How to Create a Care Package

A care package is a considerate way to show friends and family that you still care about them while they are away from home. The term "care package" comes from the acronym "Cooperative for American Remittances to Europe," or CARE, a charitable organization that sent food to Europe during World War II. Nowadays the best care packages include personalized gifts and goodies for a loved one, in addition to helpful items like books and clothes.

Selecting the Items for the Care Package

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  Consider including homemade cookies The cookies image by zalisa from Fotolia.com

  Choose a variety of edible goodies based on what your loved one likes. Some should be healthy and high energy snacks like nuts, dried fruit, trail mix, or beef jerky. Others should include sweet treats like chocolate and candy. College students and adults might appreciate some gourmet treats like nice teas or coffee. Also consider adding some homemade edible items like cookies or brownies. Make sure none of the food will perish before it arrives.

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  Include warm clothes for loved ones in cold climates rote socke image by Ewe Degiampietro from Fotolia.com

  Pick several useful items to include in the care package based on what kind of package you are sending. Is the package for a kid at camp, a college student, military personnel, or a friend? Items like sunscreen, bug spray, and toiletries might work better for a child at camp than a college student. Include climate-specific clothes, like gloves, scarves, and sweaters for loved ones in cold climates. Also consider including trendy school or art supplies.

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  Include family photos in the care package family with boy try ot make a photo image by Pavel Losevsky from Fotolia.com

  Include entertaining items such as magazines, books, or music that your loved one might enjoy. It's especially nice to include gift certificates to local or online businesses, so that the loved one can choose what they like. Photos of family and friends are a nice way to send memories and a reminder that you care.

Packing the Care Package

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  Find a box with a little extra room what in a cardboard box? image by Andrey Khritin from Fotolia.com

  Select a box with enough room for some extra padding if you are sending anything breakable or crushable.

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  Bubble wrap is a good way to protect breakable objects bubble wrap image by MichMac from Fotolia.com

  Wrap breakables in bubble wrap or other padding. If you're sending clothes you can use them as padding by wrapping them around the breakable object multiple times.

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  Arrange the goodies and treats in the box so that the breakables are as close to the center and as far from the sides of the box as possible.

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  Send the care package from the nearest post office smallest us post office image by Pix by Marti from Fotolia.com

  Seal the box with packing tape and write the address on the box. Take the box to the nearest post office and send it to your loved one!