Anonymous wrote:First born is off the college in one month. I am not the most creative mom, but what are some of the things I can do to make DC feel special when she is away from home?

Nothing. Your kid doesn't need to feel "special."

My dad made me brownies and sent them to me in college. I still remember it as really special. (My mom never sent me a care package.)

Anonymous wrote:Newbie mom of rising freshman here: how do the students know if they have a package waiting for them? Does the post office send a notification to their dorm, or do they actually have to stop by the post office every day in order to know there is something there for them?

At my DC's school (large state university), the mailboxes are on the first floor of the dorm. Packages are delivered to the main desk at the dorm, and the student receives an email to pick them up.

At first I laughed at this, bc I checked my mail all the time in college. But then I remembered I sent a huge box of WolfermAns English muffins to a friend's son. And she had to text him to go look for it ....

Some colleges have email notification for packages not letters.

Newbie mom of rising freshman here: how do the students know if they have a package waiting for them? Does the post office send a notification to their dorm, or do they actually have to stop by the post office every day in order to know there is something there for them?

If there's a 'signature' item you make that you can't buy in a store, that might be a good idea. I make a very unique Chex Mix type snack and my son is always very appreciative when I send that to him.

Care packages with enough to share with friends are always popular!

We sent a dozen Georgetown Cupcakes for DCs birthday. Sent a couple of care packages, although it was a little tough to find stuff because DC didn't want candy or junk food (other than the birthday cupcakes). Sent funny cards (like the New Yorker cartoon ones).

A class mom suggested a fun Halloween group care package.
The mothers were invited to bring one item for 20 boxes. Some moms brought bakes goods in single serving size, candy, juice box (smiles), individual large pretzels, miniature packs of gold fish, fruit rolls etc. and Halloween decorative items. All the moms signed the generic post card. The host mother picked up boxes and labels from post office, packing tape and markers. Each mom leaves with a sealed ready to mail box. Fun, fun night mixed with wine and stories about our child's move-in day.

P.S. Needless to say many moms brought extra so the boxes were filled to capacity.

Special occasions ~ Halloween, Valentine's Day, etc. I got pretty crafty when I hadn't been before. Her birthday, glad the university offered the service of baking a birthday cake and having it delivered.

homemade baked goods especially. Will also make your kid very popular! Easy to get junk food on campus, hard to get homemade. Freshman unlikely to have access to a kitchen to cook themselves (doubtful they would anyway). And then when you visit, if your cookies were really good, even your kids friends will have something to talk to you about!

My mother used to send me care packages. I am 40 and I still remember them. It was great to get mail and she always packed fun things. My parents weren't well off so it is not like the packages were extravagant but it they were really sweet and made me feel less on my on that first year

Notes often. Talk. Listen. Time together now. Be concerned about drinking.

First born is off the college in one month. I am not the most creative mom, but what are some of the things I can do to make DC feel special when she is away from home?