I’ve always thought that giving someone a gift or gift basket was a pretty good way to celebrate a special occasion. And one of those is surely sending a daughter or son off to college. This is a family milestone that has everyone emotionally involved. No amount of preparation is complete when the time comes to leave the nest but for mom and dad it sure is the beginning of a brand new chapter.
And at that time of the year, cars full of teens and all their personal belongings are pulling up to college campuses to transfer everything to a space that will be their new home. It makes for a long day but it all gets done somehow. It makes for a long day but it all gets done somehow. And what follows, soon after, is a stream of care packages filled with urgently needed items.
Fixing up a new room to make it comfortable and with a new look will be an early project. Once all the roommates get acquainted they can pool their ideas and resources and get down to mapping out how to decorate their new space. Moms are usually called in at this point to help supply some of the things needed.
In addition to the “much needed” stuff that needs to be sent, it’s a good opportunity for mom to think about sending a welcome present like a college gift basket.. I was glad I did, it was a big icebreaker for a group of young people who might be about to begin lifelong friendships.
If you have a friend that can recommend a basket maker, you can go with that. But it’s just as easy to search the internet for a college gift basket to fit your needs and price range. Keep an eye out for what is popular, which could be a simple movie night theme or a wholesome basket of fruits and cheeses. Searching mail order sites will also give you ideas for care packages of your own.
A look around the internet and you will soon be collecting your own ideas for popular themes with the dorm set. One of these might be a 1-cup coffee maker for the coffee lovers gift basket. Keep a drawer full of novelties and craft tools and it will be easy to add a touch of fun. I always have something like a handmade card, finger puppets or moon pies in my college baskets. It might inspire you to throw in a wind up toy, a cute finger puppet monkey or an etch-a-sketch as a way to put a light spin on things.
You probably have your own memories of homesickness and care packages during those college days. I knew kids who got them as regular as clockwork, the same day every week. For me, those college gift baskets help when money was tight and made me laugh with some of the funny things mom would tuck away in them. For me that box was home.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Gift Baskets for College - How-to Tips You Can Use
If you have kid away at college and you want to punctuate all those phone calls with something special, I have a suggestion from my friend Dena, I would like to pass on: Care packages from home make a big hit. Whether it's a delivered college gift basket or a box from home, with wrapping tape all over doesn't matter - it can be anything and the gesture will be just as warm. The idea of getting some homemade cookies or other snacks along with the toothpaste, aspirin, bath mat and other practical things is always something that college kids love.
Something else that might be appreciated: One-cup coffee makers are a big hit with those who need a jolt in the morning as well as anyone trying to study late into the night. So consider a mini-coffee maker as one of your gift basket items - it’s a good way to reach out with a coffee lovers gift basket surprise.
We know how popular and important it is to keep the brain focused for those long study sessions so maybe you can stock the shelf with a few other items like cocoa, tea and power bars to keep the brain working past midnight.
Of course something from the cookie jar, like homemade chocolate chip cookies, oatmeal or even those famous Oreos would surely be appreciated. Cookies survive the mail pretty well if they are cushioned with plastic peanuts or air bags.
Add a gift card to that basket - cards are easy to make once you realize all it takes is a couple old magazines, scissors and a glue stick. Of course a 4X5 envelope (even used will do, just doctor it up) and a couple of sheets of colored paper. Rubber stamps are always helpful but potatoes and erasures will work as a quick way to make your own.
Where do ideas come from? You can get off to a good start by going for the wacky look. Paste cutout faces or just lips on a stick figures. Or pictures of something ordinary, like a spoon or sugar packet and draw arms and legs, then add word balloons. The sillier the better.
It’s all good fun and hard to beat when there is someone wishing they could spend some time with family back home. Put your "what would my teen like" thinking cap on and see what you come up with. If you are short on time, try an online service that specializes in college gift baskets, it's an easy way to send your message.
Something else that might be appreciated: One-cup coffee makers are a big hit with those who need a jolt in the morning as well as anyone trying to study late into the night. So consider a mini-coffee maker as one of your gift basket items - it’s a good way to reach out with a coffee lovers gift basket surprise.
We know how popular and important it is to keep the brain focused for those long study sessions so maybe you can stock the shelf with a few other items like cocoa, tea and power bars to keep the brain working past midnight.
Of course something from the cookie jar, like homemade chocolate chip cookies, oatmeal or even those famous Oreos would surely be appreciated. Cookies survive the mail pretty well if they are cushioned with plastic peanuts or air bags.
Add a gift card to that basket - cards are easy to make once you realize all it takes is a couple old magazines, scissors and a glue stick. Of course a 4X5 envelope (even used will do, just doctor it up) and a couple of sheets of colored paper. Rubber stamps are always helpful but potatoes and erasures will work as a quick way to make your own.
Where do ideas come from? You can get off to a good start by going for the wacky look. Paste cutout faces or just lips on a stick figures. Or pictures of something ordinary, like a spoon or sugar packet and draw arms and legs, then add word balloons. The sillier the better.
It’s all good fun and hard to beat when there is someone wishing they could spend some time with family back home. Put your "what would my teen like" thinking cap on and see what you come up with. If you are short on time, try an online service that specializes in college gift baskets, it's an easy way to send your message.
Saturday, January 02, 2010
Gift Basket Ideas for College Thoughts
Sending a kid off to college is an emotional milestone and a college gift basket is a good way to make this new experience go a little smoother. By adding care packages to all those calls and letters you will be sending, you can do you part to help him or her to settle into their new campus life.
There are many online companies ready with baskets for this situation. Do a little search and you will soon find a suitable basket to perk up someone's day. May of these college gift baskets are geared to the trends of this age group, so as you are shopping, take note of items that might be useful when you are looking for ways to add variety to the packages you will be sending on to college.
Themes are often a fun way put together a gift basket. For instance, a single cup coffee maker might fit nicely with biscotti or quick fix muffins, if the rules allow hot plate or kitchens are available. Coffee makers are easy to clean and don't take up much space.
We know how crazy study schedules can be, so this is where having snacks on hand can help keep students to the books rather than slipping out. Cocoa is another favorite of the dorm crowd and will fit nicely in a college gift basket, as well as an assortment of teas. Tea has a long history as a health drink, so encourage your student to drink more, it’s an easy way to help ward off sickness.
And of course a package from home should include something from the cookie jar - everyone has a favorite. Oatmeal and peanut butter are two that rate up there with the traditional chocolate chip. You can start you own test kitchen by trying out new recipes on a sure to appreciate your work audience.
Whether it is an online college gift basket or package from home the thought counts. Even the smallest item, like a greeting card or clippings from the local paper help span the distance. Try your hand at a do-it-yourself card. All it takes is a glue stick and scissors. Let your creative side loose, try your hand at newspaper comics with new word balloons for giggles. No matter how wacky or primitive it may seem to you, it will be a big hit to someone far away at college.
Many moms have found that keeping a notebook handy for jotting down gifting ideas works well. It’s all good fun and every one of these cards, parcels and gift baskets that arrive on a college doorstep will be fondly remembered.
More thoughts about college gift baskets:
College Gift Baskets resource 1
College Gift Baskets resource 2
There are many online companies ready with baskets for this situation. Do a little search and you will soon find a suitable basket to perk up someone's day. May of these college gift baskets are geared to the trends of this age group, so as you are shopping, take note of items that might be useful when you are looking for ways to add variety to the packages you will be sending on to college.
Themes are often a fun way put together a gift basket. For instance, a single cup coffee maker might fit nicely with biscotti or quick fix muffins, if the rules allow hot plate or kitchens are available. Coffee makers are easy to clean and don't take up much space.
We know how crazy study schedules can be, so this is where having snacks on hand can help keep students to the books rather than slipping out. Cocoa is another favorite of the dorm crowd and will fit nicely in a college gift basket, as well as an assortment of teas. Tea has a long history as a health drink, so encourage your student to drink more, it’s an easy way to help ward off sickness.
And of course a package from home should include something from the cookie jar - everyone has a favorite. Oatmeal and peanut butter are two that rate up there with the traditional chocolate chip. You can start you own test kitchen by trying out new recipes on a sure to appreciate your work audience.
Whether it is an online college gift basket or package from home the thought counts. Even the smallest item, like a greeting card or clippings from the local paper help span the distance. Try your hand at a do-it-yourself card. All it takes is a glue stick and scissors. Let your creative side loose, try your hand at newspaper comics with new word balloons for giggles. No matter how wacky or primitive it may seem to you, it will be a big hit to someone far away at college.
Many moms have found that keeping a notebook handy for jotting down gifting ideas works well. It’s all good fun and every one of these cards, parcels and gift baskets that arrive on a college doorstep will be fondly remembered.
More thoughts about college gift baskets:
College Gift Baskets resource 1
College Gift Baskets resource 2
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