My parents aren’t the type to send care packages.
Firstly, they wouldn’t know what to include. At home, we don’t really do nonperishable packaged snacks, which are a huge ingredient in most packages. Homemade cookies? I’m not sure I’ve ever seen my mom bake. Small impulse buys? We’re generally frugal, so we avoid spending money on “stuff” whenever possible.
Plus, I go to school all the way across the country. Paying $15 to ship a box of random goods is ridiculous. And I knew that. When I left for college, I didn’t expect care packages.
I didn’t know it would bother me, though.
My first roommate constantly received huge boxes from her family. Her mom sent cookies, blondies, whoopie pies (which I didn’t know existed before living with her). Her younger sisters sent drawings and friendship bracelets. If she was sick, a box of cough drops and NyQuil would magically appear. Sometimes her mom would write my name and a nice message for me on the card, as if the gift was for both of us, even though my roommate & I didn’t really talk.
At holidays, my friends got themed packages. Jewish mothers sent matzoh and kosher goods at Passover. Other friends got advent calendars and candy canes in December. On Valentine’s Day everyone got a care package from their parents with candies and cute cards.
One of my friends saw how frustrated I was seeing people squeal over their parents’ generosity that she made a care package for me. It was such a kind gesture–one I’ll never forget–but it can’t replace getting something from home.
While I didn’t expect anything, my mom saw that the care package issue meant a lot to me. Finally, at the beginning of this year, I received my first care package: Goldfish, my favorite chocolate from Trader Joe’s (which we don’t have in Ithaca), feminism-themed sticky notes, and a “Dammit Doll” for aggressive moments.
It was worth the wait.
This post is part of my April A to Z Challenge. For more All Things College posts, click here.
Victim to Charm 
My daughter was lucky. She was only a two-hour ride away from home. So, if we didn’t bring her a care package once in a while, she came home to bring one back… full on things she could just put in her microwave oven at the last minute.
Excellent post, loved it…
LikeLike
Lucky! Home is 2500 miles away, so that’s not happening for me. Thanks!
LikeLike
Aw – that is great that it was worth the wait.
I didn’t really need care packages from my parents when I was at uni, because they only lived six miles down the road – far enough that my twin and I could be independent and live on campus, but also close enough that we could cycle home for Sunday lunch when we wanted to :)
Sophie
Sophie’s Thoughts & Fumbles
FB3X
Wittegen Press
LikeLike
I’m 2500 miles from home, so I only leave for long breaks. It makes care packages extra special.
LikeLike
I went to school about an hour from home, so no care packages. It was a “suitcase college,” so if you didn’t go home every weekend, you were all alone on campus and it sucked.
LikeLike
Ooh I visited a school that was like that and hated it–but that was mostly because I would never get to go home.
LikeLike
It’s the little things, right? Especially the ones that can fit into a box. I am glad you finally got a package of your own :)
LikeLiked by 1 person
My husband’s oldest nephew just joined the Army. Thanks for reminding me how much packages from home will mean to him. I guess I better get baking. : )
LikeLiked by 1 person
A well-timed package can mean so much! Get your bake on, lady :)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Bless your heart. Now I want to send you a package. My daughter called me last night to say she got the one I sent her for Easter. Little bit of candy, two sets of character-themed socks that she loves and looses all the time. And a gift card so she can buy herself something. I send her two or three per semester.
LikeLike
Love it! My mom actually did end up sending one for Easter too, earlier this week, but this post was pre-scheduled so no mention of it.
LikeLike
You’re very right. It’s the home touch we all miss when we don’t have it. For the first part of my freshman year my family lived thirty minutes away so I went home almost every weekend. Then everyone moved away and I couldn’t go see them. That’s when things got tough!
LikeLike
I’m pretty independent, which is how I ended up so far away in the first place, but I’m not immune to feeling homesick!
LikeLike
So glad you received a care package from home. I know it meant a lot to you. I thought the “Dammit Doll” was cute. It would have been my favorite! :)
LikeLike
It’s come in handy a few times!
LikeLike
That was so sweet of your roommate’s mom… And your parents. :) I never managed to actually leave the house for college, but I use to know people who would get care packages halfway through a week at summer camp. My parents just ain’t the type.
LikeLike
When I went to summer camp my parents would send a letter or two, but never a package. Clearly they aren’t the type either.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We didn’t call them care packages, but when I was at boarding school my parents definitely sent food, I don’t remember if there was anything else other than food, but I remember wonderful fruit cakes and what you would call candies. I was around 10 so I don’t know if I got other stuff, probably.
LikeLike
I think a mix of food and non-food is nice!
LikeLike
My parents never ever sent me care packages. I wished they had.
LikeLike
I definitely understand!
LikeLiked by 1 person
My brother only received one care package while he was in college. Somehow, I think it’s going to be about the same for me… (My mom plans on just showing up in Athens whenever she dang pleases…)
LikeLike
I think it’s a distance thing! Each of my parents have been to my college twice (my mom to visit, both to move me in, my dad to move me out) but they can’t just come visit and I can’t just go home whenever. So the packages are important :)
LikeLike
Me, my big brother, and our mother live in different countries. So it’ll be really expensive to send care packages. :)
LikeLike
I understand! When they’re rare they’re even more exciting though, and shows they were willing to put in the thought & money to send something.
LikeLike
I just got a care-package-like box… Easter candy from the amazing Bavarian Chocolatier back home :) Now my holiday is complete!
A little something from home can make such a difference.
LikeLike
Agreed, David! And the Bavarian Chocolatier sounds amazing so I’m jealous.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well they also make an amazing breakfast, that we can’t get in a care package… It’s the next best thing :)
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s really sweet. My parents didn’t have to send me a care package, but I received one in my first 6 months in Japan that saved my life (macaroni? How can it not exist here?!)
Funny story though, my vegetarian friend tried to send me beef jerky and the whole box got ripped open by Japanese customs. They sent an apology note saying “Here’s your care package… but we had to incinerate the jerky.” It made me giggle. :)
Alex Hurst, A Fantasy Author in Kyoto
A-Z Blogging in April Participant
LikeLike
Ah yes, they don’t like internationally traveling meat. They took the jamon serrano (like bacon but greasier) that I tried to bring back from Spain.
LikeLike
Haha… Loved this! We don’t really do college care packages in Mexico–many people go to college close to home, but even for those who move away it’s more about sending *Mexican* stuff (mole, chile, spicy candy), which we’d send to any Mexican unlucky enough to be living where these things aren’t available :D
LikeLike
Most of the things I can’t get here that I get at home can’t be sent–favorite restaurants & coffee shops, for instance :(
LikeLike
This is a new one on me however if your parents hadn’t sent you something I’d be wanting an address to send you one from here in the UK!
Uni was a long time ago for me and I don’t recall anything like care packages. What I do remember was that each time Dad took me back to college he’d fill a wooden box full of non-perishables which I’d start on when the money ran out during term.
The memories are now flowing.. Another memory.. I used to receive ‘care packages’ from one of me neighbours. When I was sick, a bag full of oranges, with some blackcurrant juice would appear in a bag on my front step. I think they were encouraging me to increase my vitamin C intake. It was a lovely gesture and always cheered me up.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s so sweet! Glad I could bring out those memories in you :)
LikeLike
Ok ok, you guilted me. I’m working on a care package for my son now – a freshman who I have only sent one small package to this whole year (and most of it was socks and underwear he left in the dryer on his last day). No excuses. I’ll just do it. :)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely, Becca! I’ve actually gotten one or two packages before this “care package” that included important things I left behind, but that required begging my parents to send them. It’s not the same as receiving something, knowing someone is thinking of you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I got my care packages to take home when I visited, they weren’t sent. Except for my advent calendar when my mom did not finish it for me to take home on thanksgiving. I did my undergraduate degree in the UK and was always longing for continental food (from German and France) but well I survived.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m much too far to visit, so sending is kind of the only option!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I didn’t get a lot of care packages, but I was close to home, and I did get a lot of mail from them otherwise!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Last year my mom sent newspaper articles and things, but this year not so much. The packages fill that void!
LikeLiked by 1 person
My first year or so, I went home a lot—after that not as much, but I was close to home and having trouble adjusting. I loved getting cards and letters in those inbetween times, though.
LikeLike
Pingback: On The #AtoZChallenge | Victim to Charm