SNACKS

• Homemade cookies, rice crispy treats or brownies
• Tea, hot chocolate or coffee
• Popcorn (consider sending an air popper)
• Dried fruit
• Nuts
• Cereal or instant oatmeal
• Healthy snack bars
• Ramen noodles
• Mac ‘n cheese
• Favorite easy-to-make recipes

HEALTH AND PERSONAL CARE

• Cold and flu medicine
• Vitamins, vitamin C drink mix, and zinc lozenges
• Lip balm
• Favorite toiletry items
• Quarters for laundry (if laundry facility uses coins)
• Hand warmers (for cold weather locations and seasons)

FUN STUFF

• Photos of pets, family members, friends, even the neighborhood
• New release or favorite CD or DVD
• Recent local articles about your child’s friends, former school or clubs
• Recent magazines (consider a subscription mailed to your child’s dorm or apartment)
• Letter and postcard stamps
• Blank handmade cards and postcards
• Holiday decorations
• Card games such as Uno or Phase 10
• Board and other games such as Bananagrams, Catch Phrase, Apples to Apples, or *Cranium
• Magnets for a fridge, or pins or bumper stickers for a corkboard
• Silly items such as glow sticks, kazoos, silly string, or bubbles (provided appropriate items will be used outside)

ESSENTIALS

• Handwritten note from you
• Letters, cards or drawings from younger siblings or relatives
• Gift card to a local restaurant, coffee shop, grocery store or online store
• Cash