A Fun Care Package Idea

Wish your traveling student "Bon Voyage" by creating a personalized t-shirt

This care package idea started with my son and his roommates from the "Pink and Purple" at University of Michigan. They were off on spring break to Acapulco for 10 days of fun in the sun. Since they so loved other crazy care packages I had sent, I knew I must make one for this trip. I made personalized bright apricot t-shirts for them all with a "spring break" logo and a graphic on the back. I entitled the graphic "Sigma Pulco". Sigma for the start of their fraternity name and "Pulco" as nickname for their destination Acapulco. They loved them and all wore them together on the plane. As a result, I had to recycle this idea for my daughter when she and her friends were headed to Ft.Lauderdale, Florida on their spring break! They all left for Florida with colorful personalized t-shirts. When she goes abroad next year.. you can be sure there will be a set of shirts ready!

My beach bound girls arrive and celebrate the fun, sun and their matching t-shirts!

Step 1 Find t-shirts.
All the craft stores like Michaels, AC Moore and Joann's run great sales on their stock of t-shirts. Look for the 5 for $10 ads. At $2.00 a shirt you can't go wrong. Plus they all have a great assortment of colors and all sizes. Choose something bright and lively for this fun care package idea!

Step 2 Design a logo.
Here are the ones I did using free clip art for both the guys and the girls.

Click here to see some t-shirt logos
Here's the Florida T shirt logo

Step 3 Purchase "T-Shirt Transfer Sheets"
Packages of these can be found at the same craft stores where you will buy your shirts. Michaels usually stocks the ones by Wilton. There are 5 sheets for $9.99.. but use the 40% or 50% off "one regular priced item" coupon that they print in their weekly flyers! Office Depot also has them. These sheets are sold separately for Dark or Light colored fabrics. Choose the one that matches the shirts. This is important as the directions are different! Before you start, read the directions carefully! They are easy but you need to make sure you follow them.

Step 4 Print, Trim and Iron
Print your logo on the sheets, let dry for 5 minutes until the ink dries and trim around the design. Put your iron on a flat surface.. not an ironing board. I lay a pillowcase on top of my silestone/granite countertop and iron there. You could also place a piece of heavy cardboard, covered with a pillowcase on a tabletop and iron there. Turn your iron to high/cotton. Do not use any steam or your fun care package idea will melt!

Step 5 Iron
Your iron works as a heat press. Position your logo onto the "pre-washed" shirt. NOW.. re-read the directions on ironing and go to work. A couple of hints, do not press over the logo for longer than instructed. You are pressing for less than 45 seconds. Let cool, then peel the transfer paper off. Next I always then use a piece of parchment paper and lay it over the logo and press again for 10 seconds. This provides an extra seal for the design. Let cool, peel off and your shirt is done!

Step 6 Option
Love this idea but have neither the time nor inclination to do these yourself..simply visit Cafe Press and they will do it for you!

Step 7 Mail
Check the Hallmark "musical cards".. they have a great selection and find one with a travel or celebration theme. It will add to this fun care package idea! The box it up and mail this fun care package idea! I do recommend Federal Express ground for mailing boxes. From my experience they are the least expensive and most reliable. But UPS or USPS are other options.

This fun care package idea can be adapted to so many events. Make your own t-shirts for family reunions. These make awesome party favors. Make t-shirts for students going on a "semester abroad" program as a bon voyage gift for them and their fellow travelers! If you scan this site, you will see so many celebrations that get an added spark from personalized t-shirts!

Like this fun care package idea.? See our Care Package home page for more ideas!

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