Looking for Care Package Ideas

Sometimes it does not have to be "something" A simple "thinking of you" card in the mail has brightened my day. Otherwise delivered flowers are nice - as for gifts to send - Does she like to read - the Chicken soup books, magazines, etc, anything for a distraction.
Just letting her know that you are "there" for her if she should need to vent and reminding her that "it all passes" tantrums, bad days, classes, money issues.

Best wishes to you
C.

Maybe something for her 2-yr-old to keep him/her "busy." Maybe some puzzles or something. That's really sweet of you!

a devotional, or easy read uplifting book...something for the 2yr old to keep busy with (game, book, new colors...)
lavender candle
gift cert. to have her nail done or to a coffee shop

I always like to send magazines to my friends when they aren't feeling well or having a rough time. And I mean mindless magazines nothing too heavy or anything that has a lot to read. There's just something about turning your brain off and just sitting with one. It can even be ones that you have just read yourself. Maybe a cd with a mix of music you think would lift her mood or that she could sing to. Some really good smelling cream would be nice or some nail polish. Fuzy socks are always good too!

candles or other relaxing scented items; granola mix; motivational book; a nice journal and pen; pictures; a nice personal, hand written note from you would be great too!

maybe a homemade card that tells her some of the things you love about her. It can be like a top 10 list of your favorite memories or things you like about her - or things you like about being a mommy. Some of my favorite keepsakes are handmade :)

Here is a fun care package you can put together. Purchase each item and put the following note on each:

Friendship Survival Kit

Smarties To help you solve challenging problems.

Starburst For a “burst” of energy on those days that you don’t have any

Snickers To remind you to take time to laugh

Pumpkin Seeds To help you “grow” personally
.
Lifesaver For when you’ve had one of those days

Gum To mind you to stick with it

Band-Aid To fix hurt feelings

Tissue To wipe away a tear or someone else’s

Tootsie Roll To remind you of the important “role” you play

Candy Lipstick To help you communicate effectively.

Piece of String When you reach the end of your rope, this will keep you going a little longer

Dum Dum Pop For those people who just don’t “get it”

Cinnamon Toothpick Will help you “pick out” your special qualities.

Candy Watch To thank you for the “quality time” you spend with others.

Peppermint Recognizes your commit”mint” to your family.

how about a small gift card to a woman store so she can buy herself an outfit? every woman i know loves to go shopping for herself when she is down!!

Relaxing candles, supplies to give herself a pedicure or a gift card for a pedicure (At Ulta you can get little inflatable foot soakers so you can fill it with water and soak like you would at a salon), gift card for somewhere she enjoys - coffee, bookstore.

Hi L.-

I don't know if it's the weather or what, but I've been longing for some nice fall things. I would love to receive some fall scented candles (pumpkin, cinnamon, apple) and one of those really snuggly blankets they have out. Also, maybe some nice bubble bath or a good book to curl up to. A gift card to a coffee shop is something I always enjoy, too. Good luck finding the perfect gift. You are such a sweet sister-in-law to be thinking of her. I'm sure she appreciates just having someone to talk to.
-L.

Things to reminder her to give herself "me time". Nail polish, personal size items you find at Bath and Body. They make about everything they have in small sizes. They also have awesome shea infused soft cozy socks. A pretty journal and pen - I have been lucky finding those at a dollar store. How about a little photo album with old and current sister pictures letting her know you are there for her despite the distance. For snacks how about sugar free gum and little hard candies. How about a little teddy bear to represent a "bear hug" you would give her if you were there. Whatever you do she will have a smile on her face opening your package and so appreciate your caring.

Sister poems, mom poems- motivational, poems about getting through hard times. Same thing with songs- maybe make her a mixed CD [I remember making mixed tapes for my friends long ago that pertained to them in some way] with some of her favorite songs/cheerful songs/songs about getting through hard times, etc. Or an iTunes gift card if you can't think of that many.

A DVD of a good chick flick- I still love "My Best Friend's Wedding" ...that one is funny, and is also about making it through a tough time and knowing everything will be okay in the end.

If she is struggling to study with a 2 year old at home, and you have the money, maybe you could prepay an hourly drop-in daycare in her state to give her a chance to get some homework done or just get a break in general. You can't really find a babysitter for her long-distance but at least with those places you can be sure they are licensed and have certain standards. That would be pretty expensive obviously [the ones here in Minnesota are $8-$9 an hour...I have never used them but have researched them, wishing I could use them sometimes! I've just never had the extra money for it or any babysitter for that matter]. If someone did that for me, or paid a babysitter for me to get a break I know I would be sooo grateful.

Dark chocolate, nice earrings or some other kind of jewelry, a gift card to a department store of some kind, and I totally agree with Bath and Body works- can't go wrong there. Everything they make smells great!

I did a care package for a friend when she was having a tough time turning 40. I wrapped everything seperate with little notes: Hot pink nail polish for when she's feeling fun, a good book when she has some down time, some kleenex if she's feeling blue, some cookies for when she's craving, some lipstick for a good night out, some candles for a good night in, and a few other things. Maybe some bath salts or fuzzy socks. Everything was small and inexpensive, but she sure got a kick out of the little gifts and notes!

I am in the same situation as your sister-in-law. Luckily for me my two year old isn't throwing tantrums. I think the idea of a gift certificate to a spa is great. At a time when you are looking for work and going to school and money is tight it is hard to rationalize spending money on yourself. You didn't mention this but if she is a single mom you may want to think about how you can help her to have a break from her child. I know you live further away but maybe you know someone who lives close to her that would be willing to babysit while she goes to the spa. Just a thought. Good luck.

Fake eyelashes for fun!