For those of you who went to college – do you remember what it was like to get a package in the mail FULL of goodies? I received a few of these during my college days and they always came at what seemed was just the right moment – usually when I was shaking water in my shampoo bottle to get the remnants out of the bottom.

Well, we (as my sister likes to call) “Frugalistas” love to stock up, but can often get ridiculously overloaded with samples and drug store goodies (eh…hem: CVS, Walgreens, etc.). Hey, I don’t know about you, but my family is probably NOT going to be using 7 tubes of toothpaste this year…so why don’t I give them away and be a blessing to a poor college student?

One reason to be frugal is to save money in order to have abundant resources to bless others with (not to hoard every last toothbrush we can get a deal on – tongue in cheek ).

One way that you can do this is to put together a care package. Get your kids involved, make a party out of it – they’ll love it and it’ll teach them something about giving to others.

Here are just a few ideas:

1. Uh…so where do I find a college student?

• Is anyone in your family (sibling, niece…second-cousin-twice-removed) in college right now? Send ‘em a package!
• Check with your church’s college and career class leader (if you have one; if not, check with your pastor) – he’ll be able to hook you up with a few names and addresses.
• Call your Alma Mater or a local/State college and find out if there are any financially needy students that you could be a blessing to.

2. What should I put in the package?

(you could most likely fill this with CVS goodies and samples – so think along those lines as you read this part)

• Toilettries (toothpaste, toothbrush, shampoo, conditioner, floss, deodorant…you get the idea)
• School supplies (pens, pencils, notepads, sticky notes, etc.)
• Snacks (sample packs, CVS candy, homemade cookies, etc.)
• Other (air freshener (ummm…..especially for male college students – that’s all I’m going to say…the end), stamps, stationary, shoelaces, etc.)

3. Fun touches

• Make homemade cards – get your kids involved in this part, especially
• Write out some Bible verses on decorated cards
• Take pictures of your family putting together the care package and include them in the package
• Decorate the box

Another random idea:

• If you live close to a relative or friend who is in college, have them over for dinner and before they leave, let them raid your stock pile for anything that they need.

Also check out how to put together a Guest Hospitality basket using your goodies. If you all have any more ideas, we’d love to hear them!