I want to put together a care package for a friend's child.
He is staying abroad in China w/grandparents for awhile & I would like to send him a little box of things.
Not sure if candy will travel well or if they will allow that.
He is turning 13.
He & his family are from here and he is your basic all American kid.
I thought I'd send him some playing cards, notecards to mail home, a travel pillow for the flight home but what else?
What would your child miss from here that I could send?
He is going to be there for awhile.
I am at a total loss. TIA
This sounds weird, but ketchup packets. Several years ago I had friends who moved to Japan, they always wanted us to send them ketchup packets because they couldn't get American style ketchup there; I would guess China is similar.
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It's hard to say. I know when I want to send things to a friend in the another Asian country, most packages and parcels are riffled through at customs and she only ends up getting very little of what I sent. Finally decided it is just easier for me to send her money through Western Union instead and let her get what she needs, wants and likes.
American breakfast cereal!!! All the US kids & families load up on every kind of cereal when they are returning to China. It's really expensive there $5 for a small box so people don't splurge.
It ALL depends, on what can be sent, via Customs and in the mail.
Do not put food.
Mailing things overseas, can be very expensive as well. It is by weight.
AND if you insure it, it will be even more expensive.
Now, I am sure, this child's parents... are sending him care packages, right? So, are you sure, that you have to send him care packages, too?
I would check with his Parents, about if you should, and what he likes.
If not, it will be all wasted or un-useful. And you don't want to send him things, that his parents already sent to him.
I would NOT send anything, that is bulky.
Because then, on the way home, HE will have to, pack all of these things, and/or carry it with him, ON the plane. And that may not be easy for a Teen. You don't want to have him, having to keep track of so many things, on his flight home.
AND, per carry-on bags per the airplane, you can only carry a certain amount, per weight, otherwise, you have to PAY EXTRA, for it.
You need to think of that too.
If he has a lot of bulky things/gifts to bring home, later... then how is he going to do that? I am sure, he only has so many luggage bags and carry-ons? If he doesn't have room to bring all that home, he might have to leave it, in China. Or mail it home... which is very expensive.
Hm... definitely no food. It may not make it through!
- pictures of family/friends
- newspaper clippings of his favorite sports teams
- Sudoko (or another similar) book for the flight
- I wouldn't do a whole pillow, but have your kids decorate a pillowcase for him to use while he's there
- iTune gift card if he has an iPod or laptop there
- magazines
- socks or t-shirt with favorite band/sports team
Think LIGHT and FLAT
Travel games. Target has an exclusive travel version of Blokus, which is really fun, smart game. We love it and have given out as gifts several times and everyone comments on what a great activity it is and it fills the time nicely. My middle school aged daughter took it on a school overnight and the kids were arguing over who got to play winner. Another one we like is Unusual Suspects, which is easy, fun and can be played in 10 minutes. We like to play it before bedtime on trips.
You are a thoughtful friend. Care packages are so nice to get. They are also fun to put together. Enjoy the process.
iTunes gift card if he has an iPod
Talk to your friend and find out what he likes/misses; and she will know what you can and can't mail.
Whenever I traveled, I LOVED getting stuff that reminded me of home. Is there anything in particular he loves about here?
When I was living in Amsterdam, my mom sent me Peanut Butter, Nutter Butters, a notebook to write down things I did while over there, and one of those neck pillows that people use on planes.
A second on the ketchup! I went to china and missed it! And I'm not even that into ketchup....;-)
Just keep in mind that you will need to fill out a customs slip when shipping.
-chips
-gum
-juice boxes
-snack cakes
-car magazines
-candy wrapped in a bag in case of melting
- socks
- clothes (tshirts, jeans)
I spent my summers overseas as a child. I remember CRAVING Pringles and would devour a can of them when I got back to the States.
Movies/DVDs.
Tee shirts.
One time use cameras.
School supplies like notebooks, pencils, sharpeners, colored pencils.
A picture of his parents
comic books, football, iTunes card, if Candy is allowed - Halloween Candy (fun stuff), DVD,
