Category: Gifting

For the thousands of students heading off to school this month, it’s probably the first time they’ve ever been away from home. So needless to say, they’re going to need a little bit of help from mom and dad. Enter: care packages — the foolproof way to let your loved one know you’re thinking about them.

Whether it’s their first year or their last, here are a few care package ideas that will help any student survive the school year.

Home Goods

It can be hard to make a dorm room feel like home, so personalized items are a must! From welcome signs to wreaths and picture frames, add some character to your home away from home.

Flowers

Since most dorm rooms and apartment complexes won’t let you paint the walls or hang anything up, students have to find other ways to add some color to their bedrooms. That’s where flowers come in! Even a small bouquet can add new life and a pop of color to any room.

A Journal

Ask any college graduate about their time in school and they’ll probably tell you that it was “the best time of my life.” Keep the memories you make in college alive and with you forever by jotting them down in our beautiful Swarovski Crystalline Pen and Journal set.

Something Cozy

With winter only a few short months away, walking to class in the cold and snow is no easy feat. Make their journey just a little easier by sending along a comfortable pair of Good Day™ Socks. And with their signature message of “Gonna Be a Good Day™” inscribed on the toe, you can bet that these socks will always make them smile — even during finals week! And for the English major in your life, send them a true literary masterpiece in the form of these clever infinity scarves.

Spa Gifts

Dorm bathrooms aren’t exactly known for their elegance. But the right shower products can turn even a communal bathroom into a relaxing oasis. After a hard day of tests and projects, treat your scholar to a little relaxation with a premier spa gift basket in a number of favorite scents.

Plenty of Snacks

College food has never been synonymous with “tasty,” so give your child a break from the buffet line and send them something they’ll enjoy every bite of. From cakes and cookies to fruit baskets, and even meat and cheeses (for those who really want to avoid the cafeteria), we’ve got something for everyone!

If sending a care package has you envisioning long lines at the post office and packing peanuts everywhere, leave it up to us! With our national shipping (and same-day delivery on many items) we can have all of your items at your loved one’s residence in no time!

Whether or not and where to have their gift registries are two of the thousands of decisions that engaged couples need to make before their big day. There are some rather amazing gift-registry choices for couples today. Everything from mutual funds to island honeymoons can be tagged as gift possibilities. But what’s appropriate and how should guests be made aware of your gift suggestions?

The whole point of registries is to make gift selection convenient for guests, especially those who have little time for shopping or don’t know a couple’s tastes. Note the following:

1. No guest is obligated to select a gift from a registry – it’s up to the guest to decide what to choose. While many guests enjoy coming up with their own ideas for gifts and take pleasure in selecting “just the right thing,” most guests are thrilled to have some guidance – and a guarantee that comes with a registry gift that they’re getting the lovebirds something they’ll love.
2. Just as guests have varying budgets, the registry should have a range of prices. Listing only expensive gifts is a discourtesy; it’s up to the guests to decide what they’ll spend.
3. Non-traditional registries are a great new option, but registering at more traditional locations for a few household items should be considered. This allows guests who may not be comfortable with these more modern opportunities to still select a gift they know you’ll love.
4. Guests should be informed politely about registries. The bride, groom, their families and the bridal party should wait until someone asks about a wish list. If asked directly, a courteous response would be something like this: “We would be thrilled with anything you gave us. But, you can find our registries at xyz and abc stores if you’d like. Thanks for thinking of us!” Discreet links to registries on the wedding web site are also appropriate and are one of the best ways to “inform” guests without compromising etiquette.
5. Registry information should never be part of the wedding invitation. Although it might seem practical, including registry information may offend. Wedding invitations that include “what to buy us” lists turn people off because the emphasis on gifts seems more important than the invitation to join a couple on their special day. Don’t include registry lists in engagement party invitations or wedding announcements either. However, it’s okay for shower hosts to include registry information in invitations because gift-giving is the purpose of the shower.
6. Write thoughtful, hand-written thank-you notes to each guest who gives you a gift. Do it as soon as you possibly can – at the very latest, within three months of receipt of the gift. (Having a year to write thank you notes is a myth.)

Honeymoon Registry

What is it?

This type of registry allows guests to contribute to a couple’s honeymoon trip fund. They are easy to create on different wedding websites, and are also available through many travel companies and agencies. The bride and groom should work with a reputable company that will alert them to each cash gift (including the name of the gift giver), and one that will manage the honeymoon plans efficiently.

Is a Honeymoon Registry appropriate?

Yes, but don’t expect all guests to choose that gift option. Some will be more comfortable selecting a traditional gift, or giving cash. A honeymoon registry is an acceptable choice, but it’s probably safest to give guests alternate choices — so it’s a good idea to still register for some traditional items, too.

How do you spread the word?

(See #4 above) Do so politely. Word of mouth is the traditional, but still most effective (and polite), way to go.

Charitable Registry

Some couples, often couples celebrating encore weddings, don’t want to receive traditional gifts and suggest that guests donate to a non-profit organization that has a special place in their hearts.

How do you spread the word?

Almost all charities have established systems for tracking gifts and notifying the honored individuals. When guests ask about the gift wish list, they can be informed of the preference. If there is a wedding website, a link to the charity registry is fine.

Is a Charity Registry appropriate?

Yes, but try to avoid political or highly controversial causes. This type of registry provides a unique and special way for a couple (especially one with established households) to mark their union.

Should couples give their guests other registry options?

Some people may not hear about your desire or may prefer to give a more traditional gift, so it’s a good idea to register at a traditional retailer too.

Should thank-you notes still be sent, or is that the responsibility of the charity?

While the charitable organization will send a thank you letter or tax receipt, it’s the responsibility of the bride and groom to thank each guest for their gifts.

Alternative Retailer

Home improvement suppliers, sporting goods and furniture stores are all appropriate and interesting choices for gift registries.

Is it inappropriate to ask for these gifts because they fall more into the ‘want’ and not the ‘need’ category?

These types of registries are perfectly acceptable. Weddings are gift-giving occasions. The tradition of giving presents to the bride and groom is longstanding and not about to change. Couples who have established households are certainly welcome to suggest other appropriate items. Those targeted toward a couple’s hobbies or interests are perfectly fitting.

No matter if they’re deployed for two months or two years, they are a family member or stranger, or they are in the U.S. Army or Marines – our service men and women are doing some of the hardest jobs imaginable. And while they’re overseas, they’re sure to miss the comforts of home from time to time. Since it can be hard to communicate via phone or video chat, a care package is a great way to stay connected and show your support.

Thanks to our international shipping, you can skip the post office and send everything you want to over 195 countries right from 1800Flowers.com. While specific products may be limited by the recipients location, here are some ideas of gifts you can send:

Salty Snack Baskets

If your special someone is a salt lover, send them a basket filled with snacks to satisfy their cravings including popcorn tins, nuts, chocolate covered pretzels and more. Plus, most of these gift baskets won’t spoil right away so they can be enjoyed for quite some time!

Chocolate & Sweets Baskets

On the other hand, if you know someone with a sweet tooth, there are plenty of chocolate & candy baskets you can send. From truffles to chocolate covered nuts to chocolate chip cookies, there is sure to be a delicious treat gift they’ll love!

Personal Care Items

Personal care items are always a plus when someone is living in a foreign place. While these items are often found on the base, sending something a little extra like a luxury spa basket or PRZMAN shaving kit will make them feel right at home. 

Tea and Coffee

Special items like coffee and tea can sometimes be hard to find on a base, so surprise them with something they’re surely missing. Keep your loved one energized and alert with delicious coffee and all the coffee flavored snacks that go with it. Also, plain water can get boring after a while, and flavored drinks are hard to come by when you’re serving. Sending a tea basket filled with their favorite tea or a variety of teas is the perfect way for them to relax and unwind. And best of all, they have health-enhancing properties that will keep your loved one strong and feeling their best!

Message in a Bottle

Instead of sending a traditional letter in the mail to your pen pal, why not change it up by sending your message in a bottle? Whether it’s for a special occasion like a birthday or anniversary or just because you’re thinking of them, these unique keepsakes are something they are sure to cherish while overseas.

Personalized Keepsakes

It should come as no surprise that a personalized keepsake is the perfect gift for someone who’s away. A personalized blanket with your names on it or a custom photo frame is definitely something your loved one would cherish, especially when apart.

Create Your Own Care Package

You can always get creative and send over your own custom made care package! In addition to some sentimental letters and pictures, throw in a few extra surprises, like:

• Moose Munch: This isn’t your average popcorn. Moose Munch is a delicious array of classic caramel, s’mores, milk chocolate, and dark chocolate flavored popcorn.
• Thank You Personalized Chocolate Box: What’s the only thing better than a thank you card? A thank you bar of chocolate! With our personalization services, you can place a custom order and have each piece of chocolate engraved with a special meaning or message.
• Tea Forte® Teas From The Heart 12 count box: Let someone know how much you appreciate their service with our heart-shaped box of Vanilla Peach, Jasmine Chamomile, Passion Fruit Papaya, Cherry Amour and Strawberry Apple teas.
• Good Day Socks: Something as simple as a fun pair of socks can make anyone smile. Whether you send patriotic American flag socks or socks with smiley faces, these socks will make their day a little brighter.