Favorite College Care Package
"A Barbeque In A Box "

Here's a sure fire care package that will help silence the chronic complaints from our kids about campus food. Whether it is the cafeteria, the food court or the local greasy spoon, most kids have nothing nice to say about eating at college. While as parents we can't solve all their issues, here is a great idea to make them happy for at least one weekend. Our oldest daughter had few complaints when she was living in her sorority house at University of Michigan. It was home cooked food and actually very healthy and tasty. Sadly though, her days of good food quickly ended when she moved off campus. It became a mish mash of fast food, Mac and Cheese, tuna and a bit of cooking every now and then. It was the chronic complaining and maternal worry that combined to create this great care package... a Barbeque in a Box! We would send one every fall before a big football game and it became a tailgate in a box! It was a winning college care package for sure!

As always, adapt to the needs of your own student!!

STEP 1
Quick trip to Target or similar store for some inexpensive Barbeque utensils and a heavy duty pot holder. If you can find a cheap cooking apron or chef's hat.. throw it in the care package. You know someone will put them on. sometimes these small but fun touches make for the best laughs, great pictures and the most awesome care package! Take it from experience, never spend a great deal of money on anything you send to a college campus. They will have plenty of time to shop at Williams Sonoma when they graduate and are no longer happy to live in squalor!

STEP 2
If you do not live close enough to drop off your "BBQ in a Box", then go online and search for steaks. My personal favorite is Omaha Steaks. They are delicious, have excellent delivery procedures with the food arriving in dry ice, sometimes they even have free shipping. If money is no object, you can order side dishes and desserts too. If your student is close by.. hit your local grocery and get ready to pack a cooler! The reaction from this care package is worth the time to shop and the drive to drop it off.

STEP 3
If you will be delivering your care package.. add some salad fixings, chips and raw veggies. If you will be ordering the meat, make it sure it does not arrive BEFORE your box. I usually mail the box of utensils etc and then order the steaks so that the card in the box alerts them to be on the look out!
STEP 4
Of course, make a card... here's mine.. and yes I do write everything in poem form. When I told the kids about this website, they asked if I was planning to write it completely in poetry!

STEP 5
OPTIONAL BUT DEARLY LOVED.. BAKE THOSE COOKIES!! What's a care package without cookies?? Betty Crocker Cookie Mix in a bag is the best. Add an egg, a stick of butter and bake. Here's the website http://www.bettycrocker.com/products/cookies/Cookies-Landing-Page.htm

STEP 6:
DROP IT OFF OR MAIL IT OUT!!! Mailing can be expensive. I use Fed Ex Ground as my first choice. It is the most reasonable and reliable. The USPS is ok IF you can use their Priority Mail Flat Rate Box..but make sure you pay for delivery confirmation.

Find more college care package ideas at our Care Package Home Page

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