Christmas Care Package for Adult Nephew

Updated on November 09, 2011
S.M. asks from Los Angeles, CA
14 answers

My Nephew is studying one year abroad in Turkey. I skyped with him yesterday and he said he much he is missing the little things he took for granted here in California. Things public transportation, air quality, and peanut butter (a jar of Jiffy costs $23) So, I got to thinking that since it's a different culture there is no Christmas in December (their Christmas is now) I want to send him a care package that will arrive around our Christmas time. I don't know what to send because the package will take a long time to get there and shipping cost will be very expensive; having said that I turn to you Mamas for great creative 'home' ideas.' Thank you for your ideas in advance.

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K.C.

answers from Orlando on

We had a friend stationed in Japan for 3 years...I just want to let you know do not send marshmellow creme (fluff) ...it explodes. :)

2 moms found this helpful

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C.C.

answers from Houston on

When my kids were far away in their adult years for whatever reason...I always sent video tapes of everything and everyone familiar to them....even videotaped our city as I was driving around and our neighborhood....they loved it!

2 moms found this helpful
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R.M.

answers from Topeka on

Peanut butter is one of the things that my daughters ALWAYS wanted when they lived in Europe as students. They also loved the pre-cooked bacon...bacon just isn't "bacon" in Europe. Talk to his M. and Dad and find out what some of his comfort foods are...and include some of those. I am sure he would also love a small group of pictures of home and family to enjoy.
I have used the "one price " boxes that the US post office offers...it IS still expensive ( The big box was about $50 to send to Spain) and you definitely want to insure it, but there is not a worry about how much something weighs...so you can put a couple of jars of peanut butter in and not have to be concerned. My daughter always appreciated the home made goodies that I would send...fudge, rice krispie treats, just a taste of home...and some love in a box!! Wrap each piece in some saran wrap and then put the individual pieces into a zip loc bag...if there is room you can put it all into a small box or something so it doesn't get crushed...but you don't have much room to work with...so that might not be an option.
It is so expensive that I would DEFINITELY talk to him you don't want to spend a lot of money in sending something that he doesn't want or need.

2 moms found this helpful
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S.E.

answers from Wichita Falls on

When I studied abroad for a summer, the most universally missed things were ketchup (they have it but it tastes wrong) and oreos.

1 mom found this helpful
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K.G.

answers from San Diego on

How about you get the whole family involved (parents, aunts, uncles, grandparents, close friends) in putting together a care package with the lil things he's missing from home. Remember to add a local newspaper. Then everyone pitch in on the shipping. I bet it he will find it to be the most important Chirstmas gift he's been given. Also send family photos and candy canes.

1 mom found this helpful
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❤.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

I ship to Japan & it's expensive.

Go to your Post Ofc & ask how much to send there for what weight?

I find those mailing envelopes w/bubble wrap inside are cheaper to send.

It takes 2 weeks for my packages to get there.

I send things he cannot get there: American chocolate, comforts of
home etc).

If you do send a jar of Jiffy, buy a teeny, tiny container (plastic jar), some
chocolate bars, a stocking filled w/things for Christmas, a couple of
candy canes, warm socks, a picture of his family (not framed), a magazine a paperback book if he reads a lot, a mini flashlight w/the batteries.

How nice of you. Have fun w/it!

1 mom found this helpful
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J.P.

answers from Los Angeles on

Put all of the dry ingredients for chocolate chip cookies (measured out) in a jar (or plastic ziplock containers from the $1 store) and send it over.

Peanut butter and jelly. Send over his favorite snacks.

Maybe a little sand from a local beach in a ziplock.

A movie, like LA Story...depending on how old he is, he might not have seen it, with Steve Martin. Hysterical and shows much of LA.

A couple of magazines.

If he used public transport a lot for a specific route, then get on the bus and off at the same stops and video out the windows during the ride.

1 mom found this helpful
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S.H.

answers from St. Louis on

the post office has those "one price" boxes....I've used them for family.

buy the little snack packs of PB. Make his fav cookies - denser cookies travel better than the more fragile ones....make the choc chip in bars instead of drop! Ramen noodles, mac/cheese boxes....all will travel well.

I'd get a list from his parents & work from that. I have a nephew in the Navy & we're still learning right from wrong! Get his feedback & see how it goes.

Kudos to you for wanting to help him!

1 mom found this helpful
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J.B.

answers from Los Angeles on

send him some peanut butter, snacks they dont have there. then ask him if he needs anything needed tooth brush, favorite tooth paste etc.

1 mom found this helpful
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S.H.

answers from Honolulu on

Anything you mail him... has to go through Customs. Only send things that you know is allowed.
Some foods, will not be allowed. And plants of course.
Mailing things abroad, is also expensive as you said. But... if you want it to get there in a reasonable amount of time (not in 1 month), then you do need to spend the money to mail it First Class international air mail. Or send it via UPS.
And naturally, the heavier the box, the more expensive it will be to mail. It goes by weight. I have mailed things to my in-laws in Europe. Even a small box, less than a shoe box, is over $47.

What about his parents?? Are they not mailing him care packages?????

If you do send him food.... and it is perishable and it takes a long time to get there.... it will rot or be stale.
AND you won't even know, if you can... mail these foods to him, to Turkey. It goes through Customs and may be inspected. I have sent boxes abroad before, and it was opened/checked.

I would do some research instead, on what foods (since that seems like you want to send him), you can mail.... to Turkey for him.
And, I would insure whatever you mail to him. So it can be tracked.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=2008120514284...

1 mom found this helpful
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S.L.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hi. I don't know if you're a $ Store shopper, but I certainly am. There are so many 99 Cent stores, Dollar Trees, etc. that you can actually load up on practically every single item/snack your nephew is missing and craving for the holidays; even right down to activity books, puzzles and novels. At the Dollar Tree I saw very sturdy wicker baskets with must-haves to fill it right on the same shelf: coffee, creamer, utensils, crackers and snacks, and even a mug. I have always been one to buy a simple bag, basket, or backpack and fill it with lots of goodies to match the recipient and his/her personality and likes. I guarantee your nephew will love this gift idea. It's always fun to receive a smorgasboard of goodies any time of the year. Just remember to package with bubble wrap and send nothing perishable. Also make sure to check exp. dates. Some stores actually still sell items past the sell by date.
Oh, and the best part is that it will cost very minimal, ya know, how ever many items you purchase at a dollar a piece! Which in turn leaves you with more cash to ship the package. Hope you find this idea helpful and creative! Happy Holidays!

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J.T.

answers from Victoria on

i would ask him what he wants. you can purchace little containers of peanut butter individualy wrapped. idk what he likes so its kinda hard to guess. hard candy ships well.

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M.B.

answers from Austin on

I ship to Seoul Korea about once or twice a year.

I would first look up the shipping/mailing costs and plan to keep the package under those weights...

For example, to mail to Seoul it is about $30 ( or so) for a 4 lb package for it to go first class. (There isn't anything cheaper). If the package is OVER 4 lbs, it HAS to go priority... which ups the price.

So... whenever I ship something, I make sure to keep it under the 4 lbs.....

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D.G.

answers from Las Vegas on

Check out the one price boxes. Also, go to the USPS site to make sure of what you can and can't send.

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