly the cheapest thing to send off, especially when you factor in shipping costs. Luckily, there’s a few ways you can cut corners and save some big money on your act of kindness.
